Lane County OR

Biography of John L. Curtis

JOHN L. CURTIS. – As one of the early and sturdy pioneers who assisted in opening these regions for the occupancy of his fellows that were to follow from the eastern states, and who has wrought with energy and assiduity in their development since, manifesting an ability and wealth of resources that have enabled him to grapple with the different problems that confront the frontiersman, and to overcome in these undertakings the subject of this sketch is deserving of a representation in any work that essays to chronicle the leading and prominent citizens of the county of Union. Mr. Curtis … Read more

Nagel, Kyla J. Evans Mrs. – Obituary

Kyla J.E. Nagel, 28, a former Baker City resident, died Aug. 13, 2006, at the home of her parents after a courageous four-year battle with brain cancer. There will be a celebration of life service at 6 p.m. Saturday at the First Christian Church, 1166 Oak St. in Eugene. Inurnment will be later at Springfield Memorial Gardens. She was born in Baker City on May 3, 1978, where she attended grade school through the fifth grade. She moved to Springfield with her family in 1988. She was a 1996 graduate of Thurston High School where she was active in drama … Read more

Hanson, Richard Lee “Dick” – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Richard Lee “Dick” Hanson, 69, died May 7, 2005 at Pacific Specialty & Rehab Care in Vancouver, Wash., from complications of a stroke. Disposition was by cremation. There will be no funeral. A celebration of his life will be scheduled later this spring in Baker City to allow distant friends and relatives to attend. Dick was born on Feb. 21, 1936, at Des Moines, Iowa. He attended high school at Des Moines and graduated from Iowa State University at Ames with a bachelor’s degree in forestry. He married Laura Sue McCollum on June 14, 1959. … Read more

Bean, Louis Elmer – Obituary

Louis E. Bean, chairman of the Oregon State Public Service Commission, died suddenly of heart disease in his apartment at Salem shortly after 10 o’clock last night [July 6, 1929]. Mr. Bean underwent a major operation during the last Christmas holidays, and at that time a serious condition was discovered which physicians knew might cause his death at any time, though he was able to continue his work after his discharge from the hospital. He was examined in Portland, Friday by his nephew, Dr. Harold C. Bean, and no alarming symptoms were apparent. Only two weeks ago he returned from … Read more

Biography of George F. Herbert

GEORGE F. HERBERT. – This gentleman and his wife were a venerable couple whose lives as pioneers in our state, and as citizens of great merit in social, religious and business life, have made them well known and highly respected in the entire circle of their acquaintances. Mr. Herbert was born in Frederick County, Virginia, in September, 1815. Mrs. Herbert (Elizabeth) née McCormick, was born May 1, 1818, in the same state. They were married in 1838, and emigrated to the frontier of Illinois, where they remained until 1842, when they moved to Iowa, making a second prairie home. In … Read more

Judah, Carol Galbreath – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Carol Galbreath Judah, 57, formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 15 at a hospital in Meridian, Idaho. A memorial service will be held in Fox at a later date. Accent Funeral Home in Meridian is in charge of arrangements. Carol was born April 11, 1950, to Bruce and Colleen Reynolds Galbreath in Pendleton. She lived in the Long Creek area of Grant County. At 7, she moved with her family to Pendleton. She attended elementary school at West Hills in Pendleton and later La Grande High School. In 1966 the family moved to Springfield and she graduated … 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

Cooke, Abraham Lincoln – Obituary

Abe L. Cooke Dies in Seattle Abe L. Cooke, 47, of Yakima, a former Ellensburg resident and a veteran of the first World War, died Wednesday in the Marine hospital in Seattle after an illness of several months. He was born April 27, 1897, at Coberg, Ore., the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Cooke, Kittitas valley pioneers. The Cooke family returned to this valley while he was still an infant and he received his education in valley schools. He served with a National Guard company which was sent to patrol the Mexican border in the fall of 1916. … Read more

Babb, Frances Elaine Breshears – Obituary

Wallowa, Oregon Frances Elaine Breshears Babb, 96, of Eugene, died April 4, 2004. She was born April 8, 1907, in Elgin to William and Margaret (Eckley) Breshears. Mrs. Babb grew up in the Wallowa, Vincent and Rondowea areas and graduated from Lostine High School. She worked for M. Crow and Company in Lostine for a time. She married Avon Dale Babb in 1926 and lived in the Eugene area for the last 79 years. Her interests included vegetable and flower gardening, crossword puzzles, University of Oregon football and basketball, and travel. She enjoyed family and friends and was well known … Read more

