Malheur County OR

Phelps, James LeRoy Jr. – Obituary

Dad went to visit his Father in Heaven on October 8, 2007 after a brief illness. James was born in Weldona, Colorado on March 26, 1928 to James “Lee” and Gladys “Bernice” Phelps. The family arrived in Idaho in the late 1930’s, and he was raised on a farm on the hill outside of Roswell, Idaho. He graduated from Wilder High School spring of 1946 and entered the Navy that fall. He served his country in the Mediterranean on the U.S.S Midway. During those years he corresponded with Dorothy Burt and upon returning from the Navy he married Dorothy on … Read more

Coles, Roger Duane Obituary

Haines, Oregon Roger Duane Coles, 86, of Vancouver, Wash., and a former Baker and Haines resident, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003. A celebration of life ceremony was held to honor him on Saturday, Jan. 25. The service was held at 3 p.m. at Felida Baptist Church located in Vancouver, Wash. Born in Haines, on June 2, 1916, he graduated from Haines High School and later attended Brooks Institute of Photography. He received an Honorary Master of Science in Photography from Brooks in 2001 for representing “our craft with diligence, fortitude, honesty, service, and … 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

Evans, John Mrs. – Obituary

Mrs. John Evans, a few moments before apparently in her usual health, dropped dead in the huckleberry fields at the second crossing of Wolf Creek Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Evans had become separated from the rest of the party and Mr. Evans walked a short distance away, calling and attempting to locate himself. Upon turning he saw his wife drop and found her dead when he reached her. Death was apparently due to heart failure. R. E. Haines and family were camped at First Crossing and went and brought Mr. Evans and the family to Mr. Hart’s place near Warm … Read more

Scrivner, Virgel Ray – Obituary

Virgel Ray Scrivner, 78, of Ontario, a former longtime Baker City resident, died Jan. 10, 2008, at his home after a long illness. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Visitations will be from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Gray’s West & Co. Virgel was born on Dec. 30, 1929, at Austin to Vollie and Maude Scrivner. He was the youngest of four children. Virgel attended Baker schools and was a 1948 Baker High School graduate. He married Betty Wolfe in 1949 and together they had three … Read more

Hedrick, Gene W. – Obituary

Gene W. Hedrick, 55, of Cove, a former Haines resident, died Sept. 1, 2003, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident near Cove. There was a celebration of his life Friday at the Loveland Funeral Chapel in La Grande. Private inurnment will be at a later date. Mr. Hedrick was born Oct. 13, 1947, at Hillsboro. He was the son of George W. and Ann Ustic Hedrick. He attended school and graduated from high school in Seattle. He worked there for a time before he began attending college at the University of Washington at Seattle. After … Read more

An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties Oregon

These 91 biographies and sketches have been taken from the manuscript “An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties Oregon.” Presently this is an incomplete offering so subscribe to this page if you’re interested on further updates. We will eventually provide the entire manuscript here.

Biographical Sketch of Ebenezer A. Twycross

This worthy pioneer has always manifested the de of the typical frontiersman and he is deserving of much credit for the arduous labors performed and the dangers encountered and the hardships and deprivations endured in the many years wherein he has devoted himself and his energies to the development of the country and making it fit for the abode of mankind, and therefore it is with pleasure that we accord to him consideration in this volume of his County’s history. Mr. Twycross was born in Massachusetts in 1836, being the son of Ebenezer and Mary Twycross natives also of the … Read more

Maxwell, John – Obituary

John Edward Maxwell, 70, who was born and lived until his retirement at Haines, died Tuesday afternoon June 18, in the Veterans Administration Hospital at Boise. Services for Mr. Maxwell were conducted Monday afternoon at the Baptist Chruch in Haines. The Rev. Lloyd A. Malmstrom and the Rev. Dennis officiated. Interment was in the Haines Cemetery, West and Company were directors. Mr. Maxwell, son of James O. and Nancy A. Maxwell, was born at Haines, Feb.3, 1893. He graduated from Muddy Creek School and Linfield College at McMinnville. He had been a farmer in the Haines area until his retirement … Read more

Bruch, Georgeanna Marie – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Georgeanna Marie Bruch, 89, of Hillsboro and formerly of La Grande died Aug. 4. A memorial service was held today in Hillsboro. Burial at Fir Lawn Cemetery in Hillsboro will be private. Fir Lawn Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Bruch was born Nov. 19, 1916, to George E. and Marie Keller Lockwood in Riverside. She attended school in La Grande and graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Spokane in 1940. On Jan. 24, 1943, she married Robert H. Bruch. The lived in Yreka, Calif., and Hillsboro before moving to Woodburn, and more recently … Read more

