Diggins, David – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Pioneer Is Dead – Was 79 Years Old David Diggins, Who Crossed the Plains In 1859 David Diggins, a pioneer in the northwest, died on Monday at his home in Joseph. He was 79 years old and some time ago suffered a stroke of paralysis. The funeral was held on Tuesday and burial was in the Prairie creek cemetery, Rev. B. F. Miller officiating. Mr. Diggins was born in Pennsylvania in 1833 and when 23 years old moved to Illinois, where he lived two years, farming in the new Prairie state. But the love of the … Read more

Phillips, Freeman H. – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Freeman H. Phillips of Joseph died June 4, 2007, at the Wallowa Valley Care Center in Enterprise. He was 81. Mr. Phillips was born Dec. 27, 1926, at Wilmot Flats, N.H. to Freeman S. and Christabel chamberlain Phillips, the second of 14 children. In 1927, the family moved to Alexandria where he attended grammar school and spent his early years working on the farm and for neighboring farmers at the going wage of fifty cents per day. Following his seventeenth birthday, in 1943, he entered the U.S. Navy and served on ships in the Atlantic Fleet before being … Read more

Patterson, Elizabeth Bokop Mrs. – Obituary

Elizabeth Bokop Patterson, 97, a former longtime Baker City resident, died Oct. 5, 2006, at the Wallowa Valley Care Center. Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 2130 Second St. Private interment of her cremains will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Patterson was born on June 30, 1909, at New York City to Federick and Augusta Bokop of Defiance, Ohio, where she grew up. She attended Western College at Oxford, Ohio, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1931 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. She was invited to visit … Read more

Fleet, Hazel – Obituary

Hazel Jane Fleet, 90, died March 6, 2005 in La Grande. She was born to Ralph and Lenora Barton on Oct. 26, 1914 in Joseph. Mrs. Fleet spent her first winter in Hells Canyon at Three Creeks at the old Frank Hiltsley Homestead until her family home was built on Johnson Bar. In 1916 the family moved back to the Imnaha River to their ranch at Grouse Creek and then to a ranch at Summit Creek in the Fall of 1917. She graduated from the eighth grade at the Park school in 1928. She attended high school in Enterprise and … Read more

Stephens, Montia Coval – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Montia Coval Stephens died May 20, 2007, at the Vancouver Veterans Hospice Center, from cancer surgery complications. He was 64. Mr. Stephens was born Dec. 30, 1942, in Cottage Grove. He graduated from Joseph High School in 1960. Immediately after high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army. His service included Officers’ Candidate School, tours in Korea and the Dominican Republic and in the White House as a communication specialist and on the presidential press team during President John F. Kennedy’s term. He also worked in the Pentagon. He left the army as a Captain. Mr. Stephens remained … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George H. Furgason

Among the heavy property owners of Wallowa County, mention must be made of the esteemed subject of this sketch, whose career has manifested steadfastness of purpose and capabilities that have wrought out his present prominent place in the agricultural and stock raising population of our county, while his qualities of uprightness and truth have given him the happy prestige that is his to enjoy, and it is due to such men as Mr. Furgason that Wallowa county owes her development and prominence today. George H. was born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, on August 13, 1959, being the son of Alexander … Read more

Andrews, Malcolm Clare “Mac” – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Malcom “Mac” Clare Andrews Malcom “Mac” Clare Andrews of Joseph died of natural causes on June 23, 2006, in Joseph. He was 83. Mr. Andrews was born April 28, 1923, in Eureka, Mont., to Clarence Arthur and Janet Campbell Andrews. He attended Walla Walla College and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1948, he married Phyllis Brown. They later divorced. Mr. Andrews had worked at Harris Pine Mills in Pendleton. He later moved to La Grande and opened his own print shop. In 1966, he moved to Joseph, where he also had his own … Read more

Mace, Emery Mrs. – Obituary

Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon Mrs. Emery Mace died at her home in North Joseph, Sunday, November 1st, 1942, at the age of 50 years. Mrs. Mace had been ill but for a short time and did not appear seriously ill when she succumbed to a sudden heart attack. Margaret Snell was born on the small homestead on Imnaha January 13, 1892, the youngest daughter of Roy and Ida Snell. She spent her girlhood on the Imhaha and was married to Emery Mace February 28, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Mace lived for a year or more on their Snake River ranch … Read more

Dawson, James N. – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon James N. Dawson James N. Dawson, 55, of Joseph died Aug. 3 at his home. A community celebration of life will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday Aug. 10 at the Dawson Ranch, 65196 Dobbin Road, Joseph. Participants should bring a dish and beverages to share along with a lawn chair. Mr. Dawson was born Oct. 18, 1950, to Malcolm and Jean Dawson in Enterprise. He graduated from Joseph High School and attended Treasure Valley Community College, Eastern Oregon State College and Oregon State University. He was a member and board member of many organizations. He served … Read more

Coppin, Cleve W. – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Cleve W. Coppin, 90, of Joseph died April 11. The funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Friday April 15 at the Prairie Creek Cemetery with Craig Strobel officiating. Mr. Coppin was born May 31, 1914, to E.J. and Marian Woolsey Coppin. He was a rancher and during World War II worked for the War Foods Administration. On June 20, 1942, he married Caryl Leehmann in Lakeview. He was a charter member of the Wallowa County Woolgrowers, and served as secretary-treasurer for 25 years of the Wallowa Valley Improvement District. He helped develop the ditch system and the Joseph … Read more

Watson, LaVeda Ruth – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon LaVeda Ruth Watson, 73, of Joseph died March 8 at her home. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday March 15 at the Enterprise Nazarene Church. Mrs. Watson was born Sept. 15, 1931, to Henry and Ruby Carper in Wallowa. She worked as a licensed practical nurse at Wallowa Memorial Hospital and retired in 1981 when she married Ralph Watson. She was active in her church and participated in the senior meals. She enjoyed playing cards, picking mushrooms, picture puzzles and crossword puzzles. Survivors include a daughter, Donna Butterfield; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a brother, Towell … Read more

Action, Jennie Martha – Obituary

Enterprise Jennie Martha Action passed on March 2nd at Enterprise. She was born Feb 7, 1879 at Weston, Ore., daughter of George and Welthy Serelda Kimberly Birdsell. She was married to James E. Action June 24, 1900. He passed on in 1909. Mrs. Action was member of the Rebekahs, VFW Auxiliary, H. O. Club, Past Noble Grands Club and was baptized in the Baptist Church. Memorial services were Saturday afternoon in Booth-Bollman Chapel with Rev. Leslie Bailey officiating. Mrs. Ralph Kay and Mrs. Garnet Best sang “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Abide with Me” with Mrs. Best at the organ. … Read more

Turnbow, Maybel G. – Obituary

Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon Maybel G. Turnbow of Joseph, who had been ill for the past four months, passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 1975 at the Rogue Valley Memorial Hospital where she had been a patient 19 days. She was born Nov. 4, 1902 at Elgin, daughter of Samuel L. and Ella Knight, and had lived in Wallowa County most of her life. On Jan. 22, 1927 she was married at Enterprise to John E. Turnbow who preceded her in death on March 10, 1958. She was a retired school teacher. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Cleve (Lita) Berry … Read more

Crow, Phil – Obituary

Phil Crow, a 23-year resident of Olympia, Wash. died May 14, 2007. He was 62. Mr. Crow was born Sept. 14, 1944, in Milwaukee, Wis. to Henry and Mary Greenwood Loades, Sr. He graduated from Joseph High School in 1962 and attended Spokane Community College as well as General Motors University of Automotive Management. He was the Service Director for Chevrolet, General Motors, and Honda. Prior to residing in Olympia, Mr. Crow lived in Joseph, Spokane and Walla Walla, Wash. and Enterprise. In he married Diane Farris in Enterprise in 1981. His many hobbies included gardening, grapes and tomatoes, shrimping, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Martha Horton Fisher

Martha Horton Fisher was born in Waynesborough, TN in 1832. She was the daughter of William Horton and America Cheek, a native of England, and the granddaughter of Isaac Horton who fought in the American Revolution. She married William Thomas Fisher in 1848 in Wayne County, TN. They immigrated to Arkansas around 1852 and were living there during the Civil War. Her husband fought in the war, and was mustered out in 1864. Mary had ten children, 7 that lived to maturity. Her children were: Mary, Sarah, Frances, James, George, William, Christopher, Malinda, Charles and Thomas. In 1875 she, her … Read more

Scott, Ethel Mary – Obituary

Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon Wallowa County native Ethel Mary Scott, who wrote a book about her life growing up in Wallowa County, died April 21, 1989, at Grande Ronde Hospital. She was 80. She was born May 25, 1908, at Joseph to William and Vergie (Pinkley) Halsy. Mrs. Scott graduated from Joseph High School and later from Behnke-Walker Business School in Portland. Following graduation from Business school she worked for an attorney in Joseph. She was married to Noel S. Scott of Wallowa on Christmas day, 1928 in Wallowa. He preceded her in death in 1986. The Scotts owned and … Read more

Hook, Vivian Lee Lovell – Obituary

Vivian Lee Lovell Hook of Baker City died Sept. 12 at her brother’s home in Milton-Freewater. A Rosary will be conducted at 7 p.m. tonight at Bollman Funeral Home, with a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Katherine Catholic Church in Enterprise. Burial will follow at the Enterprse Cemetery. Mrs. Hook was born Feb. 27, 1929 to Garrett Samuel and Evelyn Billerbeck Lovell. She attended Hurricane Creek School on Alder Slope, as well as schools in Enterprise and Joseph. She marred the late Carl Eugene Hook Aug. 3, 1946 in Baker. She was a homemaker and ranch wife … Read more

Sheets, Margaret Mrs. – Obituary

Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon Pioneer Woman Dies At Joseph Mrs. Margaret Sheets, pioneer resident of Joseph, passed away Sunday morning, April 12, 1942, following a week’s illness, having been stricken with paralysis Easter Sunday. Margaret Ann Scott was born in Carthage, Mo., Aug. 20, 1854, and died at the age of 87 years, 7 months and 23 days. She came to Weston, Oregon, with her family by ox team in 1866 and later moved to La Grande where on Aug. 7, 1870, she was united in marriage to Adam Francis Sheets. To this union 11 children were born, four of … Read more

Vest, Albert – Obituary

Services Held For Albert Vest Albert Raymond Vest, a sawmill worker of Joseph, who had been in ill health for the past six months, passed away on January 17, 1969 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital where he had been a patient for nine days. Mr. Vest was the son of William Harvey and Ellen Melissa Vest and was born on October 27, 1905 at Phillipsburg, Kansas. He had lived in Wallowa County for 58 years and was a veteran of World War II. On February 8, 1946 he was married at Lewiston to Mona Mae Heskett who survives him. He was … Read more

Twaddell, William C. – Obituary

The funeral of the late Mr. WC Twadell was held on Saturday afternoon, May 22, from the United church, Vermilion, when a large gathering attended to pay their respects to their departed friend and neighbor. The service was conducted by the Rev. L.G Sieber who spoke feelingly of Mr. Twaddell as he had known him on his visits to the home. Interment was made in the Vermllion cemetery. The deceased was born on March 14, 1863 in Murser County, Missouri USA. and moved with his parents to the state of Oregon at the age of two years. On Nov. 18th, … Read more