Eugene Oregon

Biographical Sketch of Thomas G. Matlock

This well-known citizen of Heppner, Morrow County, Oregon, who devotes himself to the improvement of our stock of horses, was born in Dade County, Missouri, March 4, 1849, and came with his parents across the plains to Oregon in 1853, locating with them near Eugene, where they engaged in stock-raising, and remaining until the death of the father at Bannack City, Idaho. He was buried on Buena Vista Bar, July 1, 1863. Thomas received a common-school education, and worked on the farm. His father having been a fancier and producer of fine horses, our subject went in 1871 to Umatilla … Read more

Luster, Deborah Kay – Obituary

Deborah Kay Luster, 44, of Pinedale, Wyo., a former Baker City resident, died June 13, 2005, in a car accident near Evanston, Wyo. Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Lennie Spooner of the First Church of the Nazarene will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at the home of Carolyn and Melvin Luster. Debbie was born on Jan. 13, 1961, at Twin Falls, Idaho. She was the sixth of nine children born to her mother, Mary Helen Sartain Sharp of The Dalles. She also had … Read more

Purdy, Ruth Marion Rippey Eccles Mrs. – Obituary

Ruth Marion Rippey Eccles Purdy, 92, of Picabo, Idaho, a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 26, 2006. Her memorial service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday at the Community Campus (old Wood River High School) Auditorium at Hailey, Idaho. Internment will be at the Picabo Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a “Celebration of Ruth’s Life” at the Picabo Store immediately after the internment. The daughter of Clark and Lottie Rippey, she was born on June 29, 1913, at Portland. Soon after, the family moved to Baker City, where her father worked for the Railway Mail Service on … Read more

Free, Joshua Lee Phillips – Obituary

Joshua Lee Phillips Free, 19, died Dec. 21, 2006, at his home in Eugene. There will be a memorial in Springfield. Josh was an avid skateboarder and songwriter. You may have seen him jumping the curbs and flipping his board in the air whenever he was visiting his family in Baker. Josh always had a smile and a friendly hello for all he met. He will be greatly missed by all. The family said, “In your words, Josh — ‘Live Free.’” Josh is survived by his parents, Jim and Aimie Free of Springfield and Karen Phillips of Eugene; brothers and … Read more

Niederer, Mini (See) – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Minnie (See) Niederer, 85, formerly of La Grande, died Oct. 21. Minnie was born and raised in La Grande where she met Harley Levon Niederer. They were married in Weiser, Idaho, in 1941. They moved to Eugene and spent 55 years together until Levon died in 1996. She is survived by son, John Niederer of Vancouver, Wash.; daughter, Nikki Pettet of Olympia, Wash.; two grandsons; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by four siblings, Bill Hart, Grover See, Lottie Noyes and Ester Crader. La Grande Observer – Obituaries for the week ending November … Read more

March, Nellie – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Nellie March, 85, of La Grande, died May 10 at a local care home. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Christian Church in La Grande. A complete obituary will be available later. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory is in charge of arrangements. La Grande Observer – Obituaries for the day of May 12, 2008 ___________________________________ Nellie March, 85, of La Grande, died May 10. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Christian Church in La Grande. A viewing will precede from 9 a.m. to … Read more

Bean, Ormond Robert – Obituary

Retired Portland City Commissioner Ormond R. Bean, 89, a 31-year servant in city, state and federal governments, died early Friday morning [February 14, 1975] in the Parkview Nursing Home. Death was due to natural causes, said his son, Ormond Bean, Jr. First elected to the Portland City Council in 1932, the elder Bean served from 1933 until 1939 when he was appointed Oregon Public Utility Commissioner. From 1943 until 1946, Mr. Bean was a transportation director in America’s World War II effort, serving in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Middle East. Returning to Portland, he was elected once more to … Read more

Biography of A. W. Patterson, M.D.

A.W. PATTERSON, M.D. – Doctor Patterson was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1814. He received his scholastic education in the village of Freeport, of his native state, and afterwards entered the Western University, at Pittsburgh. He subsequently studied medicine in the office of Doctor J.P. Gazzam, an old and prominent physician of that city, and in 1841 graduated with high honors from the Pennsylvania College of Medicine, of Philadelphia. Coming westward, he located at Greenfield, Indiana, and there practiced his profession until 1852, when he concluded to come to Oregon, and began the long and tedious journey known … Read more

Engle Jimmie E. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Jimmie E. Engle, 88, of Eugene and formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 13. The family will have a private memorial service in Eugene. Mr. Engle was born Jan. 24, 1918, in Krupp, Wash., and grew up in eastern Washington. In 1941 he married Sheila Thompson in Portland. He served in the Army overseas during World War II, then attended pharmacy school at Oregon State University. He was a pharmacist for 30 years and was the manager of the La Grande PayLess from 1969 to 1984. After retiring in 1985, he and his wife moved to Eugene. … Read more

Biography of Judge Robert Eakin

JUDGE ROBERT EAKIN. – While Union county is so especially favored in having men of energy and talent in the various callings of human industry and learning, there is no profession that is more signally marked by the men of ability within its ranks than the legal, and as a leader among this class stands the gentleman, whose name initiates this paragraph, and who is well and favorably known throughout eastern Oregon. Judge Eakin is a profound student of the literature of his chosen profession, having added by careful and thorough research to a mind well poised for weighing the … Read more

