Malheur County OR

Blankinship, Frank Carson – Obituary

Frank Carson Blankinship, 79, a longtime Ontario resident and businessman, and a former Baker City resident, died Aug. 11, 2001, at Baker City. At his request there will be no services. Mr. Blankinship was born Sept. 27, 1921, in an apartment on Resort Street to Etta Lurchin and Elmer Blankinship. He was raised by his grandparents, Kit and Dammie Harpham. He accompanied his grandparents as Kit worked as a dynamite specialist in various gold mines around Sumpter and in the Wallowas. He attended school in Homestead, and then in Baker. He married Lela Mitchell in August 1941. Shortly after, World … Read more

Biography of William C. Carlton

This worthy gentleman is one of the substantial citizens of Malheur County and one of the thrifty stock men and farmers of the vicinity of Rockville, his estate of two hundred and twenty acres of good land lying seven miles west from that place. Mr. Carlton was born in Maine in 1834, being the son of Amos and Mary Carlton. He received his education from the County in the schools of his native state and there remained – until 1854 when he came via Panama to San Francisco, and thence to Indian valley in Sierra County, where he at once … Read more

Metlen, Robert William (Bob) – Obituary

Robert (Bob) William Metlen died Oct. 31, 2007. Bob was born in Townsend, MT and raised in Pocatello, ID. At 17, he joined the Airforce and was shot down on his 5th mission as a ball turret gunner on a B-17. He walked from Belgium to Gilbralder with the underground and was incarcerated in England until he could be positively identified. The war ended the day he was to fly from California to the Pacific as a radioman on a B-36. After the war he went to the University of Idaho where he met and married the bride of his … Read more

Biography of Jeremiah Shea

One of our early pioneers, whose worthy labors have done much toward the development of the resources and the substantial progress of Malheur County, is named at the head of this article and he is eminently fitted to he accorded consideration in this volume of his County’s history, since he is a man of good standing, influential and prominent, has always been a progressive and patriotic citizen, is possessed of integrity and a stanch character and is held in high esteem by all of his fellows. Mr. Shea was born in Canada on March 31, 1847, and there he was … Read more

Shephard, La Neva E. Scott Mrs. – Obituary

La Neva E. (Scott) Shephard, 89, of Ontario, died May 7, 2005 in an Ontario assisted-living facility. Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. (MDT) at the First United Methodist Church in Ontario. The Rev. Linda Tucker will officiate. A graveside service will follow at 1 p.m. (PDT) at Mount Hope Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lienkaemper Funeral Chapel in Ontario. La Neva was born July 10, 1915 to Herbert H. and Myrtle F. (Powell) Scott in Oroville, Wash. As a small child she moved and eventually settled with her family in Baker City, where she … Read more

Ward, Mary Jane Mullen Mrs. – Obituary

Mary Jane Ward, 85, of La Grande and formerly of Baker City, died Aug. 2, 2003, at a local care facility. A private family service and interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Ward was born on Feb. 26, 1918, to James Levi and Daisy B. Bishop Mullen at Westfall. She was a 1936 graduate of Ontario High School. She married Frank Eldon Ward at Payette, Idaho, on July 24, 1948. They later moved to Baker City where they owned and operated Scotty’s Tavern. Mr. Ward died on Oct. 16, 1972. She continued to operate the business until 1979 … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Jones

The subject of this sketch has led an active life both as a public man and as a private individual. He is one of our self-made men and has won, and fully deserves every iota of esteem and regard in which he is held by his industry, integrity and enterprise. He was born in Header San County, Kentucky, in 1865, and lived on a farm until the age of 16. Moving at that age with his parents to Malheur County, Oregon. On coming to this State he followed several vocations until September. 1887, when he was appointed deputy county clerk … Read more

Hammack, Alice Irene Bohannan – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Mrs. Irene Hammack, who resided in Enterprise until two months ago, passed away at the home of her son, Lester, in Jamieson, Oregon, on May 1st, at the age of 74 years. She was born at Huntsville, Ark. Mrs. Hammack had been in poor health for several months and due to her physical disability, her son, Fred, went with her to Ontario where she might be near her other children and where she would receive medical care. It was soon learned that she was a victim of diabetes and she was removed to the hospital where an amputation … Read more

Bates, Charles – Obituary

Charles Bates, 48, of Ontario, died July 30 at his home of natural causes. A celebration of life will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the LDS Church house at 710 S. Curtis Road in Boise. Cremation was held. He was born Sept. 16, 1958, to Jay and Jeanne Bates in Rigby Idaho. He was the fourth child. Chuck grew up in Boise where he was active in sports. After marrying he moved his family to Oregon where he spent many years coaching multiple sports. Chuck worked hard at being a positive influence and was proud of his … 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

