Washington

Dayton, Gretchen Adeline – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Gretchen Adeline Dayton, 85, of Elgin died July 17 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A graveside memorial will begin at 7 p.m. Friday at the Elgin cemetery. She was born Dec. 25, 1920, in Port Townsend, Wash., to Asa and Sylvia Fowler. She spent most of her life in the Puget Sound area, living in Tahuya and Brinnon. In 1981, she married Darius Dayton and moved to Elgin. She loved the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting, and enjoyed watching the sunsets from her kitchen window. She was a great storyteller and loved the antics of the young children who … Read more

Marrs, John Whitney – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon John Whitney Marrs, 79, formerly of La Grande, died in Portland April 16. Burial was at the Willamette National Cemetery where he received military honors. Mr. Marrs was born March 20, 1927, in Port Angeles, Wash. He graduated from La Grande High School, and lettered in football, baseball, track and basketball. He told of a summer job driving a produce truck to and from a POW camp in Eastern Washington. He served in the Navy during World War II, and attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif. In 1948, he transferred to the University of Oregon and … Read more

Billerback, Darrel Ray – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Darrel Ray Billerbeck, 68, of Elma, Wash., and formerly of La Grande died June 26 at his home. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. July 21 at Whiteside Family Mortuary in Elma. A potluck meal will follow at Vance Creek Park. Participants are encouraged to bring a story or favorite memory to share. Mr. Billerbeck was born June 22, 1938, to Harry and Bernice Billerbeck in La Grande. He graduated from La Grande High School and attended Oregon State University until he returned home to run the family farm. He graduated from Oregon Technical … Read more

Bruch, Georgeanna Marie – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Georgeanna Marie Bruch, 89, of Hillsboro and formerly of La Grande died Aug. 4. A memorial service was held today in Hillsboro. Burial at Fir Lawn Cemetery in Hillsboro will be private. Fir Lawn Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Bruch was born Nov. 19, 1916, to George E. and Marie Keller Lockwood in Riverside. She attended school in La Grande and graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Spokane in 1940. On Jan. 24, 1943, she married Robert H. Bruch. The lived in Yreka, Calif., and Hillsboro before moving to Woodburn, and more recently … Read more

Leslie, Elizabeth Annetta “Betty” – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Elizabeth Annetta “Betty” Leslie, 77, of La Grande died September 16 at Grande Ronde Hospital. At her request there will be no services. Mrs. Leslie was born Dec. 18, 1928, to Carl P. and Myrtle Harmon Cloud in Elma, Wash. In 1969 she married Bruce Leslie. He died earlier. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Survivors include a son, Carl “Jake” Jacobsen of Gig Harbor, Wash.; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two brothers, Bob Cloud of Bellingham, Wash., and Hank Cloud of Oregon; and a sister, Barbara Jacobsen of Puyallup, Wash. Memorials may be made … Read more

Lockhart, Louise – Obituary

Summerville, Oregon Louise Lockhart, 81, of Summerville died Sept. 13 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of life is planned for a later date. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Lockhart was born April 26, 1925, to Samuel Schurit and Ethel Macklin VanderJagt in Bellingham, Wash. She attended Pepperdine College in Los Angles, Calif., and married Ray Lockhart on May 3, 1946, in Southgate, Calif. She worked as a purchasing agent at Eastern Oregon University, and was active in her church. She was a member of the Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary and the Soroptimists, and enjoyed reading, … Read more

Burford, Paula Errolo – Obituary

Union, Oregon Paula Errolo Burford, 80, of College Place, Wash., and formerly of Union died Sept. 17 at her daughter’s home. The funeral was held today at Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home in Milton-Freewater. Burial was at the Milton-Freewater Cemetery. Mrs. Burford was born March 25, 1926, to Joseph Coleman and Katie Rosilla Deuel Lay in Medical Springs. She graduated from Union High School, and attended Brigham Young University. She moved to Los Angeles, Calif., where she worked for Western Union. On Sept. 16, 1949, she married Clifford Edwin Burford in Los Angeles. They returned to Oregon and lived in Milton-Freewater for … Read more

Fischer, Kimberly Dawn – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Kimberly Dawn Fischer, 47, of Marysville, Wash., and formerly of La Grande died Sept. 9 at her home of natural causes. A service will be begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Marysville Senior Community Center, 514 Delta St. A memorial in Oregon will be conducted at a later date. Mrs. Fischer was born April 22, 1959, to Donna and Jerry Martin in Pendleton. She attended school in La Grande, and married Randy McKinnis. On April 28, 2002, she married Craig Fischer. She worked in food and beverage management for many years. She enjoyed rock and gem … Read more

Hunt, Richard Eric – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Richard Eric Hunt, 37, of Lovelock, Nev., and formerly of La Grande died Sept. 4. A memorial Mass will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday Sept. 9 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church with Father Hank Albrecht and the Rev. Irwin Smutz officiating. Mr. Hunt was born Nov. 18, 1968, to Richard and Iris Hunt in Spokane, Wash. He graduated from Yamhill-Carlton Union High School where he was class valedictorian and state representative to the Oregon School Board. He was a member of the National Honor Society and given early admission to the University of Notre … Read more

