La Grande Oregon

Watson, Rex Jay – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Rex Jay Watson, 55, of La Grande died Dec. 13 at a local care center. Family and friends are invited to a gathering at 3 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion in La Grande. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Watson was born Feb. 21, 1951, in Dayton, Ohio, to Finley James and Wilma (Edmiston) Watson. He attended schools in Dayton. Later he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was proud to serve his country in the 82nd Airborne Special Forces Ranger division during the Vietnam era. After his honorable discharge, … Read more

Goodnough, Charles – Obituary

Buried in Portland Remains of the Late Charles Goodnough Interred in Riverview Cemetery An Old Oregon Pioneer of 1856 Commenced Business in La Grande in 1864, Built the First Brick [Building] in Union County The funeral services over the remains of Charles Goodnough took place from the family residence, 440 Williams Avenue, Albina, Monday, December 4, 1899, Rev. W. R. Lord, of the Unitarian Church, conducting the services. Relatives and friends of the family were present, including the following well known personal friends and business associates of this county: J. M. Church and J. M. Berry, of this city, Mr. … Read more

Pattee, Jerrold I. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Jerrold I. “Pat” Pattee, 78, of Lower Perry, died Thursday, Aug. 23 in Portland after an extended battle with cancer. There will be no funeral service, but a memorial get-together will be held at a later date for family and friends. Arrangements are with Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Jerrold was born in Beaver, Okla., to Eber and Erma (Mann) Pattee Oct. 29, 1928. He owned Pat Pattee Carpet Service in La Grande and Portland. He belonged to the Eagles and Elks Lodges. He loved to hunt, fish, garden and canning. Pat and his wife just celebrated … Read more

Bowman, Florestine L. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Florestine L. Bowman, 79, of La Grande died Sept. 21 at her home. A celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St. Burial at Summerville Cemetery will be private. Mrs. Bowman was born Oct. 24, 1926, to Ray and Ida Rich Taylor in Baker City. She attended school in Baker City, and on March 20, 1948, married Arnol “Tuffy” Bowman. They moved to Pondosa where he worked at the mill. In 1958 they moved to La Grande. She was known for her beautiful yard and roses and for her … Read more

Wright, Mary – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon The passing of one of Wallowa’s pioneers occurred Tuesday morning July 9th, when Aunt Mary Wright died at her home in Enterprise after an illness of several months. She and her husband homesteaded on Alder slope among the very first settlers in the county. Had she lived until December would have 89 years. Three sons are living in this city: George, Layfayette and Tom Wright. One son, Henry Wright lives in Portland and a daughter, Mrs. H. A. Owenby at Oregon City. The funeral is this afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Alder church, Rev. Sibley officiating. Wallowa … 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

Curtis, Howard – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Howard Curtis, 73, of La Grande, died June 9 at his home. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements. La Grande Observer – Obituaries for the day of June 11, 2008 ____________________________________ Howard C. Curtis 1935-2008 Howard Collin Curtis, 73, of La Grande, died June 9 at his home following a long illness. A celebration of life service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center. A private burial will be at the Summerville Cemetery. Howard was born June 2, l935, to Lorenzo Houghton and Mary … Read more

Cochran, Clifford Henry – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Clifford Henry Cochran, 94, of Tri-cities and formerly of La Grande died Feb. 25 at a care center. At his request there will be no funeral. Mr. Cochran was born Jan. 27, 1912, to Walter M. and Blanche Barnes Cochran in Enterprise. He graduated from La Grande High School where he played football and baseball. In 1934 he married Helen Conkey in Walla Walla. They lived in Klamath Falls and in La Grande, where he worked for the Mt. Emily Lumber Co. He retired after more than 40 years. He coached the fast-pitch softball team and a basketball … Read more

Hagey, Evelyn – Obituary

Evelyn Hagey, 96, died Sept. 22 at her home in La Grande. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St. Evelyn was born Sept. 17, 1911, to Royal David and Bernice Comstock Jones in Cove. In 1933, she married James Howard. He died in 1936. She married Floyd Hagey in March 1941. He preceded her in death in 2002. Evelyn was an active member in Eastern Star, Royal Neighbors and Daughters of the Nile. With her husband, she was also involved in the Shriners Food Caravan and the Shrine Football Game. … Read more

