Hambelton, Rick Lynn – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Rick Lynn Hambelton of Enterprise died Feb. 14, 2007, in Spokane, Wash. He was 59. Mr. Hambelton was born in Enterprise on Aug. 18, 1948. He graduated from high school in July 1966. He was in the U.S. Navy until 1973. He was employed as a mechanic. Survivors include his children James Hambelton of Walla Walla, Wash., Donald Hambelton and Melissa Hambelton of the The Dalles; grandchildren Issac, Marcus and Brianna; parents Robert and Margaret Hambelton of Enterprise and sister Sheri Asher of Hermiston. Graveside services will be held June 30 at 2 p.m. at the Enterprise Cemetery. … Read more

Denney, William L. – Obituary

William L. “Bill” Denney, 63, of Champaign, Ill., and formerly of Wallowa County, died Aug. 13 after a long battle with pancreal cancer. Bramley Funeral Home in Champaign is in charge of arrangements. A funeral was held Aug. 18 in Divernon, Ill., with burial in Pawnee, Ill., at Calvary Cemetery. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Sept. 5 at Northside Baptist Church in Vancouver, Wash. A reception and visitation will follow. Bill was born Dec. 14, 1944, to Clifford R. and Mary (Betz) Denney in Spokane. He moved to Oregon in 1948 to the lower Imnaha area. He … Read more

Donohue, Florence Mary – Obituary

Florence M. Donohue, 2101 First St., died Friday in Spokane, Wash. She was 74 years old. Mrs. Donohue was born November 25, 1885 in La Grande, the daughter of Donald and Joan (Childers) McLachlen. Her grandfather John McLachlen came to the Grande Ronde Valley as a young boy and was later U. S. Marshall and Sheriff of Union County. She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church and at one time worked in the rectory as the priest’s housekeeper. She was also an Air Mail carrier for the Post Office. On May 19, 1912 she was … Read more

Edwards, Ora Dell Ricketts – Obituary

Clark Co., WA Ora Dell, age 90, December 10, 1980, Vancouver, Wash. Born February 7, 1890, Cheney, Wash., lived at 3605 Y St., Vancouver and had been a Clark County resident 50 years. She was a homemaker. Sons, Leonard Edwards, Battle Ground, Wash., and Kenneth Edwards, Vancouver. Daughters, Ruth McAlpine, Yuma, Ariz., and Frieda Jones and Merle Andrews, both of Portland, Ore. Brother, Marvin Ricketts, Portland. Sister, May Beer and Elizabeth Taylor, both of Portland. Fourteen grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was a life member of Pioneer Daughters of Washington. Her grandfather, E. P. Ricketts was … Read more

Stein, John C. – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon John C. Stein, 96, of Enterprise, died Monday 21, 1990, at the Wallowa County Nursing Home. He was born in Spokane county, Washington. At the age of 14, he moved with his family to Wallowa county in a covered wagon. On May 26, 1918, he married Alta L. Fisher of Wallowa. To this union twelve children were born. Mr. Stein was a farmer for many years, later working for Wallowa County Grain Growers and the Joseph Stud Mill until he retired at age 65. Survivors include his wife, Alta; three daughters, Ruth Makin, Ruby Pratt, Fern Wolfe; nine … Read more

Cox, Edward Lee – Obituary

Edward Lee Cox, 66, of Spokane, Wash., a former Baker City resident, died April 3, 2001. His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Opportunity Presbyterian Church in Spokane. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Baker City, the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and El Katif Temple. He retired from Farm Credit Services after 25 years of service. At the time of his death, he was employed at Certified Appraisals. Survivors include his wife, Jessie Cox; daughter, Cathy Peplinski; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Tony Higley; grandchildren, Nicole and Matt Peplinski, Kelsey and Jamie … Read more

Biography of Hon. J. J. Browne

HON. J.J. BROWNE. – The broad-minded citizenship which looks to personal advantage only through the general prosperity, and makes the public weal and growth occupy the first place, is the best guarantee of a great future. This Spokane Falls enjoys. None of her citizens is more fully impressed with this theory of metropolitan attainments than he whose name appears above. Mr. Browne was born at Greenville, Ohio, in 1843, and was educated for the law at the Michigan University. Coming to this coast, he remained four years at Portland, practicing law. He also served as superintendent of public schools. In … Read more

Childers, George – Obituary

Lostine, Wallowa County, Oregon Another of Wallowa county’s influential citizens and pioneers was laid to rest Sunday afternoon. Perhaps no man in the county was better known than George Childers, having lived here 37 years. To know him was to become his friend. Few men have been more closely associated with the development of Wallowa county. He served on the freight lines between Wallowa county and Union county until the railroad made its appearance and he met the first train as a mail carrier to the Lostine depot. This position he served faithfully for 33 years, having failed only one-half … Read more

MacKenzie, John – Obituary

Spokane Man Killed In Wreck On Highway John MacKenzie, 22, college athlete of Spokane, was killed six miles west of La Grande on the Old Oregon Trail highway late Saturday night. He was found dead beneath his overturned truck. First reports that he had fallen asleep at the wheel were acouted (sic) by friends, who declared he might have been blinded by light from an approaching car. MacKenzie was halfback on the Gonzaga college football team and was working for the Joslin, McAllister Construction company during his vacation. He also was a basketball player and member of the track team. … Read more

Oberteuffer, William Healey – Obituary

Island City, Oregon William Healey Oberteuffer William Healey Oberteuffer, 86, known as “Bill Obie,” died in his home in Island City Sept. 24. A memorial service in Portland will take place at 2 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Tryon Farm, followed by refreshments. A memorial service in the La Grande area will take place at noon Nov. 4 at the Summerville Pine Grove Grange, followed by a potluck. Remembrances can be sent to the Union County Extension Service for the Oberteuffer research and education forest. Donations can be sent to the Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Mr. … Read more

