Union County OR

Biography of William Kernan

While many brave men and noble women form the ranks of the worthy pioneers who fitted this country for the settlement of their fellows and have made the county of Wallowa what it is today, there is none that surpasses the venerable and upright gentleman and loyal and patriotic citizen whose name initiates this paragraph and who has wrought with intelligence and enterprise in this county for many years, and who was one of the valorous army of brave and devoted men that left home and loved ones to press on to the front and take up the weapons of … Read more

Martins, Newell – Obituary

Union, Union County, Oregon Union Young Man Departs This Life Newell Martins son of Mr. and Mrs. John Martins died suddenly in Union Tuesday night. He had been for a car ride early in the evening and after arriving home had a coughing spell which resulted in his death some ten minutes later. Mr. Martin had been ill for some time and had returned only a short time ago from Portland where he had received treatment. He was apparently much improved in health. He was a prominent young citizen of Union having lived at that place the greater part of … Read more

Gibbs, Donald – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Donald W. Gibbs, 77, of Redmond and formerly of La Grande, died March 12 of Parkinson’s disease. A private family memorial service took place March 17. Redmond Memorial Chapel handled the arrangements. Mr. Gibbs was born Sept. 13, 1929, to Hallie and Mary (Kane) Gibbs in Spokane, Wash. He began working as a baker at the age of 15 and continued in that profession most of his life. On April 1, 1950, he married Carolyn Killingbeck in La Grande, where they lived before moving to Redmond. He owned Gibbs Bakery in downtown Redmond for 43 years. He … Read more

McPhee, Laura Leone – Obituary

North Powder, Union County, Oregon Little Leona McPhee Passed This Life Wednesday Night The death of little Leona McPhee, aged 10, occurred at the Baker hospital between nine and ten o’clock Wednesday night, following an illness of about two weeks. The direct cause of death is attributed to appendicitis and peritonitis following the operation. Leona was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John McPhee, Jr., and a pupil in the North Powder schools. At the time the News goes to press funeral arrangements have not been made. North Powder News Saturday, January 22, 1927 A large number of sorrowing friends … Read more

Biography of Anderson C. Smith

As a leader in the affairs of the counties of northeastern Oregon, both in times of difficulty with the Indians and also in the quieter times of civil industry, while also he has been a promoter of good government and of substantial progress in the county, the subject of this sketch stands today as one of the prominent and respected citizens of Wallowa county, having manifested both integrity and sound principles and marked capabilities in all of his career here. In addition to this, Mr. Smith has taken a leading part in the Indian councils that were far reaching to … Read more

Westberg, Robert Gene “Bob” – Obituary

Robert Gene “Bob” Westberg, 54, of Baker City, died Jan. 16, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. There will be a celebration of Bob’s life at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Gene and Bonnie Westberg’s home. He was born on March 9, 1950, to Gene and Bonnie Westberg at Newberg. He was a 1969 Baker City High School graduate. Immediately after high school he joined the U.S. Navy. He served in the Navy until 1983. Bob served in Vietnam during the war. He served in the National Guard from 1983 to 1993. He married Bee Keeton on May 19, 1979. They … Read more

Nelson, R. D. Mrs. – Obituary

Union, Union County, Oregon Death of Mrs. R. D. Nelson The funeral of Mrs. R. D. Nelson, formerly a resident of Union, and later of La Grande, was held from the M. E. Church, Union, Thursday afternoon, October 4 at 2:30 o’clock. Mrs. Nelson was the mother of Editor Willard Nelson, of the Haines Record, and will be remembered by many of the early settlers of this place. 1918 newspaper item Contributed by: Larry Rader

McKenzie, Clyde Hugh – Obituary

Summerville, Union County, Oregon Clyde McKenzie, 87, of Rt. 1 Box 9, Summerville, died Sunday at Grande Ronde Hospital. Mr. McKenzie was born on, at Summerville, the son of Roderick and Isabella (Thompson) McKenzie. On Dec. 23, 1913, he married Myra J. Glenn in La Grande. She preceded him in death on May 13, 1971. McKenzie spent his entire life as a farmer and stockman on his Century Farm, west of Summerville, and specialized in raising registered Hereford cattle. He remained active in farm management until his death. He was a charter member of the Tri-County Hereford Association, the Union … 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

Briggs, Edwin J. – Obituary

Edwin J. Briggs passed away on October 2, 2001. He was born in Perry, Oregon on August 23, 1912, the son of Willie J. and Harriet Watson Briggs, both deceased now. He was raised in LaGrande, Oregon, and it was at college there that he met and married his first wife, Helen Teed. They were married 56 years. Helen died in 1990. Ed entered active military service in September, 1940 as a 2nd Lt. with Co. E., 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Division. He served in New Guinea during the first Papuan Campaign. He then volunteered for service in Burma with … Read more

Rogers, Leslie George – Obituary

Leslie George Rogers, 74, of Imbler, died March 10 at his home. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A viewing will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Loveland. Les was born June 10, 1933, in Emmett, Idaho, to Mahlon and Louise (Barnett) Rogers. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1951 and entered into the Army in 1953. He was stationed in Presidio, Calif., as a military policeman. He married Nita Rose Lyndley in La Grande on Oct. 10, 1955, and they had three children. They moved … 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

Wright, Roderick – Obituary

Roderick Wright, 58, of Tucson, Ariz., and a former Baker City resident, died July 22, 2003. His funeral was July 26 at Desert Sunset Funeral Home at Tucson. Roderick was born Aug. 31, 1945, at Ontario to James and Opal McClellan Wright. Growing up he worked in the family bee business, producing and distributing honey. He was a 1964 graduate of Baker High School. He joined the U.S. Army and later served in the National Guard. He was a graduate of Eastern Oregon State College (now Eastern Oregon University) at La Grande. He taught and coached in the Wallowa School … Read more

Biography of John W. Murphy

JOHN W. MURPHY. To the active, enterprising and intelligent citizen, esteemed pioneer, and stanch representative of our free institutions, whose name initiates this paragraph, we accord a space in these abiding chronicles of Union county, with pleasure, because he has been a prominent figure in the development of the county’s interests and the advancement of its welfare, since the very first days of its settlement and ahs always stood for the cause of substantial improvement and the exemplification of sound principles in both personal endeavor and in the manipulation of public affairs. Mr. Murphy was born in Franklin, Ohio, on … Read more

Severs, O. T. Mrs. – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon Death Of Cove Woman Mrs. O.T. Severs of Cove, died very suddenly at her home Monday of heart failure. The body was found in the room by Mr. Severs on his return from work at noon. North Powder News Saturday March 10, 1917

Crimmins, Deltah M. – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Deltah M. Crimmins, 89, of McMinnville and formerly of Elgin, died Jan. 6 at Oakwood Country Place. Visitation will run from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Chapel of Macy and Son, 135 N. Evans St., in McMinnville. Graveside service begins at 2 p.m. Saturday at McBride Cemetery with Rev. Kent Savage officiating. Burial will be at McBride Cemetery in Carlton. Deltah was born Dec. 13, 1918, to Eldon and Gladys McClune Hartley in Elgin. She was raised and went to school in Elgin. She moved to McMinnville in 1941 and married Darrell Crimmins on … Read more

Hixson, William Adolph – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon William Adolph Hixson, 86, of La Grande, died at a local care center Tuesday. A service begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A complete obituary will be available later. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory is in charge of arrangements. La Grande Observer – Obituaries for the day of May 14, 2008 _____________________________________ William A. Hixson, 86, of La Grande, died May 13 at a local care center. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Bill was born June 19, 1921, … Read more

Biography of James W. Childers

It is hardly probable that in a humble sketch, as is this article, there could real justice be done the life of a worthy pioneer as is he whose name is at the beginning of the paragraph, for what page has yet pictured as it is the life of a pioneer? Hardships that are more trying than can be described, dangers on every hand that those living in the security of a civilized community can not understand, self-denials at every turn, and labors without respite, all of these endured and much more besides, fell to the lot of the brave … Read more

Biography of William J. Beach

Although the subject of this sketch has not resided in Oregon as long as some within Wallowa County, still he is nevertheless a true pioneer, having wrought with faithfulness for the welfare of other sections and since coming to this region has made commendable efforts in the development of the resources of the county and in the material progress of the same, while he has ever manifested excellent capabilities and showed both zeal and integrity, coupled with which are sound principles and sagacity that dominate a tireless energy and constant industry. Mr. Beach was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, on … Read more

Biography of Hosea L. Daugherty

HOSEA L. DAUGHERTY, Deceased. – Were a compilation of the character that the history of Union county purports to be, to leave from its pages an epitome of the life of the late esteemed and beloved citizen of our county, whose name appears at the head of this article, there would be cause for weighty criticism, since he wrought here for the advancment of the county, and labored for its material progress with a skill and energy that commended him to every true citizen, while his life of uprightness and reputation untarnished made him the recipient of the esteem and … Read more