The Dalles Oregon

Maxwell, Adele – Obituary

Adele Maxwell Died at Age 95; Noted School Teacher 50 Years Adele Powell Maxwell 95, whose life was school teaching in the small communities of this Eastern Oregon region, but whose later years were on a ranch near Vale, died March 17, 1991, at the Columbia Basin home in The Dalles. Graveside service was held Thursday at Haines Cemetery, with her grandson, Rev. Dan Grady of Portland, the pastor. Her death closed a long chapter in the history of this country dating back to 1835 in the East when her father was born. But her life was Burnt River Valley … Read more

Killingbeck, Fern E. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Fern E. Killingbeck, 94, died Aug. 21 at Richland Rehabilitation Center in Richland, Wash. A private family graveside service will be held at the Redmond Memorial Cemetery in Redmond. Mrs. Killingbeck was born July 8, 1912, at Madras to Thomas Jefferson and Etta Mora Parsley Fields. She lived in Longview, Wash., and The Dalles before moving to Redmond, where she graduated from high school. On Dec. 22, 1930, she married Clarence Herbert Killingbeck in Bend. She owned and cooked at her restaurant in Redmond for several years. In 1949 she moved to La Grande and operated the … Read more

Ransier, Rena Mrs. – Obituary

Wallowa, Wallowa County, Oregon Mrs. Rena Ransier Dies At Hospital Mrs. Rena Ivy Ransier of Wallowa passed away Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1970 at the Wallowa Memorial Hospital where she had been a patient for three months. She had been in ill health for six years. She was born Jan. 20, 1901 at Moro, daughter of R.T. and Ivy Morgan. On Oct. 21, 1920 she was married to David J. Ransier of Pasco, Wash. She had lived in Moro until 1932, then in The Dalles until 1968 when she and her husband came to Wallowa. She was a cook by occupation … Read more

Biography of M. R. Hathaway

M.R. HATHAWAY. – Among the brightest and most popular men on our coast is M.R. Hathaway, adjutant-general of Washington. His character, frank and genial, is strengthened also by a manly reserve and modesty which cause every honor bestowed upon him to repose with double dignity. He was born in Kerkimer county, New York, in 1823. Fitting himself as teacher, he found employment in Wayne county. While still but a youth, he removed with his father to Michigan, where his labors alternated between teaching, and opening out a farm. In 1848 occurred his marriage, Miss Maria Smith, of La Porte county, … Read more

Stone, Monsignor William Sherald – Obituary

Monsignor William Sherald Stone, 85, of The Dalles, and a former Baker City resident, died Oct. 15, 2001, at his home. Office of the Dead will be held Sunday at 7 p.m. and Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday. Both services will be at St. Peter Catholic Church in The Dalles. Interment will follow at The Dalles St. Peter Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home. Monsignor Stone was born April 28, 1916, at Athena, the sixth of seven children of Dr. Alvin Bernard and Gertrude Ann (Burnham) Stone. … Read more

Voeller, Curt Stanley – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Curt Stanley Voeller, 43, of The Dalles, died Dec. 15, 2004, at The Dalles. At his request there will not be a public funeral. Private cremation was at The Dalles Win-quatt Crematory, with Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Curt was born July 17, 1961, at Baker City, the beloved son of Stanley Carroll and Winifred “Joanne” Voeller. He was the youngest of four children. The family moved to the Willamette Valley, and Curt attended school in Salem. He worked construction in Portland, Salem and The Dalles areas. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and … Read more

Biography of Hon. William Lair Hill

HON. WILLIAM LAIR HILL. – The distinguished lawyer, author, versatile writer and thorough student whose name introduces this sketch was asked to furnish such data as might contribute in its production; and he diffidently and reluctantly responded. Among other hastily prepared notes, he answered: “Have lived an honest a life as my environments seemed to allow, mainly for the reason that, according to my hereditary creed, one who is not at least indifferently honest, cannot be very happy. In all my laborious life the one single fact in which I have the slightest pride is that, like Jim Bludsoe, I … Read more

Biography of George F. Herbert

GEORGE F. HERBERT. – This gentleman and his wife were a venerable couple whose lives as pioneers in our state, and as citizens of great merit in social, religious and business life, have made them well known and highly respected in the entire circle of their acquaintances. Mr. Herbert was born in Frederick County, Virginia, in September, 1815. Mrs. Herbert (Elizabeth) née McCormick, was born May 1, 1818, in the same state. They were married in 1838, and emigrated to the frontier of Illinois, where they remained until 1842, when they moved to Iowa, making a second prairie home. In … Read more

Vass, Olga Mrs. – Obituary

Died-At Union, Ore., Tuesday, February 22, 1927, Olga, wife of John Vass, age 54 years, 11 month and 18 days. Mrs. Olga Vass, wife of John Vass, was born in Norway, Jan. 3, 1873. She came to the United States when a child with her parents, and lived in Nebraska until they moved to Oregon, where she was married to Chas. Anderson, from which union there was one son, C. M. Anderson, now living in Cambridge, Idaho. Later she married at The Dalles, Oregon, John Vass, some 18 years ago. She has lived at Union for the past three years, … Read more

Jones, Robert Paul – Obituary

North Powder, Union County, Oregon Robert Paul Jones, 60, of North Powder, died Dec. 28, 2002, at his home. A vigil service for Mr. Jones will be Friday at 7 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. in Baker City. Funeral Mass will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in North Powder. The Rev. Robert C. Irwin of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral will celebrate. Vault interment will be at the Haines Cemetery following the service. Robert was born March 30, 1942, in Tulsa, Okla., to Jess and Gertrude (Shutler) Jones. He was raised and … Read more

