John Day Oregon

Vandetta, Ray – Obituary

Ray Vandetta, 55, of Baker City died Jan. 4, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. His memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Moose Lodge, 61341 Highway 97, in Bend. Ray was born on Sept. 20, 1949, at Prairie City to Choicey Aldura Jones and Charles Freeman Vandetta. He grew up at Monument. At the age of 12, the family moved to Bend. Ray lived most of his life in John Day, until moving to Baker City in 2002. Ray was an avid hunter and fisherman; he enjoyed anything that included being in the great outdoors. He … Read more

Gates, Clay Loren – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Clay Loren Gates, 82, of Baker City died April 8, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. His graveside service was today at Prairie City Cemetery in Prairie City. Pastor Loyd Phillips of the New Hope Assembly of God Chapel at Vale officiated. There was a reception afterward at the Strawberry Mountain Grange in Prairie City. A former Grant County resident, Clay was born on April 24, 1921, at Ritter. He attended school at Ukiah, Long Creek, and Susanville. He lived his childhood at Galena. Clay worked for 48 years ranching and logging at Bates, John Day, … Read more

Simonsen, Glenda Beth Healey Mrs. – Obituary

Glenda Beth Simonsen, 69, of John Day, a former Baker City resident, died Sept. 23, 2007, at Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day. There was a private family service. Glenda was born April 22, 1938, at Baker City to Glen and Anna Jacobson Healey. She was a 1956 graduate of Powder Valley High at North Powder. Glenda married Roger Simonsen in Baker City on July 31, 1959. Glenda was a business owner with her husband, Roger. Their work included highway construction, wholesale grocery, service station and auto repair. She also filled customer service positions at several John Day businesses. She … Read more

Clark, Raymond – Obituary

Raymond Clark, 70, of John Day, died April 20, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. At his request, there will be no memorial service. Raymond Harlo Clark was born on Aug. 6, 1934, at La Grande. He lived in the Harrisburg area on the Oregon Coast until his family moved to Austin. He attended grade school at Austin, and then continued his education at Prairie City, where he graduated from high school in 1952. After graduation, Ray went to work for a short time with the U.S. Forest Service. He then worked for six months at the Kinzua mill. In … Read more

Ager, Nancy Jane – Obituary

Wallowa County, Oregon Mrs. Nancy Jane Ager passed away last Thursday, February 5 Nancy Jane Dakan was born on February 7, 1860 near Roseburg, Oregon. When only a young girl she moved with her parents to Cricket Flat where she grew to womanhood. She lived a few years at Dayton, Washington and from there moved to the John Day country and later to La Grande. In 1902 she came to Wallowa County and settled on Day Ridge. In 1895 she was married to James Albert Ager. To this union three children were born: Mrs. Sam Davis, Joseph, Charley E. Ager … Read more

McCallum & Bayley

Among the leading business firms of the county, McCallum & Bayley, of John Day, occupy a well deserved position. Established in 1892, they have steadily grown until their reputation is assured not only for the volume of business transacted but for their integrity as well. They cater to both the stockman and miner, and their facilities have enabled them to buy direct from the Eastern manufacturer, the benefit of which is given their customers. They also own and control the John Day Telephone Line, running a distance of thirty-five miles from John Day to Dayville. Mr. F. I. McCallum is … Read more

Droschkey, William Russell – Obituary

Cove, Oregon William Russell Droschkey, 82, of Cove died Friday at a local care center. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Cove Cemetery. Mr. Droschkey was born Oct. 3, 1923, to William and Mary Alice Bill Droschkey in Spokane. He was raised in Idaho and graduated from high school in Orofino, Idaho. At the age of 14 went to work in the woods. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and on Sept. 18, 1948, he married Shirley Brazil in Cove. In 1951 he graduated from the University of Utah as … Read more

Proffitt, Pat Mrs. – Obituary

John Day, Baker County, Oregon Pat Proffitt, 48, of John Day, died Dec. 20, 2005, after a long illness. At her request, her body was cremated and a private memorial service will be scheduled later. Pat was born on April 15, 1957, at Oka Tamuning, Guam. She graduated from high school at Guam and moved to Baker City in 1975. While living in Baker City, she became a part of the community helping others. Pat moved to Grant County in 1992, and married Norman Proffitt Jr. on April 10, 1997. Pat enjoyed ceramics, crocheting and working in her flower beds. … Read more

Rhea, Ralph – Obituary

Ralph Rhea, 78, a longtime Baker City resident, died May 20, 2005, at Providence Hospital in Portland, from complications of acute pancreatitis. Visitations will be today until 5 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. There will be a vigil service at 7 p.m. today at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets. Mass of Christian Burial will be at noon Friday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. The Most Rev. Thomas J. Connolly and the Rev. Robert C. Irwin will concelebrate the Mass. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Honor Guard will be by … Read more

