Lane County OR

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

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

Berg, Jane Wisdom Mrs. – Obituary

Jane Wisdom Berg, 85, of Eugene, died March 24, 2003. A celebration of life private memorial will be held March 30 at the Eugene Hotel, 222 E. Broadway. The Rest Haven Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Berg was born May 9, 1917, in Baker to Lenore and John W. Wisdom Jr. She lived in Baker until 1923, when she moved to Portland. She also lived in Eugene, Pleasant Hill, Sunriver and Cottage Grove. In 1950, she married William “Bill” Berg. They were married 45 years. Mrs. Berg trained horses at Pendleton and Baker in the 1940s, and … Read more

Biography of Dr. Kenneth A. J. Mackenzie

Dr. Kenneth A. J. Mackenzie was born in Cumberland House, a Hudson Bay Company post in Manitoba, Canada, Jan. 13, 1859, and is a son of Roderick and Jane Mackenzie. He is of Scotch descent and representative of a well known family of Ross Shire, Scotland, the old families of Langwell and Aldy, earls of Croemartie and Brahan, being a branch of the Mackenzies. Roderick Mackenzie, his father, was for many years Chief Fadtor in the Hudson’s Bay Company service and is now one of its retired officers, living at Melbourne in Eastern township, Canada. He is a man of … 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

Biography of Hon. Enoch Hoult

HON. ENOCH HOULT. – The gentleman above-named was born in Monongahela county, West Virginia, April 18, 1825. His parents were of English descent, coming to American in the Colonial days. He lived in Virginia until his twelfth year, when his father moved to Edgar county, Illinois, in the spring of 1832. There Mr. Hoult grew to manhood and remained until he was thirty-three years of age. In the fall of 1830 he was married to Miss Jeannette Somerville, daughter of John Somerville, who came from Kentucky to Illinois. In the year 1853 he came with his family overland to Oregon. … Read more

Hornig, Blanche L. – Obituary

Union, Oregon Blanche L. Hornig, 85, of Salem and formerly of Union died June 1. A memorial service will begin 1 p.m. June 20 at Morningside United Methodist Church in Salem. Blanche was born in Ithaca Township, Wis., to Leslie and Libby Holeton on Sept. 28, 1921. She lived in Minnesota and Kennewick. She married Thomas Hornig in 1949, and they lived in Union, Eugene and Salem. In the ’70s, Blanche was executive secretary for the Salem League of Women Voters. She was proud to be a part of the Friday clan, and an honorary Cherry. Survivors include her husband, … Read more

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

Niederer, Minnie See – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Minnie See Niederer, 85, formerly of La Grande, died Oct. 21. Minnie was born and raised in La Grande where she met Harley Levon Niederer. They were married in Weiser, Idaho, in 1941. They moved to Eugene and spent 55 years together until Levon died in 1996. She is survived by son, John Niederer of Vancouver, Wash.; daughter, Nikki Pettet of Olympia, Wash.; two grandsons; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by four siblings, Bill Hart, Grover See, Lottie Noyes and Ester Crader. The Observer – Obituaries for the week ending November 10, … Read more

Carter, Ralph V. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Ralph V. Carter, 88, of Florence and formerly of La Grande, died Sept. 26. The family will have a private memorial service at a later date. Mr. Carter was born Sept. 5, 1918, in Henning, Minn., to Clarence and Lillian Carter, the fourth of eight children. He worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps and spent four years in the Army with the Coastal Defense Battalion. In 1959, after a particularly hard Minnesota winter, he and his wife, Florence Mabel Stewart, moved with their four children to Oregon. He worked as a Crook County assessor in Prineville and … Read more

Wilson, Jim – Obituary

Island City, Oregon James “Jim” William Wilson, 72, died Aug. 5 at his home in La Grande. A celebration of life potluck begins at 1 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Island City City Hall. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. The Observer – August 7, 2008 ______________________________ James “Jim” William Wilson, 72, of La Grande, died Aug. 5 at his home. A complete obituary will be available later. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. The Observer – August 7, 2008 James “Jim” William Wilson, 72, of La Grande, died Aug. 5 at … Read more

