La Grande Oregon

Biography of Daniel Chaplin

DANIEL CHAPLIN. – The subject of this sketch was born in Niagara county, New York, in 1823. He was educated in his native place, and became a surveyor, removing to Michigan. Honest, upright and much respected, he was one of those men of broad ideas and indefatigable energy who create prosperity for any community in which they settle. Having heard much of Oregon, its boundless resources and delightful climate, he crossed the plains in 1854, settling near Champoeg in Marion county. From there he moved to where Sheridan, in Yamhill county, now stands, and thence to Dayton, Yamhill county. In … Read more

Dickson, Mary Ellen – Obituary

Mary Ellen Dickson, 73, of La Grande, died March 7 following an extended illness. Mary was born May 13,1934, in Atlanta, Kan., to Charles and Alma Cunningham. The family moved to Weiser, Idaho, where she attended school. She married Frank Dickson of Homedale, Idaho, on Aug. 3, 1952. Mary and Frank moved to Umatilla, where Frank was employed at the Army Ordnance Depot. Following this, the family moved to Kinzua in Wheeler County, then to La Grande, where Frank worked for Boise Cascade and Mary for Sprouse-Reitz for many years. Mary was devoted to her family and enjoyed activities that … Read more

Gray, Barbara Jean – Obituary

Union, Oregon Barbara Joan Gray, 70, of Union, died March 20 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. At her request, there will not be a formal service, but all are welcome to attend a gathering in remembrance at 11 a.m. Saturday at the VFW Hall in Union. The family requests no gifts or food. Barbara was born Nov. 21, 1936, in Enterprise. She was educated in La Grande, graduating from La Grande High School and attending what is now Eastern Oregon University. Barbara married Wade Crook in Portland; they later divorced. She lived in Seattle for many years and worked as … Read more

Wilson, Freda Jones – Obituary

LaGrande, Oregon Freda Jones Wilson, 84, of Quartzite, Ariz., and formerly of La Grande, died May 10 at her home. Burial was at the Cove Cemetery. Loveland Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Wilson was born June 14, 1921, to Jedediah Lunt and Genevieve Mitchell Jones in Cedar City, Utah. On August 13, 1935, she married Simeon Presley Wilson in Maysvale, Utah. She worked as a licensed practical nurse before her retirement. She was a member of the Seventh-day-Adventist Church and enjoyed sewing. Survivors include children, Presley Duane Wilson of Boise, Freda Carol Meharry of Meridian, Idaho, and … Read more

Colt, May – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Miss May Colt, 73, resident of 1601 Walnut St., died Tuesday at a local hospital. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Daniels Funeral Home and burial follows in Summerville cemetery. Born in Summerville, Miss Colt had lived in Union County all her life. She was a 50-year member of Jewel Rebecca Lodge of Summerville and the Union County Historical Society. Survivors are two sisters, Mrs. Ada Goss and Mrs. Arleta Hiatt, both of La Grande; and 11 nieces and nephews and 20 great nieces and nephews. Observer La Grande, Oregon May 29, … Read more

Buckley, Robert Raymond “Ray” – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Robert Raymond “Ray” Buckley, 94, of La Grande, died December 14 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. A graveside funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Grandview Cemetery Mausoleum. Mr. Buckley was born July 16, 1912, to Frank and Margaret (Wildman) Buckley in Deer Lodge, Mont. He came to La Grande when he was 5 and was raised by his aunt and uncle, Eleanor and Bert Carr. He graduated from La Grande High School. He worked for the Piggly Wiggly stores in La Grande and Baker City. On Oct. 13, 1935, he married Magdalene Buckley … Read more

Axness, Vivian Pauline Benedict Mrs. – Obituary

Haines, Baker County, Oregon Vivian Pauline Axness, 81, of Haines, died March 3, 2006, at her home. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Haines Methodist Church. Sally Wiens will officiate. Interment be at the Haines Cemetery. Visitations will be from noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Vivian was born to Francis Benedict and Lena Johnson Benedict on May 26, 1924, at Taylor, Wis. She grew up on her parents’ farm in rural Taylor as the fourth of seven children. Her siblings were Levine, Basil, Freeman, Vivian, Marion, Ellsworth, and Vilas. … Read more

Waymire, Sharon Skaggs – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Sharron Skaggs Waymire, 60, of Granger, Wash., and formerly of La Grande, died April 1 at her home after a long battle with cancer. A funeral service is planned for 1 p.m. Friday at the Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside, Wash., with burial to follow at the Zillah Cemetery. Mrs. Waymire was born Nov. 26, 1946, to Everett and Wilma Skaggs in La Grande. She graduated from Gem State Academy in 1965 and earned a teaching certificate from Walla Walla College in 1971. On Nov. 2, 1975, she married Larry David Waymire in Granger, where the couple … Read more

Streiff, Grace – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Mrs. Grace C. Streiff, 77, housewife of 502 Spring St., died Saturday at her home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels Funeral Home. Rev. Gordon Milldrum will officiate and burial follows in Grandview cemetery. Born near La Grande, Mrs. Streiff had lived here all her life. She was a member of the First Christian church, Order of Eastern Star; charter member of the Ladies Firemen; the GIA of B of LE; Union Pacific Old Timers; Shrine Auxiliary and Oregon Historical Society. Survivors are the husband, Edward Streiff, La Grande; a sister, … Read more

