Joseph Oregon

Diggins, David – Obituary

David Diggins, a pioneer born in Pennsylvania in 1833, passed away at 79 in Joseph, Oregon, following a stroke. He journeyed westward in 1859, initially to Colorado, but settled in Walla Walla after hearing of opportunities in the northwest. He sought gold in the wilderness and established a successful farming life in Umatilla County before moving to Wallowa County in 1894. Diggins was married twice, with one son surviving him, and his funeral was held shortly after his death.

Coverdale, Marion – Obituary

Marion Coverdale, aged 58, was found deceased in his cabin near Joseph, Oregon, on July 12, 1922. He had been in poor health and received care from the county nurse. A resident of Wallowa County for over 40 years, Coverdale was known for his connection to the mountains and his life as a trapper and hunter. Born in Walla Walla in 1864, he had two marriages and leaves behind family members in Montana and Oregon.

Conley, Rebecca S. Hooper – Obituary

Rebecca S. Hooper Conley, born May 25, 1828, near Baltimore, Maryland, passed away on April 10, 1920, in Dayton, Washington, at nearly 92 years of age. She and her husband, Geo. W. Conley, moved to Joseph in 1888, where they significantly impacted the community until his death in 1907. Survived by seven of their eleven children, she had lived with her daughter, Mrs. C.F. Austin, before her passing. Interment took place in Dayton, Washington.

Callahan, Daniel Peter – Obituary

Daniel Peter Callahan, a long-time resident of Joseph, Oregon, passed away on August 3, 1947, at the age of 80 in a nursing home in La Grande. Born on December 11, 1866, in Ohio, he moved to Joseph in 1903 and lived there until 1946. Known for his love of the outdoors, he worked as a prospector. He is survived by two sisters and a nephew. His funeral was held on August 7, with burial in the Catholic cemetery in La Grande.

Marr, Frank – Obituary

Frank Marr, a resident of Joseph, passed away from pneumonia on February 11, 1920, after a brief illness lasting only three days. His remains were transported back to Joseph by the local Odd Fellows for burial.

Marks, James Mrs. – Obituary

Clara Royce Marks, born February 14, 1857, in Shelbyville, Illinois, passed away suddenly on June 14, 1928, at her home in Joseph, Oregon. She had previously suffered a partial paralysis two years prior. Clara married James Marks on July 4, 1880, and the couple lived in several states before settling in Oregon in 1911. She is survived by her husband and seven children. A lifelong member of the Christian church, her funeral was held at the Christian church in Enterprise.

Lord, Will – Obituary

Will Lord, a young employee of Graves Bros. from Pine Creek, tragically died in an accidental fall from his horse while in the mountains southeast of Joseph. His body was discovered by John Vaughan after a search was initiated. An inquest confirmed that Lord died from a fractured skull. He was buried near his parents in Pine Creek. He is survived by his brother Ed Lord and sister Ada.

Leffler, Shirley – Obituary

Shirley Leffler, the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Leffler, passed away at six months old after a prolonged illness on the evening of December 5, 1918. Her burial took place the next day at Prairie Creek Cemetery, with Rev. A. Cook conducting the service.

Kotz, Georgia – Obituary

Georgia Kotz, born January 20, 1914, in Joseph, Oregon, passed away on July 8, 1974, at Wallowa Memorial Hospital after a period of illness. A lifelong resident of Wallowa County, she married George B. Kotz in 1933. She was a member of St. Katherines Catholic Church and is survived by her husband, two sons, a brother, and six grandchildren. Services included a prayer vigil and requiem mass, with interment at the Enterprise Catholic Cemetery.

Knapper, Ellen Mrs. – Obituary

Mrs. Ellen M. Knapper passed away on December 15, 1940, in Joseph, Oregon. Born in Astoria, Illinois, on February 3, 1862, she married Ludwig Knapper in 1881 and moved to Oregon shortly thereafter. A charter member of the Joseph Methodist Ladies Aid, Mrs. Knapper was active in her community. She is survived by three children and numerous grandchildren, with interment beside her husband at Prairie Creek Cemetery. Services were held at the Methodist church, led by Rev. Ralph Vanderwood.

