Umatilla County OR

Biography of Lot Livermore

LOT LIVERMORE. – Mr. Livermore is one of the best-known residents of Eastern Oregon, and, as a business man, from the earliest times has been highly instrumental in developing the country. He was born in Marietta, Ohio, in 1835, but the year following came with his parents to Illinois, and in 1851 crossed the plains to Oregon, finding a home in Polk county. Some of the experiences on the plains were exciting, such as a fight of an hour and a half with the Snake Indians on the Snake River. It was the Harpole company with which they came. In … Read more

Carper, Garry James – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Enterprise native, Garry James Carper, died of cancer at home in Enterprise, Aug. 11, 1988. He was 31. He was born June 25, 1957 in Enterprise, the son of Alfred E. and Esther D. Carper. On Sept. 22, 1984 he married Christina M. Holt in Hermiston. He was a respiratory therapist by profession. Carper graduated from Enterprise High School in 1975 where he was active in sports. He worked at Wallowa Memorial Hospital as an EMT. In 1977 he moved to Hermiston to work at Good Shepherd Hospital as a respiratory therapist where he later became head of … Read more

Russell, Ava Hunsaker Mrs. – Obituary

A Celebration of Ava Russell’s Life was held on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005, 1 p.m. at the Community Connection Senior Center in Baker City. Friends were invited to join the family following the service for a luncheon prepared by the V.F.W. Auxiliary at the Senior Center. Ava Jane was born on April 17, 1940, in Carson, Ore., to Henry and Luella Thompson Hunsaker. She was raised early on in Carson, attending schools in Halfway, then onto Baker City and Umatilla. Ava also attended Business College for two years in Baker City. Ava married Paul Russell on Aug. 8, 1970. in … Read more

Clark, Geraldine Nina – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Geraldine Nina Clark Geraldine Nina Clark, 87, who has spent much time in La Grande, died Feb. 13 at her home at the Sun Terrace Assisted Living Facility in Hermiston. At her request, there will be no public services. The family will have a private service at a later date. Disposition was by cremation. Arrangements are under the direction of Burns Mortuary of Hermiston. Mrs. Clark was born Feb. 28, 1919, to LaVerne W. and Mary Harriet (Floyd) Loomis in Kennewick, Wash. She was raised in Medford and attended Oregon State University. On July 27, 1942, she … Read more

Moody, Eva Lorrine Tobin – Obituary

Eva L. Moody, 85, of Pendleton, died Friday, Dec. 16, 1994, at St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton. The funeral will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel at Burns Mortuary of Pendleton with interment at Olney Cemetery. Mrs. Moody was born Aug. 31, 1909, at Union, to Pearl George and Dora Millman Tobin and had lived in Pendleton most of her life. She married Ralph Moody on March 7, 1931. Mrs. Moody was employed at Smith Canning and Frozen Foods for many years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church. Her husband, Ralph, died in 1983. Surviving is … Read more

Clark, Rena – Obituary

Paradise, Oregon Rena E. Clark, a former resident of Athena, died Sept. 23, 2007, at the St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton. She was 90. Mrs. Clark was born April 27, 1917, in Paradise to James and Anne Beeman Winters. She was one of 15 children. She attended schools in Paradise and later graduated from White Salmon High School in White Salmon, Wash. She married Charlie R. Tinsley on Feb. 22, 1934, in Enterprise, where he farmed and worked in the sawmills. The couple later moved to Adams in 1957. He died in 1962. Mrs. Clark moved to Athena and later … Read more

Eckstein, Rosetta – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Rosetta Eckstein Rosetta Eckstein, 76, of Elgin, died Oct. 22 at the Evergreen Rehabilitation and Retirement Center in Milton-Freewater. A graveside service will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the Elgin Cemetery with Pastor Steve Gilmore officiating. Mrs. Eckstein was born July 20, 1930, in La Grande to Ernest and Lillian Knight. She moved with her family to Wallowa, where she grew up and attended school. After her schooling she moved to California for a time where she worked as a waitress and bartender. She returned to Wallowa to raise her family, where she also provided in-home care … Read more

Rettig, Richard T. – Obituary

Fireman Is Killed When Train Strikes Boulder Richard T. Rettig, 31, locomotive fireman of La Grande, was instantly when passenger train, No. 26 was wrecked a mile this side of Cayuse station at 12:30 Tuesday morning. The wreck was caused by the engine crashing into a huge boulder that had fallen upon the track. The engine was thrown against the left bank and the tender toward the river on the right. Rettig was crushed between them, as his body was hurled the opposite side of the cab. Engineer J.H. Snodgrass, also of La Grande, suffered only a scratch on one … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. F. C. Campbell

DR. F.C. CAMPBELL. – Literary ability is not so common on this coast as to be a drug in the market. It is agreeable to find it in professional men. Doctor Campbell is one of these persons. He was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in the year 1854. He received a good common-school education in the Rock Creek graded school, and commenced the study of dentistry in the office of Doctor N.S. Burns, of Ashtabula, in 1872, completing his dental education in Monroe, Michigan, in 1875, since which time he has practiced in nearly every state and territory in the … Read more

