Washington

Briggs, Herbert – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Herbert Stanley “Bud” Briggs, 90, died at his home in Enterprise on May 31, 2005. He was born in New Meadows, Idaho, on Jan. 16, 1915, to Roy and Maude Briggs. Mr. Briggs came to Wallowa County in 1939. He worked at the mill in Joseph and later as a janitor for Joseph High School. In 1940, he married Lucile “Peal.” They were married 63 years when she died in 2003. In 1950, Mr. Briggs went to work for Pacific Power. He ran the power plant at Wallowa Lake for several years and then transferred to the Lewis … Read more

Boyce, Ned – 1938 Obituary

Imnaha, Oregon Ned Boyce passed away at Walla Walla, Wash., on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 1938. He was born Jan.6, 1912 at Elma, Wash., son of William and Olga Boyce. On Aug. 30, 1959 he was married to Cora Simmons at Enterprise. He was a painter by trade and was a member of the Enterprise Elks Lodge. He came to Wallowa County in February, 1948 and opened the Pie Shop and Melo Freeze Ice Cream Shop. He was in that business for several years. Survivors include his wife, Cora, of Imnaha; two daughter, Dorothy Keener of Joseph and Edith McGee of … Read more

Lee, Leon – Obituary

Leon Lee died April 27, 2007, in Spokane, Wash. He was 48. Leon Lee was born on July 20, 1958 in Middleton, Mich. to Edward and Carol Geck. He was greatly loved by his family, extended family and countless friends. Mr. Lee was always willing to lend a hand where needed and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Laura Lee; son Cody Lee; parents Edward and Carol Geck; brother Brian Geck; sisters Tami DeMattia and Tari Amy; and various nieces and nephews. Memorial services were held on Saturday May 5 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist … Read more

Johnson, Lora Jeannette – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Lora Jeannette Johnson of Enterprise May 20, 2007. She was 90. Services will be held June 2, 2007, at 2:30 p.m. at the Community Congregational Church in Enterprise. A complete obituary will run at a later date. Wallowa County Chieftain, May 24, 2007 Contributed by Dixie Ricker Second Obit. Lora J. Johnson died on May 20, 2007, at Alpine House in Joseph. She was 90. Mrs. Johnson was born on Sept. 12, 1916, in Regina, Saskatchewan Province, Canada to Durbin Yost and Anna McKay Yost. Her parents immigrated to Pullman, Wash. where she graduated from high school and … Read more

Daggett, Jeri Clarneau – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Jeri Clarneau Daggett died peacefully April 11, 2007, at Clarkston, Wash. She was 68. Mrs. Daggett was born Aug. 25, 1938, in Asotin, Wash. to Glen and Ella Williamson Clerneau. She married Ervin Daggett on Oct. 20, 1963 in Joseph. On Nov. 12, 1968, their son Eddie Daggett was born. Mrs. Daggett lived most of her life in Asotin County in Washington. She sold Avon for years and volunteered hours helping in her community. The last several years she served as vice president and supervisor of the New Hope Food Bank in Clarkston. She enjoyed spending time with … Read more

Emmons, Jeannie – Obituary

First Obituary Jeannie Marie Emmons of Wallowa died March 27, 2007, in Walla Walla, Wash. She was 47. Ms. Emmons was born Feb. 28, 1960. She lived most of her life in Wallowa. She graduated from Wallowa High School in 1978. She moved to Boise where she worked for a short time. She moved back and worked at the Eagle’s Nest, Baird’s Tavern, the Common Good for seven years and at Parks Bronze for eight years. Ms. Emmons enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She maintained a positive attitude even in difficult times and touched others with her … Read more

