Hoskins, Jerome – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Jerome “Jerry” Hoskins, 78, of La Grande died Jan. 10 Services are planned 1 p.m. Monday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in La Grande. Viewing will be on Sunday from 4 until 6 p.m. and again Monday from 9 until 11 a.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mr. Hoskins was born Aug. 21, 1928, to Omar K. and Essie C. Hoskins at Havre, Mont. Mr. Hoskins attended grade school at Havre; Mobridge, S.D.; Baker City and Lewiston, Idaho. He attended junior high in Clarkston, Wash., and senior high at Yakima. While in high school Mr. Hoskins … Read more

Lundgren, Keith Mickey – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Keith Mickey Lundgren, 89, of Boise and formerly of La Grande died Jan. 9 at his home. Mr. Lundgren was born May 6, 1917, in Osceola, Neb. As a young man growing up on the Great Plains, Keith was drawn to the romance of the railroad and the possibilities of the West. After graduating from Grand Island High School in Nebraska, he joined the U.S. Navy. He spent six years, just prior to World War II, aboard the U.S.S. Lexington traveling around the Pacific and through the Panama Canal, including several weeks searching for the lost aviator … Read more

Mastrude, Spencer Fredrick – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Spencer Fredrick Mastrude Spencer Fredrick Mastrude, 84, of La Grande died Feb. 14 at a local care home. A funeral is planned for 11 a.m. Monday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mr. Mastrude was born April 29, 1922, to Fredrick and Agnes (Lozier) Mastrude in Joseph. He was educated in both Joseph and La Grande and graduated from Enterprise High School. He worked with his father, farming and ranching for a few years, then did some work in the logging industry. He later went to work in heavy construction, mostly as a cat skinner. He married … Read more

Lyon, Everett M. – Obituary

Everett M. Lyon Everett M Lyon, 83, died April 9 surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held Tuesday in Mount Vernon, Mo. A private service for burial will be at the Grandview Cemetery in La Grande. Mr. Lyon was born May 20, 1923, in Wallace, Idaho, one of 13 children. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Leavenworth, Wash., where he lived until he graduated from high school and married the love of his life, Esther Bates, whom he met at a roller rink. They spent the early years of their marriage in Leavenworth, where Everett was employed … Read more

Gunter, Dana L. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Dana L. Gunter, 69, died April 5 at her son’s home in LaPine. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Grandview Cemetery, La Grande. Mrs. Gunter was born April 5, 1938, in Spokane, Wash., and was raised in Oregon. She was married to Chester Gunter and lived in La Grande for about 10 years. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and had a special relationship with great-granddaughters Mya and Brittany. Survivors include her children, Ernie of San Jose, Calif., Tom of LaPine, Chester, Dana of La Grande, Eva of Salem and … Read more

Waymire, Sharon Skaggs – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Sharron Skaggs Waymire, 60, of Granger, Wash., and formerly of La Grande, died April 1 at her home after a long battle with cancer. A funeral service is planned for 1 p.m. Friday at the Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside, Wash., with burial to follow at the Zillah Cemetery. Mrs. Waymire was born Nov. 26, 1946, to Everett and Wilma Skaggs in La Grande. She graduated from Gem State Academy in 1965 and earned a teaching certificate from Walla Walla College in 1971. On Nov. 2, 1975, she married Larry David Waymire in Granger, where the couple … Read more

Gibbs, Donald – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Donald W. Gibbs, 77, of Redmond and formerly of La Grande, died March 12 of Parkinson’s disease. A private family memorial service took place March 17. Redmond Memorial Chapel handled the arrangements. Mr. Gibbs was born Sept. 13, 1929, to Hallie and Mary (Kane) Gibbs in Spokane, Wash. He began working as a baker at the age of 15 and continued in that profession most of his life. On April 1, 1950, he married Carolyn Killingbeck in La Grande, where they lived before moving to Redmond. He owned Gibbs Bakery in downtown Redmond for 43 years. He … Read more

Rogers, Norma Ellen – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Norma Ellen (Erickson) Rogers, 85, died March 25 at her home in Elgin. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Elgin Church of the Nazarene, 11th and Birch. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mrs. Rogers was born Jan. 17, 1922, to Lawrence and Emma I. (Bickford) Hawes in La Grande. She graduated from La Grande High School and in 1941 married Manuel Erickson in Idaho. The marriage ended in divorce, and in 1947 she married Ernest Rogers in La Grande. He preceded her in death in 1992. Mrs. … Read more

Weatherspoon, Evelyn Irene – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Evelyn Irene Weatherspoon, 67, of Elgin, died March 18 at her home. A celebration of life began at noon today at the Rockwall Grange. Mrs. Weatherspoon was born April 18, 1939, to Lloyd Rodney and Gladys Marie (Dodson) Brock in White Salmon, Wash. She graduated from high school in Portland. In 1984 she moved to Elgin from Portland and worked as a bartender. On April 7, 1988, she married Donald Weatherspoon in Elgin. He died Sept. 15, 2005. Mrs. Weatherspoon loved rock hunting and the outdoors. She enjoyed her home and family. Survivors include her brother, Dwayne Lee … Read more

Gray, Barbara Jean – Obituary

Union, Oregon Barbara Joan Gray, 70, of Union, died March 20 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. At her request, there will not be a formal service, but all are welcome to attend a gathering in remembrance at 11 a.m. Saturday at the VFW Hall in Union. The family requests no gifts or food. Barbara was born Nov. 21, 1936, in Enterprise. She was educated in La Grande, graduating from La Grande High School and attending what is now Eastern Oregon University. Barbara married Wade Crook in Portland; they later divorced. She lived in Seattle for many years and worked as … Read more