Neely, Jean – Obituary

Formerly of La Grande 1927-2009 Jean Neely, 81, of Cottage Grove and formerly of La Grande, died Jan. 19. A memorial service was held Jan. 24 at Riverside Community Church of God in Cottage Grove. Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel in Cottage Grove is in charge of arrangements. Jean was born Feb. 12, 1927, to Roy and Myrtle Neely in Grants Pass. She graduated from Grants Pass High School and received her bachelor’s degree from University of Oregon and a master’s degree from the University of Washington. She received a doctorate of education from the University of Oregon. Jean lived in La … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas G. Matlock

This well-known citizen of Heppner, Morrow County, Oregon, who devotes himself to the improvement of our stock of horses, was born in Dade County, Missouri, March 4, 1849, and came with his parents across the plains to Oregon in 1853, locating with them near Eugene, where they engaged in stock-raising, and remaining until the death of the father at Bannack City, Idaho. He was buried on Buena Vista Bar, July 1, 1863. Thomas received a common-school education, and worked on the farm. His father having been a fancier and producer of fine horses, our subject went in 1871 to Umatilla … Read more

Beason, Robert M. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Robert M. Beason, 81, a former Baker City resident, died Dec. 28, 2002 at Eugene. At his request, no memorial service will be held. Mr. Beason attended local schools, and graduated from Baker High School as class president in 1939. He worked for the Bonneville Corps of Engineers for many years. He served his country during World War II in the European theater. He is survived by a daughter, Cathy Cone, of Eugene. He was preceded in death by his mother, Nan Miller Beason, and a sister, Nancy Weeks. Used with permission from: Baker City … 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

Bean, Robert Sharp, Judge – Obituary

Judge Robert Sharp Bean of the federal court for the District of Oregon, nationally known for his judicial mind died suddenly of a heart attack at 6:30 o’clock this morning [January 7, 1931] at his home, 1620 Briar Place. He was 76. Shock of the death was doubly felt in that it was so unexpected. According to a member of the family, Judge Bean, on retiring last night, was as well as he had ever been. He retired about 11 o’clock, Mrs. Bean said. Shortly before 6 a.m. today he arose complaining of a slight stomach ailment. He was somewhat … Read more

Purdy, Ruth Marion Rippey Eccles Mrs. – Obituary

Ruth Marion Rippey Eccles Purdy, 92, of Picabo, Idaho, a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 26, 2006. Her memorial service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday at the Community Campus (old Wood River High School) Auditorium at Hailey, Idaho. Internment will be at the Picabo Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a “Celebration of Ruth’s Life” at the Picabo Store immediately after the internment. The daughter of Clark and Lottie Rippey, she was born on June 29, 1913, at Portland. Soon after, the family moved to Baker City, where her father worked for the Railway Mail Service on … Read more

Rinehart, Margaret (Martin) Mrs. – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Elgin Pioneer Woman Passes Mrs. Margaret Rinehart Came to Oregon in 1852; Funeral Services at Summerville Elgin, Aug. 27 – Mrs. Margaret Ann Rinehart, Oregon pioneer of 1852 and member by marriage of the famous Rinehart clan, died here at the home of her daughter Mrs. S. A. Chappell Monday, at the age of 72 years. She had been ill but a short time, being stricken after coming here from her home in Walla Walla for a visit. Mrs. Rinehart crossed the plains with her family and settled in Lane county. Following her marriage in 1865 … Read more

Biography of F. M. Naught

F.M. NAUGHT. – Mr. Naught, whose life experience contains many incidents of unique interest, was born in Illinois in 1838, and removed as a child to Texas, and in 1846 to Iowa. In 1853 he crossed the plains to Oregon and located in Polk county. Upon the outbreak of the Indian war in 1856, he joined Captain F.M.P. Goff’s Company K, Washington Territory Volunteers, and came east of the cascades. In July of that year, a part of Captain Goff’s company quartered at Fort Henrietta was summoned to the relief of Major Leighton’s command, which was surrounded on the John … 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