Hickerson, Mabel Boyce Mrs. Obituary

Mabel (Boyce) Hickerson, 98, a former resident of Payette, Idaho, died at her Salem home Monday, Feb. 3, 2003. Mabel’s family were pioneers in the Baker Valley. A graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery, Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. Survivors include daughters, Beverly Perkins of Fruitland, Idaho, and LaVelle Lasher and her husband, Frank of Salem; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Helen Brown of California. She was preceded in death by her husband, Art (1959); daughters, Genevieve Brown (1999) and Evelyn Cainan (2002); and three sons-in-law. Memorial contributions may be made to Payette … Read more

Storm, Hazel Lightfoot Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Hazel L. Storm, 78, of Culver, a former Baker City resident, died May 26, 2004. Her graveside funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Storm was born on Aug. 20, 1925, at Payette, Idaho, to Richard and Julia Nelson Lightfoot. She married her high school sweetheart, Joe Storm, on March 20, 1943, at Weiser, Idaho. She worked as a salesperson for Payless Drug Store. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, Post 3048, in Baker City, serving as president in 1962-63. She enjoyed gardening, camping and reading. … Read more

Russell, Gerald Dee “Jerry” – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Gerald Dee “Jerry” Russell, 67, died June 22, 2003, at his home in Baker City. At his request, there will be no formal funeral. His family will have a private gathering in celebration of being a part of Jerry’s life. He was born on Nov. 8, 1935, at Farmington, Iowa, to Craige and Annabelle Lucille Dee Russell. About the age of 8, he moved with his family to Fruitland, Idaho. It was there that Jerry graduated high school and a short time later married Barbara Reimers. The couple had two daughters: Lori and Sandra. During his life … Read more

Haines, Christene Lois French Corcoran Mrs. – Obituary

Christene Lois Corcoran Haines, 74, of New Plymouth, Idaho, and formerly of Baker City, died April 12, 2008, at home with her family at her side. Her memorial services will be at 3 p.m. MDT Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in New Plymouth. Pastor Phil Pittman will officiate. There will be a dinner at the church for family and friends after the service. There will be a graveside memorial service at 2 p.m. PDT Wednesday at Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker City. Chris was born on March 25, 1934, in Friendsville, Tenn., to Hoyle and Myrtle French. She was … Read more

Medlin, Leona R. Keele Mrs. – Obituary

Leona R. Medlin, 83, a longtime Baker City resident, died Feb. 4, 2003, at her daughter’s home. Mrs. Medlin’s funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Gene Saunders of the Blue Mountain Foursquare Gospel Church will officiate. Interment be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be today until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Medlin was born Sept. 21, 1919, at Payette, Idaho, to Charles Alfred and Beulah Mae Abernathy Keele. She was raised and educated at Payette, Idaho. Mrs. Medlin came to Baker City in 1946 and was married … Read more

Bodyfelt, Edith – Obituary

La Grande and Union 1913-2004 Edith M. Bodyfelt, 91, of La Grande and formerly of Union, died May 22 at a local care center. A graveside service will begin at 1 p.m. June 5 at the Tillamook Odd Fellows’ Cemetery with the Rev. Ron Carter of the Nestucca Valley Presbyterian Church officiating. Mrs. Bodyfelt was born March 30, 1913, to Homer and Nora Marian Cheney in New Plymouth, Idaho. She graduated from Union High School in 1931, and married Guy E. Watts in September of that year in Union. In 1959 the couple moved to Pacific City where they had … Read more

Shively, Mary A. O’Donnell Mrs. – Obituary

Mary A. O’Donnell Shively, 87, of Boise, a former Baker City resident, died May 16, 2006, at a Boise care center. Visitations will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. A vigil service and recitation of the rosary will begin at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Deacon James R. Watt will lead the rosary. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday. The Rev. Camillus Fernando of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Mary was born on April 24, 1919, at New … Read more

Biography of Garner Miner

For thirty-eight years Garner Miner has been a resident of Idaho, having come to the territory in 1861, when the development of this great northwest was in its incipiency and the frontiersmen had to meet many privations and dangers. The Indians were frequently on the warpath, carrying death and devastation wherever they went; and separated from the base of sup-plies, from the comforts and luxuries of the east the pioneers endured hardships undreamed of by the present generation. In those days brave hearts were necessary, indeed, but the same spirit of Anglo-Saxon daring, fortitude and stability, which, has characterized the … Read more

Hall, Lois Jean Beamguard Sanford Mrs. – Obituary

Lois Jean Beamguard Sanford Hall, 78, of Boise, a former Baker City resident, died Oct. 3, 2007, at her home. There will be a memorial service to celebrate and honor her life at 10 a.m. MDT Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church, Cathedral of the Rockies, in Boise. The Rev. Steve Tollefson and Ralph Lawrence will officiate. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. MDT at the Rosedale Cemetery in Payette, Idaho, near her parents, William Clark and Vinnie Beamguard. Visitations will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at The Cathedral of The Rockies, First United Methodist Church. … Read more

Kidder, William Ross “Bill” – Obituary

William Ross “Bill” Kidder, 85, of Lewiston, Idaho, died Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005, from complications related to age at the Lewiston Veterans Home, where he had been a resident for the last five years. Bill was born Dec. 26, 1919, in Ridgefield, Wash., to David and Olive Kidder. He attended grade school in Oregon and graduated in 1937 from Pendleton High School. He joined the U.S. Navy the same year and served for more than seven years in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was discharged in 1946 as a lieutenant (jg) with many decorations for his efforts. … Read more

Biography of C. M. Scott, M. D.

