Walla Walla County WA

Cross, Lauretta – Obituary

Lauretta Cross, of Milton-Freewater and a former resident of Wallowa County, died July 9, 2007, at Walla Walla General Hospital in Walla Walla, Wash. She was 85. Mrs. Cross was born June 19,1922, in La Grande to James Everett and Etta Rebecca Berg Rachau. The family resided on Pumpkin Ridge, outside of Elgin. They later moved to Minam, where Mrs. Cross attended school through the second grade. In 1930, the family moved to Onalaska, Wash., where she finished her schooling, graduating from the eighth grade twice. Her father didn’t believe in higher education for women. She married young and had … 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

Biography of Marcus Whitman, M.D.

MARCUS WHITMAN, M.D. – A volume might be written in regard to the life and death of this man. Hence, in the brief space here given to him, only a synopsis of his life can be given. He was born at Rushville, New York, September 4, 1802, and was the son of Beza and Alice (Green) Whitman. His father having died in 1810, he was brought up by his paternal grandfather, at Plainfield, Massachusetts. There he was converted in 1819; and in January, 1824, he joined the Congregational church at his native place, of which he remained a member until … Read more

Schnebly, Dorse D. – Obituary

Dorse D. Schnebly, long time valley rancher, passed away early today February 21, 1967 at the Kittitas Valley Memorial Hospital. He was 81. He was born Feb. 2, 1886 in Walla Walla and came to the Kittitas Valley at the age of 2 with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Schnebly. Mr. Schnebly married the former Stella Barnhart Nov. 16, 1910 and they made their home and ranched in the Fairview District until his retirement in 1962. He was a member of the First Methodist Church, a Charter Member of the Kittitas County Farm Bureau, and a … Read more

Baxter, Rex D. – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Rex D. Baxter, of Dayton, Wash. died Nov. 16, 2006. He was 55. Mr. Baxter was born Oct. 15, 1951. He graduated from Enterprise High School. He was employed as a Fishery Biologist and worked for the Army Corps of Engineers in Walla Walla, Wash. He is survived by his wife Debbie, daughter Emily, son Steven, mother Marjorie M. Baxter of Enterprise, brothers Greg Baxter of Bend, Gary Baxter of Troutdale and Terence Baxter of Walla Walla, Wash. plus other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held at Dayton, Wash. on Nov. 25, 2006. Wallowa County … Read more

Loney, Evelyn L. Paul – Obituary

Age 60 years. Home was in Greenacres. Lived there six years. Survived by two sisters, Mrs. Ida Thompson of Spokane and Mrs. Dr. Ridgeway of Olympia; two half sisters, Mr. J. A. Howard of Garfield and Mrs. Louisa Estes of Vancouver, B. C. Funeral Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. from Hazen & Jaeger’s Chapel, the Rev. Dr. S. J. Chaney officiating. The body will be sent to Walla Walla for interment. Spokane Review, February 26, 1930 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Biography of Dr. N. G. Blalock

DR. N.G. BLALOCK. – Americans in general and those of the West in particular have no equals in the world in versatility. No other people can do so many different things and do them so well as we. No other people so disregard the conventional and regular ways of doing things, and go across lots to conclusions and results so promptly. On our Western border is this especially manifest. Face to face with nature in some of her most remarkable and powerful manifestations, with all things new and untried, we burgeon out our powers untrammeled by custom or artificial restraints. … Read more

Biography of William McIlroy

WILLIAM McILROY. – The active and capable gentleman whose name appears above, is one of Union county’s progressive and enterprising stockmen and agriculturists, having wrought here as well as elsewhere with display of ability and sagacity that commend him to all lovers of thrift and industry and which have resulted in the accumulation of a goodly portion of property and the placing of our subject among the most prominent and influential men of this section, while his integrity and uprightness are commensurate with his other characteristics. Iowa City, Iowa, is the birth place of our subject, and July 27, 1861, … Read more

Andrews, William H. “Bill” – Obituary

William H. “Bill” Andrews, 74, a longtime Baker City resident, died Feb. 28, 2006, at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash. There will be a potluck luncheon and get-together at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at Harvest Church, 3720 Birch St. “A good time to visit and reminisce because that is what Bill liked to do best,” his family said. Bill was born on May 18, 1931, at Pompeii, Mich., to Paul and Beulah Andrews. He attended elementary school at Pompeii, and was a 1951 Ithaca High School graduate. Upon graduating, he worked for General Motors at Lansing, … Read more

Sample, Lois L. – Obituary

Wallowa County, Oregon Lois L. Sample died at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash., July 9, 1987. She was 65. No funeral services were held at her request. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children or the Elks Eye Clinic through Munsell-Rholdes Funeral Home Chapel in Milton-Freewater. Sample was born in Wallowa to Cecil and Thelma (Crow) Childers, on April 29, 1922. She attended schools in Lostine and Joseph, completing high school at Enterprise in 1940. She moved to Weiser, Idaho following high school graduation and attended the National Youth Business College. She … Read more