Baggerly, Frances Rae Bamford Mrs. – Obituary

Frances Rae Baggerly, 95, a longtime Baker County resident, died February 12, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services after a short illness. Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Baker City Christian Church, 2998 Eighth St. Pastor Roger Scovil and Bob Whiteman will officiate. There will be a reception afterward in the church fellowship hall. Visitation will be until 8 o’clock tonight at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Frances was born on Sept. 4, 1908, to Frank and Mary Bown Bamford of Junction City. The family moved to a homestead on Happy Valley … Read more

Biography of Hon. John W. McAlister

HON. JOHN W. McALISTER. – It now becomes our pleasant privilege to outline in brief review the eventful career of the well known and highly esteemed gentlman whose name initiates this paragraph and whose life is connected with the county of Union, having been identified with it since his early boyhood and having been one of the potent factors in its development as also in making the laws which have proved so salutary for its progress and gaining, meanwhile, a reputation throughout the state because of the ability and sagacity displayed in the state halls of legislation, while no whit … Read more

Hamblen, Sylvester – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon 1918-1998 Sylvester “Sid” Hamblen, 80, died Sunday evening, November 29, at his La Grande home. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Summerville Cemetery, with Pastor Roger Cochran officiating. Payne Family Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Hamblen was born January 19, 1918 in Eugene, to Harry and Elma Hamblen. He married Cora Brown in 1942, and they had three children. They divorced after 26 years of marriage, but remained friends. He married Pauline Willis in 1969. She died in 1996. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and he … Read more

McNulty, Viola Margaret “Vi” Devine Mrs. – Obituary

Viola Margaret “Vi” Devine McNulty, 96, died Aug. 8, 2005, at the Siuslaw Care Center in Florence. A private family graveside service was held in honor of Viola on Aug. 18 at Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. A rosary and Mass for the repose of the soul of Viola were offered at the St. Therese Catholic Church in Halfway. Vi Devine was born on Nov. 13, 1908, in Oklahoma to Herbert and Ida Cecilia Stroud Devine. At birth Vi weighed less than three pounds. Stories passed down from family indicate that her tiny head would fit in a teacup and … 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

Dinger, Margaret Hack Smith Mrs. – Obituary

Margaret Hack Smith Dinger, 84, of Ontario, died Sept. 9, 2003, at her home after an illness. At her request, there will be no funeral. Burial is under the direction of Ontario’s Lienkaemper Chapel. Margaret was born on Jan. 20, 1919, at Jasper. She was the fourth daughter of Loyal R. and Frona Hills Hack. She graduated from high school at Springfield and later attended the University of Oregon at Eugene. She married Goff M. Smith in 1938. She worked in accounting for the U.S. Forest Service for many years, retiring in 1981. Goff died in 1975. She married Lloyd … Read more

Wright, Roderick – Obituary

Roderick Wright, 58, of Tucson, Ariz., and a former Baker City resident, died July 22, 2003. His funeral was July 26 at Desert Sunset Funeral Home at Tucson. Roderick was born Aug. 31, 1945, at Ontario to James and Opal McClellan Wright. Growing up he worked in the family bee business, producing and distributing honey. He was a 1964 graduate of Baker High School. He joined the U.S. Army and later served in the National Guard. He was a graduate of Eastern Oregon State College (now Eastern Oregon University) at La Grande. He taught and coached in the Wallowa School … Read more

Bateman, Lois Mae Simonis Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Lois Mae Bateman, 80, of Junction City, a former longtime Baker City resident, died Jan. 13, 2005, at her home. At her request, there will be no funeral. Lois was born on July 1, 1924, at Monument. She moved to Richland when she was a small girl and had moved to Junction City from Baker City about 25 years ago. She enjoyed fishing, the outdoors and any kind of puzzles. She was a loving mother and sister. Survivors include her four children and seven grandchildren, Garry Molyneaux of Junction City and his children, Garry Jr. … Read more

Biography of John P. Vollmer

One of the ablest and best known businessmen of Idaho is John P. Vollmer, of Lewiston. In past ages the history of a country was the record of wars and conquests; today it is the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in business circles. The conquests now made are those of mind over matter, not of man over man, and the victor is he who can successfully establish, control and operate extensive commercial interests. John P. Vollmer is one of the strong and influential men whose lives have become an … Read more

Keith, Edith Estelle Bilyeu – Obituary

Edith Estelle Keith of R.F.D. Keith Road, Walton, Oregon, passed away March 14, 1980 at the age of 71. She was born August 14, 1908 in Halsey, Oregon to pioneer parents, Robert Lee and Cora Bell [Tharp] Bilyeu. She married Lyall Keith, who preceded her in death on February 9, 1970. She had lived in Oregon all her life and for the last 40 years lived in the Walton area. She and her husband owned and operated a country store with two gas pumps near Walton which was called “The Keith Place.” She was a member of Women of the … 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