In viewing the mass of mankind in the varied occupations of life, the conclusion is forced upon the observer that in the vast majority of cases men have sought employment not in the line of their peculiar fitness but in those fields where caprice or circumstances have placed them, thus explaining the reason of the failure of ninety-five per cent, of those who enter commercial and professional circles. In a few cases it seems that men with a peculiar fitness for a certain line have taken it up, and marked success has followed. Such is the fact in the case … Read more

Vernholm, Willard Dale – Obituary

Willard Dale Vernholm, 73, of Baker City, died Sept. 25, 2005, at Idlewood Manor. At his request there will be no services. Cremation by Eastern Oregon Pioneer Crematory. Dale was born on Feb. 11, 1932, in York, Neb., to Carl Willard and Lois Louetta Middleton Vernholm. When Dale was about 4 years old the family moved to Corvallis. He attended school at Lewisburg and Corvallis High School. In 1947, at 15, Dale’s family moved to New Plymouth, Idaho. When Dale was only 16, but needing to be 18, he lied about his age and went to work for the Payette … Read more

King, Mary Mae Marshall Staley Mrs. – Obituary

Mary Mae Staley King, 88, of Blackfoot, Idaho, a former Baker City resident, died June 18, 2002, at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center at Idaho Falls. Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Blackfoot Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center, 1650 Highland Drive. Gerald Humphreys will conduct the service. Visitations will be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Interment will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Mount Hope Cemetery. She was born April 16, 1914, in Nez Perce, Idaho, the daughter of George Allen and Molly Gertrude Humphries Marshall. … Read more

Lansdon, Richard Thomas – Obituary

Richard Thomas Lansdon, 19, of Payette, Idaho, and formerly of Baker City, died May 28, 2005, as the result of a vehicle accident on Anthony Lakes Highway. A traditional funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Baker City Church of the Nazarene, 1250 Hughes Lane. Following the service, friends and family will gather near the Baker County Library, 2400 Resort St., where Richard will be taken in a horse-drawn hearse around Geiser Pollman Park with family and friends walking behind in tribute of all the fond memories he leaves behind. At the conclusion of the … Read more

Vandecar, Robert L. – Obituary

Robt. L. Vandecar Was Durkee Creek Rancher 54 Years Funeral services for Robert L. Vandecar of Durkee, 77 years of age and a well known Baker County stockman were conducted at 2:00 pm Tuesday Feb. 20 at Gray’s West and Co. Pioneer Chapel. The Rev. Richard A. Toll of the St. Stephens Episcopal Church officiated. Vault interment followed in the family plot at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Mr. Vandecar was born May 14, 1895 in Payette, Idaho the son of Augustus Byron and Rose Mott Vandecar. He had his schooling in Haines and in 1918 moved to Durkee. He was married … Read more

Phelps, James Edmond – Obituary

James Edmond Phelps, 73, of Payette, Idaho, died Dec. 20, 2002, at an Ontario care home. His funeral was at 10 a.m. today at the United Methodist Church in Payette, Idaho. Pastor John Tucker officiated. His graveside service was at 1 p.m. today at Mount Hope Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel at Payette. Jim was born April 29, 1929, at Chelan Falls, Wash., to Samuel and Gladys Phelps. He was a Baker High School graduate. Jim’s life centered on his love for his family, his love of animals, and his work. He ranched in the … Read more

The Payette Valley, Its Towns

For the following graphic and ably written article in regard to the attractions of the Payette valley we are indebted to a souvenir edition of the Payette Independent issued in March, 1898: The Payette valley lies in the southwestern part of Idaho, with its upper and narrow end extending far back into pine-clad mountains and its lower flaring into broad, fertile fields, terminating at the banks of the Snake river, just across whose waters rise the mountain peaks of Oregon. Its length is upward of forty miles, its width varying from two miles at the upper point to eight where … Read more

Biography of William Lauer

Since the establishment of Payette William Lauer has been identified with its development and upbuilding, and his labors have been most effective in promoting its welfare. He is the pioneer hardware merchant of the town, and still continues in that line of business, his well directed efforts bringing him success. He is among the worthy citizens that the Fatherland has furnished to the New World, his birth having occurred in Germany on the nth of November 1833. In his youth he crossed the Atlantic to New York with his father, Isaac Lauer, who made his home in the eastern metropolis … Read more

Fales, Alta Faye Wunder Mrs. – Obituary

Alta Faye Wunder Fales, 71, of Payette, Idaho, died June 28, 2008, at Holy Rosary Medical Center in Ontario surrounded by her family. There will be a celebration of her life at 1 p.m., Saturday at the Payette Christian Church. The Rev. Ralph Pearson will officiate. Cremation and services are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette. Alta was born on Aug. 6, 1936, in Baker City to Clive and Nina Payton Wunder. She lived at various mining towns in Baker County until she was 6 and her family moved to Baker City, where she grew up and met … Read more

Snowberger, Kenneth Merritt – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Kenneth Merritt Snowberger, 80, of La Grande, died April 20 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Pendleton. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Private burial will be at the Grandview Cemetery in La Grande. Mr. Snowberger was born April 6, 1927, to Merritt Kenneth and Vivian (Jameson) Snowberger in Payette, Idaho. On May 30, 1948, he married Nettie Marie Ring in McPherson, Kan., and they moved to La Grande in 1973. He loved teaching children and served as a Vacation Bible School teacher and Sunday school teacher. He also … Read more