Walla Walla County WA

Cole, Claud Lindford – Obituary

Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon Claud was the eldest child of Maud Ruthanar Burnap and Robert Lindford Cole. He was born at Prairie Creek, Oregon on August 24, 1888. Claud’s name sake was his paternal grandmother Catherine Lindford, 3rd wife of Rev. William Person Cole, AKA Wiley P. Cole Sr. His elementary schooling was started there and completed in Touchet, Washington, and in Lost Prairie, Oregon where he graduated from the eight grade. He then took a Teacher’s Examination which gave him his first teacher’s certificate. Claud taught in several out lying districts for the next few years, including Lost Prairie. … Read more

Yeager, Welthy Serelda Kimberly – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Mrs. Yeager Passes After Long Illness Mrs. Welthy Yeager passed away at the home of daughter, Mrs. Jennie Action of Joseph Sunday morning following a long illness. Welthy Serelda Kimberly was born January 11, 1860 in Oskaloosa, Iowa and died March 3rd, 1940, aged 80 years, 1 month, 28 days. She came to Walla Walla by ox team with her parents in 1865. May 10, 1875 she was united in marriage to George M. Birdsell. To this union six children were born all of whom survive. They are Mrs. Hattie Wolfer, Lostine; Mrs. Jennie Action, Joseph; Mrs. Mabel … Read more

Loney, Charles Christopher, Jr. – Obituary

Charles C. Loney, who had lived in this community since he came here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Loney, 1882, died Saturday morning [February 6] at his home, 516 Catherine Street, following a long illness. He was a native of Toronto, Canada, born 1873, but had spent most of life in Walla Walla and nearby. Educated in Walla Walla High School, he later was associated with his father in management and operation of farming interests until the retirement of the elder Loney in 1901. Charles C. Loney for a number of years operated a real estate and loan … Read more

Biography of Hon. John B. Allen

HON. JOHN B. ALLEN. – “I think Walla Walla is destined to be the central and commercial city of that large area of country in Eastern Washington lying south of the Snake river, and of much of Eastern Oregon. Probably no city of its population in the Northwest equals it in wealth. It is just now emerging from years of transportation extortions, which few other regions could have borne. Competitive systems will infuse new life to every industry, and stimulate the developments of resources heretofore lying dormant.” This is the horoscope of the young city as cast by Mr. Allen; … Read more

Dixon, Melinda Banister – Obituary

Mrs. Melinda B. Dixon, pioneer of Kittitas Valley, died at Bernath’s Nursing Home early today at the age of 91 years January 13, 1964. Melinda Banister, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Banister, was born Feb. 6, 1872 in Clark County, Washington and came to Ellensburg with her parents in 1870. Because of the Indian disturbance in the valley they moved to Walla Walla, returning here in 1884, making the trip in a covered wagon. She was married to Elwood J. Dixon, Dec. 18, 1890 in Ellensburg. He died here in 1937. She was also preceded in … Read more

Heath, Eve Maree Watkins Mrs. – Obituary

North Powder, Oregon Eve Maree Heath, 71, of North Powder, died Aug. 17, 2002, at her home. There will be a celebration of her life at 2 p.m. Saturday at her home at 820 Second St. in North Powder. Mrs. Heath was born on Sept. 23, 1930, at Walla Walla, Wash., to Lefty and Dorothy Jones Watkins. She was raised and educated in Washington. She married Chester P. Heath on March 9, 1978, at Seattle, Wash. She bowled at the Baker Bowl for many years. She devoted her life to her uncle, Bud Jones; her mother, Dorothy Pearson; her daughter, … Read more

Forthman, Charles O. – Obituary

Charles O. Forthman died May 12, 2007, at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Veterans Administration Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash. He was 85. Mr. Forthman was born in a log house April 21, 1922, in Flora to William T. and Margery M. Ager Forthman. In 1940 he went to National Youth Association School in Pendleton for mechanics in heavy equipment and truck driving. In 1943 he attended five weeks of school for heavy equipment and truck driving. During World War II he was drafted in the Army Air Force and received his honorable discharge in January 1946. Mr. Forthman served … Read more

Wiche, Richard Henry – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Richard Henry Wiche, 63, of Enterprise, died Oct. 9 at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the ILWU Local 8 Union Hall, 2435 NW Front Ave. in Portland. The family will be having private services otherwise. Arrangements are in care of Herring Groseclose Funeral Home of Walla Walla. Mr. Wiche was born Sept. 16, 1943, in Portland to Fred Henry and Verice Griffin Wiche. He attended schools in Portland and graduated from Madison High School. On Oct. 11, 2005, he married Karen “K.C.” Cornwell in Portland. Mr. … Read more

Lee, Roy Thomas – Obituary

His home, S4202 Grand Blvd. Husband of Mrs. Myrtle L. Lee at the home; father of Mrs. Gladys McCarthy, Spokane; brother of Mrs. Charlotte Wilkinson, Okanogan, Wash.; Mrs. Carl Penner, Mrs. Guy Kent, Ted Lee, all of Walla Walla, Wash.; Henry Lee, Pendleton, Ore.; numerous nieces and nephews. A member of the Church of Christ Scientist; the Elks Lodge of Walla Walla, Wash., The Brotherhood of Railway Train men. A resident of Spokane 27 years. Mr. Lee will be sent by the Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home, N1306 Monroe St. to the Groseclose Mortuary, Walla Walla, Wn., where services will … Read more

Lee, William Max – Obituary

William M. Lee, who came to Whitman County in 1872 from Walla Walla, died at his home in this city Tuesday evening [June 16, 1925], surrounded by his wife and four surviving children. He suffered an attack of pneumonia about two weeks ago and due to his advanced age of 77 years the after effects proved fatal. Funeral services were held from the Baptist Church Thursday at 2 p.m., Rev. W. P. Osgood, a former pastor coming from Albany, Oregon, to officiate, assisted by the new pastor, Rev. J. L. Peringer. Mr. Lee was an active member of the finance … Read more

