Elgin, Oregon
Wesley “Wick” Churchill, 70, of Elgin, died May 30 at his home surrounded by family and friends. A casual dress (Wick-style) celebration of life service will begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Elgin Stampede Hall. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Wick was born March 5, 1938, to Ivan and Elsie Obert Churchill in La Grande. He was raised and educated in Elgin. Wick joined the Navy on Jan. 10, 1958, and received an honorable discharge on Jan. 16, 1962.
Wick married Berta “Boots” Spencer-Crosser on Feb. 12, 1965, in Reno.
Wick was a member of the Elgin Stampeders and volunteered with the Elgin Rural Fire Department, where he enjoyed playing Santa and passing out candy to all the kids in Elgin at Christmas time. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, prospecting for gold, metal fabricating and traveling with his wife, Boots.
For many years he was an electrical superintendent for Boise Cascade as well as many other mills in the Northwest. Wick owned and operated a hunting and fishing guide service. Wick also owned Wick’s Custom Meat Cutting. He was a route salesman for a vending machine company and he made many friends servicing his accounts in Union and Wallowa counties. He loved children, his friends, animals and spending time with his family. Wick was like a grandfather to many.
Wick is survived by children, Ken Crosser and his wife, Jackie, of Oklahoma City, Okla., Linda Hagen and her husband, Phillip, of Appleton, Wis., Jack Crosser and his wife, Brenda, of Elgin and Julia Howell and her husband, Roy, of Elgin; sisters, Annette Howell and her husband, Ralph, of Elgin and Ardith Noyes of Summerville; brothers, Cecil and his wife, Becky Churchill, of Elgin, Chett Churchill of Imbler and Harley and his wife, Joane Churchill, of Elgin; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and two sisters, Verlee Jones and Laurose Scott.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Elgin FFA, Elgin Rural Fire Department or Blue Mountain Humane Society.
La Grande Observer – June 2, 2008