Long, Ralph H. – Obituary

Ralph H. Long, 86, of Baker City, died Dec. 1, 2005, at his home. His memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Calvary Baptist Church, 2107 Third St. Pastor Ed Niswender of the church will officiate. His graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Elgin Cemetery. Ralph was born on Nov. 26, 1919, at Elgin to Harlen and Lela Blanchard Long. He received his education at Elgin. He entered the U.S. Navy during World War II and served his country aboard the USS Antares where he served for four years as a storekeeper in the … Read more

Shelton, Mack C. – Obituary

Mack C. Shelton Passes To Rest Mack C. Shelton was born in Dallas County, Iowa on February 25, 1885. He crossed the plains with his parents in 1862, coming first to Willamette valley. In 1873 he came to Union county and purchased a quarter section of land two and one-half miles northwest of Elgin in 1878. While he lived in this vicinity he was engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married to Miss DeLilah Long September 21, 1874. To this union were born eleven children and two passed away in infancy. His wife passed away July 18,1900. He then … 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

Moore, Royce Earl – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Royce Earl Moore, 85, of Elgin, died April 2 in the comfort of his home with family at his side. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Monday at the Elgin Stampede Hall. Royce was born Feb. 9, 1923, to Earl and Verna (Darr) Moore in Elgin. He attended Thorny Grove School until eighth grade and then graduated from Elgin High School. After school, Royce joined the United States Navy and served during World War II. Royce then started a career with the Oregon Department of Transportation in 1962 and retired 22 years later in 1984. On … Read more

Evans, Gerald – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Gerald Evans Gerald “Gene” Evans, 73, a lifetime resident of Union County, died Feb. 17 at the Grande Ronde Retirement Residence in La Grande. At his request there will be no public services. The family will have a private celebration of life at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Gene was born March 21, 1934, to Jason and Phyllis (Jones) Evans in Elgin. He was raised on a farm west of Union and attended Union public schools.Active in school sports, he was chosen to play in the Shriner’s Football … Read more

Rizor, Elvie – Obituary

1908-2003 Elvie I. Parks Rizor, 94, a longtime Union resident, died March 28, in Eugene, Oregon. A service will start a 1 p. m. Wednesday in Union at the United Methodist Church. The Rev. Jerry Peters will officiate. Burial will follow in the Union Cemetery. Friends may call for viewing between 3 and 7 p. m. today at Loveland Funeral Chapel. Mrs. Rizor was born June 22, 1908, in Elgin, the daughter of Nathan R. and Ida E. Cummings Parks. She was raised and educated in Elgin. As a young girl she worked as a telephone operator in Elgin. She … Read more

Crawford, June M. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon June M. Gerry Crawford, 86, of La Grande, died June 11 at her home. A celebration of life service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center. A full obituary will be available later. La Grande Observer – June 12, 2008 ________________________________________ June M. Gerry-Crawford, 86, of La Grande, died peacefully June 11 at her home after a long illness. A celebration of life service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center with Doug Edmonds, minister of the La Grande Church of Christ, officiating. … Read more

Light, Anna L. Mrs. – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon In Elgin, Oregon, Wednesday, December 21st, 1904, Anna L., beloved wife of John J. Light, aged 33 years. Mrs. Light passed away at 8 o’clock Wednesday morning, her death occurring at the family apartments in Hotel Elgin, and resulting from tuberculosis of the lungs, from which disease she had suffered severely and patiently. It was the hope that the climatic conditions here would tend to restore her health that led Mr. and Mrs. Light to establish their home in Elgin in September 1903. Since that time they had formed many warm friendships among the citizens of … Read more

Kennedy, Rex Allen – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Rex Allen Kennedy, 47, of Elgin, died, July 30 in an ATV accident at Jubilee Lake. A celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Elgin Community Center. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Rex was born Jan. 7, 1961, to William Howard and Mildred Elizabeth (Phillips) Kennedy in La Grande. Rex was raised in Elgin and graduated from Elgin High School in 1979. Rex served in the Air Force from 1979 to 1983. He worked as an electrician for a trailer manufacturer; for cable companies, trimming trees all over the … Read more

Biography of Hosmer L. Buell

HOSMER L. BUELL.-The subject of this sketch deserves to be placed in the history of Union county for various reasons. He is a man of ability, which is amply demonstrated in the fine drug business that he manipulates in the city of Elgin, where he does a thriving business. He has passed a life of great activity in various leading industries, being ever at the ehad both because of his energy and because of his fitness for that purpose. When the call came for men, brave and true, to face the cannon of the hosts of rebellion, our subject never … Read more

Luse, Benny – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Benny Luse, 60, of Everett, Wash., and formerly of Elgin, died May 12. A full obituary will be available later. La Grande Observer – Obituaries for the day of May 16, 2008

