La Grande, Union County, Oregon
A 35-year old career in the La Grande furniture business ended last night for Edward J. Donohue, 57, who died unexpectedly at a local hospital after a one-day illness.
He was one of La Grande’s pioneer furniture dealers, having operated his own business on the corner of Jefferson and Fir shortly after he arrived in La Grande about 40 years ago.
After he sold out in that location Mr. Donohue went to work for Joe Carr’s furniture store at [the] corner of Adams and Fir and has been employed on that corner since.
Carr sold out to Ed Fitzgerald and Mr. Donohue worked for him until Fitzgerald entered the navy in 1942, at which time the business was purchased by Doyle Zimmerman, for whom Mr. Donohue was working until his death.
He was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1890 and moved west to La Grande when he was about 20 years old. He married Mrs. Donohue, a La Grande girl, 35 years ago.
He was a member of the Catholic church, the Elks lodge and the Knights of Columbus lodge in La Grande.
Surviving him are his widow Florence, and three daughters, Angela Donohue, Mrs. Marion Wagner and Mrs. Melvin Roe, all of La Grande; three sisters, Mrs. Charles Rink and Mrs. Charles Seale of New York; and one son Donald, of La Grande.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. from Our Lady of the Valley Catholic church. Interment will be in the family plot in the Catholic cemetery.
La Grande Evening Observer
Thursday, June 5, 1947
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