Grant County OR

Leishman, Carl – Obituary

Carl Leishman, 83, of Prairie City, a former Baker City resident, died April 18, 2003, at his daughter’s home in Prairie City. His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Prairie City Cemetery. Mr. Leishman was born on Jan. 30, 1910, at Baker City to John and Martine Leishman. He attended Baker schools and was a 1928 Baker High School graduate. After high school he moved to Bates where he worked at various jobs including firing a wood-burning locomotive and serving as purchasing agent and office manager for Oregon Lumber Co. In 1946, he purchased the Bates … Read more

Simard, The Rev. Robert – Obituary

The Rev. Robert Simard, 70, affectionately known as Father Bob during his 46 years of service as a priest of the Diocese of Baker, died Jan. 17, 2002, in Prineville. His vigil service will be at 7 o’clock tonight at St. Joseph Church in Prineville. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday with the Rite of Committal afterward at Deschutes Memorial Gardens in Bend at 2:30 p.m. Father Simard grew up in Cambridge, Mass., and attended St. John’s Seminary at Brighton, Mass. The Most Rev. Francis P. Leipzig ordained him to the priesthood on Feb. 25, … Read more

Hesseltine, Patricia Ellen Bunch Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Patricia Ellen Hesseltine, 48, a former Baker City resident, died March 14, 2004, at her home in Albany. A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Fisher Funeral Home, Third and Washington streets in Albany. Patricia was born Feb. 2, 1956, at Prairie City to Samuel and Juanita A. (Crane) Bunch. She moved to Baker City as a child where she grew up and met her one and only love, Larry Hesseltine Sr. They married July 1, 1972 at Caldwell, Idaho, and moved to Albany in 1983. She was a caregiver and homemaker for … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph D. Combs

No citizen of Grant County stands higher in the estimation of his fellow men than Mr. Joseph D. Combs. Born in Fulton County, Ill., August 25, 1851, he came to Linn County, Oregon, when only a year old, and received his education there. At the age of nineteen, he came to Grant County, and followed teaming and several other callings. In 1892 he was elected sheriff of the county on the republican ticket, and by his affability and close adherence to duty secured the good will and esteem of the public to an extent that caused him to be re-elected … Read more

Guilliams, Mary Anna Mrs. – Obituary

John Day, Oregon Mary Anna Guilliams, 88, of John Day, died July 6, 2001 at John Day. The rosary will be said Thursday at 7 p.m. at Driskill Chapel in John Day. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in John Day. Interment will be at Canyon City Cemetery. Mrs. Guilliams was born June 3, 1913, in John Day, to Joseph A. Pereira and Mary Amanda Potter. She graduated from John Day High School in 1931 and was a housewife. She worked at odd jobs such as taking in laundry and cleaning houses. … Read more

Gowey, O. J. – Obituary

The sad news came over the wire Monday morning that O. J. Gowey, of Prairie City, had departed this life. Mr. Gowey was formerly of this place and was well respected and loved – being “grandpa” to our whole community. Wallowa County Reporter, Wallowa County, Oregon, Thursday August 16, 1917

Taylor Brothers

John and Solomon Taylor, composing the term of Taylor Bros., who operate the Prairie City Roller Mills, are natives of that grand old commonwealth Ohio. The older brother, John, became a resident of the county in 1862, and for a number of years was engaged in mining on Canyon creek. In 1881, on the arrival of his brother they became engaged in farming three miles from Prairie City, and today have 640 acres under cultivation, all of it being highly improved. Their home being one of the nicest in the county. In 1891 they bought the mill property which is … Read more

Burril, Verna Lee Kirkwood Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Verna Lee Burril, 65, died March 29, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. A celebration of life will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the McEwen Bible Fellowship, which is located 23 miles south of Baker City on Highway 7. Verna was born June 6, 1938 to Vernon and Ernestine Kirkwood at Prairie City. In the early 1950s she married Harry “Ted” Barnhart and had three children, Terry, Ted and Mitch. They were divorced in the early 1970s. She later remarried. Her son Ted now resides in Lolo, Mont., and Terry and Mitch live in Baker … Read more

Flippence, Ginger Kay Saul Mrs. – Obituary

Ginger Kay Flippence, 56, of John Day, died May 7, 2008, at her residence. A funeral service was held Monday at Driskill Memorial Chapel. Pastor Daniel Wiese of the John Day Church of the Nazarene officiated. Vault interment took place at the Prairie City Cemetery. Ginger was born Jan. 25, 1952, in Baker City to Gene L. and Betty J. (Zemmer) Saul. She graduated from Prairie City High School in 1970. Ginger married Dennis J. Flippence Aug. 9, 1969, in Bates. She worked in back office operations at the Old West Federal Credit Union, retiring in June of 2007. She … Read more

Gawith, Orval – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Former Elgin Man Killed Accidentally Orval Gawith, a native son of Elgin, was accidentally killed at Mt. Vernon, Oregon Monday evening. Available information indicated that while he was unloading a load of logs the top log on his load slipped off and crushed him to the ground beneath it. Logging is the work in which he had long been engaged. Harry Gawith of Wallowa, father of the deceased, and Allen Gawith, a brother of Minam, were in Elgin Tuesday on their way to Mt. Vernon. Funeral arrangements were made while they were here. The remains will … Read more

