Union County OR

Jones, Charlotte – Obituary

Island City, Oregon Charlotte Jones, 91, of Island City, died Nov. 20 at her home. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Monday at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. Private interment will be held at the Grandview Cemetery. Mrs. Jones was born on Aug. 17, 1916, the daughter of Clyde and Julia (Knapp) Leonard in Kent, Ohio. She was a Salvation Army officer and worked in the Salvation Army Home and Hospital. After her marriage to Wesley Jones in 1951, she was employed as a nurse for the Grande Ronde Hospital for many years … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Phares E. Wade

PHARES E. WADE. – A native of the Old dominion, born in 1840, the subject of this sketch, at the age of fourteen, removed with his parents to Iowa and engaged in farming, remaining at home until 1863. In that year he crossed the plains to the Grande Ronde valley, where he continued his agricultural business, raising grain and stock, and is at the present for nearly a quarter of a century. This is two and a half miles east of Summerville, Oregon, and consists of twelve hundred acres of remarkably rich, level and productive land. Upon this farm he … Read more

Burford, Elvie – Obituary

Illness Claims “Virgie” Burford Elvie Burford, Known to her many friends as Virgie, passed away at a La Grande hospital Wednesday September 12, 1956 after an extended illness. A Union, Oregon housewife, Mrs. Burford was 62 years of age, being born September 27, 1893 in High Valley near Union, Oregon. She resided in Union county all of her life, and was marred to Frank Burford December 3, 1913. Surviving are her husband, Frank Burford, Union; two daughters, Mrs. Ada Cowles of Baker and Mrs. Reta Connell of Hinkle, Oregon. Two brothers are Norman Ross of Huron and Archie Ross of … Read more

Biography of James J. Stanley

A pioneer of this country before Wallowa County had a separate political existence, entrusted frequently with the duties and responsibilities of public office by his fellows, a prominent figure in the county today, and one who has assisted materially in up building the same and in its substantial advancement, the subject of this sketch is deserving of especial mention, since also he is one of those brave and self-sacrificing men who left home and loved ones for the field of bloodshed and carnage of war, when the flag of freedom was attacked by the minions of treason, and there he … Read more

Gent, (Son) – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon The seven weeks old boy of Mr. and Mrs. William Gent died in this city, July 17, from cholera infantum. The little one was laid to rest in the city cemetery Wednesday forenoon. Elgin Recorder Friday July 20, 1906

Conrad, Randall Dean – Obituary

Randall Dean Conrad, 57, of Union, died unexpectedly at Grand Ronde Hospital Oct. 2. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. He was born on Aug. 31, 1950, to Robert and Camille Conrad in La Grande. On May 8, 1982, he married Donna Zerber in Nampa, Idaho. He entered the U.S. Army in September 1969, serving in Vietnam until his honorable discharge in March 1971. He is survived by his wife, Donna of Union and brother, Stephen Conrad of Nampa. La Grande Observer – Obituaries for the week ending October 6, 2007-Published: October 6, 2007

Biography of Edgar E. Bragg

EDGAR E. BRAGG. – With what pride the American people can view the progress from Plymouth Rock to the position of leading nation of the world! But the keen observer is not satisfied with that: he will seek the cause, the principles put in force that brought about this gratifying result, the powers that have operated to bring this desired end. From the first little log school house that graced the bleak shores of the northern colonies, to the stately universities that are flourishing in every portion of the land, there has been the proper attention paid to the education … Read more

Evans, Norman – Obituary

Union, Union County, Oregon October 21st. at Union, Oregon, Norman Evans, son of J. B. and Mary R. Thomson, aged 3 years, 5 months and 14 days. The autumn winds, rustling wafts the leave that are at rest: And death for its mark, selects the heart that are dearest. Dear as thou we’t, and justly dear, We will not weep for thee; One thought shall check the starting tear, it is that thou art free. And thus shall faiths’ consoling power The tears of love restrain: Oh, who that saw thy parting hours Could wish thee here again. The Mountain … Read more

Cunningham, Ruth Marie – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Ruth Marie Cunningham, 86, of La Grande died at a local care center July 16. A celebration of life will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday at the La Grande United Methodist Church. Ruth was born April 18, 1920, to Arthur and Edith Bennett Miller in Belgrade, Neb. She was member of the United Methodist Church,VFW and the Wesleyan Circle. She married Norman Ernst Cunningham July 13, 1942, in Santa Maria, Calif. She enjoyed helping others. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Jan and Jerry Arnoldus of La Grande, sister Pauline Rieken of Emmett, Idaho, brothers … Read more

Whitnah, Calvin Hugh – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Calvin H. Whitnah, 70, of Richland, died Aug. 10 at his home. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Halfway. A vault interment will follow at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. A reception will take place at the New Bridge Grange. The Observer – August 12, 2008 _______________________________ Calvin Hugh Whitnah, 70, of Richland and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 10 at his home. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the LDS Chapel in Halfway, with a viewing to … Read more

Slack, Clarissa Lucinda Mrs. – Obituary

Summerville, Union County, Oregon Was First Woman to Ride Into Grande Ronde Valley in Stage Coach Clarissa Lucinda Slack, who is said to have had the distinction of being the first woman to ride into the Grande Ronde valley on a stage coach, passed away at her home near Summerville last night after a lingering illness. She was a pioneer of this valley, coming across the plains to Oregon from Iowa in 1870 by train and by stage coach. Mrs. Slack was born Jan. 20, 1845 in Ohio and at the age of six, she moved to Iowa where she … Read more

Hunt, Richard Eric – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Richard Eric Hunt, 37, of Lovelock, Nev., and formerly of La Grande died Sept. 4. A memorial Mass will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday Sept. 9 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church with Father Hank Albrecht and the Rev. Irwin Smutz officiating. Mr. Hunt was born Nov. 18, 1968, to Richard and Iris Hunt in Spokane, Wash. He graduated from Yamhill-Carlton Union High School where he was class valedictorian and state representative to the Oregon School Board. He was a member of the National Honor Society and given early admission to the University of Notre … Read more

Gray, George M. – Obituary

Gray Funeral Is Planned Sunday George M. Gray, 61, Alicel, who died of a heart attack at Wecoma, Oregon yesterday was born in Union county in 1881 and has lived here all of his life. Funeral services will be held for him at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Snodgrass Funeral Home. Rev. Lester Carlsen will conduct the services, and burial will be in the family plot in the Summerville cemetery. Gray is survived by his wife, Mary, and four children, Ernest, Beaverton, Oregon; Mrs. Eudelle Russell, Pocatello, Idaho; Mrs. Othella Purvine, Salem; and Hugh, Portland. He is also survived by … Read more

Rollins, Archie Charles – Obituary

Former Resident Dies In California The following is from a Rosemead, Calif., paper last week. Archie Charles Rollins, 63 years of age, passed away Sunday afternoon at his home on Brookline avenue, Rosemead, California. He had been in poor health for more than a year, so that the end was not unexpected. The deceased was born at Jefferson, Green County, Iowa, September 27, 1864, coming to California with his family in 1905. They have also lived in Oregon a portion of the time since then but moved to Rosemead in 1923 taking up their residence on Earl street. A year … Read more

Dean, Dallas – Obituary

Union, Oregon Dallas Dean, 81, of Baker City died Aug. 26 at his home. A reception and celebration of life will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at his son’s home, 44431 Anthony Lakes Highway in Haines. Mr. Dean was born July 1, 1925, to Marvin and Edith Hodgkins Dean at Keating. The family lived near Pondosa, and he graduated in 1943 from Union High School. He served in the Army during World War II, and was disabled by frozen feet at the Battle of the Bulge. He received the EAMC and Combat Infantry citations, the Bronze Star … Read more

Hill, M. B. – Obituary

The skeleton of a human being was found in the mountains about ten miles from Union by Ross Badger last week. The bones are suppose to be those of M.B. Hill, better known as “Monty”, who wandered away from his lonely cabin in the mountains above Union in February of 1901. He was about 60 years old, and was being looked after by Wm. Stoker, who missed him a few hours after his disappearance. The height of the man and all would indicate that it is Hill’s skeleton. Nothing is known of his antecedents. Elgin Recorder Friday September 8, 1905

French, John – Obituary

“Old Man” French Dead” John French, an eccentric resident of Lincton mountain for the past third of a century, was found dead in his cabin a few days since by a party who happened to visit his home. French’s place was situated a few miles north of the tollgate on the old Lincton road, and had long been a noted camping place for the denizins of the Walla Walla valley during the hot season. French was quite old and of an exceedingly erratic disposition. He made his living by selling feed and pasture to people traveling the Lincton road, but … Read more

Taal, Beulah May – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Beulah May Taal, 92, of La Grande, died April 21 at a local care center. A celebration of life will run from 1 to 3 p.m. May 3 at her home at 1903 Washington Ave. in La Grande. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Beulah was born Dec. 10, 1915, in Starkey. She lived there for a few years until she moved with her family to Island City. She went to grade school in Island City, then on to high school in La Grande. In 1937, she married Winnie Taal. They lived a … Read more

Harris, J. C. – Obituary

Frozen to Death Coroner Steincamp was summoned to Sumerville last evening to hold an inquest upon the remains of J.C. Harris who was found dead in his cabin six miles northwest of that place in the timber. He had been in town the evening before and went home drunk. Upon reaching his cabin, he flung himself upon the floor and asked his partner, a Mr. Smith, to care for his horse, which he did, and supposing he would sleep off his drunken stupor, paid no more attention to him. In the morning he found him dead. Harris was a wood-chopper, … Read more

Brito, Helen Denise White Mrs. – Obituary

Helen Denise Brito, 63, died May 13, 2007, at her daughter’s home in North Powder. Her funeral will be this weekend at Battleground, Wash. Denise was born May 7, 1944, at West Frankford, Ill. She was the oldest of nine children born to Goldia Lavern and Helen Virginia Brown White. Her father was in the military and the family moved around as Denise was growing up. Her fondest memories were of living on the farm at Christopher, Ill. She married Joseph Brito on Nov. 1, 1960, at Las Vegas, Nev. She had known Joseph Jr. most of her life, attending … Read more