Halfway Oregon

McKim, Carol Andrea (Hesus) Mrs. – Obituary

Carol Andrea McKim, 50, of Eugene, a former Halfway resident, died July 31, 2007, after an aggressive four-month battle with throat cancer. There will be a service celebrating her life at 12:15 p.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Eugene. The family will gather at Halfway to honor her memory next summer. Carol Andrea McKim was born at Baker City in 1957. She attended Baker schools and was a graduate of Pine-Eagle High School at Halfway. She met Frederick Hesus while attending Eastern Oregon State College in La Grande (now Eastern Oregon University). They married in 1978 and moved … Read more

Byrnel Gladys Garrett Mrs. – Obituary

Richland, Oregon Gladys Byrne, 97, a longtime Richland resident, died Dec. 31, 2001, at Elkhorn Village. Her funeral was at 11 a.m. today at Elkhorn Village with the Rev. Roger Scovil officiating and at 2 p.m. at the Richland Christian Church with the Rev. Gordon Bond of the Richland Christian Church officiating. Vault interment was at Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. Gladys Byrne was born on Oct. 13, 1904, (“Friday the 13th, our lucky day,” her family recalls), at Halfway to John Fredrick Garrett and Keturah Mary Coles Garrett. She was the fifth of eight children. She often told how … Read more

Ritch, Ruth M. West Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Ruth M. Ritch, 73, a long-time resident of Baker City died Friday, June 20, 2003, at her home. Memorial services for Mrs. Ritch were held Tuesday, June 24, 1 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place Street. Pastor Ralph Holcomb officiated. Ruth Ritch was born May 31, 1930, in Halfway. She was a daughter of Frank and Pearl (Carlson) West. She was raised and attended schools in Halfway, graduating from Pine Valley High School. After graduation, she moved to Baker City, where she went to work for McCords Insurance Company. On June 14, 1952, she married Leonard … Read more

Bowerman, Lois “Larrie” Mrs. – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon Lois “Larrie” Bowerman, 82, a longtime Halfway resident, died March 11, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. Her memorial service will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Pine Valley Presbyterian Church in Halfway. Lois was born Sept. 30, 1921, in the high altitude of Victor, Colo., to Washington Denver and Gwendolyn Honeycutt. She was the second-eldest of four girls. Lois received good grades in school and received her eighth-grade diploma in Spokane in 1935. However, the Great Depression had set in and she opted not to continue her education because she could not afford new clothes. Her … Read more

Makinson, Robert Duane “Bob” – Obituary

Robert Duane “Bob” Makinson, 68, of Halfway, died Nov. 30, 2005, at Syringa Chalet Nursing Facility in Blackfoot, Idaho, where he had lived for the past 13 years. There will be a memorial/burial service in the spring. Bob, the son of Ellis and Bessie Makinson, was born on Jan. 16, 1937. He grew up on the family farm and learned at an early age the ethic of hard work, which he carried throughout his life. Bob liked “living on the edge.” He got his first motorcycle at the age of 16, but shortly after was involved in a wreck. He … Read more

Smith, J. Kenneth “Kenny” – Obituary

J. Kenneth “Kenny” Smith, 83, a longtime Halfway resident, died Nov. 13, 2005, at his home. Interment will be at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway near his son, Paul Smith. A memorial service will be announced later. Kenny was born on May 18, 1922, at Portland to Martin and Lydia Smith. He was raised at north Portland, graduating from Jefferson High School in June 1940. A week later, he joined the Oregon National Guard 41st Infantry Division and began his military tour of duty. His division arrived in Australia in 1942 and participated in the New Guinea jungle campaign, where … Read more