Kinkead, James Robert – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon James Robert Kinkead, 82, died Sept. 1, 2004, at his home in Pilot Rock. A celebration of life memorial will be held at the Community Presbyterian Church in Pilot Rock on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m. Arrangements are in care of Bishop Funeral Chapel in Pendleton. Jim was born March 10, 1922, at La Grande to George Wesley and Edith (Cowan) Kinkead. Most of his youth was spent in and around Sumpter. He graduated from Baker High School in 1941. After high school he was in the National Youth Administration, where he was trained in machine … Read more

Biography of Hon. William Rufus King

Among those granted representation in this volume, none is more worthy of notice, than the subject of this sketch. As a public spirited citizen he enjoys the confidence of the people and has become well and popularly known, not only throughout Malheur and adjoining counties, but throughout the whole state. On October 3. 1864, near Walla Walla. Washington, David R. King and Elizabeth (Estes) King, became the parents of a boy, whom they named William Rufus. His parents were pioneers of Walla Walla, Washington. Arriving from Arkansas in 1860 his father being captain of a large immigrant train, crossing what … 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

Isley, Madison Pennington – Obituary

Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon M.P. Isley, Pioneer Rancher of Joseph, Dies At Hospital Memorial services were held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Bollman Chapel for Madison Pennington Isley who passed away at Wallowa Memorial Hospital on Saturday, October 16, 1965 after being a patient there for six days, Rev. LeRoy Brownell, pastor of the Joseph Baptist Church, officiated, and Mrs. Mae Stein was organist. Mrs. Claire Trullinger and Mae Stein sang “Shall We Gather At The River” and “Beyond The Sunset.” Casket bearers were: Luther Thornburgh, Fred Bird, Bill Cool. A. Daisley, Stone Butner, and S.W. Begley, and internment … Read more

Biography of Robert Couch Kinney

ROBERT COUCH KINNEY. – Oregon will always treasure with respect and admiration the memory of the men and women who came in the days when the Pacific Northwest was the home of savage tribes, mountain men and a few traders, to plant homes and lay the foundation of an empire on the waters of the Columbia. They dared much when they accepted the roll of pioneers to the Pacific. Some became notable for success, and developed character that gave standing to the new state; for the constitution and early legislation of Oregon showed statesmanship seldom equaled in the erection of … Read more

Burnside, Viola M. “Vi” Driver Mrs. – Obituary

Viola M. “Vi” Burnside, 80, of Hermiston, a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 17, 2007, at the Good Samaritan Center in Hermiston. Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston. Burial will be at the Hermiston Cemetery. Vi was born April 3, 1926, at Tipton, Iowa, to William and Dorothy Williamson Driver. She was raised at Lincoln, Neb., where she attended schools until moving to Pondosa at the age of 13. She married Floyd H. Burnside on June 12, 1947, at La Grande. They lived at Baker City for a time before … Read more

Childers, Merton T. – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Merton T. Childers, 49, died Sunday morning at Hermiston. Funeral services will be held at La Grande, Wednesday at 2 p.m. with Snodgrass Mortuary in charge. Mr. Childers was water service foreman for the Union Pacific Railroad at Hinckle. He had worked for the railroad 26 years except for time with the Seebees during World War II. He was a member of the Masons, Elks, and Shriners. Mr. Childers was born at Alicel and had been a resident of La Grande until about five years ago when the family moved to Hermiston. Survivors are his … Read more

Burnett, Preston Frank – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Preston Frank Burnett, 85, of Pendleton and formerly of La Grande died June 7 at St. Anthony Hospital. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 241 S.E. Second St. in Pendleton. Preston was born July 7, 1921, to Lawrence and Mabel Brown Burnett in Island City. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1938 and served in the Navy prior to World War II. Preston married Madaline E. Rhoads in Portland. He worked for the Oregon Highway Division for 42 years and was a resident engineer on many … Read more

Vanderwall, Frank – Obituary

Frank Vanderwall Passes This Life Frank Vanderwall, rancher and resident of Rock Creek neighborhood for many years, passed this life at the state hospital in Pendleton Tuesday of this week. He was a native of Holland and was about 70 years of age at the time of his death. At one time he owned one of the finest ranches in Rock Creek district. He disposed of this several years ago, and since that time until his health failed about a year ago, he had made his home in Rock Creek village. At the time of his committment to the state … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John S. Vinson

JOHN S. VINSON. – The proprietor of Nolin, Oregon, was born in Iowa in 1848. His father, James Vinson, was a native of Ohio, and was born in 1808. In 1852 our subject crossed the plains with his father, who located a Donation claim in Clackamas county, Oregon, and was first postmaster at the town of Needy, where he subsequently kept a store. After the wars of 1855-56 he bought largely of the volunteer scrip, which as yet has never been paid by the government. This brought the elder Vinson financial ruin, and caused him to remove to Umatilla county … Read more

Christopher, Anna Josephine Basse [Basi] – Obituary

Mrs. Anna Josephine Christopher of Adams, died this morning at St. Anthony’s Hospital. Born in Centerville, Wash. in 1903, she had lived in Oregon 25 years. She leaves her husband Walney Christopher, a son, Donald L. Christopher, a daughter, Elizabeth E. Christopher; a father, Wilhelm Basi; three brothers, Elmer, Arthur, and Ernest Basi. Funeral services will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Folsom’s with the Rev. E. M. Butenshon officiating. [Interment Olney Cemetery] East Oregonian, July 2, 1947 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman