Island City Oregon

Hail, Fielding W. – Obituary

Aged Man Victim La Grande Auto Crash La Grande, Dec. 20. Fielding W. Hail, 68 years of age, was killed early this morning when a car driven by Ray Billups, of Walla Walla, left the road near Island City and overturned. Mr. Hail, who occupied the back seat, was thrown from the car, the crash fracturing his skull and causing internal injuries. He was dead when found about half an hour after the accident. Mr. Billups and a companion, Lee Dunham, escaped with only minor bruises and scratches. They are being held on an open charge. According to reports received … Read more

Jones, Charlotte – Obituary

Island City, Oregon Charlotte Jones, 91, of Island City, died Nov. 20 at her home. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Monday at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. Private interment will be held at the Grandview Cemetery. Mrs. Jones was born on Aug. 17, 1916, the daughter of Clyde and Julia (Knapp) Leonard in Kent, Ohio. She was a Salvation Army officer and worked in the Salvation Army Home and Hospital. After her marriage to Wesley Jones in 1951, she was employed as a nurse for the Grande Ronde Hospital for many years … Read more

Burnett, Preston Frank – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Preston Frank Burnett, 85, of Pendleton and formerly of La Grande died June 7 at St. Anthony Hospital. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 241 S.E. Second St. in Pendleton. Preston was born July 7, 1921, to Lawrence and Mabel Brown Burnett in Island City. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1938 and served in the Navy prior to World War II. Preston married Madaline E. Rhoads in Portland. He worked for the Oregon Highway Division for 42 years and was a resident engineer on many … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alexander C. McClelland

ALEXANDER C. McCLELLAND. – The present registrar of the United States land-office at La Grande, Oregon, is a native of Indiana, having been born there in 1842. He received his education at the Berlin High School, Wisconsin, and in 1863 came west to Montana as a gold-seeker. He found the employment of his intellectual acquisition more profitable, however, and for a number of years engaged in school-teaching and educational work in the Willamette valley. In 1867 we find him in the mines at Baker City, looking after “lodes” and “leads,” and also in 1870 engaged in the stock business with … Read more

Biography of William G. Peach

WILLIAM G. PEACH. – There is no doubt but there should be special mention in this volume of the abiding chronicles of Union county, of the capable and venerable citizen, whose name appears at the head of this article, and it is with pleasure that we accord to him space for the epitome of an interesting and eventful career, since his abilities are worthy of such, and since his success has been achieved by meritorious effort, and since his character is upright, stanch, and worthy to be exemplified. Mr. Peach was born in the Green Mountain State, at Newbury, Orange … Read more

Biography of John L. Caviness

JOHN L. CAVINESS. – The name presented above is borne by one of the most exemplary citizens of Eastern Oregon, and a man who has sounded all the depths and shoals of pioneer life. The family came from Indiana, settled for a time in Iowa, and came on to Oregon in 1852, spending a short time at Forest Grove, but soon locating in Linn county on a section Donation claim. In 1856-57 John L., now a young man of eighteen, began his career by driving cattle to California, and in the spring of the latter year to Eastern Oregon. While … Read more

Gross, William G. – Obituary

Island City, Oregon William G. Gross, 81, of Island City died June 20 at a hospital in Boise. A private service will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Gross was born Nov. 1, 1924, to Glenn and Margurite Mathewson Gross in Portland. He attended school in Battleground, Wash., and served in the Army Air Forces during World War II. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trains and being with his family. He moved to the Grande Ronde Valley around 1960 from Reith. Survivors include children, James Gross of Island City, David Gross … Read more

Kovach, Florian Michael – Obituary

Dr. Florian Michael “Jeff” Kovach, 87, of La Grande, died Oct. 12 at a local care center. A celebration of life will be planned for sometime in the spring. The announcement will be published later. He was born on July 3, 1920, to Michael and Elizabeth (Farkas) Kovach in Tacoma, Wash. He graduated from Washington State University with a degree in veterinary medicine and served with the Air Force in Korea. In 1946 he moved to the Grande Ronde Valley as the county’s first professional veterinarian and opened the Animal Health Center on Island City strip. On Aug. 30, 1948, … Read more

See, James B. – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon James B. See Pioneer of This County Dead James B. See who was born on June 25, 1869 near Island City, died this week in Tacoma. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at the Summerville Chapel under the auspices of the Moose Lodge. He is survived by his father, Benjamin See who resides in La Grande. Four brothers; Jefferson, Frank, George and Albert, and a sister, Anna Arthur living at Stanfield. The See families were early settlers of this valley and for many years made their home on the Summerville District. Source: The La Grande … Read more

Belknap, Florence – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon Florence Belknap, 88, of Rt. 1, Box 160, Cove, died Tuesday at Valley View Manor. Mrs. Belknap was born on July 4, 1890, at Hamilton, N. D., the daughter of Hugh and Mary (Millar) MacDonald. The family moved to Nyssa in 1900 where Mr. MacDonald had a homestead. Florence attended Monmouth College, graduating in 1914. She taught school in Island City, Alicel, Ladd Canyon and La Grande. She was married to Edward D. Jasper, who preceded her in death on Dec. 4, 1936. She married Maynard M. Belknap at Lewiston, Idaho, in 1949. She moved to … Read more