Stull, Mary Lorane Spivey Mrs. – Obituary

Mary Lorane Stull, 80, The Dalles, died Saturday, April 30, 2005, at her home. There will a celebration of life gathering from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at The Dalles Eagles Lodge, Seventh and Walnut streets. She was born on May 17, 1924, at Baker City to Harvey and Edith Bryson Spivey. She married Ross G. Stull on Feb. 19, 1947. They lived in Oregon, Washington and Montana before settling into Fairbanks, Alaska, where they lived for 15 years. Active in her community, she took part in the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, and the … Read more

Anderson, Charles “Chuck” – Obituary

Charles “Chuck” Anderson, 57, of Plevna, Mont., a former Baker City resident, died April 30, 2006, at the Fallon Medical Complex in Baker, Mont. His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Baker United Methodist Church, 1919 Second St., Pastor Jack Bynum of the church will officiate. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. There was a service today at Peace Lutheran Church at Plevna, Mont. Chuck was born on Aug. 6, 1948, at The Dalles to Eldon James and Roberta May Griffin Anderson. He grew up and attended elementary school and high school at Condon, where … Read more

Biography of Henry Perry Isaacs

HENRY PERRY ISAACS. – Like many old settlers. Mr. Isaacs is so fully identified with Walla Walla, Washington, that the place would not be itself in his absence. In matters of public interest, such as schools, churches and general business enterprises, he has always had a leading part, and as the pioneer in the erection and operation of flour mills “East of the Mountains” deserves lengthy mention. He was born in Philadelphia in 1822, of English and Scotch parentage. There he was educated, and absorbed with eagerness the great lessons of that time. he commence business when only seventeen years … Read more

Biography of John M. Crooks

John M. Crooks, now deceased, was numbered among the Idaho pioneers of 1862 and was at one time the owner of the land upon which the town of Grangeville is now located. He was born in Indiana, June 28, 1820, and was of Irish and German lineage. He married Martha Pea, a native of Virginia, and in 1852 they crossed the plains to Oregon, accompanied by their five children. One child was added to the number during the journey. For many long weeks they were upon the way, traveling across the arid sands or through the mountain passes, but at … Read more

Boydstun, Ramona Lee “Mona” Harlin Mrs. – Obituary

Ramona Lee “Mona” Boydstun, 62, of The Dalles, a former Baker City resident, died Oct. 4, 2005. A family service will be scheduled later. There was a private cremation at Win-quatt Crematory. Interment was at The Dalles Threemile Odd Fellows Cemetery. She was born on Oct. 18, 1942, at Denver, the third of four daughters born to Carl Robert and Sybil Grace Wayman Harlin. She grew up in Baker City and was a 1960 Baker High School graduate. She married Robert Boydstun on June 12, 1960, at Baker City. They had lived at The Dalles for 35 years. Mona was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. William Proebstel

DR. WILLIAM PROEBSTEL. – Few among our early residents have been more serviceable to society than the gentleman whose name appears above. He was born in Germany in 1829, and is the son of a wine-grower. He received his primary education in the old country, and at the age of thirteen migrated to America, locating in Missouri, remaining there ten years, and receiving from the common schools the rudiments of an English education. He also took a course in dentistry. In 1852 he crossed the plains to Oregon, locating at Portland. The next spring, with two brothers, he purchased the … Read more

Sullivan, Sean Richard – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Sean Richard Sullivan, 27, of La Grande and formerly of The Dalles died Aug. 14 in Riggins, Idaho, following an automobile accident. A Mass of Christian Burial was held today at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church with burial at the Island City Cemetery. Mr. Sullivan was born June 15, 1979, to Joseph Patrick and Toni Gaye Walker Sullivan in Portland. He graduated from The Dalles High School in 1998, and from Eastern Oregon University this year with a degree in Rangeland Management. He worked at various jobs, including at D&B Supply and the auction yard. … Read more

Biography of Dr. W. C. McKay

DR. W.C. McKAY. – One by one the pioneers who braved the wilderness and its dangers, in order that their posterity might enjoy the fruits of their hazardous conquests of the domain of the savage are passing away. As the poet sang of the valorous knights of the days of chivalry, “Their souls are with the saints, we trust,” so, at no distant day, will the same be sung o’er the graves of the last of the pioneers. So, while yet alive, let us honor them as they deserve to be honored; and when dead let their deeds be recorded … Read more

Biography of Rev. Gustavus Hines

REV. GUSTAVUS HINES. – Gustavus Hines was born in Herkimer county, New York, in 1809. On his mother’s side he was descended from the Carvets and Wilkensons of the old Massachusetts colony, and on his father’s from the Hopkinns of Rhode Island, all names of the highest respectability and even celebrity in the early history of New England. Governor Carvet of Massachusetts colony, and Stephen Hopkinns, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, were of the same families. he grew to his majority in the county of his birth, and in 1832 removed to Cattaraugus county, in the … Read more

Bilyeu, Nettie Edmunsen – Obituary

Mrs. Rupert A. Bilyeu and infant babe died at The Dalles hospital Friday morning [January 13, 1911 for Nettie and January 11 for baby]. She was a native of the city, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Edmunson, in her eighteenth year. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. D. Lewellen, at the Crandall Undertaking parlors at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon. [Interment in IOOF Cemetery] The Dalles Optimist, January 19, 1911 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman