Darr, Delbert – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Fatally Hurt in Explosion of Blasting Caps Delbert Darr was fatally injured and his brother, George, received a score of painful bruises and cuts about his head and shoulders between 7 and 8 o’clock Tuesday morning when a quantity of dynamite caps which they were preparing to take with them to work, exploded. Immediately after the accident Dr. Thompson of Elgin was notified who called an ambulance from La Grande, and went to the scene of the accident, the John Darr place. Delbert died in the Grande Ronde hospital about 20 minutes after reaching La Grande. … Read more

Trump, Jess Richard – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Jess Richard Trump Jess Richard Trump, 83, died June 4 at his home in Elgin. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at the Elgin Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, La Grande. Mr. Trump was born March 22, 1924, to Lacey and Lula (Lyons) Trump in Wallowa and graduated from Elgin High School. During World War II he served with the Army until being honorably discharged in 1945. On July 5, 1946, he married Deloris Jean Read. Jess worked as a machinist and welder in Portland until he retired … Read more

McComas, E. S. – Obituary

One of the largest funerals in the history of the town of Union marked the obsequies of the pioneer editor and politician, E. S. McComas. The funeral was held at Union, Wednesday afternoon, September 6 at 3 o’clock, and was attended by a great gathering of pioneers. The body was laid to rest beside his mother, brother, and son. The deceased leaves a widow, one daughter, an adopted son and three sisters, Mrs. Alice M. Bell of Enterprise, Mrs. Esther E. Pursel and Mrs. Mary R. Thomson of Union. Mrs. Bell received word of her brother’s extermity Saturday afternoon and … Read more

Crimmins, Deltah M. – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Deltah M. Crimmins, 89, of McMinnville and formerly of Elgin, died Jan. 6 at Oakwood Country Place. Visitation will run from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Chapel of Macy and Son, 135 N. Evans St., in McMinnville. Graveside service begins at 2 p.m. Saturday at McBride Cemetery with Rev. Kent Savage officiating. Burial will be at McBride Cemetery in Carlton. Deltah was born Dec. 13, 1918, to Eldon and Gladys McClune Hartley in Elgin. She was raised and went to school in Elgin. She moved to McMinnville in 1941 and married Darrell Crimmins on … Read more

Widell John A. – Obituary

Widell John A.John A. Widell, 75, died Wednesday, May 7, 1975 at the Elgin Medical Center. He was born April 20, 1900 to James and Eva Widell in Elgin, Oregon. Widell was the owner and operator of the Elgin O.L.C.C. Survivors include his widow, Alice; a son, Bud; a daughter, Nova Jean Hallgarth, all of Elgin; a step-son, Bill Conrey of Estacada; a step-daughter, Pat Hage, Santa Ana, Ca; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Elgin Christian Church, Friday, May 9, with the Reverend William E. Miller officiating. Interment followed at the Elgin Cemetery. Here … Read more

Adams, Colletta Delores – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Colletta Delores Adams, 88, formerly of Elgin and La Grande, died Saturday at home in Southlake, Texas. Viewing will run from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Recitation of the holy rosary will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center in La Grande. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Elgin. Burial will follow at the Elgin Cemetery. A memorial Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grapevine, Texas, at noon on April 26. Colletta was born … Read more

Smith, Gilford – Obituary

Gilford Smith’s BurialThe Galveston, Texas News has the following concerning the burial of Gilford Smith, the 20-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. A.B.C. Smith, of this place. Gilford Smith, the young man who was drowned in the bay on March 6, and whose body was recovered Friday, was buried yesterday morning at Lakeview cemetery at 8:30 o’clock. His comrades, the crew of the Gertrude, were the pallbearers, and the immense heap of flowers which covered the coffin testified to the esteem in which he was held by his friends. Rev. G.S. Sexton, pastor of the Central Methodist Church, performed … Read more

Sutton, Kathleen Elizabeth Ann “Kate” Winn Mrs. – Obituary

Kathleen “Kate” Elizabeth Ann Winn Sutton, 90, of La Grande passed away at a local care facility on June 22, 2005. Loveland Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements. Celebration of Life Services were held on Monday, June 27, 10 a.m. at The Elgin United Methodist Church. Viewing was held on Sunday, June 26 from 1-4 p.m. at Loveland Funeral Chapel 1508 4th Street, La Grande. She was born on Nov. 6, 1914, in Milton-Freewater, Ore., to Henry and Ethel Dougherty Winn. She graduated from Maclaughlin High School in Milton-Freewater. She married Harold L Sutton on Dec. 2, 1932, in College … Read more

McCall, Matt E. – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Services Held Tuesday for Matt E. McCall, 88 Matt Eugene McCall, 88, of Elgin, died Saturday, Aug. 13 in the Valley View Manor in La Grande after an extended illness. Funeral services were held at the Elgin Nazarene Church on Tuesday, Aug. 16. Rev. Marvin Miller officiated, with burial at the Elgin cemetery. The retired carpenter (correction: mill and timber worker) was born in Kansas on Jan. 21, 1878 and had lived in Elgin most of his lifetime. He was a member of the Nazarene Church. Survivors include a grandson, Jessie E. McCall of Boise, Idaho; … Read more

Smith, Elijah – Obituary

Union County, Oregon The death of Elijah Smith, a pioneer resident of this city occurred Saturday evening, December 2nd, 1905, after an illness of pneumonia fever. Elijah Smith was born in Calloway County, Mo., August 31, 1834, and was 71 years and 3 months old. He came to this county in 1874 and resided here continually until the time of his death. He lived an unmarried life and had amassed a fortune of several thousand dollars, a considerable amount of which was represented in dwellings in this city. he left no will and his wealth will go to his brothers … Read more

