John Day Oregon

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 George W. Dart

George W. Dart is one of John Day’s most honored citizens. He is operating a large general merchandise establishment there, and through courteous and fair treatment has gained the esteem of the entire community. Born in Maryland in 1858, he came to Canyon City, Oregon. In 1879, and was engaged in mining and stock rising until 1883. Moving then to John Day he became engaged in merchandising first under the firm name of Haptonstall & Dart, and later with Phil. Metschan, F. C. Sels and J. H. Blake as Haptonstall, Dart & Co. In 1890, in connection with C. E. … 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

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

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

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

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

White, Gary Dee – Obituary

Gary Dee White, 72, of John Day, a former Baker City resident, died March 28, 2001. His memorial service will be at 3 p.m. April 26 at the Driskill Memorial Chapel in John Day. Mr. White was born Jan. 23, 1929, at Baker City to Ted and Emma Perkins White. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and received a Victory Medal and an honorable discharge. He married LouAnn Griffith at Baker City in 1949. They moved to John Day in 1959 where Mr. White worked as a car and chain saw mechanic and served as a … Read more

Guilliams, Mary Anna Mrs. – Obituary

John Day, Oregon Mary Anna Guilliams, 88, of John Day, died July 6, 2001 at John Day. The rosary will be said Thursday at 7 p.m. at Driskill Chapel in John Day. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in John Day. Interment will be at Canyon City Cemetery. Mrs. Guilliams was born June 3, 1913, in John Day, to Joseph A. Pereira and Mary Amanda Potter. She graduated from John Day High School in 1931 and was a housewife. She worked at odd jobs such as taking in laundry and cleaning houses. … 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

Speelman, Claude L. – Obituary

Claude L. Speelman, 90, of Hermiston, a former Haines resident, died Jan. 30, 2003, at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the chapel of the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home at Milton-Freewater. Pastor Richard Wright will officiate. Private interment will be Wednesday in Mount Hope Cemetery. Claude was born Oct. 27, 1912, at Haines. He was the son of LeRoy and Lela Cross Speelman. He married Janet Pettie at Weiser, Idaho, in 1939. He worked construction and the couple moved a lot when their children were young. He later worked ranches … Read more

Edison, Della Davis Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Della Edison, 52, of Baker City, died March 22, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. A celebration of her life will take place Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 2005 Valley Ave. A dinner will follow the service. Della was born in John Day to Opal and Norma Davis. After moving to Baker City, she met and married James Edison Sr. They enjoyed 34 years of marriage in which time they had three children: James Edison Jr., Kathy Free and Carrie Johnson. She also considered Rudy Soliz to be her son. Her greatest joy … Read more

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

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

Frazier, Zoe Harris Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Zoe Frazier, 91, of Baker City, died Sept. 4, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. Disposition was by cremation at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Crematory. There will be a family memorial service at Haines. Mrs. Frazier was born on June 21, 1910, at Long Creek to Ziri and Irene Harris. She married Dallas Frazier on Sept. 19, 1930, at John Day. The couple made their home at Bates where Mr. Frazier worked for the Edward Hines Lumber Co. They moved to Baker City to retire. Mrs. Frazier was a homemaker most of her life and … Read more

Ego, Gene F. – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon Gene F. Ego, 84, of Halfway and a former Baker City resident, died April 25, 2003, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Portland. At his request, disposition will be by cremation at Gray’s West Pioneer Crematory and there will be no service. Gene was born Oct. 11, 1918, to C.B. and Bessie S. (Doolittle) Ego at Cove. His family moved to Baker City when he was 5. Gene attended school at a one-room school-house on Sutton Creek, just south of Baker City. He worked for different ranches in the area during this time. After leaving … Read more

Widman, C. Wayne – Obituary

C. Wayne Widman, 69, of Parkdale, and a former Baker City resident, died March 31, 2002, at the Hood River Memorial Hospital. His funeral was at 11 a.m. today at the Hood River Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Burial was at the Upper Valley Cemetery. Wayne was born April 7, 1932, at Baker City to Carl Henry and Dorothy Ellen Williams Widman. He was raised and educated in Baker City and was a 1950 Baker High School graduate. After high school, Wayne left Baker City to work in a sawmill at Joseph. About a year later he returned … 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