Crow, Phil – Obituary

Phil Crow, a 23-year resident of Olympia, Wash. died May 14, 2007. He was 62. Mr. Crow was born Sept. 14, 1944, in Milwaukee, Wis. to Henry and Mary Greenwood Loades, Sr. He graduated from Joseph High School in 1962 and attended Spokane Community College as well as General Motors University of Automotive Management. He was the Service Director for Chevrolet, General Motors, and Honda. Prior to residing in Olympia, Mr. Crow lived in Joseph, Spokane and Walla Walla, Wash. and Enterprise. In he married Diane Farris in Enterprise in 1981. His many hobbies included gardening, grapes and tomatoes, shrimping, … Read more

Biography of Rev. O. I. Bennett

Rev. O. I. Bennett, pastor of the Christian Church at Boynton and for many years an earnest worker in a vocation which is recognized as the noblest occupation of man, is also ministering to the physical needs of the body as a chiropractor, and along both spiritual and material lines his efforts have been productive of much good. He was born in Cone, Louisa County, Iowa, September 13, 1867, a son of J. W. and Mary Arm (Manley) Bennett, natives of Indiana and of Irish descent. In 1849, when six years of age, the father was taken by his parents … Read more

Forthman, Charles O. – Obituary

Charles O. Forthman died May 12, 2007, at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Veterans Administration Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash. He was 85. Mr. Forthman was born in a log house April 21, 1922, in Flora to William T. and Margery M. Ager Forthman. In 1940 he went to National Youth Association School in Pendleton for mechanics in heavy equipment and truck driving. In 1943 he attended five weeks of school for heavy equipment and truck driving. During World War II he was drafted in the Army Air Force and received his honorable discharge in January 1946. Mr. Forthman served … Read more

Cochran, Clifford Henry – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Clifford Henry Cochran, 94, of Tri-cities and formerly of La Grande died Feb. 25 at a care center. At his request there will be no funeral. Mr. Cochran was born Jan. 27, 1912, to Walter M. and Blanche Barnes Cochran in Enterprise. He graduated from La Grande High School where he played football and baseball. In 1934 he married Helen Conkey in Walla Walla. They lived in Klamath Falls and in La Grande, where he worked for the Mt. Emily Lumber Co. He retired after more than 40 years. He coached the fast-pitch softball team and a basketball … Read more

Chandler, Harley Wallace – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Harley Wallace Chandler died Oct. 22, 2006, at Walla Walla General Hospital. He was 73. Mr. Chandler was born July 10, 1933, in Joseph to Oscar and Gladys Ballantine Chandler. He moved with his family to the Milton-Freewater/Weston area in 1946 and attended schools in Joseph and Milton-Freewater. He graduated from McLoughlin Union High School and earned an associate of arts degree in heating and air conditioning from Walla Walla Commiunity College. Mr. Chandler joined the U.S. Navy at 17 and served in San Diego and in The Philippines. He was discharged from the service and worked two … Read more

Cerato, Mildred Elva – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Mildred Elva Cerato, 88, of College Place, Wash., died Dec. 11, 2003, on her birthday at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash. She was born on Dec. 11, 1915 in Santa Ana, Calif. to George W. and Mary Ella (Pearce) Todd. In 1937, she married John A. Cerato and the couple lived and raised a family in California. After her husband died, Mrs. Cerato moved to Joseph in 1992 to be near her daughter. She was an active member of the Joseph Baptist Church, doing mission work, serving for a time as president of the women’s … Read more

Cate, Jenice E. – Obituary

Flora, Oregon Jeniece E. “Jenny” Cate, 57, died March 12, 2005, at Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, Wash. She was born on Aug. 24, 1947 in Enterprise to Glenn (Blackie) McElroy and Jean Burleigh McElroy. Mrs. Cate grew up in Flora and Irrigon. She graduated in 1965 from Riverside High School and attended Blue Mountain Community College. She enjoyed reading, knitting, science fiction movies and cats. In 1970 she married Robert Cate and they had four children together. They divorced in 1983. She moved back to Irrigon in 1981 from Happy Camp, Calif. She worked for Cong Agra for 23 … Read more