Oberteuffer, William Healey – Obituary

Island City, Oregon William Healey Oberteuffer William Healey Oberteuffer, 86, known as “Bill Obie,” died in his home in Island City Sept. 24. A memorial service in Portland will take place at 2 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Tryon Farm, followed by refreshments. A memorial service in the La Grande area will take place at noon Nov. 4 at the Summerville Pine Grove Grange, followed by a potluck. Remembrances can be sent to the Union County Extension Service for the Oberteuffer research and education forest. Donations can be sent to the Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Mr. … Read more

Breshears, John H. – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon John H. Breshears, 64, of Hayward, Calif. and formerly of Elgin died May 20. A graveside services in Elgin will be announced at a later date. A memorial service in Hayward will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday June 4. Machado’s Hillside Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Breshears was born Aug. 1, 1941, to James and Edith May Martin Breshears in Elgin. He graduated from Elgin High School in 1960 and served in the Navy. He was a sheet-metal worker for Simpson Strong Tie of San Leandro, Calif., for 36 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing motorcycle riding, … Read more

Hotchkiss, Florence Wheeler Mrs. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Mrs. Hotchkiss Dead Wife of Well-known Stock Buyer Answers the Last Summons. Mrs. M. E. Hotchkiss died at her home in Enterprise Friday morning after an illness of over 13 weeks. The body was taken to Elgin Saturday morning and the funeral was held at Elgin Sunday afternoon under the auspices of the Rathbone Sisters’ lodge of that city. Florence Wheeler was born in Tellico, Texas, January 9, 1876, and was at the time of her death, 31 years, 11 months, and 13 days of age. In 1887, in the company with her parents she came … Read more

Garrett, Melissa – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Elgin Pioneer Dies Woman Who Came Here in 1853 Passes Away Mrs. Melissa Garrett, aunt of Judge Slater of La Grande, died at her home near Elgin last evening. She was 80 years of age and was one of the early pioneers of Oregon. Her experience in the west would make an interesting volume and the Evening Observer expects a near future date to have an article on it from the pen of Judge Slater. Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon and interment will be made in the Summerville cemetery. La Grande Evening Observer Monday … Read more

Williams, Stephen Ray – Obituary

Wallowa, Oregon Stephen Ray Williams Stephen Ray Williams of Elgin, 26, died at the University of Oregon Hospital in Portland on Saturday July 12, 1980, of injuries he received in a one-car accident just west of Enterprise on July 4. He was a resident of Wallowa most of his life. He was born in La Grande on July 28, 1953, the son of Fred and Myrtle Williams. In 1957, he moved with his family to Wallowa, where he lived until approximately seven years ago. On August 31, 1973, he was married to Linda Cameron in Elgin. He was a log … Read more

Aylward, Ruby Lamara – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Ruby Lamara Aylward, 95, formerly of Joseph and Elgin, died in her sleep on Sept. 2 in Gresham. She will be cremated and buried with her husband of 67 years, William Quintin Aylward, in the Mountain View Cemetery in Walla Walla during a private service. Affordable Funeral Alternatives in Gresham is in charge of arrangements. Ruby was born April 19, 1912, in Pomeroy, Wash. She later married William Q. Aylward, a farmer. They moved to Joseph in 1947, and in 1952 moved to Elgin, where they farmed for more than 45 years. She lived at the Fairlawn … Read more

Higginbotham, G. C. – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon The body of George C. Higginbotham, a former resident of Elgin, was brought here today from Mann Creek, Ida. Burial took place this afternoon at Elgin, following service at the Methodist church at 2 o’clock. Snodgrass & Zimmerman were in charge. The decedent is survived by a brother, Thomas, who accompanied the body here. Elgin Recorder May 16, 1926 Contributed by: Larry Rader

Croucher, Norman W., Sr. – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Norman W. Croucher Sr. Formerly of Elgin A memorial service for Norman W. Croucher Sr., 74, formerly of Elgin, is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Elgin Christian Church, 1335 Division St. A finger-food potluck will follow the service. Mr. Croucher, of McMinnville and formerly of Elgin, died Jan. 19. The Observer – Obituaries for the week ending March 17, 2007

Schlegel, Willard “Willie” – Obituary

Willard “Willie” Schlegel, 82, a former Elgin resident, died June 26, 2003, at Emmett Rehab & Healthcare in Emmett, Idaho. The family invites all of Willie’s friends to join them in a memorial celebration of his life on Saturday, July 26, at 2 p.m. at the Stampede hall on the rodeo grounds in Elgin. The oldest son of Velma and William “Bill” Schlegel, Willie was born March 12, 1921, in Whitefish, Mont. He attended school in Whitefish, where he excelled in sports. In high school he was a member of the all-star team in both football and basketball. After graduation, … Read more

Hook, Harlena Alma – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Harlena Alma Hook, 69, of Elgin, died Monday at her home. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at the Elgin Cemetery. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Hook was born Aug. 24, 1935, to Vaughn and Frieda Graham Boswell in Elgin. She attended schools in Elgin, and on Nov. 10, 1956, she married Kenneth Hook in Lewiston, Idaho. She was devoted to her family and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Survivors include her husband; children and their spouses, Don Wayne and Vickie Hook of Sheridan, Richard Lee and Kathy Hook of … Read more