Ontario Oregon

McGregor, John Vernon – Obituary

John Vernon McGregor, 87, a longtime Livermore, Calif., resident, formerly of Baker City, died suddenly on May 13, 2005, after a brief decline in health. John was born to John and Frances McGregor in Ontario. He spent his first years on the family farm. He later moved to Baker City where he married Sadie Darlene Tripp in 1941. They lived briefly in Wonderland, Calif., where he worked as a welder helping in the construction of Shasta Dam. In 1942, he joined the Army Air Corps. He served as a tail gunner in a B-24 during World War II. He flew … Read more

Biography of Robert Van Gilse

The capable and educated gentleman, of whom we now have the privilege of writing, is one of the leading fruit men of the entire northwest, being better fitted, doubtless, than most in this industry in the entire country, for in addition to the practical experience in handling nurseries and fruit farms themselves, he has received from some of the leading horticultural schools of Europe the best theoretical and practical training that is now the privilege of a man to secure. It is with great pleasure, therefore, that we grant space here for an epitome of his interesting career. And it … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edmund A. Fraser

The young and eminently successful gentleman whose name appears above is one of the leading men of Malheur county, being the owner of a controlling interest in the Malheur Mercantile Company, a large general merchandise establishment of Ontario, which does an immense business not only from the country adjacent to Ontario, but also from the interior of Malheur and Harney counties. Our subject was born in Woodstock, Canada, on September 2, 1870, being the son of George and Sarah (Sheperd) Fraser. He attended the common school, and at the age of twelve was ready to enter the Upper Canada College … Read more

Mehlhorn, Jean Smith Mrs. – Obituary

Jean Mehlhorn, 72, of Hood River, died July 20, 2003, after a short illness. A memorial service for her and her husband, Dale, will be scheduled later. Jean was born on Feb. 3, 1931, to Dorothy and Ray Smith at Mill City, Kan. She was a few minutes older than her identical twin sister, Joan. The Smith family moved to California where Jean spent her childhood and early school days. They settled in Halfway where she attended high school and met Dale Mehlhorn. Jean and Dale married in 1948 and moved to Corvallis, where Dale attended Oregon State University. Jean … Read more

Biography of R. D. Greer

It is with pleasure that we. are enabled to grant consideration in this volume of the history of Malheur County to the estimable gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, since he is one who partakes of die real spin of the pioneer and since he is a man of excellent qualities and since he has wrought in this vicinity for the substantial progress and up building of the same for many years. Mr. Greer was born in Ohio, on September 28, 1850, being the son of Guin and Elizabeth Greer. In 1866 he came with his … Read more

Doud, Darald “Red” – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Darald “Red” Doud, 62, of Baker City, died March 8, 2002, at his home after a short illness. There will be a celebration of life memorial service later this spring. “Red” was born in a log cabin at Promise on June 30, 1940, to Ira Lorenzo and Nellie Angie Williams Doud. He was raised and educated at Summerville and then joined the U.S. Army. He served for two years as a gun mechanic. After the service, he met his future wife, Kathy, in Elgin. They were married on Jan. 29, 1965, at Weiser, Idaho, and had 37 … Read more

Chastain, Marie Veola Fahy – Obituary

Marie V. Chastain, 88, Ontario, died Jan. 16, 1991. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Ontario Lienkamper Chapel. The Rev. Jack Becker will officiate. Interment will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Vale. She was born March 1, 1902, in Westfall, Ore., to Jay D. and Lucy Lamberson Fahy. She had lived all but nine years of her life in Malheur County, mostly in the Harper-Westfall area. She had been an active member of the Ontario Senior Citizens. She and Liberty Chastain were married Aug. 21, 1922 in Ontario. They had ranched in the Harper area. Survivors … Read more

Biography of Hon. J.R. Blakaby

Malheur County can boast of many distinguished pioneers who have made brilliant success in both the financial world and in the political realm, and one of the prominent men of this influential number is the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and who stands as one of the real builders of the County and is also one of the largest general merchandise operators within her borders at the present time, his store being located in Jordan Valley. Mr. Blackaby was born in Iowa, on April 12, 1861, being the son of Bernard and Emeline Blackaby. There … Read more

Biographical Sketch of King, Gilbert

The subject of this sketch, whose portrait accompanies it, is one of Malheur County’s best known citizens, at pres­ent living on his home place near Ontario. He was born in Jefferson County, New York, in 1848, and came to this county in 1885, opening the station in Ontario, for the Ore­gon Short Line, January 23, of that year, and remained in their employ until January 14, 1897. Some eight years ago he bought his present place, and has it today in full cultivation, raising apples, prunes and other fruits. He takes considerable interest in politics, being at present the nominee … Read more

Whitnah, Calvin Hugh – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Calvin H. Whitnah, 70, of Richland, died Aug. 10 at his home. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Halfway. A vault interment will follow at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. A reception will take place at the New Bridge Grange. The Observer – August 12, 2008 _______________________________ Calvin Hugh Whitnah, 70, of Richland and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 10 at his home. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the LDS Chapel in Halfway, with a viewing to … Read more