Biography of Hon. Isaiah W. Hope

Hon. Isaiah W. Hope is one of the most prominent men in Malheur County today, and he has been a leader here for many years, having started in the mercantile business with his brother in an early day and building up one of the mammoth establishments of the west, while also in many lines of industry he has brought the fine talent of which he is possessed into play with the gratifying result that he has achieved a general round of success in the realm of merchant, general developer of the country, organizer of the Vale Commercial Company, promoter of … Read more

Carter, Willis D. – Obituary

Funeral services for Willis D. Carter, 67, 159 E. Idaho, Ontario, a former longtime Baker resident, was conducted Friday, June, 22, at West & Co. Memorial Chapel. The Rev. James Berentson of the Fist Lutheran Church officiated. Interment followed at Mt. Hope Cemetery with the Baker Veterans Organizations conducting graveside honors. Mr. Carter was born April 27, 1900 in Missouri. He had his early schooling in Missouri and was a veteran of WWI where he served in the United States Navy. He spent most of his life in Baker, Salem and Ontario and was well known in Baker as having … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William M. Mangin

The subject of this article is one of the oldest pioneers of Jordan Valley, a man of ability and worth. one who has wrought here with assiduity and sagacity since the early days, is now recognized as one of the prominent men of the County, has ever maintained an unsullied reputation and manifested a stanch character of uprightness and integrity, and in business circles has won a success that is a credit to any man, therefore he is deserving of a prominent posit don in the history of his County and it is with pleasure that we accord him such … Read more

Cathey, Laura Louise Ray Mrs. – Obituary

Laura Louise Cathey, 101, of Ontario, a former Baker City resident, died April 28, 2008, at Ontario with family at her side. Her graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Jon Privett will officiate. There will be a reception for family and friends after the service at the Baker City Church of the Nazarene, 1250 Hughes Lane. Laura was born on Nov. 1, 1906, at Rushville, Neb., to James and Hulda Ray. She was the second child in a family of 12 children. Laura’s family moved to Montana when she was a teenager. She … Read more

Evins, Dale Erwin – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Dale Erwin Evins, 52 of La Grande died July 30 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church in Island City. Mr. Evins was born Aug. 18, 1953, to Raymond and Evangeline Kendall Evins in Ontario. The family moved numerous times before settling in La Grande. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and played baseball for the San Diego Padres organization in the early 1970s. … 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

Biographical Sketch of Joseph M. Dinwiddie

This well’ known pioneer and responsible and leading business man and stock man of Malheur County is one of the prominent citizens of the town of Jordan Valley and is a man of sterling qualities of worth and integrity, being possessed of excellent capabilities which have wrought with a winning hand in the business and financial realm of our County for many years. Joseph M. was born in Indiana, on September 1, 1851 being the son of Daniel and Elsie Dinwiddie. In 1853 his parents came with the noble .band of pioneers who crossed the plains in those days, and … Read more

Jones, Roy Vernon

Roy Vernon Jones, 79, of Haines, died Feb. 21, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. At his request there will be no service. Disposition was by cremation. Mr. Jones was born on March 5, 1925, at Doniphan, Mo., to Eddy and Lina Eagan Jones. He was the youngest of 11 children. He started his education in Missouri and completed it at Rockbridge, Ill. At age 18 he was inducted into the U.S. Army at Peoria, Ill. He suffered injuries in a training plane crash and was given a medical discharge after three months. He had a beautiful voice and played … Read more

Manners, Rachel C. Buchanan Crimin Mrs. – Obituary

Rachel C. Buchanan Manners, 85, of Ontario, a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 9, 2000, at Ontario. Her graveside funeral was Tuesday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Roger Scovil of the Baker City Christian Church officiated. Mrs. Manners was born and raised in the Wingville and Pocahontas areas where she met and married James Crimin. She later married Howard Manners and lived at North Powder where he taught school for many years. Survivors include her son, Robert Crimin of Aztec, N.M.; three grandchildren, Randy Crimin of Utah, Shelly Daws of Fruitland, Idaho, and Scott Crimin of Weiser, Idaho; and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Albert J. Shea

While the older members of the pioneer staff are retiring one by one, it is pleasant to note that there are younger men of courage and enterprise to take up the worthy labors of these estimable men, who opened this country for settlement, and to prosecute them with an untiring zeal and a sagacity that is sure to win in the battle of life. Among this wide awake class, we are con-strained to mention the subject of this article, who has made a name and place for himself in the ranks of the leading stockmen of Malheur County, being justly … Read more