Ellen S. Paton, 96, of Forest Grove, a former longtime Baker City resident, died Oct. 28, 2006, at the Tuality Community Hospital in Hillsboro.
There will be a celebration of Ellen’s life at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Jennings-McCall II Assisted Living Center, 2221 Oak St. in Forest Grove. Pastor Robert Reichen will officiate. Lodge rites will be conducted by the Order of Eastern Star, Home Star Chapter No. 187 in Forest Grove. Private interment will be at the Forest View Cemetery in Forest Grove.
Ellen Sarah Paton was born on May 8, 1910, in Elbe, Wash., to Robert H. Keller and Flora Belle Darr Keller. She was raised and educated in the Elbe community, which had a population of 100 at the time.
The house she grew up in had eight bedrooms and she still had to share a bedroom with her younger sister. Most of her time was spent going to school, cooking and sewing with her mother.
On May 8, 1936, at the age of 26, Ellen married John Paton at Tacoma, Wash. After their marriage, they made their home at Tacoma, Long Beach, Calif., and Baker City. Ellen devoted her life to her children and husband. For fun they would go on car rides.
Her husband, John, died in 1959. After his death, Ellen continued to make her home in Baker City until 2000, when she moved to the Jennings-McCall II Assisted Living Center at Forest Grove.
Ellen was a member of the Order of Eastern Star for 30 years and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Baker City.
Among her interests, Ellen enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She also enjoyed her many activities with the Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Flora Belle Keller; two brothers, David L. Keller and Leonard J. Keller; a sister, Joyce Keller, and stepson, John W. Paton.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Aletha J. and Paul D. Shields of Portland; a son and daughter-in-law, David L. and Karin Paton of Ontario; a brother and sister-in-law, Robert H. and Jeanette Keller of Colorado Springs, Colo.; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
To sign the online guest book or to send a condolence to the family go to www.fuitenrosehoyt.com.
Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral Home of Forest Grove is in charge of arrangements.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, November 1, 2006
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor