La Grande Oregon

Collins, Patrick Howard – Obituary

Union, Oregon Patrick Howard Collins, 48, of Seaside and formerly of La Grande and Union, died Nov. 19 in Seaside. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at Coastline Christian Fellowship Church in Olney. Prior to the service, visitation will take place from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria. Mr. Collins, known as Pat, was born Sept. 11, 1958, in Waterbury, Conn., to Theodore M. and Mary E. Brooks Collins. He grew up and was educated in Anaheim, Calif. In 1974 he moved to Clatsop County and began a career in the … Read more

Fox, H. Clayton – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon H. Clayton Fox, 90, died March 31 at his home in La Grande. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in La Grande. Private burial will be at the Summerville Cemetery. Viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande. Mr. Fox was born Dec. 18, 1916, to Clay and Lelah (Day) Fox in Imbler. After graduating from high school he attended what is now known as Oregon State University. During his senior year his father became ill and … Read more

Roper, Virginia Shaffer – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Virginia Shaffer Roper, 81, of Denver and formerly of La Grande died July 27 in Denver. A memorial service will be Aug. 10 at Horan and McConaty Chapel in Colorado. Virginia was born April 1926 to Pearl and Leo Westenskow in La Grande. She graduated from La Grande High School and became a legal secretary, working for lawyers in La Grande, Portland, Spokane and Denver. She lived in six cities since her husband was transferred often by United Airlines, and she made friends easily. She liked flowers, gardening, playing bridge, painting, her pets, world news and travel. … Read more

Break, Emily L. Mrs. – Obituary

Funeral services for Emily Lucaas Break, 58, 1341 Tenth St., Baker were conducted at 3:30 pm Monday, November 15, 1965 at the Beatty Chapel. Pastor Joe Jewett officiated with concluding services in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Break was born April 5, 1907, at Baker and attended Baker grade and high schools. She was married to William E. Break February 27, 1946, in Baker and Mr. Break preceded her in death on August 31, 1964. She had been a resident of Baker most of he life and was a past president of the American Legion Auxiliary, Baker Post No. 41 and … Read more

Crawford, Clarence H. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Clarence H. Crawford Clarence H. Crawford, 78, of La Grande and formerly of Elgin, died Tuesday at Grande Ronde Hospital. A funeral service at 10 a.m. Saturday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, followed by a graveside service at Grandview Cemetery. Mr. Crawford was born July 4, 1928, near Gotham, Ark, where he grew up. Later in life he worked with handicapped children for the State of California. After retirement, he moved to Oregon and ranched near Lebanon and Prineville, then moved to Eastern Oregon. Clarence loved the outdoors. He felt he was a caretaker, a protector of the … Read more

Hascall, Maurice Eugene – Obituary

Services for Maurice E. Hascall, 85, retired merchant-farmer of LaGrande, who died Wednesday [November 16, 1966] at St. Joseph Hospital, will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Crippin and Daniels Chapel. Rev. Gordon Milldrum will officiate, and burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Born in Proctor, Vermont, Mr. Hascall had resided in LaGrande for 33 years. He was a member of the Fist Christian Church. He is survived by several nieces and nephews. Mr. and Mrs. Hascall [Frances Luvena Hale] were married in Pilot Rock on December 20, 1911. They were farmers and merchants in this area for approximately … Read more

Heyden, Edna (Halley) – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Edna Mae Heyden of Route 1 Box 1665, La Grande, died Saturday at Grande Ronde, Hospital. She was 76 Mrs. Heyden was born Sept. 10, 1909, in La Grande to Edward L. and Maude R. Halley. On Feb. 7,1934, she married Henry M. (Hank) Heyden at Walla Walla, Wash. Mrs. Heyden was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of La Grande; Eastern Star Hope Chapter number 13, of which she was a past matron, and Beta Sigma Phi. She was active in community and civic affairs such as the Union County Cowbelles and … Read more

Hecht, Jean – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Jean Hecht, 86, of Wilsonville and formerly of La Grande died April 11. Mrs. Hecht was born April 20, 1920, to Drs. Joseph and Margaret Ingle in La Grande. She graduated from La Grande High School and earned bachelor’s degree in English at the University of Oregon where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. She earned a pilot’s license and taught high school in Vale and Corvallis. She served in the Navy and was stationed in Lakehurst, N.J., where she married Irwin Hecht. The couple moved to Portland nine years ago to be closer to … Read more

Conley, A. B. – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon A. B. Conley, Pioneer of County, Called Beyond Another pioneer of the Grande Ronde valley answered the last call Sunday when death claimed Archie Bird Conley, of La Grande and former resident of Cove. Mr. Conley, one of the outstanding pioneers of this county, spent a long and useful life, having an important hand in the development of the county to its present stage. The deceased was 88 years, one month and eleven days of age and on January 4th, he and his wife celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. A few days before their daughter … Read more

Conley, Nettie – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Nettie Conley of La Grande died Wednesday at the La Grande Nursing Center just 25 days short of her 100th birthday. Born Sept. 8, 1885, near La Grande, Mrs. Conley was the daughter of Charles and Martha (Childers) Golden. The Childers were a pioneer family who came to the valley in 1863 in a covered wagon. On July 18, 1902, she married Archie Conley at Union. They farmed at Phrys Point in Cove for several years. The Conley’s owned and operated one of the first combines brought into the Cove area. Her husband died on … Read more