Killingbeck, Fern E. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Fern E. Killingbeck, 94, died Aug. 21 at Richland Rehabilitation Center in Richland, Wash. A private family graveside service will be held at the Redmond Memorial Cemetery in Redmond. Mrs. Killingbeck was born July 8, 1912, at Madras to Thomas Jefferson and Etta Mora Parsley Fields. She lived in Longview, Wash., and The Dalles before moving to Redmond, where she graduated from high school. On Dec. 22, 1930, she married Clarence Herbert Killingbeck in Bend. She owned and cooked at her restaurant in Redmond for several years. In 1949 she moved to La Grande and operated the … Read more

Droschkey, William Russell – Obituary

Cove, Oregon William Russell Droschkey, 82, of Cove died Friday at a local care center. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Cove Cemetery. Mr. Droschkey was born Oct. 3, 1923, to William and Mary Alice Bill Droschkey in Spokane. He was raised in Idaho and graduated from high school in Orofino, Idaho. At the age of 14 went to work in the woods. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and on Sept. 18, 1948, he married Shirley Brazil in Cove. In 1951 he graduated from the University of Utah as … Read more

Hays, Clarence Edward – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Clarence Edward Hays, 84, of Elgin died Sept. 22 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise. Viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Elgin Cemetery. A dinner will follow at the Elgin Community Center. Mr. Hays was born Oct. 7, 1921, to Luther and Ellen Bennett Hays in Baker City. The family lived in Missouri, Washington, Idaho and Oregon. He served in the Navy during World War II, and on Sept. 2, 1951, he married Beverly Case … Read more

Oberteuffer, William Healey – Obituary

Island City, Oregon William Healey Oberteuffer William Healey Oberteuffer, 86, known as “Bill Obie,” died in his home in Island City Sept. 24. A memorial service in Portland will take place at 2 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Tryon Farm, followed by refreshments. A memorial service in the La Grande area will take place at noon Nov. 4 at the Summerville Pine Grove Grange, followed by a potluck. Remembrances can be sent to the Union County Extension Service for the Oberteuffer research and education forest. Donations can be sent to the Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Mr. … Read more

Landers, Wilbur Paul – Obituary

Island City, Oregon Wilbur Paul Landers Wilbur Paul Landers, 96, died in Wenatchee, Wash., Oct. 15. Funeral services will take place at the LDS Church in Island City at 1 p.m Saturday. Viewings will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel and noon until 12:50 p.m. Saturday prior to the funeral. Burial will be at the Grandview Cemetery following the services. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Home and Telford’s Funeral Home. Mr. Landers was born Aug. 21, 1910, near Leadwood, Mo., to John and Essie Landers. His family moved to Oregon when he … Read more

Dowdy, William Carrington – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon William Carrington Dowdy, 83, of La Grande, died Nov. 24 at a local care center. A celebration of life service will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in La Grande. Private burial will be at the Grandview Cemetery. Viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande. Dr. Dowdy was born Dec. 21, 1922, in Yakima, Wash., the son of William and Edna (Whitenack) Dowdy. In 1942 he joined the Army and was deployed to the Pacific Theater as a combat infantryman … Read more

Ross, Doris – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Doris Ross, 80, of La Grande died Nov. 18 at her home. A memorial service begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mrs. Ross was born Sept. 7, 1926, in Pasco, Wash., to William D. and Lucille C. Skeen Reinhardt. While in high school she was in a violin ensemble that won first place in the state of Washington.She graduated from Pasco High School in 1944. The following year she married Donald C. Ross at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Walla Walla, and … Read more

Sudway, Patrick Charles – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Patrick Charles Sudway, 25, of Elgin died Nov. 3 in an automobile accident. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Catholic Church in Elgin. Patrick was born April 9, 1981, and recently moved to Elgin from Walla Walla, Wash. He worked as a handyman in the construction business and enjoyed motorcycles, fishing, camping, track, skiing, swimming, music, movies, hiking, football, wrestling, animals and being around people. Survivors include his parents, Darlene Johns of Elgin and Charles Sudway of Strafford, N.H.; sisters, Catherine Johns of La Grande and Renee Swagger of Strafford, N.H.; grandparents, Edward … Read more

Gregory, Helen Elizabeth – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Helen Elizabeth Gregory, 78, of La Grande died Dec. 7 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Walla Walla. A celebration of life is planned for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mrs. Gregory was born March 17, 1928, to Henry Walter and Florence Hazel Wellington McDonald in Ketchikan, Alaska. At the age of 8 she moved with her family to Washington and later to Union and Elgin. She graduated from Elgin High School. On April 27, 1951, she married Robert Gregory in La Grande. She was employed as an educational secretary for many years … Read more

Engle Jimmie E. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Jimmie E. Engle, 88, of Eugene and formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 13. The family will have a private memorial service in Eugene. Mr. Engle was born Jan. 24, 1918, in Krupp, Wash., and grew up in eastern Washington. In 1941 he married Sheila Thompson in Portland. He served in the Army overseas during World War II, then attended pharmacy school at Oregon State University. He was a pharmacist for 30 years and was the manager of the La Grande PayLess from 1969 to 1984. After retiring in 1985, he and his wife moved to Eugene. … Read more

Moberry, June – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon June Moberry, 89, of Salem and formerly of La Grande died Jan. 9 in Beaverton. No service is planned. A family gathering will take place June 9 to plant a rose arbor. Mrs. Moberry was born June 9, 1917, the daughter of Oscar and Anna Hultman, in Ketchikan, Alaska. She was raised on Bainbridge Island in Washington, and married Ralph Moberry in 1951 in Seattle. She lived off and on in La Grande from 1955 to 2002 and was assistant manager of Founta Court. She belonged to the Christian Science Church and had two children, Carol Moore … Read more