Eugene Oregon

Purdy, Ruth Marion Rippey Eccles Mrs. – Obituary

Ruth Marion Rippey Eccles Purdy, 92, of Picabo, Idaho, formerly of Baker City, passed away on February 26, 2006. A memorial service will be held on March 4 in Hailey, followed by internment at Picabo Cemetery. Born on June 29, 1913, she graduated from Baker High School and later the University of Oregon. Ruth served as postmaster in Picabo for over 30 years and was involved in local enterprises and charities. She is survived by her husband, Bud, and their combined family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Kirkpatrick, Bruce – Obituary

Bruce Kirkpatrick, 84, passed away on March 5, 2006, in Baker City, Oregon, where he was a lifelong resident. A 1940 graduate of Baker High School, he served as a gunnery officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he operated several car dealerships in Baker and was involved in local community service, including the Pioneer Bank and the Kiwanis Club. He is survived by his wife, Anne, four children, and seven grandchildren.

Harding, Clara Golson Mrs. – Obituary

Clara Irene Harding, 91, of Halfway, passed away on March 9, 2006. Born on August 12, 1914, in North Dakota, she became an accomplished educator after earning her degree from Monmouth Teachers College. Clara married Vernon Harding in 1940, and they celebrated over 65 years together. She was active in various community organizations and enjoyed gospel music, dancing, and bridge. Clara is survived by her husband, daughter, two sons, numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, with her funeral held at the Pine Valley Christian Center.

Silven, Kathleen “Kay” Duffy Mrs. – Obituary

Kathleen Duffy “Kay” Silven, aged 90, passed away on April 9, 2006, in Baker City. Born on April 4, 1916, in Prineville, she was raised in Bend and graduated from the University of Oregon with a journalism degree in 1938. Kay married David Carl Silven in 1939. An active community member, she was dedicated to her faith, family, and various organizations. Kay is survived by her four children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous relatives. Funeral services are planned at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral.

Smith, Pauline Marie Tower Mrs. – Obituary

Pauline Marie Smith, 84, of Halfway, Oregon, passed away on April 11, 2006, at home. Born on February 1, 1922, she grew up in Salem and later moved to Eugene. After marrying Ken Smith in 1946, she dedicated herself to motherhood while maintaining close ties with her community. In 1979, they relocated to Halfway, where she became an active member of various organizations, including the Carson Club and Pine Valley Community Museum. She is survived by her children and grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to local charities.

Bradford, Lewis Everett “Lew” – Obituary

Lewis Everett “Lew” Bradford, 77, of Baker City, passed away on February 17, 2005, from a heart attack. Born on November 28, 1928, in Salem, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict and later had a 31-year career at General Motors. After moving to Baker City in 1977, he became involved in various community activities and enjoyed outdoor pursuits. He is survived by his wife Carol, children, grandchildren, and extended family. The funeral was held at the Baker Elks Lodge.

Christopher Scott “Chris” Justus – Obituary

Christopher Scott “Chris” Justus, 31, of Baker City, passed away on February 22, 2006. Born on January 27, 1975, at Offutt Air Force Base, he was raised in Baker City and graduated from the Oregon State School for the Deaf. Chris worked in various jobs, including construction and as a welder, before returning to help on the family dairy. He is survived by his daughter Mackenzie, his parents, and two brothers. His memorial contributions will support Mackenzie’s college fund.

Jordan, Merwin “Rusty” – Obituary

Merwin “Rusty” Jordan, 88, passed away on December 7, 2002, in Eugene. Born on November 6, 1914, in Washtucna, Washington, he was the eldest of three sons in the Jordan family. Rusty spent over 40 years in Baker City, where he worked as a welder and married Dorothy Walker in 1941. In 1996, they moved to Eugene. He is survived by his wife, daughter Sue, son Patrick, granddaughter, great-grandson, and brother Delmar. No services are planned.

Vollmer, Thomas Wesley – Obituary

Thomas Wesley Vollmer, 25, of Portland, passed away on May 19, 2002. Born on June 1, 1976, in Baker City, he lived in various Oregon cities, including McMinnville, Corvallis, and Eugene, before moving to Portland in 2001. He worked at several establishments, including Starbucks and Nordstrom, earning recognition for his customer service. A gourmet cook with a passion for music, art, and community, he is survived by his parents and brother. A memorial service will be held at Central Lutheran Church in Eugene.