Wright, Roderick – Obituary

Roderick Wright, 58, of Tucson, Ariz., and a former Baker City resident, died July 22, 2003. His funeral was July 26 at Desert Sunset Funeral Home at Tucson. Roderick was born Aug. 31, 1945, at Ontario to James and Opal McClellan Wright. Growing up he worked in the family bee business, producing and distributing honey. He was a 1964 graduate of Baker High School. He joined the U.S. Army and later served in the National Guard. He was a graduate of Eastern Oregon State College (now Eastern Oregon University) at La Grande. He taught and coached in the Wallowa School … Read more

Phillips, Lavern A. Hindman Mrs. – Obituary

Lavern A. Phillips, 83, of Baker City died Feb. 24, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. Memorial service was held Tuesday, March 1, 2 p.m. at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel. There was no viewing. Cremation was at Gray’s West & Co. Lavern was born July 2, 1921, in Baker City to Edgar (Sam) Hindman, and Camilla Williams Hindman. She graduated from Baker High School in June 1939. She was the New Account’s Manager for First National Bank of Oregon (now Wells Fargo Bank), and was with the bank for more than 25 years in Eugene, Ore. She … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Humphrey

GEORGE HUMPHREY. – Mr. Humphrey was esteemed by everyone as an honorable gentleman, a man of large brain, and of an excellent capacity and understanding. Although in his youth he suffered from poverty and the lack of educational facilities, he nevertheless succeeded in obtaining a large property and an honored and enduring name. His estimable wife, Cynthia A. Humphrey, was “one of the best of women,” so described by all who knew her and were allowed to make the acquaintance of her great mental intelligence and vigor, and to know of her benevolence and christian character. Mr. Humphrey was born … Read more

Wilson, Jim – Obituary

Island City, Oregon James “Jim” William Wilson, 72, died Aug. 5 at his home in La Grande. A celebration of life potluck begins at 1 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Island City City Hall. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. The Observer – August 7, 2008 ______________________________ James “Jim” William Wilson, 72, of La Grande, died Aug. 5 at his home. A complete obituary will be available later. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. The Observer – August 7, 2008 James “Jim” William Wilson, 72, of La Grande, died Aug. 5 at … Read more

Hickey, Chad Michael – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon A memorial service for Chad Michael Hickey, 28, of Eugene and formerly of La Grande will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday Aug. 6 at Jasper Park near Springfield. A potluck will follow. Musgrove Family Mortuary in Eugene is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Hickey died July 31 in Eugene. He was born Oct. 17, 1977, in La Grande to Jim and Wanda Hickey. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1995. He was a standout soccer player and played several other sports. His family said he was a “solid, compassionate provider, amazing father and husband, golf … Read more

Willits, Alvin Ray – Obituary

North Powder Alvin Ray Willits, 65, of North Powder, died June 15, 2004, at his home. His graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Lane Memorial Gardens, 5300 West 11th Ave., Eugene. Visitations will be from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the Lane Memorial Gardens Chapel. Mr. Willits was born on Feb. 4, 1939, at Des Moines, Iowa, to Raymond Dewey and Stella Marie Monroe Willits. As a small child, he moved with his family to Eugene, where he attended school. In August 1968, he married Kara-Jo Dean-Mather. He worked as a driver and a mechanic for … Read more

Bean, Obediah Roberts – Obituary

Proved Fatal. The accident which happened to Mr. O. R. Bean at Acme, Tuesday, March 11 [1890], an account of which was published in last week’s GUARD, was attended with a fatal result He never regained consciousness after the accident [died March 15, 1890]. O. R. Bean was born in Liberty, Missouri, February 2, 1830. He came to California in 1849, being attracted by the reports of the finding of gold, and remained there until 1852 when he came to Oregon. In 1853 in Yamhill he married Miss Julia A. Sharp who survives him. In 1855 he came to Lane … Read more

Wilder, Emily Ellen Osbon Mrs. – Obituary

Emily Ellen Wilder, 70, of Pendleton and a former Baker City resident, died May 13, 2003, at her home. A funeral service was held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in La Grande. Committal and interment followed at the Island City Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley in La Grande. Mrs. Wilder was born June 20, 1932, to John and Suzy Ellen (Tate) Osbon in Hayti, Mo. She was the youngest of four children. The family traveled throughout the states and settled in Eugene when she was still in school. In … Read more

Bradford, Lewis Everett “Lew” – Obituary

Baker City Lewis Everett “Lew” Bradford, 77, of Baker City, died Feb. 17, 2005, at his home from a massive heart attack. His funeral was at 1 o’clock today at the Baker Elks Lodge, 1896 Second St. Members of the Elks Lodge and Pastor Roger Scovil of the Baker City Christian Church officiated. There was a reception afterward at the Elks Lodge. Lew was born on Nov. 28, 1928, at Salem to Elbert and Velma Bradford. He attended grade school at Salem and was a 1946 Eugene High School graduate. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1947, serving his country … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Harris

GEORGE W. HARRIS. – This successful business man of Morrow county was born at Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois, February 18, 1858. During his minor years he followed the fortunes of his parents, who moved to Iowa in 1860, and four years later crossed the plains to California with ox-teams, locating at Red Bluff. In 1865 they came to Oregon and located at Monmouth. From that date many changes and removals were undergone, including a return to California, a residence at Corvallis and again at Eugene; also a trip across the continent to Missouri, Texas and Iowa, and a return to … Read more