Lively, Mildred – Obituary

John Day, Oregon Mildred Lively, 89, of John Day and formerly of Wallowa, died Sept. 25 at Blue Mountain Hospital. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Wallowa Cemetery in Wallowa. Driskill Memorial Chapel in John Day is in charge of arrangements. Mildred was born May 12, 1919, to Paul and Evelynn (Hyde) Bartmess in Metropolis, Nev. She attended Wallowa High School, graduating in 1938. On Feb. 20, 1939, she married Leonard Lively in Lewiston, Idaho. She enjoyed being a homemaker and knitting. Survivors include her son, Gary and his wife, Sharon Lively, of Mount Vernon; son, … Read more

Hickerson, Donna May Pontius Mrs. – Obituary

Donna May Hickerson, 70, of Baker City died Jan. 26, 2005, at her home. At Donna’s request, there will be no service. Donna May Hickerson was born on July 13, 1934, at Bend to Ira and Evelyn Crowley Pontius. She was raised at Mount Vernon. Donna married Bill Hickerson in 1950; they divorced in 1962. She was an excellent cook and worked in various restaurants in John Day and Baker City. At one time she ran the Geiser Grand Restaurant. Donna loved to cook for her family. She was a great canner. Her specialties were pickles and jellies. She enjoyed … Read more

Battrick, Robin Louise – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Robin Louise Battrick, 56, formerly of La Grande, died July 31 at her home in Coffey, Mo., following a 10-month battle with cancer. A funeral service and burial will be in Coffey, with memorial services to follow in Corvallis and La Grande. Robin was born July 17, 1951, in Bloomington, Ind. After a transient childhood with stops from Florida to Alaska, her family settled in La Grande in September 1965. She graduated from La Grande High School in 1969 as co-valedictorian. She attended Reed College in Portland and Oregon State University. Robin served a mission for the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Howard M. Basford

One of the best and most successfully managed flourmills in this district is located at John Day. It is owned by the subject of our sketch, who has been a resident of Grant County since 1879. The mill has it capacity of fifty barrels, being equipped with a full roller process of the latest type. Although doing some custom work, Mr. Basford makes a specialty of the merchant trade making a leader of his family flour “The Best” and in the opinion of consumers it does not belie its name. Every sack is warranted extra quality, and full weight. He … Read more

Kempfer, Margaret Mary Van Beveren Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Margaret Mary Kempfer, 90, a former Baker City resident, died Jan. 5, 2003, at Valley View Assisted Living in John Day. Rosary will be said on Thursday at Driskill Memorial Chapel in John Day, 241 S. Canyon Blvd. Mass will be celebrated Friday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Baker City. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Kempfer was born Feb. 7, 1912, in Moline, Ill., to John and Eliza Van Beveren, recent immigrants from Belgium. In 1915 the family moved to Baker City. She graduated from St. Francis Academy in 1930. … Read more

Waldo, Joel F. – Obituary

Joel F. Waldo, 45, of Baker City, died Oct. 22, 2004, at his home with his devoted wife, Cindy, his mother-in-law, Phyllis, and his minister by his side. He was diagnosed with lung cancer on Oct. 16, 2003, even though he had never smoked a day in his life. His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 1995 Fourth St. Pastor Susan Barnes will officiate. Joel was born on Aug. 19, 1959, at Sioux City, Iowa. He worked very hard all his life and was constantly learning new things so he could do it himself. … Read more

Cochran, Margaret L. “Mary” Born Mrs. – Obituary

Margaret L. ‘Mary’ Cochran, 78, of Baker City, died Feb. 14, 2005, at St. Lukes Regional Medical Center in Boise. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets. The Rev. Robert C. Irwin will celebrate the Mass. There will be a graveside service at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Prairie City Cemetery. Pastor Darrell Johnson of Grace Chapel of Prairie City will officiate. Visitations will be until 7 o’clock tonight at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Mrs. Cochran was born on Feb. 18, 1926, at John Day … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Minot Austin

The sterling citizen whose every thought is for the good of the community, in which he has reared his home and cemented his associations, must always command the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. Of such metal and commanding such respect, is he whose name is inscribed above. Born in Sacramento, California, in 1853, at an early age he moved with his parents to the Willamette Valley, where he resided until 1867. Coming to Eastern Oregon, he lived in the John Day Valley until 1878. He then moved to his present home, which at that time was still a … Read more

Rice, Lennie Juliet – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Formerly of Enterprise 1945-2000 Lennie Juliet Hearing Rice, 54, of Colville, Wash., and formerly of Enterprise, died April 20. A memorial service will be scheduled later at the Wallowa Cemetery. Mrs. Rice was born July 23, 1945, in Enterprise to Fred and Clara White Hearing. She was raised in Wallowa County and educated at home until the seventh grade. She graduated from Enterprise High School, attended beauty college and one year of veterinary school. She married Ron Rice on September 3, 1963, in Unity. She had a hair salon for some years in John Day. She … 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

Keener, John William – Obituary

John William “Bill” Keener, 86, of John Day, who had logged in Northeastern Oregon for more than 46 years, died Sept. 19, 2009, at his home. His memorial service and a celebration of Bill’s life will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Bible Way Church in John Day. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception afterward at the John Day Senior Center. Bill was born on April 15, 1923, at Franklin, N.C., to James Ulric and Fannie Clementine Williams Keener. He was the fifth child of six children. He left home when he was about 12 … Read more