Biographical Sketch of John E. Jones

JOHN E. JONES. – The second to locate in the beautiful Indian valley was the gentleman of whom we write. He was born in South Wales in 1818, and crossed the Atlantic to America in 1850, removing to Salt Lake in the next year. Removing to Cache valley in 1859, he made some valuable improvements on his place; but, disagreeing with the Mormons, he removed to Soda Springs in 1863. The next year he removed to Deer Lodge valley, Montana, farming until a destructive invasion of grasshoppers. Meantime he has been making butter, which commanded a price of two dollars … Read more

Gent, (Son) – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon The seven weeks old boy of Mr. and Mrs. William Gent died in this city, July 17, from cholera infantum. The little one was laid to rest in the city cemetery Wednesday forenoon. Elgin Recorder Friday July 20, 1906

Burnaugh, Joseph Merrill – Obituary

Summerville, Union County, Oregon Native of Union County Dies Joseph Merrill Burnaugh, 63-year-old farmer of Summerville, died Sunday, Dec. 26, at a local hospital following a long illness. He was born Feb. 25, 1880, at Elgin, and had lived in Union county all his life, and was a member of the Christian church. Among survivors are his widow, Emma, two daughters, Mrs. E. W. Marks of Darrington, Wash., Mrs. Arthur Furman of Imbler and one son, Walter, USN, six grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Brook Galloway of Elgin and one brother, Lewie Burnaugh of Portland. Funeral services will be held … Read more

McNaughton, Thomas Dr. – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Many Pay Tribute To Late Dr. McNaughton Well Known Character Given Final and Appropriate Honors Dr. Thomas McNaughton died February 9th, 1916, after an illness of five months, terminating in Pleuro-Pneumonia, which was the immediate cause of death. During his illness anxious inquires were made daily from homes where he has been a welcome visitor in times of illness and from others where he was esteemed as well as a friend or neighbor. When it became evident that the end was near, sorrow over his taking was manifestly general. He died at his residence in Elgin, … Read more

Hays, Clarence Edward – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Clarence Edward Hays, 84, of Elgin died Sept. 22 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise. Viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Elgin Cemetery. A dinner will follow at the Elgin Community Center. Mr. Hays was born Oct. 7, 1921, to Luther and Ellen Bennett Hays in Baker City. The family lived in Missouri, Washington, Idaho and Oregon. He served in the Navy during World War II, and on Sept. 2, 1951, he married Beverly Case … Read more

Biography of Charles R. Patten

CHARLES R. PATTEN. – It is with pleasure that we are enabled to grant to the esteemed gentleman whose name is at the head of this paragraph a representation in this volume of Union county’s history, since he has labored faithfully here for the advancement of the county and has demeaned himself in such a commendable manner that he has won the admiration and esteem of all who are acquainted with him. Charles R. was born in Walla Walla, Washington, on December 10, 1860, being the son of William H. and Elizabeth A. (Young) Patten, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and … Read more

Darr, Catharine E. – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon The death of Catharine E., wife of J.S. Darr, occurred at the family home north of this city, Sunday March 25, 1905. Mrs. Darr had been suffering ill health for several months. Deceased was born in Virginia March 5, 1836, being a few days over 69 years of age. She moved from Missouri to this section with her husband in 1881. Besides her husband, she leaves nine children and a host of friends to mourn her loss. Services were conducted in the M.E. Church Monday afternoon by Rev. D.S. Smith and interment took place in the … Read more

Heyduck, Robert Leon – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Robert Leon Heyduck, 88, of Portland and formerly of Elgin, died March 15. He was laid to rest in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Known as Rob, he was born June 20, 1918, to Benjamin and Lela (Park) Heyduck in Elgin. He was raised in Elgin and graduated from Elgin High School. On June 9, 1939, he married Nova Henderson of Elgin. He served in the Navy from 1943 to 1945 and was stationed in Hawaii. He and Nova lived in Bremerton for a short while after they married, then moved to Portland, where they have lived since. … Read more

Smith, Harry E. – Obituary

A retired railroad employee, Harry E. Smith, 66, 1810 Adams Avenue, died at a local hospital early this morning, February 29. He is survived by his wife Mildred E. Smith and other relatives. Arrangements are pending at Crippin-Daniels Funeral Chapel. La Grande Observer, La Grande, Union County, Oregon, Thursday, February 29, 1968 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Smith, Harry Edward Union County, Oregon Harry Edward Smith, 66, 1810 Adams Avenue, died at a local hospital February 29. He had retired in December, 1967, as a Union Pacific Storekeeper. Services will be Saturday, Mar. 2, at 3:30 p.m. at Crippin-Daniels Funeral Chapel with Rev. Boone … Read more