Lane County OR

Biography of Hon. John Kelly

HON. JOHN KELLY. – Prominent in almost every department of business and public life, Honorable John Kelly is known throughout the length and breadth of our state as a man of great abilities and irreproachable integrity. As a pioneer, none has a more deserving record, nor has sustained amore honorable part. Born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1818, he crossed the Atlantic to Canada in 1838, and in 1840 came to Franklin, Vermont. Three years later he began a career at the West, coming to Wisconsin, and there exercising his natural bent for business and capacity for organization, by which he … Read more

Willits, Alvin Ray – Obituary

North Powder Alvin Ray Willits, 65, of North Powder, died June 15, 2004, at his home. His graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Lane Memorial Gardens, 5300 West 11th Ave., Eugene. Visitations will be from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the Lane Memorial Gardens Chapel. Mr. Willits was born on Feb. 4, 1939, at Des Moines, Iowa, to Raymond Dewey and Stella Marie Monroe Willits. As a small child, he moved with his family to Eugene, where he attended school. In August 1968, he married Kara-Jo Dean-Mather. He worked as a driver and a mechanic for … Read more

Biography of Edward W. Imbler

Among the earliest pioneers of this state the subject of this sketch, together with his father, has been identified with the opening for settlement of various fertile portions of the state, and in these places he has labored, with his father, in the pioneer undertakings that occupy the frontiersman and those who would make from the wilds of nature the opulent farms and comfortable residences of civilization. Edward W. was born in Muhlenburgh County, Kentucky, in 1843, being the son of David and Hester (Jackson) Imbler, natives respectively of North Carolina and Kentucky. In 1844 they migrated from their home … Read more

Molitor, Lawrence Henry, Jr. – Obituary

Lawrence Henry Molitor Jr., 72, of Dallas and formerly of La Grande, died Dec. 5. A memorial service begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Mr. Molitor, known as Hank, was born Jan. 5, 1934, in Chetopa, Kan., to Lawrence Henry Sr. and Nellie Juanita Caldwell Molitor. He was raised in Kansas and moved to Idaho during his teenage years. On Oct. 13, 1951, he married Irene Humphreys in Idaho. The couple and their children lived in Oakridge, where he worked in the plywood mill, and later moved to La Grande, where Mr. Molitor worked for … Read more

Edwards, Edriss Smith Mrs. – Obituary

Former Baker Girl Dies In Eugene Word has been received in Baker of the death of Mrs. Edriss Smith -Edwards a few days ago in Eugene, Oregon. Mrs. Edwards was 18 years old and lived in Baker from the time she was 6 years old until she moved with her mother to Eugene in 1921. She attended the public school and also St. Frances academy. The deceased was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Moses Smith and had a host of friends here who will be grieved to learn of her death when just entering into beautiful womanhood. Mrs.Edwards is … Read more

Harpole, Howard – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Howard Harpole, 82, of Albany and formerly of La Grande, died June 15 at Samaritan Albany General Hospital with his family at his side. Memorial services will begin at 10 a.m. June 28, at the First Christian Church in Albany. Howard was born in 1926 to Marvon and Rosetta (Marsh) Harpole in Elmira. He was raised in the Cottage Grove area, where he lived until enlisting in the Army. He served in the South Pacific during World War II and was in the 341st Infantry, 86th Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war he … Read more

Breckon, Clayton Richard – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Clayton Richard Breckon, 89, of Elgin, died Jan. 8 at his home. A funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Elgin. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Clayton was born Feb. 27, 1918, to Richard David and Eva Kate Plant Breckon in Ontario. He moved to this area from Eugene 30 years ago. He enjoyed woodworking and clock making, and was meticulous with his yard. He was active with the LDS Church, and was a High Priest. He also enjoyed genealogy, auto mechanics … Read more

Stephens, Montia Coval – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Montia Coval Stephens died May 20, 2007, at the Vancouver Veterans Hospice Center, from cancer surgery complications. He was 64. Mr. Stephens was born Dec. 30, 1942, in Cottage Grove. He graduated from Joseph High School in 1960. Immediately after high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army. His service included Officers’ Candidate School, tours in Korea and the Dominican Republic and in the White House as a communication specialist and on the presidential press team during President John F. Kennedy’s term. He also worked in the Pentagon. He left the army as a Captain. Mr. Stephens remained … Read more

Bean, Louis Alexander – Obituary

Longtime Central Oregon resident Louis Alexander ‘Al’ Bean died Wednesday [June 15, 1988] at Central Oregon District Hospital in Redmond. He was 77. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the chapel of Tabor’s Desert Hills Mortuary. A concluding service and vault interment will follow at Deschutes Memorial Gardens. Officers of the Redmond Elks Lodge will officiate. Mr. Bean was born in Eugene on Oct. 13, 1910, to Louis and Katherine (Patterson) Bean. He served in the Navy during World War II. After the war he worked as a farmer, then started an insurance agency in Madras. … Read more

Biography of Carlton D. Akin

Among the prominent men of Wallowa County, as also one of the leading property owners in the county stands the subject of this brief article and it is with pleasure that we accord to him a representation of this volume of the county’s history, both because he has achieved a success here that demonstrates his ability in the business world and also because commensurate with his general capabilities there have been manifested a stanch and well rounded character, moral qualities of intrinsic worth and integrity unswerving and continuous all of which demonstrate Mr. Akin to be a typical man and … Read more

