Union County OR

Coy, Glendolla Jacqueline – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Glendolla Jacqueline “Jackie” Coy, 78, of La Grande, died Jan. 3 at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland. A celebration of her life will begin at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at “The Place,” 62872 Buchanan Lane, in Island City. Jackie was born July 12, 1929, to George Earl and Ida Mae McDanell in Tulsa, Okla. The family traveled quite a bit, often living in rustic conditions. Jackie was the oldest of four siblings. She would tell stories of how she and her two sisters and brother would hunt or fish for the evening meal, pick greens, fruit, … Read more

Shahbazi, Ali Reza Shapur, Dr. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Dr. Ali Reza Shapur Shahbazi, 64, of La Grande died July 15 in Walla Walla after a long battle with stomach cancer. A memorial service will be conducted at Eastern Oregon University Sunday at 3 p.m. in McKenzie Theatre. A reception will follow in the lobby. All are welcome. The seventh child of Ebrahim and Malihe Shahbazi, he was born Sept. 4, 1942, in Shiraz, Iran. In 1960, as Iran’s highest-ranking geography student, he was awarded an academic scholarship to the University of London, where he earned a master’s degree and doctorate in archeology. He later completed … Read more

Belden, A. A. – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon The death of A. A. Belden, at Portland, 11 a. m. Monday, September 5, 1921, at the age of near eighty-four years, was no surprise to his many Cove friends, as his illness had been of long duration. He left two sons and two daughters-Harry, Miles, Pearl and Kathryn. The last named was his faithful nurse throughout his widowed years, his wife having passed about six years ago. Contributed by: Larry Rader

Larsen, Lloyd – Obituary

Train Hits Auto Three Are Killed While watching an airplane circle above him the driver of a light truck crashed into the engine of a passenger train on the Joseph branch as the train was pulling into Imbler Sunday morning and three young men were killed outright and three others who were riding on the truck were seriously injured. The dead are Lloyd Larsen, Wayne Keown, all residents of Imbler vicinity, Albert Blanchard, Ray Keown and Alfred Wertemskow. So intent on the machines above them the men failed to see or hear the train until their truck was caught between … Read more

Conley, Isabel Frances – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon Isabel Frances Conley, 62, died June 10 at Grande Ronde Hospital following a brief illness. A Cove resident, she had been a teacher there and in Wallowa County. She was born Nov. 14, 1910 at Aumsville, the daughter of Edward and Katherine Heger. The family later settled in Joseph. Mrs. Conley graduated from Eastern Oregon College in 1930, and taught school in Wallowa County for about 10 years. She married Merrell F. Conley of Cove in 1940, and lived on the Conley ranch ever since. Mrs. Conley was a member of Our Lady of the Valley … Read more

Baird, Thos. Mrs. – Obituary

Union, Union County, Oregon Mrs. Thos. Baird’s Death The sad news of the death of Mrs. Lyda B. Baird, wife of Thos. Baird and mother of George Baird, the Union Merchant, was received here yesterday. She passed away at Boise City, Monday night at 10:30 o’clock. She was nearly 71 years old and raised a family of five sons and three daughters. She came to Union with her family in 1863 and resided here until about six years ago, when she removed to Woodriver, Idaho. She had been in Union for some time, visiting, until about two weeks ago, when … Read more

Motley, Edna – Obituary

Edna Motley, 87, 1500 Valley Ave., a former longtime Pine Valley resident, died Wednesday morning, April 1, 1981, at St. Elizabeth Community Hospital after a long illness. Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Pine Valley Presbyterian Church in Halfway. The Rev. Sidney Sandusky will officiate. Interment will follow at Pine Haven Cemetery. Mrs. Motley was born Jan. 6, 1894, in Union, the daughter of Egbert and Emma Mehlhorn Coffinberry. She was educated in Halfway and was married to Charles Motley in Halfway on June 7, 1923. Mr. Motley preceded her in death on July 31, 1977. … Read more

Grider, Waitsville – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Grider Laid To Rest Vetern Buried Yesterday With Family and Friends Attending Funeral services were said yesterday over the remains of Waitsville Grider who died early in the week. Three generations, descendents of the deceased, were in attendance at the funeral. Death resulted from cancer. Waitsville Grider was married to Minerva S. Beard August 1st, 1851, in Adair county, KY. He was born and raised in that section and their home was made there for a time, later moving with his family to Watson, MO., in September, 1878. Then he went to Caldwell, Kansas, from … Read more

Williamson, John Harold – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon John Harold Williamson John Harold “Jack” Williamson, 70, of La Grande died Feb. 15 at his home. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church in La Grande. Jack was born May 26, 1936, to Harold and Shirley (Thomas) Williamson in Albany. He graduated from Jewel High School and later from Western Oregon University with a degree in teaching. He married Sandra Allen from Portland Nov. 29, 1958, and they lived in Fossil. In 1960 he enlisted for one term in the Army. He went on to work for NASA … Read more

Wolfe, Harmon Upton – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Harmon Upton Wolfe, 96, of La Grande, died Nov. 5 at a local care center. A memorial service begins at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Summerville Baptist Church. Harmon was born on Dec. 21, 1910, to Jeptha Thomas and Jane Rose (McCullough) Wolfe in La Grande. He was married to Alberta Kirby Wolfe for 70 years. She preceded him in death on Nov. 30, 2005. He was a member of the Summerville Baptist Church and was a 75-year member of the Elks Lodge. Harmon is survived by two daughters, Kay Warren of Superior, Mont., and Susan Mercer … Read more

Jordan, Merwin “Rusty” – Obituary

Merwin “Rusty” Jordan, 88, a former Baker City resident, died Dec. 7, 2002, at Eugene. No service is planned. Poole Larson is in charge of arrangements. Rusty was born Nov. 6, 1914, in Washtucna, Wash., and was the oldest of three sons born to Rosco and Kate Jordan. He grew up in La Grande, later moving to Baker City where he lived for over 40 years and worked as a welder. In 1941, he married Dorothy Walker of La Grande. He and his wife moved to Eugene in 1996. Rusty enjoyed spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, gardening and playing cards. … Read more

Power, Eugene Richard – Obituary

Summerville, Oregon Eugene Richard Power Eugene Richard Power, 78, of Summerville, died Sunday at a foster care home. A graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Summerville Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mr. Power was born March 25, 1928, to Mason E. and Lennett E. Moorlock Power in California. He had a brain disorder from the age of 7, but loved collecting various belt buckles, playing baseball with his brothers, eating candy and bowling, and he was bat boy for his brother’s team. He attended the Summerville Baptist Church. Survivors include … Read more

Ownbey, Margaret – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Margaret Ownbey Answers Call Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 2 o’clock in the Booth Chapel for Mrs. Margaret Ownbey of Enterprise who passed away Monday at the home of her daughter in Enterprise. Rev. Howard Stover will officiate at the services. Margaret Ann Wright, daughter of James A. and Sara Ann Wright, was born May 23, 1865, in Union County, Oregon, and passed away April 4, 1949. Her early years were spent with her parents in the Grande Ronde valley. Later the family moved to Wallowa County where she had since resided. She … Read more

West, N. K. – Obituary

N. K. West, Pioneer Merchant, Dies At Summerville Home Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon for N. K. West, pioneer La Grande merchant who died Saturday night of a heart attack at the age of 73. Last rites will be said for Mr. West, who founded the firm of N. K. West here 41 years ago, at the Snodgrass chapel with Rev. George H. Marrs, pastor of the First Baptist church, in charge. Burial will be in the Masonic cemetery beside his daughter, Ada, who died 18 years ago. Nathaniel Kendrick West was born at Mondovi, … Read more

Renfrow, Mary A. Wright Mrs. – Obituary

Services Held For Mary Renfrow Memorial services for Mary A. Renfrow sho passed away Thursday, December 4, 1958 in Forest Grove, where conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. by the Bollman Funeral Home from the Enterprise Church. The Rev. Al Boschee officiated, and Mrs. Don Kooch was organist. Mrs. Al Boschee and Mrs. Delbert Pratt sang “In The Garden” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” Casket bearers were: A.J. Oliver, Oscar Maxwell, James Fleet, Therval Gray, Hubert Johnson, Roy Carper, and vault entombment was in the Enterprise Cemetery. Mrs. Renfrow was the daughter of Jackson and Malinda Wright and was born January … Read more

Hiatt, Merlin Danberg – Obituary

Merlin Danberg Hiatt, 86, of La Grande, died Sunday, March 2, 1997, at Grande Ronde Hospital. A graveside service will begin at 3 p.m. Friday at the Summerville Cemetery. Elmer L. Perry, patriarch of the La Grande Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and friend of the family, will preside. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Hiatt was born in La Grande on Sept. 14, 1910, the youngest of 13 children of Samuel and Fredricka Johanna Elizabeth Danberg Hiatt. He was the last survivor of his immediate family. His father was … Read more

McMahon, James Willard – Obituary

Union, Oregon James (Jim) “Burrhead” Willard McMahon, 86, died Oct. 29 at his home in Union. At 3 p.m. funeral service Saturday will be at the LDS Ward in Union. No viewing will be conducted. Final burial will be at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel. Mr. McMahon was born Jan. 26, 1920, to Cleveland Randolph and Anna Lee Wilkinson McMahon in Staunton, Ind., where he received his education. He worked on the railroad as a young man until he volunteered to serve in the Navy during World War II, where … Read more

Fisher, Enos – Obituary

Pioneer Farmer Passes Away Enos Fisher Of Summerville, Laid To Rest Came To La Grande When There Were Few Signs Of Civilization – Has Made Progress The funeral of Enos Fisher, well known pioneer farmer of the Summerville district, was held this morning, interment being in the Summerville cemetery. Mr. Fisher had been bedfast about a week and death claimed him on Friday, December 10. Mr. Fisher was born in Mecer County, Illinois, February 9, 1839, and while still a small child, was taken by his parents to Warren county, and thence to Indianapolis, Indiana, and then to Jefferson County, … Read more

Coe, Harhsley – Obituary

Union, Oregon Funeral Services for Hashley Coe are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. Details will be given by Crippin & Daniels Funeral Home when completed. The La Grande Observer – Tuesday, September12, 1967  

Swager, Nathan – Obituary

At his home near Union Mary 6, 1890, Nathan Swager, aged 60 years. The funeral took place from the Presbyterian church yesterday afternoon. Eastern Oregon Republican Thursday, May 8, 1890 Contributed by: Robin Church