Wells, Mildred M. Hulse Mrs. – Obituary

Services for Mrs. Mildred M. Wells, 62, Halfway, Oregon were conducted at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday September 26 at the Presbyterian Church in Halfway of which she was a member. The Rev. Hugh Bronson officiated with interment in Pine Haven Cemetery under the direction of The Beatty Chapel. Mrs. Wells was born January 12, 1905 at Halfway, the daughter of Shephard and Effie Mitchell Hulse. She attended school in Halfway and was married to Albert Wells who preceded her in death February 26, 1965. Mrs. Wells, who had been a lifelong resident of Pine Valley, passed away Sunday morning in St. … Read more

Swanson, Robert Lloyd “Bob” – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon Robert Lloyd “Bob” Swanson, 77, of Halfway, died Jan. 10, 2007, at his home. At his request there will be no formal service. There will be a private scattering of his ashes at his favorite fishing spot. Robert Lloyd Swanson was born June 26, 1929, at Polson, Mont., to Albert and Ruby Sizemore Swanson. He was raised and educated in Montana. During his youth, starting at the age of 4, Bob and his brother began and enjoyed golfing. He boasted his 2 handicap. When he joined the U.S. Navy, his golfing career took a second seat. Bob served … Read more

Cosens, Phoebe Ellen Day Mrs. – Obituary

Phoebe Ellen Cosens, 89, of Halfway, died Aug. 13, 2005, at Settlers Park Assisted Living center. Her graveside funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. The Bollman Funeral Home of Dallas is handling the arrangements. Phoebe was born on Nov. 6, 1916, at Wilder, Idaho, to Bertrum and Mable Waldron Day. She moved to Halfway as a child and lived there for most of the rest of her life. She married Royal Robert Cosens on May 29, 1935, at Halfway. They herded sheep and then raised cattle in Pine Valley. Phoebe and Roy … Read more

Oliver, Ned – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon Former Cove Resident Taken by Long Illness Word was received by Mrs. Charles Hancock of the death of Ned Oliver, Tuesday, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver were proprietors of the Cove Corner Grocery for several years, leaving here a year ago in March for a location in Halfway, Ore. Mr. Oliver had been seriously ill in a Boise hospital for some time, but recently seemed much improved and was taken home. After a short time he became worse and Mrs. Oliver and their son, Bill, started with him for Boise but he became so much worse that … Read more

Basche, Pete – Obituary

Richland, Oregon Pete Basche, 90, of Richland, died July 17, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Care Center. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Richland Methodist Church. Interment will be at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. Pastor Bill Shields will officiate. Pete was born on Nov. 23, 1913, at Home to Fred Walton and Martha Ellen Rhodes Wilson Basche. Pete rode a horse to school where his sister, Josephine, was his first teacher. He also rowed a boat across the Snake River to attend school on the Idaho side for a period of time. He graduated from … Read more

Leep, George Ellis – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon George Ellis Leep, 85, a longtime Baker City resident, died Nov. 21, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. His funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at at Coles Funeral Home. Jack Pittman will officiate. Mr. Leep was born on Aug. 17, 1919, at Halfway, Oregon. He was a son of Willis Robert and Janie Elizabeth Haines Leep. He graduated from Halfway High School. He went to work at the Cornucopia Mines and then worked for Boeing Aircraft from August 1941 until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March of 1942. He was honorably discharged … Read more

Willems, Darrell Harold “Knuckles” – Obituary

Darrell Harold “Knuckles” Willems, 61, of Halfway, died June 21, 2005, at the Boise Veterans Hospital. Darrell was born at Algoma, Wis., on April 13, 1944, to Leonard and Doris Willems. After graduating from high school he joined the U.S. Army. He served from October 29, 1958, until May of 1970. After his discharge from the Army he lived and worked in the Portland area as a heavy equipment operator. He later made his permanent home in Halfway. Darrell and Fadyne Hurtado were married on Aug. 28, 2002, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall in Halfway. Darrell enjoyed hunting, … Read more