York, Flora Etta Killian Mrs. – Obituary

Flora Etta York, 65, 2584 Cedar Street, died Friday afternoon in St. Elizabeth hospital. Mrs. York, the daughter of Daniel O. and Genora Killian was born in Scopes, Missouri, September 21, 1898. She was married to Herbert A. York at Clarkston, Missouri, April 17, 1915. The family lived in Missouri until 1946 when they moved to Vale. They then moved to Unity where she lived for three years and to Bates where Mr. York was employed by the government. They moved to Baker in the fall of 1962. Mrs. York was a member of the Baptist church. She is survived … Read more

Frazier, Zoe Harris Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Zoe Frazier, 91, of Baker City, died Sept. 4, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. Disposition was by cremation at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Crematory. There will be a family memorial service at Haines. Mrs. Frazier was born on June 21, 1910, at Long Creek to Ziri and Irene Harris. She married Dallas Frazier on Sept. 19, 1930, at John Day. The couple made their home at Bates where Mr. Frazier worked for the Edward Hines Lumber Co. They moved to Baker City to retire. Mrs. Frazier was a homemaker most of her life and … Read more

Spain, Gladys Elaine “Gus” Cunningham Mrs. – Obituary

Gladys Elaine Spain, known as ‘Gus’ to those close to her, 75, passed away at her home in Canyon City, Ore., March 19, 2007. She was born on Oct. 28, 1931, in Kimberly, Idaho to Newton and Jean Cunningham. After her retirement from the phone company, Gus became an active member in her community as a volunteer and she created friends wherever she went. When not volunteering, Gus and her husband enjoyed fishing and camping together. At home she enjoyed tending to her garden and was an avid knitter and quilter. Gus was an open and loving person who will … Read more

Walker, Donald Leon – Obituary

Haines, Oregon Donald Leon Walker, 69, a resident of Haines, died on Monday, March 10, 2003. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2003, at 2 p.m. at the Haines United Methodist Church. Inurnment will be March 19 at 2 p.m. at the City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Ariz. Don was born in Gilbert, Ariz., with Military Honors. Jan. 13, 1934. He resided there most of his life. Mr. Walker was a member of the Gilbert United Methodist Church, as well as a graduate of Gilbert High School, Class of 1952. Don took his Senior Year off … Read more

Beck, Arlyn Duane – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Arlyn Duane Beck, 89, of Baker City, died Dec. 28, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. The rosary was said Sunday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. A Memorial Mass was celebrated Monday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets. The Revs. Julian Cassar and Camillus Fernando concelebrated the Mass. Arlyn was born on Aug. 14, 1916, at Molalla, the second of four sons born to Walter A. and Agnes M. Robbins Beck. He received his early schooling in the Meadowbrook area near Molalla. When he was 12 the family moved … Read more

An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties Oregon

These 91 biographies and sketches have been taken from the manuscript “An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties Oregon.” Presently this is an incomplete offering so subscribe to this page if you’re interested on further updates. We will eventually provide the entire manuscript here.

Graves, Kenneth Deane “Little Kenny” – Obituary

Kenneth Deane “Little Kenny” Graves, 39, died March 17, 2006, near Dayville. He died doing what he loved — flying helicopters. His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Heppner Elks Lodge, with Corey Laughary officiating. There will be a gathering of family and friends at the Elks Lodge after the service. Kenny was born on Feb. 23, 1967, at Heppner to Bonnie and Deane Graves. He was a 1985 Heppner High School graduate. His love of the woods and operating heavy equipment made logging a natural career choice after high school. Early in his career, he … Read more

Pratt, Edythe Augusta Boyce Mrs. – Obituary

Edythe Augusta Pratt, 91, of Prairie City, died Aug. 23, 2006, at Blue Mountain Nursing Home in Prairie City. Her graveside service will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the Haines Cemetery, with Pastor Frank Humber officiating. There will be a reception afterward at the Haines Baptist Church. Visitations will be Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Edythe was born on Aug. 8, 1915, at Baker City to Robert and Leilath Boyce. She had three brothers and five sisters. She married Louis Franklyn Pratt in 1933 and was married … Read more

Neal, Henry S. – Obituary

Fatal Accident Henry S. Neal, well known Grant county cattle buyer, was fatally injured Saturday night, and died at Prairie City hospital Sunday afternoon, as the result of an automobile accident on the road between Canyon City and John Day. Mr. Neal, in his machine, was attempting to pass another automobile when his car left the road and he was pinned beneath it when it overturned. He was rushed to Prairie, but died on the operating table before his wife could reach him. Mrs. Neal was at Conden when notified. – La Grande Observer. North Powder News Saturday October 4, … Read more

Knudsen, Clarice B. Coffman Stiff Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Clarice B. Knudsen, 95, a longtime Baker City resident, died Nov. 12, 2000, at Settler’s Park. At her request, there will be no funeral. A family celebration of her life is planned. Mrs. Knudsen was born Oct. 12, 1905, at Boulder, Colo., to Mitchell and Maude Coffman. She was raised and received her education in Scott City, Kan., and also attended business school at Boise. She married Robert Earl Stiff on June 14, 1925, in Boise, and they came to Baker City in 1944. They divorced in 1947. In May 1953 she married Leonard Knudsen in Baker … Read more