Ingram,Chester – Obituary

Chester Earl Ingram, 36, was tragically killed in a logging accident on Marr Flat when a logging truck ran over him during loading operations. He was assisting the truck driver, Wilbur Curry, when the vehicle began to roll backward. Ingram was a World War II veteran and a logger, residing in Joseph, Oregon. He is survived by his wife, Helen, their children, and his parents. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday at the Enterprise Christian Church, followed by burial in Pendleton.

Hovis, Earl – Obituary

Earl Hovis, a former resident of Wallowa County, Oregon, passed away on February 1, 1992, at the age of 89. Born on July 12, 1902, in Wayne County, Missouri, he moved to Wallowa County as a youth and married Vivian Emmons in 1924. Hovis was known for his expertise with horses and participated in local pageants and parades. He worked as a log scaler for Boise Cascade until his retirement. He is survived by his wife, sons, a sister, and grandchildren. Interment will be in Wallowa County.

Holst, Edith Estella – Obituary

Edith Estella Holst, a pioneer resident of Joseph, Oregon, passed away on March 23, 1954, at the age of 79. Born on May 17, 1874, in Nevada, she moved to Wallowa County in 1884. Edith was married twice, first to Chas. E. Jennings, with whom she had four children, and later to George Holst. She operated the Jennings Hotel from 1909 to 1926 and was an active member of the Silver Lake Rebekah Lodge for over 50 years. She is survived by her children, eleven grandchildren, and a sister.

Gwenn, George M. – Obituary

George M. Gwenn passed away at Enterprise Hospital on November 29, 1917, due to appendicitis. He was 50 years old and had recently relocated from Walla Walla to a farm near Joseph. He is survived by his wife and nine children. His body was transported back to Walla Walla for burial on December 21. This information was published in the Wallowa County Reporter on December 5, 1917.

McCubbin, W. L. – Obituary

The funeral service for W.L. McCubbin, previously of Lostine and residing near Joseph, took place at the Lostine cemetery, led by the I.O.O.F. He succumbed to complications from Spanish influenza on November 13, just four days after hospitalization in Pendleton. Mr. McCubbin is survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons, along with many friends who remember him as a gracious husband, father, and neighbor.

Folker, Erline – Obituary

Mrs. Erline Folker, formerly Erline May Childers, tragically lost her life on November 5 near Las Vegas, Nevada. Her body was discovered in the desert with signs of foul play. Jack Rainsberger was arrested on suspicion of murder, claiming he was compelled by voices to commit the act. Folker, born on January 14, 1935, was a graduate of local schools and left behind her three-year-old son and several family members. Graveside services were conducted on November 10 in Walla Walla.

Tyler, Annie Elizabeth – Obituary

Annie Elizabeth Tyler, born February 10, 1862, in Warrensburg, Missouri, passed away on December 18, 1941, at her daughter’s home. After suffering a stroke two and a half years prior, she succumbed to her illness. A long-time resident of Wallowa County since 1889, she celebrated 63 years of marriage with Henry Francis Tyler before his death in April 1941. She is survived by three daughters and eight great-grandchildren, along with her brother and sisters. Annie was a dedicated member of the Methodist Church.

Turnbow, Charles E. – Obituary

Charles E. Turnbow passed away on December 29, 1937, at the age of 62 in Joseph, Oregon, following a lengthy illness. Born in Cove on July 12, 1875, he moved to the Wallowa Valley as a young man. He had three children with his first wife, Guylla Kutch, and later married twice more, with his last wife, Mary Bowen, surviving him. Turnbow was known for running a livery stable in Enterprise and left behind many friends and family, including ten siblings.

Simmons, Charles Andrew – Obituary

Charles Andrew Simmons, 90, a lifelong resident of Wallowa County, passed away on February 21, 1980, at the Wallowa County Nursing Home. Born on January 7, 1890, in Joseph to James A. and Isabel Simmons, he spent his career as a farmer. A member of the Enterprise Church of the Nazarene, his funeral service took place on February 25 at Bollman Chapel, followed by interment at Prairie Creek Cemetery. He is survived by two sisters and several nieces and nephews.

Isley, Belle – Obituary

Mrs. Belle Vesta Isley, a lifelong resident of Joseph, Oregon, passed away on June 28, 1973. Born on June 5, 1887, in Umatilla County, she married Madison P. Isley in 1903. Belle was active in her community and a member of the Methodist Church. She is survived by three sons, two daughters, two half-sisters, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held at Bollman Chapel, followed by internment at Prairie Creek Cemetery.