Carper, Joseph K. – Obituary

Services Held For Joe Carper Funeral Services were held at Centralia, Washington, Saturday, March 13, for Joseph K. Carper, former resident of Promise for many years. Mr. Carper passed away at the Swedish hospital in Seattle March 10, where he had been confined for a month. Mr. Carper was born in Raleigh County, West Virginia, on September 21, 1865, the son of George Washington and Delilah Carper. His father was a minister and came west in the 90’s moving into the La Grande and John Day country. Joe Carper was married when he was 17 years old and came west … Read more

Coyle, Nancy Belle – Obituary

Wallowa, Oregon Nancy Belle Coyle, 80, of Walla Walla, Wash., died Dec. 25, 2003, at Walla Walla General Hospital. She was born July 24, 1923, in Wallowa to William E. and Laura Belle (Johnson) Johnson. After growing up and getting most of her schooling in Wallowa, she graduated from McLoughlin Union High School in Milton-Freewater and attended Oregon Normal School (now Eastern Oregon University) for two years. She made the Walla Walla area her home after marrying Walter C. Coyle in 1946 and worked as a bookkeeper for the telephone company until retiring in 1968. She was a member of … Read more

Cornwell, Thora Jean – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Thora Jean Cornwell, 78, of Joseph, died at the Wallowa Valley Care Center in Enterprise Sun Dec. 12. She was born in 1926 in St. Paul Minnesota to Oliver and Caroline Castle. Mrs. Cornwell has been married to Jack Cornwell for 41 years. During which time she worked in a school cafeteria, moving from Vancouver, Wash to Wallowa Lake. She enjoyed sewing and traveling with her husband. Mrs. Cornwell is survived by her husband Jack Cornwell of Wallowa Lake, son Ted Hisel of Vancouver, Wash, daughter Joyce Schultz of White salmon, and daughter Jody Ogden of Colton. Other … Read more

Cornwell, Elizabeth Ann – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Cornwell, a longtime resident of Wallowa County, died at the age of 89 on Oct. 24, 2005, at the Life Care Center in McMinnville. Cornwell was a poet with four books to her credit and also wrote a bi-weekly column for the Chieftain for over a decade. She was born on March 24, 1916, in Portland, the daughter of Ned and Irene Butler Hynson. She grew up in the Parkrose area of Portland and graduated from Grant High School. After high school she went on to attend the University of Oregon. While working on the … Read more

Conner, Sidney George – Obituary

Wallowa, Oregon Sidney George Conner died on May 3, 2005. He was born Dec. 5, 1930, in Wallowa to Robert and Jennie Conner. Mr. Conner graduated from Wallowa High School in 1948. He was class valedictorian and played football and basketball. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in the Korean War, and was discharged in 1955, after four years of service as an Aviation Electronics Technician. He married Joyce Thomason on Nov. 24, 1955. He then attended Boise State College for two years, where he also played football. He transferred to the University of Washington, where … Read more

Conner, Joyce Lee – Obituary

Wallowa, Oregon Joyce Lee Conner died Aug. 29, 2006. She was 71. Mrs. Conner was born April 4, 1935, in Wallowa. She graduated from Wallowa High School in 1953. She did all of the artwork for her high school yearbook, was a song leader, a member of the student council, and was the basketball homecoming queen. She enjoyed hours of horse back riding with friends. After graduating from high school, she earned her certificate to become a dental assistant in Walla Walla, Wash. On Nov. 24, 1955 she married Sid Conner, her brother’s classmate from Wallowa High School. They were … Read more

Conaway, Violet – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Violet Effie Conaway, 88, of McMinnville, died April 15, 2004, at home. She was born Oct. 3, 1915, in Flora to Roy and Bessie Varney. Mrs. Conaway spent most of her growing up years on Upper Prairie Creek and graduated from Joseph High School. After marrying James B. Conaway in 1938, the couple moved to La Grande a few years later where she worked as a high school secretary, followed by a move to McMinnville in 1950. After a short time in Alaska, the couple lived in Vancouver, Wash., before returning to McMinnville in 1980 with two young … Read more