Umatilla County OR

Whitmore, Edna L. Hudson Mrs. – Obituary

Edna L. Whitmore, 86, a former Baker City resident, died July 5, 2005, at her son’s home in Hermiston. Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hermiston. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker City. Edna was born on Nov. 16, 1918, at Douglas, Wyo., to Glenn and Matilda Disney Hudson. She was raised and attended schools in Wyoming. After graduating from high school, she and her family moved to Oregon. Edna married Glen M. Whitmore on June 26, 1937, at Weiser, Idaho. … Read more

Down, Melvin C. – Obituary

Joseph, Wallowa County Melvin Charles Down, 55, of Island City, died Friday, May 25, in Baker. Mr. Down was born Aug. 8, 1923 in Joseph to Roy and Ethel Stanford Down. On April 29, 1950 he married Peggy Waddingham in La Grande. In 1969 he moved from Milton-Freewater to La Grande. He was a World War II veteran and a member of La Grande Eagles Aeri No. 259, La Grande Elks Lodge #433 and the American Legion. He was a logger and former member of the Oregon Log Truckers Association. Survivors include his wife of Island city: sons, Kenneth, stationed … Read more

Molstrom, Wilma Ferisk – Obituary

Wilma F. Molstrom of Adams died Wednesday evening [September 8, 1971] at Pendleton Community Hospital. She was 52. She was born near Gresham Nov. 15, 1908. She was married to Frank Molstrom Feb. 15, 1946, at Vancouver, Wash. They had lived on a farm near Adams since their marriage. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Garden Club, Pendleton Grain Growers Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary and Community Hospital Auxiliary, all of Pendleton. Survivors are the widower and two nephews, Eugene Riggs and Charles Riggs, both of Portland. Funeral will be Saturday. [Interment at Olney Cemetery] Contributed by: Shelli … Read more

Stafford, Craig J. – Obituary

Craig J. Stafford, 54, Glendale, a former Baker City resident, died of a heart attack on Oct. 11, 2007, at Glendale. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Burns Cemetery. Craig was born on Feb. 27, 1953, at Baker City to Ralph and Josephine Stafford. The family later moved to Burns. Craig was a graduate of Burns High School. He then attended college and became a teacher. Survivors include his sister, Jannette Manning and her husband, Raymond Manning; his sister, Teresa Whipple, and her husband, Bert Whipple; three nieces, Kristina, Carla and Crystal; two nephews, Michael and Aaron; … Read more

Biography of Green Arnold

GREEN ARNOLD. – One of the earliest pioneers of the country lying east of the Cascade Mountains is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Niagara county, New York, in 1919, and received his education at his native place. In 1833, he moved to Michigan with his parents, where he remained until 1850, when hearing of the wonderful stories of the rich discoveries of gold in California, he buckled on his armor of faith and started across the plains, landing in Hangtown (now Placerville) on the 6th day of August of the same year. He remained … Read more

Hammack, Cornelia Mrs. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Mrs. Hammack Passes At Walla Walla Mrs. Cornelia Hammack passed away October 29th at the Walla Walla hospital, where she had been taken a few days before. Mrs. Cornelia Peden of Weiser, Idaho, was married to the Rev. N.E. Hammack June 16, 1924. After their marriage Mr. Hammack built a nice home on the slope, where they made their home until Mr. Hammack passed away in July 1929. Shortly thereafter Mrs. Hammack moved to Freewater, where she bought a small home. She lived there until shortly before her death. A few months ago, when her health … Read more

Miller, Lella Mae Read Mrs. – Obituary

Mrs. Geo. Miller Dies at Pendleton Friends of the Roy Read family were shocked this week to hear of the death last Saturday of Lella Mae Miller, 22, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Read. Mrs. Miller passed away suddenly Saturday morning at St. Anthony’s hospital in Pendleton. Mr. and Mrs. Read had driven over to Pendleton on Friday and planned to take Lella Mae with them on a two week trip to the coast. At a restaurant they all ate some tuna fish sandwiches and Mrs. Miller became quite ill with what appeared to be ptomaine poisoning. She seemed to … Read more

Biography of Hon. James H. Koontz

HON. JAMES H. KOONTZ. – It is a mistake to suppose that all the fortunes are made in the large places. Many of the most considerable competences on the coast have been gained from trade in the small towns. The career of Mr. Koontz is to the point. Born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1830, young James, upon coming to his physical strength, learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, thereby acquiring a foundation for a life of independence. Living a time at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, he joined the Ellis train, and in 1862 came across the plains to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. M. Pruett, M.D.

J.M. PRUETT, M.D. – The native-born sons of Oregon who have had the wisdom to prepare themselves for a professional or business career have quite generally shown themselves fully equal to those born and raised elsewhere. The subject of this sketch is one of these. He was born at Salem in 1849, his father being the well-known pioneer J. W. Pruett, who crossed the plains in 1847. Young James remained with his father until the death of the latter, which occurred in 1866. He then went to California, where he remained for two years, after which he returned to Oregon … Read more

Tonack, Ron – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Ron Tonack, 66, of Baker City, died July 6, 2002, as a result of the progression of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). His graveside funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Allan Franks of the Church of the Nazarene and Lynn Shumway will officiate. Ron always enjoyed casual dress, his family members said. They encourage those attending the funeral to dress comfortably in the warm weather. Ron was born Sept. 24, 1935, at Pendleton to Robert and Becky Tonack. He grew up in the Pendleton area. He received his bachelor’s degree from Eastern … Read more

