La Grande Oregon

Jordan, Roy Pennington – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Roy (Big Smoke) Jordan, of 1808 Third St., died Saturday, March 1, at his home. Mr. Jordan was a retired Union Pacific Railroad engineer. He was 66. Mr. Jordan, was born April 9, 1913 at Scranton, Ark., the son of George and Rachel (Keimmamer) Jordan. On June 2, 1933, he was married to Catherine Kaup at Stillwater, Okla., They moved to La Grande in 1939. Mr. Jordan was a member of La Grande Elks Lodge #433; La Grande Eagles Aerie #259; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers; and a life member of Union Pacific Oldtimers Club. Survivors … Read more

Wood, Francis S. – Obituary

The sudden demise of Mr. John Wells was sad and a gloom was cast over the community by it but Sat. morning we had another sad death in town. Mr. Francis S. Wood, one of the old citizens of La Grande, highly esteemed by all honest, and a valuable man for our town, was stricken down by death ‘ere he had attained his three score and ten years. Mr. Wood had been sick only a few days and the news of his death was a sad surprise. He was a native of Ohio, having been born in that state on … Read more

Biography of Calvin R. White

Calvin R. White, one of the best known pioneers of Idaho, now residing in Boise, was born near Boston, Massachusetts, July 27, 1836, his parents being Samuel B. and Sarah (Richardson) White, natives of the Bay state. The father was for many years connected with the Boston & Lowell Railway, and died in the city of Boston when about seventy-six years of age. He was a son of Samuel White, also a native of Massachusetts, in which state his death occurred when he had passed the psalmist’s span of life of three-score years and ten. The mother of our subject … Read more

Watson, Bert – Obituary

Watson Funeral To Be Tuesday The remains of Bert Watson who passed on at Portland a few days ago, arrived in La Grande this morning from Amity, where he made his home. The funeral services will take place from the Snodgrass and Zimmerman chapel on Tuesday afternoon at 3 o’clock. The body will be interred in the Masonic cemetery. William Birton Watson was born at Fairfield, Iowa, April 2, 1870. He came to the Grande Ronde valley with his father and mother in 1872 and was one of the old timers of this valley. At one time he owned a … Read more

Plummer, Van William – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Died-in Pendleton, Thursday, August 7, 1924, Van William Plummer, of La Grande. He was born July 4, 1866, in Neosho, Missouri; came to Oregon in 1888 and was married to Catherine Elizabeth Ashby May 14, 1890. He is survived by his widow, and one son-Thomas Plummer, of La Grande; three daughters-Mrs. A. O. Baird, of Baker; Mrs. Guy B. Rogers of La Grande; Mrs. C. A. Chesser of Austin; one sister-Mrs. J. L. Gibson of Cove; one brother-Carlos Plummer of La Grande; and eight grandchildren. The funeral was held Saturday August 9 from Cock Bros. … Read more

Sommer, Daniel – Obituary

Daniel Sommer Called Beyond Early Sunday. Union County Pioneer Succumbs to the Call of the Death Angel Services at Elgin Today. Daniel Sommer, one of the most esteemed and prominent pioneers of Easter Oregon, whose residence has been at Elgin for the past few years, where he has served as mayor of that city and in other important capacities, passed away at his home Sunday Morning at one o’clock at the close of a short illness. He had been in poor health for some time prior to his demise. The death of Mr. Sommer, totally unexpected by his wide circle … Read more

Duncan, W.R. Mrs. – Obituary

Mrs. W.R. Duncan, who with her husband lived north of Enterprise, passed away suddenly in La Grande Friday, December 5, 1958. Mrs. Duncan was the former Myrtle Cummins and was born May 19, 1895 in Elgin, daughter of John and Amelia Cummins. She had lived in Wallowa County for the past 26 years. Her survivors include her husband, Welford R. Duncan; a son, Welford R. (Bob) Duncan Jr., who also lives north of Enterprise; four grandchildren; and two brothers: Dee Cummins, Roseburg; and Orvan Cummins, Pendleton and five sisters: Mrs. Eva Spikes, Mrs. Auda Williams and Mrs. Thelma Sherwood, all … Read more

Jordan, Bobby Gene – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Bobby Gene Jordan, 73, of Spokane and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 24 in Spokane. A funeral service will begin at 4 p.m. today at Heritage Funeral Home in Spokane. Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Park. Bobby was born April 7, 1935, in Ripley, Okla. He grew up in La Grande and graduated from La Grande High School. Bobby retired from the Air Force as a chief master sergeant after 22 1/2 years. He then worked as an equipment technician until his retirement. He was a member of the VFW Post 1435, Moose Lodge No. … Read more

Fanning, Floyd – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Floyd Fanning, of Wallowa, died Saturday, March 1, at Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande following a long illness. He was 74. Mr. Fanning, son of Henry Clay and Catherine Petersen Fanning, was born June 7, 1905, at Carman-Gay, Alberta, Canada. Mr. Fanning was married on April 18, 1936 at Walla Walla, Wash. to the former Hilda Juanita Ticer, who survives him. Mr. Fanning was employed by the Oregon State Highway Department for 13 years, and also worked for the Bunker Hills Mines in Kellogg, Idaho, before moving to Wallowa County in 1945. Mr. Fanning … Read more

Cathey, Laura Louise – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Laura Louise Cathey, 101, of Ontario and formerly of Baker City and La Grande, died April 28 in Ontario with family at her side. Graveside services will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker City. Pastor Jon Privett will officiate. Following the services there will be a reception at the Church of the Nazarene in Baker City for family and friends. Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel in Payette, Idaho, is in charge ofarrangements. Laura was born Nov. 1, 1906, to James and Hulda Ray in Rushville, Neb. She was the second of 12 children. Laura’s … Read more

Pembrook, Fred – Obituary

Union, Union County, Oregon Fred Pembrook was Area Resident Fred Pembrook, age 80, of 218 E. Center in Union, died Saturday, November 15, 1986 at the Grande Ronde Hospital of a heart attack. Mr. Pembrook was born on April 30, 1906, the son of Thomas Vital and Dorothea (DeRidder) Puymbroeck in Baker, Oregon. He was raised by his step-mother Margarit DeMaere after the death of his mother. On April 30, 1938 he was married to Pearl Rowena Hearing in Baker. He lived in and around Baker and Union Counties all of his life. In his many years he worked as … Read more

Coy, Glendolla Jacqueline – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Glendolla Jacqueline “Jackie” Coy, 78, of La Grande, died Jan. 3 at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland. A celebration of her life will begin at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at “The Place,” 62872 Buchanan Lane, in Island City. Jackie was born July 12, 1929, to George Earl and Ida Mae McDanell in Tulsa, Okla. The family traveled quite a bit, often living in rustic conditions. Jackie was the oldest of four siblings. She would tell stories of how she and her two sisters and brother would hunt or fish for the evening meal, pick greens, fruit, … Read more

James, Clinton Gilbert – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Clinton Gilbert James, 30, of La Grande died Jan. 5 at his home. Services are planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Assembly of God Christian Life Center, 14th and Alder, Elgin. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel. Mr. James, who was known as C.J., was born Apr. 6, 1976, in Yuba City, Calif., to Donald Scott and Carla Jean Pillow James. He was raised and educated in Olivehurst, Calif. He enjoyed hunting, wildlife, ROTC, drawing, reading, music, movies and hanging out with friends. He also loved dogs, playing X-Box and working on cars. … Read more

Goss, Debra Faye Crim Mrs. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Debra Faye Goss, 47, of La Grande, died Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash. Her funeral was at 1 p.m. Thursday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in La Grande, 1002 L Ave. The Rev. Hank Albrecht officiated. Committal and interment was at the Summerville Cemetery. Visitations were Wednesday until 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., in La Grande. Deb was born June 18, 1955, to Harvey C. Bud and Ruthella “Ruthie” Phelps Crim in … Read more

Jederberg, Warren William – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Warren William Jederberg, 85, of La Grande died Thursday at Grande Ronde Hospital after a short illness. He will be buried next to his wife at Hillcrest Cemetery following funeral services at the Stake Center, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 11 a.m. Monday. He was born Aug. 26, 1921, in Selby, South Dakota, Mr. Jederberg came to La Grande in 1943 as an aviation cadet, and met his wife during his shifts at the switchboard in the Sacajawea Hotel, and her work at West Coast Telephone Co. He served in the Army during World … Read more

Heskett, Laura Nevada – Obituary

Laura Nevada Heskett passed away at her home at Pleasant View December 25. She was born at La Grande May 26, 1868, the daughter of William and Jane Stump. She was married to Robert E. Heskett at Enterprise Dec. 31, 1888. They lived in Wallowa county until 1917 when they moved to their present home. Mrs. Heskett is survived by her husband; a daughter, Mrs. Ivan C. Jackson, of Freewater; two grandchildren; William and Charlene Jackson; a sister, Mrs. Olive Cook of Salem; and two brothers, Thomas and C. G. Stump, both of Yamhill. Funeral services were held at the … Read more

Rizor, Elvie – Obituary

1908-2003 Elvie I. Parks Rizor, 94, a longtime Union resident, died March 28, in Eugene, Oregon. A service will start a 1 p. m. Wednesday in Union at the United Methodist Church. The Rev. Jerry Peters will officiate. Burial will follow in the Union Cemetery. Friends may call for viewing between 3 and 7 p. m. today at Loveland Funeral Chapel. Mrs. Rizor was born June 22, 1908, in Elgin, the daughter of Nathan R. and Ida E. Cummings Parks. She was raised and educated in Elgin. As a young girl she worked as a telephone operator in Elgin. She … 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

Chitwood, Lawrence Allan – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Lawrence Allan Chitwood, 65, of Bend and formerly of La Grande, died unexpectedly of natural causes Jan. 4 while hiking up Pilot Butte. Memorial services are being planned. Visit www.LarryChitwoodMemorial.notlong.com for details. Larry Chitwood was born Aug. 4, 1942, to Paul H. and Ruth O. Chitwood in Los Angeles. He spent his childhood in Mount Shasta, Calif., and completed high school in Klamath Falls. His early interests included music, astronomy, electronics and mechanics. He earned degrees in music and education from Whitman College in Walla Walla. While attending Whitman, he met Karen Bergstrom of Yakima, and they … Read more