Broyles, Virginia D. – Obituary

Formerly of La Grande 1914-2007 Virginia Dorothy Broyles, 92, of Hermiston and formerly of La Grande, died March 9 at her home. A celebration of life is planned for 11 a.m. Thursday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Viewing will be available from 8 to 10 a.m. prior to the service. Mrs. Broyles was born July 23, 1914, to James A. and Dorothy Ellen (Standard) Cunningham in Albion, Wash. She was raised in Albion, Hooper and Spokane, graduating in the first senior class of John Rogers High School in Hillyard in 1933. During her high school years, … Read more

Harris, Lavelle – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Lavelle Harris, 93, of La Grande, died March 9 at her home. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande. A complete obituary will be published at a later date. The Observer – Obituaries for the week ending March 17, 2007 1913-2007 LaVelle Harris, 93, of La Grande, died March 9. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, with burial to follow at the Union Cemetery. Mrs. Harris was born April 6, … Read more

Mulhall, Robert – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Robert Mulhall, 86, of La Grande and formerly of Seattle, died March 5. At his request there will be no public services. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mr. Mulhall was born June 3, 1920, to Leo and Jenny (Price) Smith in Yakima, Wash. He lived in Yakima, Portland and Seattle and served in the Army during World War II. After an honorable discharge, he worked as a manufacturing engineer for Boeing for 25 years. In the 1970s he moved to La Grande, where he was employed as a consultant for the … Read more

Smead, Eleanor Eunice – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Eleanor Eunice Smead, 87, of Eugene and formerly of La Grande, died March 5 of age related causes. Arrangements are under the direction of Musgrove Family Mortuary of Eugene. Mrs. Smead was born Dec. 30, 1919, in Auburn, Wash., to Ward and Stella (Magers) O’Neill. She graduated from Auburn High School at the age of 16. On Sept. 1, 1938, she married Wendell Martin in La Grande, and the couple had four children. He preceded her in death in 1972. In 1976 she married Harold Smead, who preceded her in death in 2004. She spent a good … Read more

Lovelace, Carolyn Rees – Obituary

Cove, Oregon Union County, Oregon Obituary Carolyn Rees Lovelace, 74, of Ontario and formerly of Cove died of cancer June 25 at the home of her daughter, Rilla Lovelace Hanger, of Monroe, Wash. Her ashes will be spread at Cove Cemetery, followed by a family celebration of life at the Cove Pool at a time and date to be announced later. Born Feb. 18, 1933, Carolyn loved animals, especially horses. She also took in young people who needed a safe place. Carolyn passed on a strong love of family connections, family members said. She was a proud fourth-generation Oregonian from … Read more

Lyons, Edward Charles – Obituary

Edmund “Boomer” Charles Lyons, 38, died at his home in Enumclaw, Wash., June 8. A memorial service will begin at 3 p.m. June 30 at the Hermiston Eagles Lodge, 160 N.W. Second St., Hermiston. Boomer was born in Othello, Wash., on Sept. 4, 1968, to Evelyn Lyons and Ed C. Lyons I. In 1993, Boomer met his future wife, Chrissy, at Crabby’s bar and it was love at first sight. They were married Oct. 15, 1993, and made their home in Enumclaw. Boomer worked at FedEx National LTL. He enjoyed coaching his daughter’s fast pitch softball team and was his … Read more

Hornig, Blanche L. – Obituary

Union, Oregon Blanche L. Hornig, 85, of Salem and formerly of Union died June 1. A memorial service will begin 1 p.m. June 20 at Morningside United Methodist Church in Salem. Blanche was born in Ithaca Township, Wis., to Leslie and Libby Holeton on Sept. 28, 1921. She lived in Minnesota and Kennewick. She married Thomas Hornig in 1949, and they lived in Union, Eugene and Salem. In the ’70s, Blanche was executive secretary for the Salem League of Women Voters. She was proud to be a part of the Friday clan, and an honorary Cherry. Survivors include her husband, … Read more

Douhan, Margaret E. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Margaret “Micky” E. Douhan, 95, died June 3 in Port Townsend, Wash. Memorial services were held at Quimper Unitarian Church in Port Townsend. Micky was born Oct. 13, 1911, in Greeley, Colo., to Carl and Vesta (Parker) Douhan in Greeley. The family moved to La Grande where Micky grew up and graduated from high school. She enrolled at Oregon State University in 1936 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in marine biology in 1940. Micky returned to school in 1968 and earned a master’s in liberal arts degree from Reed College in Portland. Micky met Wendell … Read more

Smith, Kenneth L. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Kenneth L. Smith, 78, died July 10 at the Veterans Hospital in Seattle after a lengthy illness. A funeral service was held on July 16 in Kirkland, Wash. He was born on Nov. 23, 1928, in La Grande. Ken barbered for many years in the Bothel area of Seattle. He was also a tree-topper in northeast Seattle for many years. Of the two occupations, he enjoyed tree-topping more. Ken was quick to make friends and never knew a stranger. He is survived by his wife, the former Sherril Bateman of Union; five sons and their wives, Frank … Read more

Jewett, Helen M. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Helen M. Jewett, 93, of La Grande, died Aug. 17 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cove Christian Camp. Helen was born June 22, 1914, to Harold and Thena Mae Moak Fry in Montesano, Wash. Helen spent most of her childhood on a ranch on the Wynooche River near Montesano, with a brief time spent in Alberta, Canada. She attended a one-room school, and graduated high school in Montesano. She attended Eugene Bible College (now called Northwest Christian College) in Eugene. She and her husband, Joe, ministered during college … Read more