Biographical Sketch of Jesse Imbler

Jesse Imbler, born in Kentucky in 1842, moved to Oregon with his family in 1853. At age sixteen, he joined his brothers in the fight against the Rogue River Indians, serving in the supply department. After the war, he engaged in cattle operations before relocating to the Grande Ronde Valley in 1868. There, he established a successful farming enterprise, managing over a thousand acres and raising high-quality cattle and horses. He married Esther Massiker in 1867 and has four children, along with a record of civic service as a county commissioner.

Biography of Hon. A. G. Hovey

Hon. A.G. Hovey, born in 1830 in Londonderry, New Hampshire, is a prominent figure in Oregon’s political landscape. He moved to Marietta, Ohio, and later ventured to California during the gold rush before settling in Oregon. Hovey’s career includes teaching, serving as Benton County’s first clerk, and representing the region in the state Senate. He became the mayor of Eugene through popular support, admired for his strong convictions and dedication to public service. He is the president of the Lane County Bank and is married with three children.

Biographical Sketch of George Humphrey

George Humphrey, born on April 1, 1807, was a well-respected gentleman known for his intelligence and character. Despite early hardships and limited education, he built considerable wealth and a reputable name. He married Cynthia A. Bristol in 1835 and moved through New York, Canada, Illinois, and Iowa before settling in Lane County, Oregon, in 1853. A successful businessman, he established a home in Eugene, Oregon, and upon his death in 1883, bequeathed his estate to his wife and eight children.

Ingram, Thomas Fredrick “Tom” – Obituary

Thomas Fredrick “Tom” Ingram, 78, of Halfway, Oregon, passed away on October 28, 2001. Born on February 13, 1923, in Eugene, he graduated from Baker High School in 1941 and worked at Yuma Army Air Base during World War II. Tom married Ann on September 2, 1945, and they had two daughters. He was involved in ranching, worked for Cal Trans, and served two terms as mayor of Halfway. Tom is survived by his wife, daughter Tanna, grandchildren, and siblings.

Biographical Sketch of William E. Rinehart

William E. Rinehart was born in Iowa in 1846 and moved to Oregon with his family in 1854. After spending his early years in Lane County, he ventured into cattle droving and pack-train operations in the Grande Ronde Valley. Rinehart later returned to farming before transitioning to a hardware and implement dealership in Summerville in 1883. He married Elizabeth Jane Martin in 1868, and together they had ten children, of whom three survive; tragically, six succumbed to diphtheria in 1881.

Biography of Louis B. Rinehart

Louis B. Rinehart, born in Illinois in 1844, moved to Oregon with his family in 1854. After settling near Eugene, he helped establish La Grande and staked claims on productive nearby lands. Rinehart engaged in cattle-ranging and co-founded the first mercantile house in Summerville. He held various public offices, including county treasurer and state senator, representing Baker County. Rinehart returned to Union, Oregon, where he continued in mercantile and stock-raising ventures, becoming a prominent figure in the Inland Empire by owning significant land and the townsite of Vale.

Biography of Hon. J. H. Rinehart

Hon. J. H. Rinehart, born in Illinois in 1836, moved to Oregon in 1854, where he became a pioneer of Eastern Oregon. He established the Mammoth Anna-Lulu Flouring Mills after engaging in farming and stock-raising. Rinehart contributed to the community by serving in the state legislature and founding a bank in Summerville. A devoted family man, he has four children, including a doctor and a bank cashier. Throughout his life, he maintained a commitment to temperance and public service while amassing considerable real estate holdings.

Nagel, Kyla J. Evans Mrs. – Obituary

Kyla J.E. Nagel, 28, of Springfield, formerly of Baker City, passed away on August 13, 2006, after a four-year battle with brain cancer. A celebration of life service will be held at the First Christian Church in Eugene. Born on May 3, 1978, she graduated from Thurston High School and earned a history degree from the University of Oregon, where she worked in the Linguistics Department. She is survived by her two daughters, family, and many loved ones. Memorial contributions may be made to the UCSF or the National Brain Tumor Association.

Biography of Judge Joshua J. Walton

Judge Joshua J. Walton, born on April 6, 1838, in Rushville, Illinois, had a varied upbringing, moving through several states before settling in Oregon. He developed his education while engaging in mining and freighting. Walton studied law under notable mentors and was admitted to the bar in 1863. He served in various public roles, including county judge of Lane County, and contributed to the establishment of the University of Oregon. Walton was married twice, first to Lizzie Gale and later to Emma Fisher, continuing his legacy in public service.