Vancouver Washington

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

Ahma, LaWanda Estelle Lambeth Mrs. – Obituary

LaWanda Estelle Lambeth (Ahma), 87, was born on Nov. 14, 1918, and passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving grandchildren on March 3, 2006. She lived in Michigan, Calif., and Oregon until the passing of her second husband, Lt. Col. William F. Lambeth on April 12, 2003. She then moved to Vancouver, Wash., to live with her grandchildren, Pamela and Roger Spence. She is survived by 20 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. Special thanks to Dana Parker, her caregiver, for the loving treatment she provided to our grandmother. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph Chaf; mother, Addie Becker; … Read more

Odell, Gladys Louise Linn – Obituary

Funeral for Gladys Louise Odell, who resided at 6962 NE Morris St., will be Monday at 11 a.m. in the Carroll Funeral Home in Gresham. Private interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Mrs. Odell died Thursday [December 1] after a long illness. She was 66. Her early school years were spent at Salem School for the Deaf and the Vancouver, Wash., School for the Deaf. She was born Aug. 2, 1911, in Estacada. She married Ralph Odell in 1941 and spent most of her adult life in the Sandy community. She was a member of Lutheran Church for the … Read more

Biography of Auren G. Redway

For thirty-six years Auren G. Redway has been a resident of Boise, and for many years was prominently connected with her banking interests, but is now living retired, enjoying that well earned rest which is the fitting reward of an honorable and active business career. He comes from the far-off east and is a representative of a family that was established in America in colonial days. His grandfather, Preserved Redway, served his country throughout the war of the Revolution, was one of General Washington’s bodyguard, and had the honor of being a corporal of the guard at the time of … 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

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 John Wagener

John Wagener is one of the owners of the Trook and Jennings mine and five-stamp mill, one mile southeast of Silver City. He is also proprietor of several stock ranches and since pioneer days has been active in the development of the business resources of this state. A native of Germany, he came to America hoping to better his financial condition, and whatever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own labors. Mr. Wagener was born June 30, 1833 and in his native land acquired his education. When a young man of nineteen years he bade adieu to … 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

Biography of Hon. Eugene Semple

HON. EUGENE SEMPLE. – Eugene Semple was born June 12, 1840, at Bogota, South America, his father being at the time the Minister of the United States at new Granada. Coming with his parents to Illinois, his youth was spent in Madison and Jersey counties of that State. Attending the common schools of the latter county, he finished his education at the St. Louis University in 1858. Commencing the study of law in the office of Krum & Harding, in St. Louis, he afterwards attended the Law School of the Cincinnati College, where he graduated in 1863, taking the degree … Read more

Deiter, Eugene “Gene” – Obituary

Eugene “Gene” Deiter, 66, died June 18, 2004, at his daughter’s home in Vancouver, Wash. He had been ill for the last few years. There will be a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 349 South Egan in Vancouver, Wash. Gene was born on Oct. 17, 1937, at Rifle, Colo., to Edwin and Pearl Nichols Deiter. He attended grammar school in Colorado until 1949, when the family moved to Burns, where he continued his education. When he was 17, he joined the military and served during the Korean War. During his military … Read more

Polk, Opal Simonis Mrs. – Obituary

Opal Simonis Polk, 80, passed away June 8, 2006, in Vancouver, Wash., where she resided the past 50 years. Opal was born July 15, 1925, in North Powder, Ore., to Mary and Jacob Simonis. She was preceded in death by her husband Perry Polk. She is survived by her children: daughters, Betty Sneddon and husband John of Vancouver, Wash., Linda Sill and fiance Bob Turkington of Anchorage, Alaska; son, David Polk and wife Margaret of Longview, Wash. Also surviving are six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, June, 2006 Transcribed by: Belva … Read more

