Roper, Virginia Shaffer – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Virginia Shaffer Roper, 81, of Denver and formerly of La Grande died July 27 in Denver. A memorial service will be Aug. 10 at Horan and McConaty Chapel in Colorado. Virginia was born April 1926 to Pearl and Leo Westenskow in La Grande. She graduated from La Grande High School and became a legal secretary, working for lawyers in La Grande, Portland, Spokane and Denver. She lived in six cities since her husband was transferred often by United Airlines, and she made friends easily. She liked flowers, gardening, playing bridge, painting, her pets, world news and travel. … 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

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

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

Lee, Leon – Obituary

Leon Lee died April 27, 2007, in Spokane, Wash. He was 48. Leon Lee was born on July 20, 1958 in Middleton, Mich. to Edward and Carol Geck. He was greatly loved by his family, extended family and countless friends. Mr. Lee was always willing to lend a hand where needed and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Laura Lee; son Cody Lee; parents Edward and Carol Geck; brother Brian Geck; sisters Tami DeMattia and Tari Amy; and various nieces and nephews. Memorial services were held on Saturday May 5 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Peter Dueber

PETER DUEBER. – The life of Mr. Dueber exemplifies the rewards which our coast and society hold out to the old-fashioned qualities of industry and economy. He was born in Newport, Kentucky, in 1857. At the age of ten years he removed with his parents from Minnesota and crossed the plains with ox-teams to Oregon, arriving in Portland safely the following autumn. He first attended school, and at the age of fourteen qualified himself for a sure livelihood by learning the trade of harness-making. He followed this actively in Portland and San Francisco until 1870, when he found a new … Read more

Womack, Levi Preston Jr. – Obituary

Spokane, Washington His home was at: West 623 Garland Avenue. Husband of Bertha N. at the home. Father of Mrs. O. A. (Isla) Hatfield and L. P. Womack of Canyonville, Oregon. 5 grandsons. He had resided in Spokane 12 years. Funeral: Wednesday, 7 January, at 1:30 pm, from the Gothic Chapel at the Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home. North 1306 Monroe Street. Rev, James T. Albertson, Officiating. Burial: January 1942, Greenwood Cemetery, Spokane, Spokane County, Washington. Source: Spokesman Review 7 January 1942 Page 14 Transcribed by: Carla Leighton

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

Nelson, Harlan, Capt. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Capt. Harlan Nelson, 86, who served with The Salvation Army in Baker City from 1974 to 1978, died Feb. 8, 2006, at the Glisan Care Center in Portland. There was a service of celebration at the Portland Tabernacle Corps. Maj. Dale Hill officiated. Harlan was born on Oct. 9, 1919, in Glenrock, Wyo. After graduating from high school, he married Sybil Putnam. For several years, Harlan co-owned two restaurants in Spokane and then moved to Portland where he opened an appliance repair shop. Later he and Sybil moved to Beaverton where he owned and operated … 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

Simonson, William “Doug” – Obituary

William “Doug” Simonson, 76, died at an assisted living center on Sept. 28, 2007. His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. PDT at the McEwen Bible Fellowship Hall, 15403 Sumpter Stage Highway (on Highway 7 three miles south of the Sumpter junction). Doug was born on March 1, 1931, at Sandpoint, Idaho. He lived with his mother, Ida Veda, his father, William E. Simonson, and his brother, Dave, at Hope, Idaho, until the age of 10 when his mother died. Because of his father’s job with the Spokane Railroad, which took him away from home a great deal, he … 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

Biography of Franz L. Koehler

The sturdy German element in our national commonwealth has been one of the most important factors in furthering the substantial and normal advancement of the country, for this is an element signally appreciative of practical values and also of the higher intellectuality which transcends all provincial confines. Well may any person take pride in tracing his lineage to such a source. As one of the able and enterprising citizens whom the German Fatherland has contributed to the United States, and as one of the prominent and progressive citizens of the flourishing town of Moscow, Latah County, Idaho, Franz Louis Koehler … Read more

Davis, Vivian Clare McGrath Mrs. – Obituary

Vivian Clare McGrath Davis, 100, died Jan. 2, 2008, at her home in Spokane, Wash. Her graveside funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the North Powder Cemetery in North Powder. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home of Spokane is in charge of arrangements. Through this century,Vivian touched many lives and helped many people, her family said. Whether she was helping out on the family farm or playing music, she was always there to please. She was born on Sept. 28, 1907, at North Powder, to Walter Vincent and Leila Marquerite Gardner McGrath. She spent 72 years of her life at … Read more

Obituary of Craig LaVerne Carey

Craig LaVerne Carey, 55, of Baker City died Aug. 10, 2008, at St. Elizabeth Health Services with Tenee, his dearest love present. Visitation will be held today from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel. A memorial service will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the McEwen Bible Fellowship Church near Sumpter. Craig was born on April 18, 1953, at the Mountain Home Air Base in Mountain Home, Idaho, to Marion and Marian Carey. He grew up in Grangeville, Idaho, where he attended school and received his GED. After high school, he joined the … Read more

Blackburn, Robert Neil, Dr. – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Dr. Robert Neil Blackburn, 77, of Cushing, Okla., and formerly of Joseph died July 27. Dr. Blackburn was born Aug. 1, 1929, in Cushing, Okla. He served as a jet fighter pilot in the Korean War and taught other pilots how to fly by instrument. After leaving the military, he graduated from medical school at the University of Oklahoma, and served his residency at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane. He bought Dr. Coffman’s practice in Joseph and practiced there for nearly 25 years. He delivered many of the babies in Wallowa County for two generations. He worked in Asotin, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry Brook

HENRY BROOK. – The record of this gentleman is not only a satisfactory commentary upon his own business capacity, but also upon the dimensions of the business of the city, and a scale of its enterprises, since his coming here in 1883. Mr. Brook was born in England in 1842, and came to America in 1870, locating at Minneapolis. He reached Spokane Falls in 1883, doing since that time a very successful business. In 1885 he was elected a member of the city council, and while in that office favored the measure to buy the waterworks and furnish the people … Read more

Ward, Ralph Cole – Obituary

North Powder, Oregon Ralph Cole Ward, 80, of North Powder, died July 17, 2002, at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Kathryn Ward, of North Powder. His graveside memorial service was this morning at 11 o’clock at the Cove Cemetery. Disposition was by cremation. Mr. Ward was born April 1, 1922, at Baker City to Glenn H. and Hattie Cole Ward. He spent his early life in the upper Burnt River Valley, graduating from Hereford High School in 1940. He attended Eastern Oregon College in La Grande before entering the U.S. Navy in 1943. While in La … Read more

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

Mahaffey, Maude Craig Mrs. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Maude Mahaffey Dies Suddenly Mrs. Maude Mahaffey, who had been ill for several months, passed away suddenly Tuesday morning, January 29, 1952 at her home in Enterprise. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, February 1, at 2:00 o’clock from the Community church with the Booth-Bollman Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Rev. John Munsey, pastor, will officiate. Honorary pallbearers will be John Simmons, Albert Wilson, Charles E. Crow, J.A. Eggleson, C.H. Zurcher and Alvin McFetridge, and acting as active pallbearers, will be W.S. Strickler, A.M. Pace, C.N. Miller, Elmer McFetridge, John McFetridge, and Glenn Russell, … Read more