Bull, Muriel Lovisa – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Muriel L. Bull, 85, formerly of 1403 6th St., La Grande, died Friday at a local hospital. Mrs. Bull was born on Sept. 21, 1885 at Island City, the daughter of Charles D. and Mary Bay Goodnough. She moved to La Grande when she was four years old and lived her entire life here, except while attending Holmes Business College in Portland. Mrs. Bull worked in the office of the La Grande Investment Company which was owned by W. D. Sargeant and J. K. Wright. After a few years she went to work in the … Read more

Shen, Seu – Obituary

Chinaman Killed At La Grande Seu Shen, a Portland Chinaman was shot to death by Chin Mon Bue, in a Chinese lodging house at La Grande Sunday night. The trouble which caused the killing was over a white woman roomer in the house. The woman is said to have come from Portland several days ago. She had been a drug addict for the past several years and was registered as Mrs. Charles Jones. The woman has given all the information thus far obtained concerning the shooting. Admits that both principals in the tragedy were friends of hers and that she … Read more

Hammack, Emily Elestia – Obituary

Wallowa-Funeral rites were held here Saturday at the Christian Church for Mrs. E. Gastin. Mrs. Emily Elestia Hammack, Womack, Gastin was born April 12, 1871 at La Grande, Or. and came with her parents to Wallowa County when a small girl. The family settled near Lostine where she grew to womanhood. She was married to T. M. Gastin at Lostine, about 42 years ago. Following the death of her husband Jacob Clairborne Womack a number of years ago ( 1904), Mrs. Gastin had made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Eugene Johnson of Middle Valley. she is survived by four … Read more

Evins, Dale Erwin – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Dale Erwin Evins, 52 of La Grande died July 30 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church in Island City. Mr. Evins was born Aug. 18, 1953, to Raymond and Evangeline Kendall Evins in Ontario. The family moved numerous times before settling in La Grande. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and played baseball for the San Diego Padres organization in the early 1970s. … 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

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

See, Nancy Ann Hammock – Obituary

Nancy Ann (Hammock) See and grandchildren Adren See and Ivan Sutton. Children of daughter Anna. Mrs. See Buried Pioneer Woman Laid to Rest at Summerville Yesterday Yesterday, the body of Mrs. Ben See was laid to rest in the Summerville Cemetery. Mrs. See was one of the pioneer women of this valley, coming here in the fall of 1865 from Missouri, shortly after her marriage. On the 22nd of December she would have been 71 years of age. She is the mother of eight children, seven of whom are living to mourn her demise. The funeral was from the home … Read more

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

Millering, ‘Cinda’ J. – Obituary

Forest Grove – Graveside services were held Friday afternoon for Marjorie “Cinda” J. Millering, 63, Forest Grove. Mrs. Millering died May 6, 1987, at Tuality Community Hospital in Hillsboro following a short illness. Friday’s services were held in Hillcrest Cemetery in La Grande, with the Rev. Jack Hart, pastor of the First Christian Church in La Grande, officiating. Concluding rites and interment followed. Marjorie “Cinda” Jean Millering was born June 23, 1923, in North Powder, a daughter of Horace and Marie Miller Belden. She was raised and educated in La Grande. On Dec. 9, 1940, she married Henry Millering in … Read more

Lundgren, Keith Mickey – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Keith Mickey Lundgren, 89, of Boise and formerly of La Grande died Jan. 9 at his home. Mr. Lundgren was born May 6, 1917, in Osceola, Neb. As a young man growing up on the Great Plains, Keith was drawn to the romance of the railroad and the possibilities of the West. After graduating from Grand Island High School in Nebraska, he joined the U.S. Navy. He spent six years, just prior to World War II, aboard the U.S.S. Lexington traveling around the Pacific and through the Panama Canal, including several weeks searching for the lost aviator … Read more

Remsen, Ruth Abbott Mrs. – Obituary

Ruth Abbott Remsen, 83, of Richland, Wash., a former Richland, Ore., resident, died April 8, 2005, in the company of her daughter. Her graveside memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, 2005, at the Island City Cemetery. She was born Aug. 13, 1921, in Malheur County, near Weiser, Idaho, to Isaiah and Nannie May Wade Abbott. Ruth was one of 11 children. Ruth and her husband, Mearl F. “Mick” Remsen, were married on July 7, 1942. After the war, the family moved to Lakeview, where they lived for 12 years. They later moved to La Grande, where … Read more