La Grande, Oregon
George Edward Evans, 86, of La Grande, died Thursday at the Grande Ronde Hospital. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Monday at the Summerville Cemetery.
Mr. Evans was born on Dec. 10, 1919 in Bartlett, Neb., to Charles Sydney and Grace Lorenz Evans. He moved to La Grande at the age of 8 with his family and graduated from La Grande High School.
During World War II he served in the 94th Infantry in Europe with the Army. He was in four major battles and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Mr. Evans married Virginia “Peggy” Courtney Stewart in Walla Walla on Oct. 19, 1950. He worked for the Mount Emily Lumber Mill for 13 years. He later returned to work for the Union Pacific Railroad, which he had worked before going into the military. He retired as a Union Pacific Railroad Engineer on Dec. 10, 1982.
Mr. Evans was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the American Legion and the La Grande Eagles. He loved to fish and do wood work for his family.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy of La Grande; son and his wife, Michael E. and Rae Evans of Umatilla; daughter, Nancy Baber of Joseph; sister, Frances A. Case of Aloha; three granddaughters, Lindsey Ruth of Hermiston, Janice Graves of Baker City and Cresta Kelso of Vale; two grandsons; six great grandsons and four great granddaughters and other relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Oregon Cancer Society in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.
The Observer Online, Obituaries for the week ending Aug. 5, 2006, Published: August 7, 2006