Rumney, Inez Fields Mrs. – Obituary

Inez Rumney, 93, of Prairie City, a former La Grande resident, died Nov. 16, 2001, at Blue Mountain Nursing Home at Prairie City. There was a celebration of her life Sunday at the Island City Cemetery. Mrs. Rumney was born on March 12, 1908, to William H. and Bessie Rimbey Fields at Elgin where she attended school. She met Stuart Francis Rumney in a construction camp where she was cooking. The couple were married on Oct. 13, 1928, at Walla Walla, Wash. They lived mainly in La Grande and later moved to Island City. Mr. Rumney worked as a heavy … Read more

Bowen, Robert – Obituary

Island City, Oregon Robert “Blackie” Bowen, 81 of Island City died at his home Aug. 1. A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion in La Grande. Time and date will be announced at a later date. Blackie was born on Feb. 1, 1926, to John and Alberta Mills Bowen in Riverton, Wyo. He served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945. He married Betty Bretz of Nyssa, Idaho, on June 20, 1950, in Winnemucca, Nev. Blackie was a member of Operating Engineers Local 701 in Portland and Local 370 in Spokane. He was a 40-year member … Read more

Brand, Raymond C.P. – Obituary

Island City, Union County, Oregon At their home near Island City, Oregon February 27,1889, Raymond C.P. Brand grandson of W.G. and J.S. Peach, aged 1 year, 4 months and 22 days. Eastern Oregon Republican Thursday March 7, 1889

Carpenter, William Vernon – Obituary

Island City, Oregon William Vernon Carpenter, 78, of Island City died Feb. 4 at his home. A graveside service is planned for 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Island City Cemetery. Mr. Carpenter, known as Vern, was born July 18, 1928, to Thomas and Zoe (Safford) Carpenter in La Grande. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1946 and received an associate degree from what was then known as Eastern Oregon College. He served with the Army during the Korean War. On Nov. 20, 1955, he married Laurel “Grace” Miller in Boardman. He managed Van Petten Lumber Company and later … Read more

Humphrey, Lee Mrs. – Obituary

Island City, Union County, Oregon Funeral Set For Thursday Body Of Late Pioneer Buried Tomorrow Island City Church and Cemetery Is Place of Services The Rebekah lodge of this city is preparing to attend the funeral of the late Mrs. Lee Humphrey of Island City, in a body tomorrow afternoon. The noble grand, Mrs. Clapp, has issued a call to all members to be present at the hall at 1 o’clock tomorrow at which time conveyances will be supplied to take them to the funeral. The funeral services will be held at the church in Island City tomorrow at 2 … Read more

Goodnough, Effie P. – Obituary

Effie Pearl Goodnough, 94, of La Grande, died Thursday afternoon at the La Grande Nursing Center. Mrs. Goodnough was born Feb. 16, 1894, on a farm near Cove to Jabe and Alma (Brown) Conley. On May 10, 1922, she married Raymond Goodnough. He died on Sept. 19, 1948. She was a graduate of Cove High School and lived all her life near Cove or Island City and in La Grande. Following the death of her husband, she worked for many years at Fitzgerald’s Flowers in La Grande. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends and liked the outdoors, especially fishing. … Read more

Biography of Thomas H. Gilham

THOMAS H. GILHAM. – Although born in another state, the subject of this sketch is practically a product of Union county, being educated here and here achieving the success that has attended him in his labors, while he has ever manifested a stanch and unswerving integrity and adherence to the principles of uprightness, laboring for the advancement and upbuilding of the county, as well as prosecuting with vigor and sagacity the private business enterprises that have occupied him. Thomas H. Gilham was born in Siskiyou county, California, on February 13, 1858, being the son of Calvit A. and Almeda (Howell) … Read more

Sanderson, Kathleen Enid – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Kathleen Enid Sanderson, 83, of La Grande, died March 19 at a local care home. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. April 14 at the Island City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Kathleen was born Oct.22, 1923, to Thomas Houston and Lucinda (Davis) Blackman in Island City. On Jan. 8, 1941, she married Delbert “Bud” Sanderson in Weiser, Idaho. During World War II she ran the head rig for Mt. Emily Lumber and was a “Rosie the Riveter” for Reur Aircraft in San Diego, Calif. After the war, … Read more

Humphrey, Lee – Obituary

Island City, Union County, Oregon Lee Humphrey Passed Away William Lee Humphrey died last night at the Grande Ronde hospital, where he has been the past few weeks. The deceased was 65 years of age. On account of a severe accident a few years ago, Mr. Humphrey has been an invalid the most of the time and his trouble was further intensified over the loss of his wife, Mrs. Alabama Humphrey years ago. There were no children. He was a nephew of the late John A. Childers and Mrs. Chas. Golden is a cousin. He had many friends among whom … Read more

Abell, Wendell H. – Obituary

Island City, Oregon Wendell H. Abell, 81, of Island City died Saturday at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Boise. 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 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Island City Cemetery. Mr. Abell was born Dec. 23, 1924, to George and Josephine Graham Abell in La Grange, Mo. He had polio as a child. The family made three trips to Oregon before finally settling here. He began working in a lumber yard in Portland at the age of 16. On … Read more