Biggs, S.H. – Obituary

Lostine, Wallowa County, Oregon S.H. Biggs, Pioneer Of County, Is Dead Lived Near Lostine For About 80 Years and Family Was Prominent. S.H. Biggs, a resident of Wallowa County for nearly 30 years, died last Sunday at Evens. The funeral was held in the Evans Church at 11 o’clock Tuesday morning, Dec. 22 and was attended by a large gathering of friends of the family. Rev. Evert Smits conducted the services. Mr. Biggs was born Sept. 1, 1838, in Lindentown, Ohio. The family moved to Iowa where he was married, May 30, 1866 to Miss Harriet B. Newcomb. They came … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nathan Brown

The worthy pioneer and capable business man of whom we now have the privilege of speaking is one of the leaders in the business realm of Burns, being senior member of the firm of N. Brown & Sons, general merchants, who have one of the largest stocks in the county and do a mammoth business, being well established and highly esteemed by all. Mr. Brown was born in Germany, in January, 1835, and at the age of thirteen years came to America. In 1852 he came via Cape Horn to San Francisco, and thence to Oregon City, where he engaged … Read more

Winter, Bob – Obituary

Island City, Oregon Bob Winter, 82, of Island City died June 22 at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla. A memorial will be held at a later date. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Winter was born May, 21, 1924, to Fred and Lillian Klein Winter in Sandoval, Ill. After high school he entered the Army and served during World War II and the Korean War. He married Mae Fetter in Carlisle, Pa. He spent 21 years in the Army and another 21 years as a civilian executive assistant at the Umatilla Army Depot. … Read more

Biography of John A. Lanman

John A. Lanman is one of the best known men in Wallowa County, and also in eastern Oregon, having spent a career of exceptional success in the capacity of rider of race horses in this section, while in his business enterprises since that time he has manifested talent and energy that have commended him to his fellows. John A. was born in Wayne County, Iowa, on October 23, 1859, being the son of William and Betsey (Dobson) Lanman, natives of Illinois. They soon removed to Iowa after their nuptials, about 1843, and twenty years subsequent to that time they crossed … Read more

Ensminger, George – Obituary

George Ensminger Dies, March 5 George Ensminger 69, of Walla Walla, a former longtime Haines resident died Sunday at local hospital in Walla Walla. Graveside services for Mr. Ensminger were conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 8 at the family plot in the Haines Cemetery. The Reverend Gerald C. Nelson of the United Methodist Church in Haines and Baker officiated. Mr. Ensminger was born Feb. 10, 1909 in Haines, the son of Frank and Ethel Payne Ensminger. He received his education in Haines and worked in heavy construction for a number of years. After his retirement he has been a … Read more

Holmes, George H. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon George H. Holmes was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1855. In early childhood he crossed the plains with his parents to Bannock City, Montana. Later the family came to Walla Walla and in 1868 they located at Cove, which was his home until early manhood. Mr. Holmes was one of the earliest settlers of Wallowa County, residing here at a time when there were only thirteen families in the County. While still a young man, Mr. Holmes proved up on a homestead on Crow Creek, the same homestead being farmed by himself the summer previous to … Read more

McEwen, Lena – Obituary

A longtime resident of Centralia, Mrs. Lena M. McEwen, 82, died Wednesday at a Centralia hospital. She was born March 28, 1884 at Lawrence, Kan. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Alta Rasmussen, Battle Ground and Mrs. Laura Timberman, Vancouver; four sons, Dan, Centralia, Wilbur and Melvin, both of Kelso and Elmer, Oakland, Calif.; a sister, Mrs. Myrtle Mooney, Portland; 11 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Funeral services are Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Fissell-Brown Mortuary Chapel, Chehalis, with the Rev. James F. Scott officiating. Interment will follow at the Toledo Cemetery [Fir Lawn Cemetery]. Pallbearers will be Leslie Palmer, … Read more

McLean, Margaret Ann Loney – Obituary

Mrs. H. [Hector] H. McLean at the home of her daughter at 634 Pearson St. early yesterday morning after a lingering illness of many months. Besides her husband she is survived by four daughters and one son, Mrs. Alice Barrow and Mrs. Charlotte Lundy of this city, Mrs. Margaret Garrett of Seattle and Mrs. Roy Zaring of American Falls, Idaho and Charles McLean of Finn, Montana. She also leaves four sisters and four brothers and seventeen grandchildren. Mrs. McLean was born in Ontario and came to Walla Walla in 1878 where she made her home until nine years ago when … Read more

Biography of A. H. Reynolds

A.H. REYNOLDS. – This pioneer of Walla Walla, Washington, is a bank director, a large real-estate owner, and has been active in many of the early enterprises, not only of that city, but of Oregon and California. He was born in 1808, in St. Lawrence county, New York; and his memories of early life are deeply tinged with the exciting events of the war of 1812, in which his parents had an active part. Receiving the rigid and economical training of the old times, he added to his education by efforts of his own, and qualified himself for active life … Read more

Speelman, Claude L. – Obituary

Claude L. Speelman, 90, of Hermiston, a former Haines resident, died Jan. 30, 2003, at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the chapel of the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home at Milton-Freewater. Pastor Richard Wright will officiate. Private interment will be Wednesday in Mount Hope Cemetery. Claude was born Oct. 27, 1912, at Haines. He was the son of LeRoy and Lela Cross Speelman. He married Janet Pettie at Weiser, Idaho, in 1939. He worked construction and the couple moved a lot when their children were young. He later worked ranches … Read more