Mayes, David Mark – Obituary

David Mark Mayes, 43, of La Grande died July 18, 2008, at his home. His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of the Valley in La Grande. David was born on Sept. 1, 1964, at Sacramento, Calif., to Donald and Jo Elaine Mayes. His family moved from Northern California to Haines when he was 9. David was a fourth-generation descendent of early Oregon pioneers. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1980. He was a 1982 Baker High School graduate. David attended Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, graduating in 1986 with a Bachelor … Read more

Harsin, Susan Jane – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Susan Jane Harsin, 67, of La Grande, died June 30 in Woodburn. A memorial mass will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Mrs. Harsin was born Aug. 22, 1938, to Jim and Elizabeth Nolten Gooding in Salem. She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Salem, and moved to La Grande. She married Darwin Harsin on July 24, 1961. She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church and the St. Jude Altar Society, the UPRR Junior Old Timers and Old Timers, the Eagles Auxiliary and the American … Read more

Whitnah, Calvin Hugh – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Calvin H. Whitnah, 70, of Richland, died Aug. 10 at his home. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Halfway. A vault interment will follow at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. A reception will take place at the New Bridge Grange. The Observer – August 12, 2008 _______________________________ Calvin Hugh Whitnah, 70, of Richland and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 10 at his home. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the LDS Chapel in Halfway, with a viewing to … Read more

Sigler, Allan J. – Obituary

Formerly of La Grande Allan J. Sigler, 89, of Baker City and formerly of La Grande, died Sept. 17 at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker City with Pastor David Eddy of Faith Center, La Grande, officiating. Viewing runs from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight at Gray’s West and Company. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery and there will be a reception at the family’s home. Allan lived in La Grande from 1977 through 1980. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth Care Center … Read more

Ross, Doris – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Doris Ross, 80, of La Grande died Nov. 18 at her home. A memorial service begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mrs. Ross was born Sept. 7, 1926, in Pasco, Wash., to William D. and Lucille C. Skeen Reinhardt. While in high school she was in a violin ensemble that won first place in the state of Washington.She graduated from Pasco High School in 1944. The following year she married Donald C. Ross at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Walla Walla, and … Read more

Irwin, Samuel H. – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Samuel Hugh Irwin, 80, a retired farmer formerly of La Grande, died following an extended illness, Friday, in a Portland hospital. Funeral services will be held in the Daniels Funeral Home, Monday at 2 p.m. Bishops Vernon Bennion, Hermiston, and Henry Stoddard, Pendleton, of the LDS Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the Island City Cemetery. Mr. Irwin was born in Illinois, Oct. 22, 1879 and had been a resident of the La Grande and valley area most of his lifetime. In August of this year he went to live with his daughter in … Read more

Blokland, Emma L. Mrs. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Pioneer Mother Dies at La Grande Mrs. Emma L. Van Blokland, of Island City who crossed the plains by wagon train with her parents, Daniel and Sarah Henderson and several brothers and sisters, and homesteaded on Alder Slope, passed away in La Grande on Monday, January 13, 1964. She was born at LaPlata, Missouri 89 years ago, and had made her home in Island City for many years. She was a member of the First Methodist church, and a 50-year member of the Eastern Star. Survivors include three sons, Milo and Clifford Van Blokland, both of … Read more

Brown, Helen Louise Emerson Mrs. – Obituary

Helen Louise Brown, 86, of La Grande, a former Baker City resident, died Oct. 29, 2004, at a La Grande care center. Her graveside service was Nov. 1 at the Island City Cemetery. Mark Schlessman of the First Christian Church in La Grande officiated. Loveland Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Brown was born on Feb. 11, 1918, to Jack W. and Mabel Clara Vest Emerson at Wallowa. She was the descendant of early Wallowa County pioneers, William Harvey Vest and Ellen Mollissia Cole. She attended elementary school in Baker City for a year and graduated from La … Read more

Chappelle, Georgia Emma – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Georgia Emma Chappelle, 85, of The Dalles and formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 17. A funeral begins at 2 p.m. Friday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center in La Grande. Georgia was born July 31, 1922, to James W. and Myrtle Lafatame (Wale) Vickers, in Searcy, Ark. She was raised and educated in Arkansas and married Jasper Chappelle on Dec. 10, 1945, in Waldron, Ark. They came to Oregon in the early 1950s. Those who knew her say Georgia had a fun-loving spirit. She loved dancing, singing and yodeling. She won many ribbons in … Read more

Rush, M. L. – Obituary

M. L. Rush, age about 65 years, a resident of High Valley, and an old and respected citizen, died at the hospital in La Grande Monday of this week of inflammation of the bladder. He was taken to La Grande last week for treatment. Mr. Rush leaves three boys to mourn his loss in his immediate family, his wife having died about two years ago. The funeral took place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, services at the grave. “Death of M. L. Rush” Printed March 9, 1914. Obituaries and Other Vital Records of Union County, Oregon. 1890 – 1930. Compiled by … Read more

Alexander, Adrienne Leona – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Adrienne Leona Alexander Adrienne Leona Alexander, 82, of Prineville and formerly of La Grande, died Feb. 20. Visitation will be available from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Whispering Pines Funeral Home, 185 NE Fourth St., Prineville. Funeral services are planned for 10 a.m. Monday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, SE Second Street and Idlewood, Prineville, with Bishop John A. Morgan officiating. Mrs. Alexander was born Oct. 19, 1924, to Adren and Leona (Morris) See in La Grande. She graduated from La Grande High School and was employed by Union Pacific Railroad as … Read more