Bukowiec-Crow-Woolf, Travis – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon Travis Lane Bukowiec-Crow-Woolf, 25, of Halfway, died Oct. 4, 2004, as the result of a one-vehicle accident near Halfway. His funeral was Friday at Pine Valley Presbyterian Church in Halfway. Travis was born on Dec. 14, 1978, at Portland. He was raised in Vancouver, Wash., and was a graduate of Brush Prairie High School. Travis loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. He enjoyed drawing, hunting, fishing, old cars and just goofing off. He had recently remade his home in Halfway. Travis had two favorite sayings, “posse up” and “we’re burnin’ daylight. Survivors include his parents , … Read more

Gray, Nellie Frances – Obituary

Nellie Frances Gray, 91, formerly of Union County, died Tuesday, May 25, 1993, of natural causes in Spanaway, Wash. A funeral service will be held Wednesday at Unger Funeral Chapel in Silverton. Interment will follow in Belle Passi Mausoleum in Woodburn. Mrs. Gray was born Sept. 25, 1901, in Lenox County, Iowa, to George Washington and Alice Mae Wiley Lemon. The family moved to Lynden, Wash., when she was very young. Her father died there when she was six, and her mother moved the family to Union, where she received her education. She married Ernest Merrell Gray on May 28, … Read more

Miller, Odetta F. Jacobs Patterson Mrs. – Obituary

Odetta F. Miller, 78, a lifetime Baker City resident, died May 14, 2005, at her home of natural causes. Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Mr. Larry Albert will conduct the service. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be fro 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Odetta was born on June 12, 1926, at Baker City to Howard and Goldie Jacobs. Her best childhood memories included living on the homestead out at Five Mile (Lookout Mountain). She spent most of her time with her … Read more

Hayes, Connie Rae DuPree Mrs. – Obituary

Connie Rae Hayes, 46, of Durkee, May 26, 2005, at her home. Her graveside service will be at 9 a.m. PDT (10 a.m. MDT) Wednesday at the Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge, Idaho. There will be a celebration of life service at 2 p.m. PDT at the Durkee Grange Hall in Durkee. Connie was born on Aug. 5, 1958, at Council, Idaho, to Don Howard and Lois Lawson DuPree. She was educated at Council, New Meadows and Kooskie, Idaho. When she was 9, the family moved to Seattle, Wash., and then to Vancouver, Wash., where Connie remained for several years. Connie … 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

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

Biographical Sketch of Matthias Spurgeon

MATTHIAS SPURGEON. – This pioneer of Clarke County is a native of Iowa, having been born in Cedar County in 1838. In his childhood he was bereft of his parents, and found a home in the family of an uncle, Mr. George Spurgeon. With this relative he came to Oregon while but a boy of fourteen, and found a home in the household of Mr. William H. Dillon. Soon after becoming of age, he spent two years in the mountains and gorges of Idaho prospecting for gold, meeting, however, with but little success. Returning to Clarke county he took up … Read more

Biography of Mrs. Mary J. Hayden

MR. AND MRS. GAY HAYDEN. – Prominent among the many pioneers of the Pacific Northwest who deserve an enduring place in its history are Mr. and Mrs. Hayden of Vancouver, Washington, whose heroism under the many difficulties that beset the emigrants who broke the way for advancing civilization on this far frontier will seem to generations yet unborn, who are destined to read these pages, more like the dream of the novelist than a recital of fact. Mrs. Mary J. Hayden, who at this writing is a handsome, well-preserved and charmingly vivacious woman, as ready-witted, graceful and gentle as though … Read more

Smith, John D. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon John D. Smith, 96, of Baker City died Nov. 21, 2000, at his home at Baker City. A family memorial service will be scheduled later. Disposition was by cremation at Gray’s West Pioneer Crematory. Mr. Smith was born on May 2, 1904, at Elkhart, Ind., to Joseph and Florance Denny Smith. His family homesteaded at Molt, Mt., in 1908. He made Billings, Mt., his home in his youth. He played basketball for his high school team there. He enjoyed many firsts in the early part of the century, from automobiles to airplanes, golf and tennis. He loved … Read more