Johnson, Zeb Dee – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Zeb Dee Johnson, 29, formerly of Elgin, died Aug. 23 in Tillamook County. A celebration of life runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Community Center in Elgin. A second service begins at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Tillamook Cheese Visitor Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Oregon. Cash donations can also be made to Community Bank in Northeast Oregon, to help offset funeral costs. The Observer – Obituaries for the day of August 30, 2008 ______________________________ Zeb Dee Johnson, 29, formerly of Elgin, … Read more

Fullerton, Ava Marie Hopkins Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Ava Marie Fullerton, 70, of Baker City died April 11, 2002, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise of lung cancer. At her request, her body was cremated. There will be a memorial service April 27 to celebrate her life. The time and place will be announced later. The family asks that no flowers be given. Ava was born on Dec. 29, 1931, at her home in Lamar, Colo., to Chester and Olive Hopkins. The family moved to Idaho when Ava was young. She attended grade school at Houston, Idaho, and Notus, Idaho, and attended high school at … Read more

Gormley, Vera – Obituary

Vera Gormley, 90, Ontario, Ore., died April 4, 2007, at Ashley Manor. Arrangements are under the direction of Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, Baker City, Ore. Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, April, 2007 Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor

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 James E. Madden

This well known and representative business man is one of the prominent citizens of Ontario, where he owns and operates a fine, large livery and feed stable having fine and comfortable rigs and good horses, and manifesting a careful supervision for the comfort and safety of his patrons. Mr. Madden was born in Perry County, Ohio on May 31, 1849, being the son of Hezekiah and Mary Madden, natives of Ohio, also. While still a child he was brought by his parents to Putnam county, in the native state, and in 1813 they came thence to Mills county, Iowa. He … Read more

Bradford, Steven Ray – Obituary

Steven Ray Bradford, 53, of Unity, died March 28, 2005. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Burnt River Community Church at Unity. Pastor Bill Cox of McEwen Bible Fellowship will officiate. The graveside service will be at Unity Cemetery. There will be a potluck dinner at a location to be announced later. He was born on March 15, 1952, at Ontario to Elbert and Donna Koontz Bradford. He lived at Unity all of his 53 years. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed hunting with his family and friends. In the last few years he was … Read more

Smurthwaite, Paul Rey – Obituary

Paul Rey Smurthwaite, 72, a former Baker City resident, died peacefully at his home on April 5, 2006 after a battle with cancer. There will be a service celebrating his life at 11 a.m. Monday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15555 S.W. 98th St., in Tigard. Paul was born on Feb. 24, 1934, at Baker City to Jesse Abraham and Zina Smurthwaite. He was the youngest of eight children. He grew up in Baker City where he enjoyed gymnastics, bowling, camping, fishing and hunting. He served his country as a U.S. Marine in the Korean conflict. … Read more

Hoffman, Alvin C. “Si” – Obituary

Alvin C. “Si” Hoffman, 87, of Ontario, a former Baker County resident, died July 23, 2004, at his home. His funeral will be at 2 p.m. (MDT) Wednesday at Park Community Church in Ontario. Pastor Ed Renk will officiate. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Ontario. Visitations will be until 8 o’clock tonight (MDT) at Ontario’s Lienkaemper Chapel. Si was born at Powell, Wyo., on May 10, 1917, to Charles and Myrtle Hoffman. The family moved to Ontario in 1918. Si attended Cairo Elementary School and was an Ontario High School graduate. He married Maxine Cartwright in 1938. Si … Read more

Wingerd, Claude “Shorty” – Obituary

Claude “Shorty” Wingerd, 60, a former resident of LaGrande, OR, died Friday, July 26, in West Virginia. Graveside services for “Shorty” will be held Friday, August 2 at 10:00 a.m. in the Veterans section of Mt. Hope Cemetery, Baker City. Military rites will be accorded by the Mt. Home Air Force Base Honor Guard, Mt Home, Idaho. Friends may call for visitation at Gray’s West and Co. Thursday, August 1 from 9:00 a.m. until ?p.m. Mr. Wingerd was born, February 12, 1931 at Longmont Colorado, the son of Claude and Virginia (Black) Wingerd. At a young age, with his family … Read more

Pallis, Zella May Fisher Davis Mrs. – Obituary

Zella May Pallis, 78, of Ontario, a former Baker City resident, died June 7, 2001, at home with her family by her side. Visitations will be from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Colonial DeWitt Funeral Home at Walla Walla, Wash. There will be a graveside service at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Mountain View Cemetery at Walla Walla. Mrs. Pallis was born on May 14, 1923, at Clayton, Idaho, to Guennie Fisher Geist and William Fisher. She married Woodrow Davis in 1941. He died in 1952. She then met Anthony John Pallis of Walla Walla, Wash. They were … Read more