Vancouver Washington Genealogy

Dixon, Elwood J. – Obituary

Resident Here Since 1882, Former Mail Carrier Dies Sunday. Death came to another pioneer resident of the Kittitas valley here Sunday when Elwood J. Dixon, 82, died at the Ellensburg General hospital following a major operation [died May 9, 1937]. A resident of this valley since 1882, and one of the earliest rural mail carriers here, Mr. Dixon was widely known throughout this section. He was born in Fulton County, Illinois, on October 3, 1854 and came west to Vancouver, W., with his parents [John Wesley Dixon and Sarah E. Smith] when he was 24 years old. The family came … Read more

Wells, John – Obituary

LaGrande has had a full share of accidents during the year past. The last is the accident by which one of our oldest and most prominent citizens, Mr. John Wells met his death. For twenty years Mr. Wells has been hauling wood from his mountain ranch into town and had never met with an accident. Last Friday morning he went to the mountains as usual for a load of wood taking with him a China man whom he had employed. The road was frozen so that although the wagon was rough locked, in coming down the mountain there was danger … Read more

Biography of Dr. W. C. McKay

DR. W.C. McKAY. – One by one the pioneers who braved the wilderness and its dangers, in order that their posterity might enjoy the fruits of their hazardous conquests of the domain of the savage are passing away. As the poet sang of the valorous knights of the days of chivalry, “Their souls are with the saints, we trust,” so, at no distant day, will the same be sung o’er the graves of the last of the pioneers. So, while yet alive, let us honor them as they deserve to be honored; and when dead let their deeds be recorded … Read more

Stoner, Paul Hiram – Obituary

Paul Hiram Stoner, of Vancouver, Wash., a former longtime Baker City resident, died Aug. 12, 2009. His funeral was Aug. 15. Vancouver Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Paul was born to William and Augusta Kinney Stoner in Canyon County, Idaho. He graduated from the College of Idaho at Caldwell, Idaho, and continued his educated at Oregon Health & Sciences University in Portland. He was a medical technologist at St. Elizabeth Health Services in Baker City for many years. Paul married Mary Bartshe in 1940 and they were married for 38 years before Mary’s death. Paul later married Elaine … Read more

Biography of Catherine S. Davis

CATHERINE S. DAVIS. – One of the beautiful and happy lives among the pioneer women of our state is that of the lady named above. It has, to some extent, been spent amid the utmost dangers, difficulties and privations, but nevertheless has been constantly adorned by works of devotion and benevolence. Hers is a life made beautiful not so much by wealth or technical culture as by patience, fortitude and good works. She was born of Dutch parentage in the State of New York, January 23, 1811. Her father, William K. Sluyter, one of the Knickerbockers, moved to Pennsylvania when … Read more

Wood, James Leland – Obituary

Vancouver, Washington James LeLand wood, a carpenter and 12-year resident of the Vancouver area, died Friday, November 29, 1985, he was 59. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Evergreen Staples Funeral Chapel with Rev. James Finkbeiner officiating. Private burial will be in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Wood was born August 21, 1926, in Wallowa, Oregon. He last lived at 1913 Leichner Road He was an Air Force veteran of World War II and the Korean War and attended the Methodist church. He is survived by his mother, Clara Finstad of Port Lavaca, Texas; two … Read more

Denney, William L. – Obituary

William L. “Bill” Denney, 63, of Champaign, Ill., and formerly of Wallowa County, died Aug. 13 after a long battle with pancreal cancer. Bramley Funeral Home in Champaign is in charge of arrangements. A funeral was held Aug. 18 in Divernon, Ill., with burial in Pawnee, Ill., at Calvary Cemetery. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Sept. 5 at Northside Baptist Church in Vancouver, Wash. A reception and visitation will follow. Bill was born Dec. 14, 1944, to Clifford R. and Mary (Betz) Denney in Spokane. He moved to Oregon in 1948 to the lower Imnaha area. He … Read more

Thorpe, Frank – Obituary

Graveside funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at the Summerville cemetery for Frank Thorpe, 79, who died earlier this week at the Pythian Home at Vancouver, Washington, where he had lived the last several years. The service of the Knights of Pythias was used. Mr. Thorpe was born July 7, 1866 at Seymour, Iowa, and came in this locality when a small boy. He was in business here for many years and later moved to his acreage a mile from Alicel on the old Summerville road where he lived until going to Vancouver. The deceased leaves no known surviving relatives … Read more

Tigli, Marjorie Irene Foster Mrs. – Obituary

Marjorie Foster Tigli, 73, died Nov. 18, 2002, at her daughter’s home in Fairview. There will be a celebration of life graveside service at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. She was born Marjorie Irene Foster on July 3, 1929, at Halfway, to James and Phyllis Canaday Foster. She lived there until the age of 13, when the family moved to Vancouver, Wash. After attending Shumway Junior High in Vancouver, Marjorie moved back to Halfway and attended Northwest Nazarene Academy where she met her first husband, Bill Sullivan. They were married on Sept. 5, 1945. This marriage … Read more

Stephens, Montia Coval – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Montia Coval Stephens died May 20, 2007, at the Vancouver Veterans Hospice Center, from cancer surgery complications. He was 64. Mr. Stephens was born Dec. 30, 1942, in Cottage Grove. He graduated from Joseph High School in 1960. Immediately after high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army. His service included Officers’ Candidate School, tours in Korea and the Dominican Republic and in the White House as a communication specialist and on the presidential press team during President John F. Kennedy’s term. He also worked in the Pentagon. He left the army as a Captain. Mr. Stephens remained … Read more

