La Grande Oregon

Bloch, M. S. – Obituary

Dies In Portland M.S. Bloch pioneer of La Grande Passes Away. In the passing of Max S. Bloch on Sunday night Oregon lost one of its well-known pioneer business men, one who had engaged in the mercantile business in La Grande for more than 50 years. Mr. Block was esteemed by his many friends in La Grande, where he settled when about 18 years of age and where he became a factor in the business world in the half century he was in Oregon. Mr. Bloch was born in Germany, but came to America when a lad and chose Oregon … Read more

Choate, Virgil – Obituary

Virgil Albert Choate, 94, of La Grande died Sept. 2 at a local care center. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. Burial will follow at the Summerville Cemetery. Mr. Choate was born July 7, 1910, to Thelbert A. and Mattie Hallgarth Choate on the family farm near Summerville. He attended schools in Elgin, a rural school in the lower Wallowa Valley, Summerville, Imbler and La Grande. He graduated from Imbler High School in 1930 and was one of the first 10 FFA members in Oregon to be … Read more

Webb, Dell – Obituary

The following was in type and ready for insertion in The Republican of last week but was unintentionally omitted, and is presented at this time by way of correcting the oversight as far as possible: Mrs. Rosa Badger received a hurry call to come to La Grande Wednesday saying her father, Dell Webb, had been seriously hurt. Mr. Webb and his son Vern and his son-in-law James Burke were in the, mountains out of La Grande getting wood. A tree fell on Mr. Webb. He was taken home as quickly as possible and only lived a short time, dying before … Read more

Droschkey, William Russell – Obituary

Cove, Oregon William Russell Droschkey, 82, of Cove died Friday at a local care center. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Cove Cemetery. Mr. Droschkey was born Oct. 3, 1923, to William and Mary Alice Bill Droschkey in Spokane. He was raised in Idaho and graduated from high school in Orofino, Idaho. At the age of 14 went to work in the woods. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and on Sept. 18, 1948, he married Shirley Brazil in Cove. In 1951 he graduated from the University of Utah as … Read more

Biography of William Wilson

WILLIAM WILSON. – Mr. Wilson was born of Irish parents in 1835. “His father and mother were Irish; and he is Irish still.” His parents secured to him a common-school education; and his father, falling a victim of the cholera in New York in 1848, William assumed the management of his affairs and conducted the business until 1852, when he left home and started for California. On the Isthmus he was stricken with Panama fever and laid three weeks among strangers, convalescing only to realize the fact that his money and ticket were missing. He finally shipped, as he supposed, … Read more

Rush, Eliza K. – Obituary

Mrs. M. L. Rush, of High Valley, died in the hospital at La Grande with undergoing an operation Friday of last week. The remains were brought to Union and the funeral took place Sunday, and was largely attended. Eliza K. Wilkinson was born in High Valley, Oregon, November 23, 1869, and at the time of her death was almost 42 years of age. She was married to M. L. Rush in this county March 25, 1890. From this union three children were born-John L., age 19; Merrill E., age 17, and Earl E., age 14, all living. The funeral services … 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

Goff, Connie Rae – Obituary

Connie Rae Goff, 58, of La Grande, died March 21 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Appreciation Center, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande. Connie was born May 29, 1949, to William and Myrtle (Ross) Goff in Boise, Idaho. She graduated from Union High School. She was a faithful employee of RD Mac for 37 years. She loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting and camping. She loved spending time with her family and playing video games. Survivors include her siblings and their spouses, Linda and Thurman Elliott of … Read more

Feathergill, Charles Francis – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Charles Francis Feathergill, 79, of La Grande, died Jan. 14 at his home. A viewing will run from 10 a.m. to noon Monday at the Thomas Miller Mortuary in Corona, Calif. A graveside service will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at Crestline Memorial Park in Riverside, Calif. Charles was born on May 22, 1928, to Oscar and Lucy (Brewer) Feathergill in Champaign, Ill. He was raised and educated in Illinois and after graduating he married his high school sweetheart, Erin “Pat” Kenney. They had nine children together and were married for 26 years. He worked as a … Read more

Diaz, Amelia Garcia – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Amelia Garcia Diaz, 80, of Ontario and formerly of La Grande, died Saturday, Aug. 19. Viewing will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and a recitation of the Rosary will begin at 6 p.m. at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A Resurrection Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest East Cemetery. Mrs. Diaz was born Sept. 29, 1925, to Rolando and Maria Gonzalez Garcia in Carrizo Springs, Texas. She married Antonio Sandoval who died earlier. Following his death she married Valdemar Diaz on Feb. 11, … Read more

Slater, Olive – Obituary

Final Rites to Be Tomorrow for Olive Slater, Early-Day Teacher Olive Agnes Slater, for whom funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Sunday at the Snodgrass Funeral home, daughter of the late James H. and Edna Elizabeth Slater was born at Corvallis March 29, 1860. She with her parents went to Auburn, Ore., in 1864, coming to La Grande two years later. Miss Slater attended the public schools of Union county and later graduated from St. Paul’s Episcopal school in Walla Walla, Wash., majoring in art and music. She taught for a number of years in public schools then … Read more