Nocchi, Rachel J. Makinson Mrs. – Obituary

Rachel J. Nocchi, 93, of Pasco, Wash., a former Halfway resident, died June 3, 2002, at Lourdes Medical Center in Pasco. Her graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Pastor Shawn Thatcher of Pine Baptist Church will officiate. Friends and family are invited to a gathering at the Lions Park for a time of fellowship and memories. Visitations will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Rachel Julia Makinson was born Feb. 1, 1909, at Halfway. She was a daughter of John Frederick and Okie … Read more

Slack, Lyle B. – Obituary

Lyle B. Slack, 1915 Davis St., died at his home Wednesday. He was 64. He was born Oct. 14, 1914, at Summerville, Ore. He attended elementary schools at Summerville and Imbler, and graduated from La Grande High School. Later, he lived in Wallowa County for five years. He was in the Army during World War II. Mr. Slack married Ruth Hopkins at Cheyenne, Wyo., June 4, 1943. They farmed in the Summerville area several years before moving to Milton-Freewater in 1962, where he owned and operated Slack Upholstery Shop. Survivors are his wife; son, Donald, Hermiston; daughter, Mrs. Don (Kathy) … Read more

Hale, Gladys Sarah – Obituary

Corvallis, Oregon Gladys Sarah Hale, 93, of Corvallis, died Monday, Nov. 1, 1993, at Corvallis Manor. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday in the chapel, Burns Mortuary of Hermiston with burial at the Echo, Oregon Cemetery. Mrs. Hale was born May 28, 1900 at Lostine to Jacob Clairborne and Emily E. Hammack Womack. She grew up in Lostine and attended school there. On Nov. 17, 1920, she married Roy Charles Hale at Pendleton. The couple lived at Echo where Mr. Hale was postmaster for many years. In 1929 they moved to Hermiston where Mr. Hale owned and operated … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Clinton W. Mumford

One of the leading merchants of Wallowa county, the subject of this sketch is justly entitled to honorable mention in this portion of our work and because of his excellent achievements, which he has accomplished in a life of activity and enterprise, and because of his ability that has been brought into requisition in these endeavors, and because of the sound principles that dominate him and the broad public spirit that characterizes him, we are pleased to grant this to him, while also it is but right to mention that he is esteemed by all and is the recipient of … Read more

Bracken, Sandra L. Litteral Mrs. – Obituary

Sandra L. Bracken, 63, of Baker City died April 4, 2006, at her home. Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Monte Loyd of Harvest Church will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be Monday from 9 a.m. to noon at the funeral home. Sandra was born on June 28, 1942, at Yakima, Wash., to Arthur and Thelma Tuener Litteral. She attended first grade at Pendleton and then the family moved to Baker City where she finished her education. She loved to be with her children and … Read more

Watson, Gwendolyn Marise Hixson Mrs. – Obituary

Gwendolyn Marise Watson, 64, of New Plymouth, Idaho, a former Baker City resident, died Sept. 29, 2007, at her home. Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. MDT Friday at the Highway Assembly of God Church in Fruitland, Idaho. Interment will be at Parkview Cemetery in New Plymouth. Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel of Payette, Idaho, is in charge of arrangements. She was born Dec. 6, 1940, at Baker City to Ted and Ida Celestine Hixson. She married Richard Watson on Dec. 24, 1963, at Baker City. She attended Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton where she earned a degree in nursing … Read more

De Long, Lois Jean – Obituary

Lois Jean De Long, 94, of La Grande, died Sept. 13 in a care center in Hermiston. A funeral service will be held at the First Christian Church, 903 Penn Ave. in La Grande at 11 a.m. Monday. Burial will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery. Viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande. Lois was born on May 3, 1913, near Cove to Nettie (Golden) and Arch Conley. She was a descendant of early pioneers, her great grandfather being Ben Brown, the first man to build … Read more

Biography of Robert C. Mays

ROBERT C. MAYS. – The well-known and capable business man, whose name appears at the head of this article, is one of the most widely known men of Union, and Wallowa counties, and is at the present time handling a large business as warehouseman at Elgin, where he is numbered among the leading residents of that thriving city, and he has made a record in this section that is both crowned with gratifying success from a financial standpoint, and wherein he has maintained a representation that is untarnished and displayed talents that properly place him among the real leaders in … Read more

Youngman, Barbara J. Woodbeck Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Barbara J. Youngman, 80, a longtime Pendleton resident, died Sept. 6, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Care Center in Baker City surrounded by her family. There was a private memorial service for her immediate family Saturday at the First Lutheran Church in Baker City. Pastor Dennis Hickman officiated. Disposition was by cremation at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Crematory. Interment will be with her family in Vancouver, Wash. Mrs. Youngman was born on Jan. 15, 1921, to Henry and Jennie Woodbeck. She was raised at Vancouver, Wash. She married Walter J. Youngman on March 16, 1940. She made … Read more

Cleveland, Michael Gene – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Michael Gene Cleveland, 34, of La Grande died Aug. 1 at Grande Ronde Hospital of natural causes. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday Aug. 5 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. Mr. Cleveland was born July 25, 1972, to Robert and Deborah Beickel Cleveland in Medford. The family moved to Pendleton and then settled in La Grande in 1973. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1990 and from Eastern Oregon State College in 1995. On Aug., 30, 2003, he married Elizabeth Canfield in La Grande. He worked for Boise … Read more