Smelcer, Lawrence J. – Obituary

Lawrence J. Smelcer, 97, a lifelong Pine Valley resident, died Jan. 1, 2005, at his winter home in Yuma, Ariz. His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Pine Valley Presbyterian Church in Halfway. Interment will be at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception afterward at the Pine Valley Presbyterian Church. Lawrence was born on Aug. 4, 1907, in the Panhandle of Baker County to Marion X. and Milda Schmidt Smelcer. He was raised in Pine Valley and attended Pine Town grade school and Halfway High School. He married … Read more

Lanegan, Lisa Lynn Simpson Collis Mrs. – Obituary

Lisa Lynn Simpson Collis Lanegan, 40, a former Baker City resident, died unexpectedly on Aug. 18, 2006, in Vancouver, Wash. A family gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate her life. Lisa loved the outdoors, especially the ocean and fishing and just communing with nature and God and the wonders He created. She was a dedicated caregiver for the elderly. She is survived by her fiancee, Ken Garrison; his parents, Walt and Joanne Garrison; her son, Sean Paul Lanegan; daughters, Kaura and Mylisha Lanegan; mother, Shirley Skemp Collis; stepfather, Mel Collis; sisters, Shirlette Kenworthy of La Grande, … Read more

Knoblauch, William “Bill” – Obituary

Richland, Oregon William “Bill” Knoblauch, 89, a longtime Richland resident, died Dec. 21, 2004, at Baker City. His funeral was Dec. 27 at Richland. Interment was at Eagle Valley Cemetery. Bill was born March 11, 1915, at Portland to Paul and Mary Elizabeth Knoblauch. He grew up in Richland on the family ranch. He attended school in Richland and after graduation he attended the Gem State Academy in Caldwell, Idaho. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Veda Ewing, on June 5, 1935, in Caldwell. They made their home on the family ranch in Richland. During World War II Bill worked … Read more

Wigle, Malinda Jane Dixon – Obituary

Mrs. Malinda J. Wigle died in Mabton, Dec. 29, 1916, aged 86 years, 2 months and 13 days. Funeral services were held in the M. E. Church Sunday, and burial was in Mabton cemetery. Mrs. Wigle was a native of Illinois, residing there until her marriage to Thomas Grewell, and moved to Corydon, Iowa. In 1863 she, with her husband and family, started across the plains. When in Wyoming, her husband was taken ill and died at Independence Rock, Wyo. With her children she resumed her journey westward, arriving at Vancouver, Wash. the same year. Two years later she was … Read more

Polk, Opal Laverne – Obituary

North Powder, Oregon Opal Laverne Polk, 80, of Vancouver, Wash., and formerly of North Powder died June 8. Evergreen Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Polk was born July 15, 1925, to Mary and Jacob Simonis in North Powder. She married Perry Polk who died earlier. Survivors include children and their spouses, Betty and John Sneddon of Vancouver, Linda Sill and her fiance Bob Turkington of Anchorage, Alaska, and David and Margaret Polk of Longview, Wash.; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The Observer Online, Obituaries for the week ending June 24, 2006, Published, June 26, 2006

Gray, Elton Hughes – Obituary

E. Hughes Gray, a former resident of Union County, died Thursday, Dec. 24, in Vancouver, Washington. He was born in Lower Cove, the youngest son of George M. and Mary Miller Gray. He was a graduate of La Grande High School. He is survived by his wife, Etta; one son, Milton Gray of Los Angeles and one daughter, Sandra of San Diego; one brother, Ernest M. Gray of Woodburn, Ore.; two sisters, Eudelle Olson and Othella Purvine, both of Milwaukie, Ore.; many cousins in this area and one aunt, Mrs. Eugene Millering of La Grande. Funeral services will be held … Read more

Allen, Rose M. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Rose M. Allen, 97, formerly of La Grande, died Oct. 21 at her home in Bend. Autumn Funerals in Bend is in charge of arrangements. She was born Sept. 30,1912, to John and Barbara Kline in Vancouver, Wash. She married Verne A. Allen May 31, 1941. They moved to La Grande in September 1960. During the next 20 years she worked for several doctors and the Saint Joseph Hospital as a medical transcriptionist. During that time she became involved with the La Grande Country Club. She enjoyed playing golf with her husband and with her female friends. … Read more

Biography of S. P. Marsh

S.P. MARSH. – This leading citizen of Vancouver, Washington, was born in Ohio in 1826. At Cleveland he received his education and learned the trade of a blacksmith. At the age of twenty-four the stories of fabulous wealth on the Pacific, and an invitation from a special friend, started him across the continent for Oregon. He was in the great emigration of 1850, when it is said one hundred and eighty thousand persons were on the plains. Heavy luck struck his party on the Platte. Not far out they were surrounded by a thousand Pawnee Indians, and were given ten … Read more

Biography of George E. Wells

GEORGE E. WELLS. – The subject of this sketch is a man of great energy and power of adaptability, as is manifested in the occupations that have been engaged in by him during the years in which he has been in this western country, and it is pleasant to remark that during all of these varied undertakings, some of which have been exceedingly arduous and fraught with hardship and danger, he has manifested a stanch and unflinching courage, marked industry and enterprise, with excellent personal qualities of integrity and upright principles, while a good success has attended his efforts, both … Read more