Biography of Thomas Smith

THOMAS SMITH. – Mr. Smith, whose life labors have had as their result in one particular the upbuilding of the handsome village of Winchester, near the Umpqua River, was born in Oxfordshire, England, February 12, 1823; and he crossed the Atlantic with his parents in 1830. The first American home was at Rochester, and a year later at Euclid near Cleveland, Ohio; and in 1834 a removal was made to La Porte County, Indiana. Thirteen years were spent in Indiana with his parents; but in 1847 the desire to go forth and test his powers in competition with others induced … Read more

Throop, Harold Pat Lawrence – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Harold Pat Lawrence Throop died May 6, 2007, at the Wallowa Valley Care Center. He was 89. Mr. Throop was born March 17, 1918, in Portland to Herrel R. Throop and Anna Throop Lynch. He grew up on the ranch of his parents, Anna and Charles Lynch. He graduated from high school there in 1936. In 1938 he moved to Cloverdale with his mother and stepfather. Prior to the start of World War II, Mr. Throop studied law at Willamette University. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the war, he returned to Cloverdale, bought his parents’ ranch … Read more

Greene, Douglas Wright – Obituary

Richland, Oregon Douglas Wright Greene, 75, a former Richland resident, died July 16, 2004, at Springfield. His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Richland Methodist Church. There will be a graveside service afterward at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. A memorial service will be scheduled later at Springfield. Douglas was born on Oct. 27, 1928, at Richland to Russell and Mildred Greene. He was raised in Richland, graduating from Eagle Valley High School in 1946. While in high school, Douglas lettered in football and was student body president. He joined the U.S. Army in 1950 and … Read more

Scott, Donald Duane – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon Donald Duane Scott, 76, a longtime Halfway resident, died Dec. 20, 2003, at his home. There will be a graveside celebration of his life at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7847, will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at the VFW Hall. In case of bad weather, the service will be at the VFW hall. Don was born at Medford on Aug. 4, 1927, to Leo and Mary Key Scott. He attended school at Walterville and Springfield before joining the U.S. Navy in 1944. He served in the … Read more

Hassler, Willie “Papa” Obituary

A memorial service was held on Jan. 16 for Willie “Papa” Hassler of Eugene and a former resident of Halfway and Baker City, who died Jan. 12 at age 87. Willie was born April 7, 1915, in Oregon City to Audley and Anna Hassler. He married Carrie Sells in Reno, Nev., in 1967. Carrie died in April 2001. When in Halfway, he was a charter member of VFW Post 7847. Willie lived in Halfway and Baker City before settling in Eugene more than 40 years ago. He served in the Navy during World War II as a chief radioman, and … Read more

Biography of E. L. Matlock

E.L. MATLOCK. – This successful merchant and respected citizen of Heppner, Oregon, was born August 25, 1844. He came to Oregon in 1853, and located in Lane county, near Eugene. There he engaged in farming, stock-raising and mining. He was with his father when he died at Bannack City in 1863, and laid to rest all that was mortal of that good man and beloved parent. Returning to the home near Eugene, he conducted his father’s affairs there until 1866. In January of that year he was married to Miss E.J. Bennet of Lane county. After that event he engaged … Read more

Throop, Harold Pat Lawrence – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Harold Pat Lawrence Throop died May 6, 2007, at the Wallowa Valley Care Center. He was 89. Mr. Throop was born March 17, 1918, in Portland to Herrel R. Throop and Anna Throop Lynch. He grew up on the ranch of his parents, Anna and Charles Lynch. He graduated from high school there in 1936. In 1938 he moved to Cloverdale with his mother and stepfather. Prior to the start of World War II, Mr. Throop studied law at Willamette University. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the war, he returned to Cloverdale, bought his parents’ ranch … Read more

Bean, Ormond Robert – Obituary

Retired Portland City Commissioner Ormond R. Bean, 89, a 31-year servant in city, state and federal governments, died early Friday morning [February 14, 1975] in the Parkview Nursing Home. Death was due to natural causes, said his son, Ormond Bean, Jr. First elected to the Portland City Council in 1932, the elder Bean served from 1933 until 1939 when he was appointed Oregon Public Utility Commissioner. From 1943 until 1946, Mr. Bean was a transportation director in America’s World War II effort, serving in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Middle East. Returning to Portland, he was elected once more to … Read more

Loennig, Marjorie Marie Haldorson Mrs. – Obituary

Marjorie Marie Loennig, 81, of Creswell, a former Baker County resident, died June 27, 2007. Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Creswell Presbyterian Church. Marjorie was born on the family farm at Eugene on April 6, 1926, to Julia and Lennie Haldorson. She was the second of five children. She attended Central Grade School and was a 1944 Eugene High School graduate. She married Franklin Loennig in 1949 and moved to a ranch near Haines. After her divorce, she completed her degree in education at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande while raising three boys. … Read more

Hunt, Richard Eric – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Richard Eric Hunt, 37, of Lovelock, Nev., and formerly of La Grande died Sept. 4. A memorial Mass will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday Sept. 9 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church with Father Hank Albrecht and the Rev. Irwin Smutz officiating. Mr. Hunt was born Nov. 18, 1968, to Richard and Iris Hunt in Spokane, Wash. He graduated from Yamhill-Carlton Union High School where he was class valedictorian and state representative to the Oregon School Board. He was a member of the National Honor Society and given early admission to the University of Notre … Read more