Foster, Dorothy “Jean” Campbell Mrs. – Obituary

Dorothy “Jean” Foster, 73, of Ontario, and a former Baker City resident, died April 6, 2001, at her home after an illness. Her funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. PDT at Ontario’s Assembly of God Church. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Ontario. Visitations will be today until 7 p.m. PDT at Lienkaemper Chapel, 78 Northwest First Ave. in Ontario. Mrs. Foster was born July 3, 1927, at Bend to Roy and Caroline Campbell. She was raised and educated in Baker City, and graduated from Baker High School in 1946. She married Marvin Foster on June 1, 1947, … Read more

Courtnay, Phyllis – Obituary

Wallowa, Oregon Phyllis Anne Courtnay, a long-time Wallowa County resident, died Jan. 29, 2007, in Union. She was 74. Mrs. Courtnay was born Sept. 10, 1932, to Ernest and Florence Eastman in Adrian. She was raised in the Adrian area and graduated from Adrian High School in 1950. On April 12, 1953, she married Clinton Courtnay. They lived in California while Mr. Courtnay was in the Navy, then moved to Idaho, and later to Wallowa where they raised four children. She was a dedicated wife and mother devoted to the care of her husband and children. She supported her husband … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alvin S. Moss

This enterprising and substantial stock man and farmer of Malheur County is located nine miles northeast from Rockville. Idaho, and is one of the pioneers of this section and has labored with assiduity and sagacity here since the early eighties and is now rewarded with abundant prosperity and a goodly showing, gained by his thrift and careful labors. Mr. Moss was born in Illinois, on September 10, 1857, the son of Sardus B. and Ceria E. Moss. At the age of eight years he went with the balance of the family to southeastern Kansas and there grew up. He gained … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edward Beam

This young and enterprising farmer and stockman of northern Malheur County is one of the men whose life has been largely spent in this section and he is a real product of the west and a credit to his county, both because of his worthy labors which are being crowned with a good success and because of his own intrinsic worth which stamps him a man of ability and uprightness. Edward Beam was born in Missouri, on January 18, 1874, being the son of William W. and Sarah (Lafton) Beam. In the year of his birth the parents came to … Read more

Holloway, Lela Mae Bartshe Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Lela Mae Holloway, 97, a longtime Baker City resident, died Jan. 3, 2003, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. Her memorial service will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 1919 Second St. in Baker City. Pastor Lura Kidner-Miesen of the United Methodist Church will officiate. A reception will follow. Lela was born April 4, 1905, at Hermitage, Mo., to John Riley and Nancy Hart Bartshe. When she was one month old her family moved to Oregon, living in the Oregon Slope area between Payette and Ontario. She received her teacher’s training in … Read more

Shira, Thomas T. “Tom” – Obituary

Thomas T. “Tom” Shira, 66, a longtime Unity resident, died Sept. 13, 2001, at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2 p.m. Monday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets. The Rev. Robert C. Irwin will celebrate. Vault interment will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Ritualistic rites will be accorded by the Baker Elks Lodge, No. 338. Military honors will be presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3048. Family and friends are invited to a time of fellowship and sharing in the Parish Hall after Monday’s Mass. Mr. Shira … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Smith

Among the substantial and enterprising citizens of Malheur County is to be mentioned the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article. He is a man of uprightness and has labored here with energy and skill for many years in the endeavor to bring this section into a state of development and also to enhance the condition of his own exchequer. Mr. Smith was born in Carter County, Kentucky, on November 16, 1836, being the son of Clayborn and Cloa (Ludi) Smith. He went with his parents to Rudolph County, Arkansas, and soon removed there to Lawrence County, … Read more

Levanger, John Laurance – Obituary

John Laurance Levanger, 41, died July 2, 2008. The rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at Vale. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will be at the Ironside Cemetery in Ironside. John was born on Sept. 28, 1967, at Ontario to Jerry and Nancy Levanger. He was raised at Vale, Brogan and Juntura. John was a 1985 Vale Union High School graduate and continued to live in the Vale area. He was an avid hunter and fisherman – some of John’s greatest friendships began with … Read more

Biographical Sketch of David Dunbar

In the person of the subject of this sketch we have one of the leading citizens and stockmen of Malheur County, and it is with pleasure that we chronicle the salient paints in his interesting and active career, wherein he has ever manifested integrity, ability and industry. David Dunbar was born in Ontario, Canada, near Kingston, on February 5, 1849, being the son of James and Eliza Dunbar. He was reared on a farm with his parents and gained his education from the common schools of that province. In July 186? he was called to mourn the death of his … Read more

Malone, Mary Jane – Obituary

Richland, Oregon Mary Jane Malone, 82, of Vale, a former longtime Richland resident, died Dec. 22, 2003, at Pioneer Place in Vale. Christian Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Vale. Interment will be at Valley View Cemetery in Vale. Mary Jane was born March 3, 1921, at Richland to Joseph and Rebecca McPartland. She married Alfred Malone on Sept. 29, 1939. They lived at Richland until 1961 when they moved to Vale. Mary Jane worked many years at Becker’s Market. After working she enjoyed her volunteer service, square dancing and card … Read more