Biography of George A. Davis

GEORGE A. DAVIS. – This pioneer in the lumber and flouring business of Portland, and indeed of other points throughout the union, is a native of Maine, having been born in Hallowell in 1832. In 1851 he was one of the argonauts, sailing to the Golden state via Nicaragua, and remaining there until 1865 occupied in mining, lumbering and other sorts of business. Returning home in that year, he soon left for Iowa, making his home there for ten years, engaged in stock-raising and farming. He was married there to Miss Hannah C. Dudley. In 1875 he came again to … Read more

Biography of James Birnie

JAMES BIRNIE. – Mr. Birnie was a Scotchman by birth. He was born at Paisley, county Renfrew, Scotland, in the year 1800. In 1816 the ambitious lad left his native health and emigrated to Montreal, Canada. Here, under the tutelage of a Catholic priest, he studied the French language for about two years, at the end of which time he entered the employ of the Northwest Fur Company as one of its clerks, and was sent across the Rocky Mountains to Fort Spokane, where he arrived towards the close of 1818. The fort at this time was in charge of … Read more

Gunter, Dana L. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Dana L. Gunter, 69, died April 5 at her son’s home in LaPine. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Grandview Cemetery, La Grande. Mrs. Gunter was born April 5, 1938, in Spokane, Wash., and was raised in Oregon. She was married to Chester Gunter and lived in La Grande for about 10 years. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and had a special relationship with great-granddaughters Mya and Brittany. Survivors include her children, Ernie of San Jose, Calif., Tom of LaPine, Chester, Dana of La Grande, Eva of Salem and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Fred Furth

FRED FURTH. – One looks for saddles and harnesses in Spokane Falls under the sign bearing the name of the above. The gentleman thus designated is from Germany, where he was born in 1839. He came to America in 1855. Stopping but a short time in St. Louis, he came to San Francisco in 1856 via Panama, and went thence to Washoe and Virginia City, Nevada, merchandising. He located in Colusa county, California, in 1869, and came thence to Spokane Falls, engaging in his present occupation. Mr. Furth is of the opinion that Spokane Falls is, and will be the … Read more

Bork, Marvin – Obituary

Wallowa, Oregon Marvin Bork, 92, died at the nursing home in Enterprise on Feb. 27, 2005. He was born in Flora on July 22, 1912, the son of Rudolph and Rena Bork. Mr. Bork went to school in Flora. In his early years, during the Depression, he worked in the hay fields one summer for fifty cents a day. He saved his money and gave it to his parents. Mr. Bork injured his hip joint when he fell off of a load of hay, crippling him for life. Mr. Bork had a natural talent for mechanical work, and started on … Read more

McElhannon, Janet – Obituary

Janet McElhannon died in Spokane, Wash., on April 1, 2008. A Wallowa County resident since 2000, she was born Janet Raye Osier on April 28, 1943 in Valley City, ND. She married Dallas McElhannon in May 1978. She was a hard worker, enjoyed the simpler things in life, and most recently enjoyed serving the wonderful folks at the Alpine House in Joseph. Her consistent and devoted prayer life kept her close to her savior and served as an example to many who knew her. Janet was the loving wife of Dallas McElhannon, mother of Cynthia, Joie, and Ray. Sister to … Read more

O’Connell, Mary Bond Mrs. – Obituary

Mary Bond O’Connell, 46, a former Baker County resident, died April 5, 1991, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Washington. A memorial service was scheduled at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Baker City First Christian Church, 2998 Eighth St. Private interment was at the Haines Cemetery. A memorial service also was conducted Monday in Spokane. Mrs. O’Connell had undergone a bone marrow transplant at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle slightly more than a year ago. She died from complications of the dancer she battled for more than two years. Mrs. O’Connell was born December 11, 1944, in … Read more

Biography of Henry Edward Dixon

Henry Edward Dixon, a member of one of the old and well known families of Oklahoma, is a leading representative of the Delaware County bar, being engaged in practice at Grove, and he has gained an enviable reputation in a profession which calls for ability of a high order and requires close application, good judgment and a constantly widening comprehension of the relations and responsibilities which go to make up civilized society. He was born in Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois, on the 13th of January, 1872, a son of Marion and Georgiana (Seward) Dixon, the former a native of Indiana … Read more

Cameron, Mary Wilma Evans Mrs. – Obituary

Mary Wilma Cameron, 97, a former Richland resident, died March 28, 2009, in Spokane Valley, Wash. Her graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Terrace Heights Memorial Park, 3001 Terrace Heights Dr., Yakima, Wash. Mary was born on May 2, 1911, at Richland to George W. and Melissa J. Hartley Evans. She was the youngest of eight children. Mary accepted Jesus at the age of 9 during a revival meeting. She attended high school at Wapato, Wash., and at the age of 17 she married Cecil H. “Swede” Cameron in the Yakima Valley. She and her husband, “Swede,” … Read more

Bowerman, Lois “Larrie” Mrs. – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon Lois “Larrie” Bowerman, 82, a longtime Halfway resident, died March 11, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. Her memorial service will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Pine Valley Presbyterian Church in Halfway. Lois was born Sept. 30, 1921, in the high altitude of Victor, Colo., to Washington Denver and Gwendolyn Honeycutt. She was the second-eldest of four girls. Lois received good grades in school and received her eighth-grade diploma in Spokane in 1935. However, the Great Depression had set in and she opted not to continue her education because she could not afford new clothes. Her … Read more