Albert James Hammack, born January 28, 1917, in Lostine, passed away on May 22, 1967, following a brief illness. His funeral is scheduled for today at the Lostine Presbyterian Church, with interment in Lostine Cemetery. A farmer by trade, Hammack had resided in Deer Island for several years. He is survived by his wife, Marion, four sons, and other family members, including his mother, sister, and three brothers.
Harry Paul Billerbeck, 60, of Summerville, Oregon, passed away from a heart attack while working as a superintendent for A. J. Zinda Construction Co. Originally from Rockford, Washington, he moved to Wallowa County as a child and later farmed in Union County after marrying Bernice Slack in 1935. He is survived by his wife, son Darrel, daughter Joyce Brown, and six grandchildren. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday at Daniels Valley Funeral Chapel, with interment at Summerville Cemetery.
Kathryn Fae Davis, formerly of St. Paul, passed away on April 2 at a care home in La Grande, Oregon. Born in St. Helens, she was the daughter of Fae and Lillie Irene Harford. Kathryn co-owned Ernst Hardware Store with her late husband, Lester Sledge Ernst, until 1964. She later married Joe Davis in 1970. An avid lover of nature, she enjoyed deer hunting, caring for her llamas, and her cherry orchard. She is survived by her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
John Austin Sterns, born on March 27, 1914, in Baker, Oregon, passed away on February 21, 1974, in Milwaukie. A pharmacist since 1939 and veteran of World War II, he worked for Hudley-Draper Drug Co. He married June Metcalf in 1945 and had three children. His funeral will take place on February 25, with interment at Willamette National Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, children, and a sister. Contributions may be made to the Oregon Cancer Society.
Frances E. “Fran” Lungberg Marvin, 79, passed away on June 5, 2004, at her home in Baker City, Oregon. A memorial Mass is scheduled for June 8 at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. Born on June 30, 1924, in Sturgis, South Dakota, she married Gilbert Marvin in 1948 and worked at the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest until 1986. Fran is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and siblings. She was preceded in death by her parents and several siblings.
Harold Joseph Schwirse, 79, passed away on June 26, 2004, in Oxbow, Oregon. He had a longstanding fondness for the Snake River area, predating the establishment of Copperfield park. A celebration of his life took place on July 1, 2004, at St. Helens. Funeral arrangements were managed by Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home.
Mark D. “Monk” Shoemaker, 65, passed away on December 21, 2003, in Haines, Oregon. Born on March 27, 1938, in Toppenish, Washington, he spent much of his life in Hermiston before moving to St. Helens, where he worked for 30 years at the Trojan Nuclear Plant. Post-retirement, he enjoyed outdoor activities like fishing and hunting. He is survived by three children, six grandchildren, and several siblings, with memorial contributions suggested for the American Heart Association.
Patricia Joe Watkins, 76, formerly of Baker City, passed away on March 18, 2003, at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland. Born on April 3, 1926, she graduated from Prairie City High School in 1943 and married Donald Leslie Watkins in 1946. A long-time resident of St. Helens, she worked as a bookkeeper and was an Eastern Star member. She is survived by two sons, two sisters, and three grandchildren. No funeral services will be held per her request, with memorial contributions suggested for the Hemophilia Society or Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
Hon. Dean Blanchard, born in Madison County, Maine, on December 20, 1832, played a significant role in the development of Columbia County, Oregon. After moving to California in 1853 and Oregon in 1854, he served in military campaigns against Native Americans and held various positions, including auditor and county clerk. Blanchard became county judge in 1874, serving two terms. A successful businessman, he operated a large lumber mill and engaged in general merchandise and wharf construction, earning respect for his industriousness and integrity within the community.
Thomas Alphonso Heacock, 68, of Richland, Oregon, passed away on June 16, 2003. Born on December 27, 1934, in Rapid City, South Dakota, he later moved to St. Helens, where he graduated high school and worked at Boise Cascade for 43 years before retiring. An outdoor enthusiast and devoted family man, he is survived by his wife Nancy, five daughters, 16 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. A celebration of his life is scheduled for June 25 at Columbia View Park.
Willard “Willie” Schlegel, 82, passed away on June 26, 2003, in Emmett, Idaho. Born on March 12, 1921, in Whitefish, Montana, he excelled in sports during high school and later became a commercial fisherman. Willie was active in his community, serving on the Elgin city council, founding the Eastern Oregon Timber Carnival, and operating a fish market. He faced health challenges, including Alzheimer’s, before moving to Boise in 1999. He is survived by his wife Maxine and their daughter Cass, along with three granddaughters.
James McBride, M.D., born on February 9, 1802, near Nashville, was a distinguished pioneer and descendant of Revolutionary ancestors. He practiced medicine in Missouri before moving to Oregon in 1846, where he became a respected physician and a devoted minister. Notably, he served as a territorial council member and was appointed by President Lincoln as the minister resident to Hawaii, playing a key role in American-Hawaiian relations. McBride died on December 18, 1875, leaving a legacy of patriotism and public service.
Patrick Allen Morris, 41, passed away on October 28, 2001, in St. Helens, Oregon, surrounded by loved ones. A memorial service will be held in Baker City at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Born on September 11, 1960, in Baker City, he was an avid outdoorsman and worked with The Goads Christian music group. He is survived by his mother, stepfather, brothers, stepfamily, and grandmother, along with many friends. Memorial contributions can be made to the Patrick Allen Morris Memorial Fund.