Childers, Minnie M. (Bailey) – Obituary

The funeral for Minnie M. Childers will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel at Burns Mortuary of Hermiston with burial to follow at the Hermiston Cemetery. Mrs. Childers, 93, of Hermiston, died Sunday, July 14, 1996 at her home. She was born Feb. 21, 1903, at Tillamook, to John and Elvira Parrish Bailey. She grew up in Wallowa County and lived there until her marriage to Howard B. Childers. The couple moved to Walla Walla. She came to Hermiston in 1953. Mrs. Childers enjoyed playing cards, fishing and quilting. Survivors include her son, H. Jay Childers of Prosser, Wash.; … Read more

Biography of Robert C. Mays

ROBERT C. MAYS. – The well-known and capable business man, whose name appears at the head of this article, is one of the most widely known men of Union, and Wallowa counties, and is at the present time handling a large business as warehouseman at Elgin, where he is numbered among the leading residents of that thriving city, and he has made a record in this section that is both crowned with gratifying success from a financial standpoint, and wherein he has maintained a representation that is untarnished and displayed talents that properly place him among the real leaders in … 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

Chandler, Harley Wallace – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Harley Wallace Chandler died Oct. 22, 2006, at Walla Walla General Hospital. He was 73. Mr. Chandler was born July 10, 1933, in Joseph to Oscar and Gladys Ballantine Chandler. He moved with his family to the Milton-Freewater/Weston area in 1946 and attended schools in Joseph and Milton-Freewater. He graduated from McLoughlin Union High School and earned an associate of arts degree in heating and air conditioning from Walla Walla Commiunity College. Mr. Chandler joined the U.S. Navy at 17 and served in San Diego and in The Philippines. He was discharged from the service and worked two … Read more

Biography of D. W. Small

D.W. SMALL. – The career of this gentleman and his brothers, who have been associated with him in most of his enterprises, well illustrates the fact that Western life peculiarly develops versatility and adaptability. The Western man must encounter sudden and unexpected obstacles. He must adapt himself to unusual conditions. Precedent is of little use to him. He has to make his own precedents. Hence the population of the Pacific slope is peculiarly noted for a variety of talents. The people learn to go across lots to conclusions. In the fierce struggle for existence which comes in a new country, … Read more

Taylor, Bob – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Bob Taylor, 73, of Baker City, died Dec. 12, 2002, at his home. At this time no services are planned. Bob was born June 16, 1929, at Walla Walla, Wash., to David Taylor and Mary Ellen Ramsey Taylor Huckins. He lived in many places as a boy. He enlisted in the Air Force when he was 17 years of age, working at the Pentagon most of his service time. After his discharge, he went to barber college, and after graduation he owned barber shops in Coos Bay, Roseburg, Union and Baker City. He also had shops in … Read more

Horstman, Dolores Rose – Obituary

Dolores (Dode) Rose Horstman, 77, of La Grande died Feb. 22 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Walla Walla. At her request there will be no public services. Those who wish may sign the guest book on-line at www.danielsknopp.com. Dolores was born Oct. 20, 1930, to Charles and Velma (Weidman) Marra in Red Oak, Iowa. She was the only child. The family moved to La Grande when she was a teenager. She attended school in Baker City and La Grande, graduating from La Grande High School with the Class of 1947. In 1950 she married Norman Bud Horstman in La … Read more

Hays, Alfred M. “Jack” – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Alfred M. “Jack” Hays, 84, of Walla Walla and formerly of Enterprise died June 10. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday June 16 at the Enterprise Cemetery. Herring Groseclose and Bollman funeral homes are in charge of arrangements. Mr. Hays was born Aug. 6, 1921,to Omar H. and Anna L. Hays in Enterprise. He attended and Enterprise schools, and served in the Army during World War II. He married Jean Ratcliff in Enterprise, where they lived until 1964. He worked for Pacific Power and Light for 33 years in Enterprise and Walla Walla, until 1983. … Read more

Beardsley, Larry Eldridge – Obituary

Union County, Oregon Obituary Larry Eldridge “Ty” Beardsley, 70, formerly of the Grande Ronde Valley, died Aug. 15 in Polson, Mont. Memorial services begins at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Friends may go to www.buffalohillfh.com to post condolences to the family. Ty was born Sept. 17, 1937, to Eldridge and Amy Lou (Holman) Beardsley in Walla Walla. He grew up in Eastern Oregon and married Viola Mae Vanderpool in Lewiston, in 1958. Ty was a farmer and rancher in the Grande Ronde Valley. He moved from the area in 1977 and went to Alaska to work as … Read more

Biography of Edmond Pearcy

Edmond Pearcy, whose history is one of close connection with the pioneer development of the state as well as its latter-day progress and prosperity was born in Bedford County, Virginia, on the 22d of March 1832, and is of Scotch and Dutch descent. His ancestors were early settlers of Virginia, and for many years the families were represented in Bedford County. His father, Nicholas Pearcy, was born there, and having arrived at years of maturity he married Rebecca Hardy, a native of Maryland. They became the parents of twelve children, eleven sons and one daughter, and of the number but … Read more