Trout, Billy Dean – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Billy Dean Trout of Eagle, Idaho, and formerly of La Grande, died Jan. 6. The funeral service was held today at Summer’s Funeral Homes, Ustick Chapel, 3629 E. Ustick Road, Meridian, Idaho. Burial followed at Dry Creek Cemetery. Billy was born to William and Lena Trout in 1929 in Kokomo, Ind. He was the youngest of four children and grew up in Indianapolis. He served four years in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He received his private pilot’s license as a young man and enjoyed flying until the early 1990s. He worked as a steamfitter for 20 years; … Read more

Evans, Mary Frances Williams Mrs. – Obituary

Mary Frances Evans, 72, of Baker City, died Dec. 16, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Richland Christian Church. Pastor Gordon Bond will officiate. Private interment will be in Eagle Valley Cemetery at Richland. Visitations will be until 7 o’clock tonight at the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Mrs. Evans was born Aug. 11, 1929, at Pleasantville, Tenn. She was one of 15 children of George and Betty Kelley Williams. She attended school at Pleasantville. In 1956, she met Bill Evans in La Grande; they were married in the … Read more

Hinzpeter, Norbert O. – Obituary

Norbert ‘Nibs’ O. Hinzpeter Formerly of La Grande 1919-2009 Norbert “Nibs” Otto Hinzpeter, 89, of Baker City and formerly of La Grande, died of a heart attack Oct. 22 at St. Elizabeth Health Services in Baker City. A celebration of his life will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Community Connection/Baker Senior Center, 2810 Cedar St. in Baker City. Pastor Sally Wiens of the Haines United Methodist Church will officiate. Friends and family are invited to have a light meal at Community Connection following the service. Nibs was born Dec. 7, 1919, to William and Ida (Harris) Hinzpeter in St. … Read more

Corbett, Lou – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Former La Grande resident J. “Lou” Corbett died yesterday in Yreka, Cal., at the age of 88. Funeral services will be held at the Snodgrass funeral home in La Grande. Date and time of the services have not yet been decided. Burial will be in the I. O. O. F. cemetery. Corbett, who was born June 7, 1862, moved to Yreka from La Grande about 30 years ago. A miner in Yreka, he had been ill for many months. He once worked a mining claim in the Grande Ronde valley and maintained his claims after … Read more

Thielen, Elery John – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Elery John Thielen, 81, of La Grande, died Thursday at Grande Ronde Hospital. Arrangements will be announced later by Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center. La Grande Observer – June 27, 2008 _______________________________________ Elery John Thielen, age 81. of La Grande, died Thursday, June 26, 2008 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center. Elery was born on December 11, 1926, the son of Maurice and Ella Mae (Lemons) Thielen in Baker, Oregon. He attended … Read more

Garity, Lois Elise – Obituary

Lois Elise Garity, 96, of La Grande, died Sept. 18 at a local care center. Funeral services will be announced later by Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Lois was born on March 26, 1911, to Joseph and Lilly Zwiefel in Summerville. She was educated at the Pleasant Grove School. She married Chester Michael Garity, who worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. She was involved with the Women’s Auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. She worked for the Miller Dairy and Inland Feed and was a homemaker. Survivors include her son, James Garity of Cove; granddaughter, Dawn Garity of Kissimmee, … Read more

Ruckman, Clark B. – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Clark B. Ruckman, 81, of La Grande,died this morning, Jan. 30, 1993, at Grande Ronde Hospital. A funeral service sill be held at 2 p. m. Tuesday at Payne Family Mortuary with the Rev, Gerry Etchison of the Cove United Methodist Church officiating. A private concluding service with vault interment will follow at the Island City Cemetery. Friends may call for viewing until 7 tonight and until 1 p.m. Tuesday. Mr. Ruckman was born on Oct. 14, 1911 at Alicel to Sam and Lillian [Clark] Ruckman. Both of his natural parents died while he was … Read more

Stevens, Jena Louise – Obituary

LaGrande, Oregon Jean Louise Stevens, 54, formerly of La Grande, died July 11. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Haven Cove Ward LDS Chapel in Meridian, Idaho. Viewing will be from 6 to 8 tonight at the Relyea Funeral Chapel, and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church on Saturday before the service. Burial will follow at the Cloverdale Cemetery. Mrs. Stevens was born Sept. 9, 1951, to LaRue and Beverly Budge Bevington in Fairbanks, Alaska. She graduated from Capital High School in Boise in 1969, and later earned an associate degree in business administration … Read more

McDonald, Aileen

Aileen McDonald, 86, of La Grande, died Friday at Valley View Care Center. Mrs. McDonald was born April 15, 1900 to Charles and Rhoda (Austin) Riggs at Pumpkin Ridge near Summerville. On Jan. 1, 1921, she married George Wesley McDonald at Summerville. They owned and operated McDonald Electric in La Grande until her husband’s death in 1952. She continued to operate the business until 1965. She later worked at the girls’ dormitory at Eastern Oregon State College until 1971. She belonged to the First Presbyterian Church of La Grande, the Westminster Guild, the Pythian Sisters, the Order of the Eastern … Read more