Biography of Lewis Berland

One of the stanch and substantial citizens of Wallowa county, who has labored steadily for the up building of the community and the advancement of the interests of the county, the subject of this sketch stands today at the head of one of the leading industries of the section, and is a man in his life and walk such as to commend him to the esteem and confidence of all people of good judgment and sound principles. Mr. Berland has identified himself with his city and county in such manner that he is always found on the side of those … Read more

Culver, Clifford “Bruce” – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon Clifford “Bruce” Culver, 55, of Cove died Feb. 16, 2006, at his home. A celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at the First Baptist Church in La Grande. Mr. Culver was born April 27, 1950, to Clifford and Jeannine Culver in La Grande. He graduated from Powder Valley High School and attended Eastern Oregon State College and Oregon State University. He worked on his grandfather Powell’s cattle ranch until 1987, and for Fleetwood Travel Trailers for 13 years as a materials handler. He spent two years in Elgin working at the … Read more

Doud, Carl Glen – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Carl Glen Doud, 64, of Baker City and formerly of Elgin, died Jan. 4 in Baker City. At his request there will be no public service at this time; a memorial service will be conducted later. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mr. Doud was born Sept. 15, 1942, to Ira Lorenzo and Nellie Williams Doud in La Grande. He was raised in Summerville and graduated from Imbler High School. He and his family later made their home in Elgin where he owned and operated Carl Doud Logging until illness forced his retirement. … Read more

Willett, Catherine Isabelle – Obituary

Summerville, Oregon Catherine Isabelle Willett, 96, of La Grande and formerly of Summerville, died June 9 at Evergreen Heath and Rehabilitation Center. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements. La Grande Observer – June 11, 2008 _________________________________ Catherine Willett, 96, of La Grande, died June 9 at Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation Center. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande. Catherine was born April 2, 1912, to Frank and Anna (McKenzie) McKinnison on a ranch between Imbler and Summerville. After … Read more

Berry, W. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon, Chas. W. Berry died Monday morning at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Berry, of pneumonia resulting from influenza. He was ill only thirteen days. He was born at Imbler and was 20 years and 6 months of age. Besides his parents he leaves 6 brothers and one sister. Two of the brothers, Claude and W. A. who live in La Grande accompanied the remains to Summerville for interment. Wallowa County Reporter, Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon, Thursday December 19, 1918.

Lanman, Billy E. – Obituary

Summerville, Oregon Billy E. Lanman, 79, of La Grande died April 4 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of his life will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center. Burial will follow at the Summerville Cemetery. Family members will host friends at a visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Daniels-Knopp. Billy was born Nov. 9, 1928, to Ira L. and Hazel F. Lanman at the old Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande. His early life was spent in Summerville on a ranch and later on another ranch on Pumpkin Ridge. He … Read more

Mayfield, John – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Mayfield Murdered Monday Morning Shot With Rifle While Asleep; Coe Held On Open Charge John Mayfield, a long time resident of the Elgin vicinity was murdered at an early hour Monday morning at the home of A.J. Coe, between Imbler and Cove. According to reports, Mr. Mayfield was killed with a rifle, the bullet entering his lower jaw, and going out near the top of his head. A J. Coe, at whose home Mr. Mayfield was staying, is being held on an open charge pending the coroner’s inquest, which was held Wednesday evening at 7:30 at … Read more

Hopkins, Edith Wilson – Obituary

Edith Wilson Hopkins, 84, of Baker City and formerly of Imbler, died Nov. 22, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Care Center. Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Summerville Cemetery Chapel. Edith was born on July 15, 1921, to Benjamin Franklin and Mary Ann Green Hopkins at Duke, Okla. She finished her schooling at Ellsinore, Mo., and then attended Ontario Community College where she earned her nursing degree. She worked for a time at St. Elizabeth Hospital and later was caretaker for her parents. Edith had a strong sense of family ties and family was the most important … Read more

Gover, Alvada – Obituary

Imbler, Oregon Alvada Gover, 88, of Imbler, died April 14 at .a local care home. A celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. Viewing will be Wednesday from 4 until 6 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh Street,La Grande. Mrs. Gover was born May 5, 1918, the daughter of John Lee and Florence Bell (White) Taylor in Halfway. She was raised in Halfway and graduated from high school there. On June 1, … Read more

Blackledge, L.M. – Obituary

Imbler, Union County, Oregon A terrible accident resulting in the death of L.M. Blackledge occurred at Imbler Friday of last week. The particulars as learned are that Blackledge drove into town from a nearby farm and stopped his team by the planing mill. The horses became frightened and started to run. The owner, who was standing directly in fromt of the wagon tongue, grabbed them by the bits and with a lunge the horses sprang forward knocking him down. The wagon passed over him crushing his ribs. Drs. Whiting of this city, and Molinor, of La Grande, were summoned and … Read more

Gover, Alvada Taylor Mrs. – Obituary

Alvada Gover, 88, of Imbler, a former Baker County resident, died April 14, 2007, at a care home. There will be a celebration of her life at 10 a.m. Thursday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., in La Grande. Her graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. Visitations will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley in La Grande. Mrs. Gover was born on May 5, 1918, to John Lee and Florence Bell White Taylor at Halfway. She was raised at Halfway and … Read more

Jordan, Edna H. – Obituary

Imbler, Oregon Edna H. Jordan, 101, of Grants Pass and formerly of Haines, Imbler and La Grande, died Nov. 16 at her home. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Imbler. Arrangements are under the direction of Hull & Hull Funeral Directors of Grants Pass. Mrs. Jordan was born Edna Grace Henner Sept. 18, 1905, in Baker City and grew up in Haines. In 1931 she married Ben Rich Jordan. They lived in Imbler from 1936 to 1989, when they moved to La Grande. Her husband died in 1999, and she moved to Grants Pass in … Read more

Ruckman, Virgil Audmer – Obituary

Imbler, Union County, Oregon Virgil Ruckman, age 74, former resident of Imbler, died Tuesday, Feb 25, at Oakland, Calif.. Ruckman was born on April 27, 1900, at Alicel, the son of Samuel and Lillian Ruckman. On June 10, 1922, he was married to Bessie Kasinger of Imbler. After farming in the Imbler area for a year they moved to Oakland,Calif. Survivors include his daughters, Mrs. William [Betty Gene] Graybeal and Mrs.. George [Audrea] Seitz, both of Oakland; sister, Mrs. Dale [Lucretia] Brookshire, Imbler, brother, Clark Ruckman, La Grande; stepbrother, Walter Phillips, Salem: two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and other relatives and … Read more

Boyer, Joann V. Bond Mrs. – Obituary

Haines, Baker County, Oregon Joann Boyer, 96, died at her Rock Creek home on April 3, 2005. Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Sally Wiens of the Haines United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will be at the Haines Cemetery. There will be a reception afterward for family and friends at the United Methodist Church in Haines. Visitations will be from 10 a.m. to noon Monday at Gray’s West & Co. Joann V. Bond Boyer was born on Aug. 29, 1908, to Charles Wesley and Martha Herndon … Read more

Curtis, Howard – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Howard Curtis, 73, of La Grande, died June 9 at his home. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements. La Grande Observer – Obituaries for the day of June 11, 2008 ____________________________________ Howard C. Curtis 1935-2008 Howard Collin Curtis, 73, of La Grande, died June 9 at his home following a long illness. A celebration of life service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center. A private burial will be at the Summerville Cemetery. Howard was born June 2, l935, to Lorenzo Houghton and Mary … Read more

Keown, Wayne – Obituary

Train Hits Auto Three Are Killed While watching an airplane circle above him the driver of a light truck crashed into the engine of a passenger train on the Joseph branch as the train was pulling into Imbler Sunday morning and three young men were killed outright and three others who were riding on the truck were seriously injured. The dead are Lloyd Larsen, Wayne Keown, all residents of Imbler vicinity, Albert Blanchard, Ray Keown and Alfred Wertemskow. So intent on the machines above them the men failed to see or hear the train until their truck was caught between … Read more

Zurbrick, Rena May – Obituary

Summerville, Oregon Rena May Zurbrick, 90, of Summerville, died Oct. 28 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. Rena was born July 26, 1917, to Dillard Raymond and Etta Carrie (Woodell) Choate, in Summerville. She graduated from Imbler High School in 1935 and later from Draper Business College. She lived in California from 1960 until 1970. She worked as a bookkeeper and was married to Al Colip and later Harrison W. Zurbrick. She was past secretary of the Union County Fair Board and enjoyed playing cards – especially bridge. She liked fishing and … Read more

See, Albert D. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Albert D. See Dies Suddenly Funeral services for Albert D. See, who died suddenly this morning from a heart attack while picking apples in an orchard near Imbler, Oregon, will be held at Summerville Chapel Wednesday at 2 p.m. with burial beside his wife, who died several years ago. He was born in Union County Oct. 24, 1879, being nearly 60 years of age. Survivors include the following children” Lottie (Charlotte) Grover, Minnie and Esther of La Grande; a step-son, William Hart, of Yakima, Washington; three brothers, Frances and George of Tacoma, Washington, and Jeff See of … Read more

Teeter, Nellie Byer – Obituary

Imbler, Oregon Nellie Byer Teeter, 99, of Imbler died Sunday at a local care center. Viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. A graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday July 12 at the Summerville Cemetery. Mrs. Teeter was born Sept. 11, 1906, to August and Margarita Behrens in La Grande. Both parents were from Germany and moved to a farm in Summerville when she was six months old. On Feb. 28, 1925, she married A.W. “Bill” Byer who died in 1961. In Sept. 1969 she married Thurman … Read more

Darr, James – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Graveside Services Held For James Darr, 84 Graveside services for James Darr were held Saturday, Sept 3, at the Elgin cemetery, with Rev. Dennis Mullins of the Elgin Methodist church officiating. James Darr was born near Imbler on July 27, 1882, and passed away at the Valley View Manor Aug 31. After a long illness. He was 84 years of age. Mr. Darr was a retired farmer and well known here. Survivors include his widow, Opal Darr, Elgin; one brother, Cecil Darr, Elgin; four sisters, Kate Cowan and Ruth Rogers, Elgin; Mary Hanson, Enterprise, and Ethel … Read more