John Day Oregon Genealogy – Page 2 of 3

Sawyer, Roy L. – Obituary

Roy L. Sawyer, 88, of John Day, and a former Baker City resident, died Aug. 9, 2002, at Valley View Assisted Living Center. His funeral will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the John Day Seventh-Day Adventist Church, with Pastor Rod Bieber of the church officiating. Interment will be at Terrace Lawn Memorial Gardens in Boise. Roy was born Dec. 27, 1913, at Hailey, Idaho, to Alma C. and Rose V. Sawyer. Roy spent his youth in the small town of Cascade, Idaho. He and his brother, Floyd, worked on the Cascade Dam. Roy served in the Second World War … 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

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

Carper, Joseph K. – Obituary

Services Held For Joe Carper Funeral Services were held at Centralia, Washington, Saturday, March 13, for Joseph K. Carper, former resident of Promise for many years. Mr. Carper passed away at the Swedish hospital in Seattle March 10, where he had been confined for a month. Mr. Carper was born in Raleigh County, West Virginia, on September 21, 1865, the son of George Washington and Delilah Carper. His father was a minister and came west in the 90’s moving into the La Grande and John Day country. Joe Carper was married when he was 17 years old and came west … 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

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

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

McCray, Mary Coleta Huys Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Mary Coleta McCray, 82, a Baker City native, died Oct. 28, 2001, at her son’s home in Baker City. A vigil service is scheduled at 8:30 tonight at Grays West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets. The Rev. Rob Irwin will officiate. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. There will be a reception at the church after the service. Visitations will be until 8 o’clock tonight at Grays West & Co. Mrs. McCray was born … Read more

Shaw, Ella Green – Obituary

Ella Green Shaw, 88, was born Feb. 23, 1877 at Molalla, and died at the Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day on October 12. She moved to Long Creek with her family when a young girl, and spent the remainder of her life there. On Jan. 1, 1895 she married Roscoe Shaw. The had one daughter and three sons. A daughter, Secil, a son, Sydney, and her husband preceeded her in death. She was a lone survivor of a large family-seven brothers and four sisters, also a number of half brothers and sisters. She was the last remaining charter member … 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

Biographical Sketch of Hon. George Hazeltine

Among the many pioneers of this county none stand higher in the estimation of their fellow citizens than the subject of our sketch. Born in New York in 1838, he came to California at the age of 17 with his oldest brother and resided there for a period of nine years. On the 4th day of July 1862, he arrived in Grant County, and became engaged in mining. In 1804, in connection with A. R. Callum, he built the John Day flouring mills, being the first one built east of the Cascades in the State. He operated it until 1874, … 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

Davis, Opal “Dee” – Obituary

Baker County, Oregon Obituaries Opal “Dee” Davis, 71, of Boardman, died Jan. 25, 2003, at his home. Private cremation with a Celebration of Life graveside service will be held later this year in Canyon City, with time and date to be announced later. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of arrangements. Dee was born March 27, 1931, at Waldron, Ark., the third child of Reacel and Monta May Starr Davis. He was raised in Booneville, Ark., then moved to Oregon in 1948. There he married Norma Jean Wood on Aug. 9, 1949, in John Day. They had four children, … 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

Kleitch, Joseph P. “Benny” – Obituary

Joseph P. “Benny” Kleitch, 73, of Baker City, died April 24, 2006, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. Recitation of the rosary will be at 7 o’clock tonight at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Deacon James Watt of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral will preside. Mr. Kleitch’s funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Pastor Dennis Sams of the Boise Uclid Church of The Nazarene will conduct. Vault interment will be at 2 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery in La Grande. Visitations for Mr. Kleitch will be until 6 o’clock tonight at the funeral home. Joseph P. … 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

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

Steinbeck, J. D. – Obituary

Formerly of La Grande 1915-2009 J.D. Steinbeck, 93, of Seneca and formerly of La Grande, died Jan. 31 at Country Spice Assisted Living Center in John Day. Graveside services will begin at 1 p.m. Friday at the Hermiston Cemetery. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of arrangements. J.D. was born May 19, 1915, to Frank and Clara (Hadley) Steinbeck in La Grande. He graduated from La Grande High School and later from Boeing Aircraft School in California. He served in the U.S. Army as a diesel mechanic instructor based in Seattle. He then returned to La Grande to work … Read more

Biography of D. B. Rinehart

The subject of this article relates to D. B. Rinehart and his large orchard in the John Day Valley, Grant County, Oregon. He came to the John Day Valley in 1804, about the time that Grant County was cut off from Wasco. Hon. W. Lair Hill, was appointed County Judge by the governor of the State, while William Luce and E. S. Pernfield were appointed County Commissioners. The above board constituted the first County Court of Grant County. At the first sitting of the court, D. B. Rinehart was appointed county superintendent of public schools until the next general election. … Read more