Rumney, Inez Fields Mrs. – Obituary

Inez Rumney, 93, of Prairie City, a former La Grande resident, died Nov. 16, 2001, at Blue Mountain Nursing Home at Prairie City. There was a celebration of her life Sunday at the Island City Cemetery. Mrs. Rumney was born on March 12, 1908, to William H. and Bessie Rimbey Fields at Elgin where she attended school. She met Stuart Francis Rumney in a construction camp where she was cooking. The couple were married on Oct. 13, 1928, at Walla Walla, Wash. They lived mainly in La Grande and later moved to Island City. Mr. Rumney worked as a heavy … Read more

Donohue, Florence Mary – Obituary

Florence M. Donohue, 2101 First St., died Friday in Spokane, Wash. She was 74 years old. Mrs. Donohue was born November 25, 1885 in La Grande, the daughter of Donald and Joan (Childers) McLachlen. Her grandfather John McLachlen came to the Grande Ronde Valley as a young boy and was later U. S. Marshall and Sheriff of Union County. She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church and at one time worked in the rectory as the priest’s housekeeper. She was also an Air Mail carrier for the Post Office. On May 19, 1912 she was … Read more

Buchanan, Harry T. – Obituary

Harry Thomas Buchanan, of Kingsview Manor Apartments, died Tuesday, July 22 at his home. He was a purchasing agent for Boise Cascade Corp. He was 59. Mr. Buchanan was born Sept. 19, 1920 at Durango, Colo., the son of Ted and Dolly (Tovrea) Edwards. He served with the U. S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the Methodist Church, the Eagles, Elks and V. F. W. Survivors include his sons, Jack of La Grande; Gary, of Elgin; Terry, of Seattle; daughter, Carol Baycroft, of Spokane; brother Doug, of Coos Bay; five grandchildren and other relatives. He … Read more

Reynolds, J. E. Mrs. – Obituary

At her home in the valley this afternoon at three o’clock, Mrs. J. E. Reynolds, of heart failure. The attack was a sudden one. La Grande Evening Observer Thursday, June 22, 1905 Page 2 Funeral Sunday This city and vicinity was greatly shocked last evening upon reading of the sudden death of Mrs. J. E. Reynolds which occurred yesterday afternoon at the family home a few miles southeast of the city. The funeral will take place Sunday at 11 o’clock from the Christian church under the auspices of the Order of the Eastern Star of which Mrs. Reynolds was an … Read more

Slack, Effie Mrs. – Obituary

Effie Slack Dies At Summerville Mrs. Effie Slack, 1306 Fourth street, died Sunday morning in her son’s home in Summerville. She was 69 years old. She had been ill for a long time. Mrs. Slack had lived in Union county all of her life. She was a member of the First Methodist Church and a 50-year member of the Rebecca lodge. Funeral services will be held for her at the Summerville chapel on next Wednesday at 2 p.m. Rev. Robinson will officiate. Mrs. Slack will be buried in the Summerville cemetery next to her husband who died in 1940. Mrs. … Read more

Diehl, Marilyn Marie Bond Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Marilyn Marie Diehl, 66, of Pendleton, a former Baker City resident, died Dec. 31, 2005, at Willowbrook Terrace in Pendleton. Her funeral will be scheduled later in Baker City. Disposition was by cremation. Mrs. Diehl was born on June 10, 1939, at Baker City to John and Vera Speelman Bond. She attended Baker High School and was a graduate of Eastern Oregon State College at La Grande (now Eastern Oregon University). She was an elementary school teacher at Union and Oregon City. Her hobbies included music, drawing and arts and crafts. She was a member … Read more

Bunnell, Ruth Marie – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Ruth Marie Bunnell, 91 of La Grande died June 20. A memorial service will begin at 3 p.m. Friday June 23 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. Burial will be in Santa Anna, Texas. Ms. Bunnell was born Nov. 11, 1914, to Frank and Birdie Letha McHorse Bunnell in Eddy, Texas. She married Thomas House, and after his death she married George Ward. After his death she resumed her maiden name. She worked in a shipyard in California during World War II and worked at various jobs before retiring in 1972. She moved to … Read more

Zimmerman, Francis B. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Francis B. Zimmerman, 84, of La Grande, died Oct. 5 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A complete obituary will be available later. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements. La Grande Observer – October 6, 2009

Kovach, Florian Michael – Obituary

Dr. Florian Michael “Jeff” Kovach, 87, of La Grande, died Oct. 12 at a local care center. A celebration of life will be planned for sometime in the spring. The announcement will be published later. He was born on July 3, 1920, to Michael and Elizabeth (Farkas) Kovach in Tacoma, Wash. He graduated from Washington State University with a degree in veterinary medicine and served with the Air Force in Korea. In 1946 he moved to the Grande Ronde Valley as the county’s first professional veterinarian and opened the Animal Health Center on Island City strip. On Aug. 30, 1948, … Read more

Koopman, Norman – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Norman Koopman, 82, of Halfway died peacefully with family by his side Nov. 6 in La Grande. A celebration of Norm’s life will be held this spring with a gathering of family, friends and a picnic. Details will be announced later. Norm was born Oct. 1, 1925, to Charles and Esther Koopman of Halfway. He spent most of his career teaching vocational agriculture at La Grande and Pine Eagle high schools before retiring in 1993. Once retired, he and his wife, Jewel, enjoyed winters on the southern Oregon coast and summers in Halfway. Norm was an avid … Read more