Gashwiler, John H. – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon John H. Gashwiler, 92, a longtime Halfway resident, died Jan. 6, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Halfway Presbyterian Church. Pastor Bill Shields of the United Methodist Church will officiate. Mr. Gashwiler was born on Nov. 18, 1908, at Novinger, Mo., to Dr. J.S. and Maude Ellen Gashwiler. He attended Novinger Grade School and High School and is the next to last survivor of his 1926 graduating class of 12 students. He attended Kirksville State Teachers College, which is now Harry S. Truman State University, where … Read more

Mortensen, Gertrude Jensen Iverson Mrs. – Obituary

Gertrude Jensen Mortensen died Jan. 25, 2005, at age 94 in Halfway. Services were held in Ogden, Utah, on Friday, Jan. 28, 2005. Interment was at Hyrum City Cemetery. She was born Jan. 25, 1911, in Hyrum, Utah and was the youngest child of William H. Jensen and Alice Wilson. Gertrude married Boyd D. Iverson on July 22, 1936. They were later divorced. She married Heber R. Mortensen on Aug. 23, 1957. She graduated June 1953 from Utah State Agriculture College and was an elementary school teacher for many years in Weber County Schools. After her retirement, she enjoyed teaching … Read more

Leep, Willis – Obituary

William Robert Leep, 1415 4th St., Baker died Sunday evening at St. Elizabeth Hospital following an extended illness. He was 81. Mr. Leep was born Dec. 2, 1889 at Halfway, the son of pioneer parents Ellis and Lottie Reed Leap. He attended grade school in Carson, Ore., and graduated from Pine Valley High School on Nov. 11, 1911. He was married to the former Jane E. Haines. She preceded him in death in August 1961. Mr. Leep retired a number of years ago and during his retirement enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a longtime member of Baker Elks Lodge … Read more

Rasmussen, Lyle Lillian Shelton Mrs. – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon Lyle Lillian Shelton Rasmussen, 90, of Salt Lake City, died Oct. 17, 2004, at her home. Her funeral will be at noon Thursday at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, in Salt Lake City. There will be a viewing from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. just prior to the service. There also will be a viewing from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Halfway. There will be a graveside service at noon Saturday at the Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Dale Bingham of the Valley Ward will officiate. … Read more

Hendrix, James, Johathon “Jim” – Obituary

Halfway, Baker County, Oregon James Jonathon “Jim” Hendrix Jr., 61, of Halfway, died Aug. 21, 2005, at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise. His funeral was Friday morning at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Jim was born on May 6, 1944, at Halfway to James Jonathon and Evalenea Buchanan Hendrix. Jim was raised and educated in Halfway, graduating from Pine-Eagle High School in 1963. Following high school he married Diane Drake, and they had two children: James Jonathon III and Lori Ann. They divorced in 1975. Monique Moore met Jim while working in the ODOT District office in La Grande. They … Read more

Baird, Margaret C. McCord Mrs. – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon Margaret C. Baird, 94, a longtime Halfway resident, died Sept. 1, 2006, at Baker City. There was a celebration of her life today at the Pine Baptist Church in Halfway. Pastor Shawn Thatcher officiated. Interment was at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. The daughter of Charles S. and Bertha Jane Crabill McCord, Margaret was born at 1503 10th St. in Baker City on Nov. 8, 1911. She attended school at Weiser, Idaho, until her family moved to Halfway in 1923. She married Everett Baird in 1928. For the next 25 years she assisted Everett in their Halfway funeral … Read more

Thompson, Patricia Lee Ryall Mrs. – Obituary

Patricia Lee Thompson, 71, a former Halfway resident, died April 3, 2009, after a long illness at Mount Grant Hospital in Hawthorne, Nev. Pat was born on Sept. 8, 1937, near Halfway to Gene and Florence Ryall. She received most of her primary and secondary schooling in or near Halfway. She graduated from high school at Brownsville in 1955. After a period of time as a switchboard operator at the Benson Hotel in Portland, she joined the U.S. Navy where she trained as a radioman. As a member of an All Navy Talent Show, Pat toured numerous cities throughout the … Read more