Baker City, Oregon
Merton Fisher Osborne, 82, of Baker City died March 20, 2001, at Evergreen Health and Rehab Center in La Grande.
His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Ritualistic rites will be accorded by the Baker Elks Lodge, No. 338. There will be a time of fellowship and sharing after the service at the Baker Elks Lodge, 1896 Second St.
Mr. Osborne was born May 29, 1918, at La Grande to Ernest Douglas Hastings and Helen M. Fisher Osborne. He grew up at Fisher Hot Springs near Haines and graduated from Muddy Creek High School.
On April 26, 1939, he married Ellen Virginia Rutter. They had four children: Ron, Frederick, Pam and Gloria. Mr. Osborne proudly served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army. He served his tour at Camp Roberts where he walked every inch of the base.
He made his living working for various construction companies driving his own dump truck. He also worked some for an advertising company.
Mrs. Osborne died on Sept. 17, 1988. Mr. Osborne moved to La Grande with his daughter in January of this year.
He enjoyed camping with his family and friends, as well as going dancing and playing shuffleboard. Hunting and fishing also were favorites of his. Some of his most enjoyable times, though, were spent attending the Bull-a-rama at the Baker Fairgrounds during Miners Jubilee. He was a 47-year life member of the Baker Elks Lodge, the Baker City Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Sandy Osborne of Baker City; daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela and Rocky Hardwick of La Grande and Gloria and Jack Kleck of High Valley; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Billie Osborne of Midwest City, Okla.; a sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Axel Honigbaum of Stanwood, Wash.; a sister, Bonita Fellers of Albany; sister-in-law, Ruth Osborne of Redmond; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many dear friends and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; a son Frederick; a brother, Nigel; and his parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Elks Foundation or the Baker City VFW DAV fund through the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: The Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, March 27, 2001
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor