Washington

Saunders Phyllis Jane – Obituary

Cove, Oregon Phyllis Jane Saunders, 80, of Cove, died Aug. 12 at her home of natural causes. A funeral service will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Phyllis was born Sept. 9, 1926, to Clyde and Virgie (Bell) Robinson in Tacoma, Wash., one of eight children. She was raised and educated all over the Northwest. Her father worked for Pacific Fruit and traveled throughout the Northwest, so she attended several schools. She eloped with Grant Saunders on Oct. 23, 1944, to Weiser, Idaho. After Grant returned from the Air Force and got … Read more

Roper, Virginia Shaffer – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Virginia Shaffer Roper, 81, of Denver and formerly of La Grande died July 27 in Denver. A memorial service will be Aug. 10 at Horan and McConaty Chapel in Colorado. Virginia was born April 1926 to Pearl and Leo Westenskow in La Grande. She graduated from La Grande High School and became a legal secretary, working for lawyers in La Grande, Portland, Spokane and Denver. She lived in six cities since her husband was transferred often by United Airlines, and she made friends easily. She liked flowers, gardening, playing bridge, painting, her pets, world news and travel. … Read more

Baxter, Phaedra Dune – Obituary

Phaedra Dune Baxter, 62, of La Grande died on Oct. 26. A celebration of Phaedra’s life is planned and the details will be announced later by Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center. She was born Pamela Bernice Bishop on Oct. 13, 1945, to Edward Fletcher Bishop and Bernice May Bedford in Vancouver, British Columbia. She was raised in Sumas, Wash., then moved to Wenatchee, Wash., where she attended grade school. The family moved to Los Angeles where she graduated from Lynwood High School in 1963. There, Phaedra became active in school and community theatre, nurturing a lifelong love of … Read more

Miller, Stephen Anthony – Obituary

Steven Anthony Miller, 60, of Walla Walla and formerly of La Grande, died Sept. 18 after suffering from a cardiac problem while driving on U.S. Highway 12. A funeral service was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Walla Walla last month. Steven was born Sept. 2, 1947, to Reuben and Lois Ruth Taylor Teske in Baker City. He lived for a while in La Grande and graduated from a local church school. He graduated from Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, Wash., in 1965 and attended Walla Walla College. He served in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge … Read more

Baxter, Joyce Viola – Obituary

Summerville, Oregon Joyce Viola Baxter, 86, of Summerville, died Sept. 22 at a local care center. A service will be held later in Yakima. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. Joyce was born on June 4, 1921, to Henry Harry and Hilda (Hall) Brown in Leicester, England. She was raised and educated in England. During World War II she enlisted in the British WAAF, serving in London with the balloon barrage troops. They deployed large zeppelin-shaped balloons during the Blitz, not allowing the German bombers to fly in low to inflict more damage. During the war … Read more

Gooderham, Steven Douglas – Obituary

Steven Douglas Gooderham, 62, of Vancouver, Wash., and formerly of La Grande died Oct. 12 at the Veterans Hospital in Portland. A military service was held at the Willamette National Cemetery Oct. 17. Steven was born on May 30, 1945, to Wayne and Lois in La Grande. In 1952 his mother married Alfred Martens and the family moved to Portland. His siblings, Susan, Pam and Bill, were born. The family traveled around Oregon as Alfred helped build the I-84 and I-5 freeways. Steven graduated from Madison High School and joined the Army. He served two of his four years in … Read more

Kovach, Florian Michael – Obituary

Dr. Florian Michael “Jeff” Kovach, 87, of La Grande, died Oct. 12 at a local care center. A celebration of life will be planned for sometime in the spring. The announcement will be published later. He was born on July 3, 1920, to Michael and Elizabeth (Farkas) Kovach in Tacoma, Wash. He graduated from Washington State University with a degree in veterinary medicine and served with the Air Force in Korea. In 1946 he moved to the Grande Ronde Valley as the county’s first professional veterinarian and opened the Animal Health Center on Island City strip. On Aug. 30, 1948, … Read more

Flanagan, Larry – Obituary

Larry Flanagan, 71, of La Grande died Oct. 11 in Boise. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. Larry was born in Wilbur, Wash., on July 24, 1936. He grew up on a farm at the foot of Mount Emily in the Grande Ronde Valley and lived in the area most of his life. He worked at Boise Cascade for 46 years, retiring in 2002. He loved fishing, hunting and traveling. His last hunting trip was about two weeks ago. His last big trip was a cruise to Alaska. … Read more

Uhrig, Albert Glenn – Obituary

Albert Glenn Uhrig, 81, of Elgin, died Oct. 6, at his home on Stubblefield Mountain of natural causes. Services were held Oct. 10. Glenn was born May 12, 1926, to Albert and Ethel Seay Uhrig in Weiser, Idaho. He was the eldest of four brothers. Glenn was a veteran of the United States Army, serving his country during the later years of WWII in Korea. Glenn married Ruth Elmer on April 7, 1973, in La Grande. They made their home on the Uhrig Family Ranch on Crane Creek, east of Weiser, Idaho. Glenn was a vital part of a successful … Read more

Leggett, Billy R. – Obituary

Billy Robert Leggett, 89, of La Grande died Sept. 11 at Valley Creek Adult Foster Home in La Grande. Visitation will run from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Coles Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday 15 at Coles Funeral Home with burial following at Mount Hope Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Baker City United Methodist Church with the Rev. Juanita Bergacker officiating. Billy was born April 26, 1918, to Robert Lee and Mary Virginia (Shaver) Leggett in Seattle. He was raised in Seattle and went to school there. Billy worked as … Read more

Aylward, Ruby Lamara – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Ruby Lamara Aylward, 95, formerly of Joseph and Elgin, died in her sleep on Sept. 2 in Gresham. She will be cremated and buried with her husband of 67 years, William Quintin Aylward, in the Mountain View Cemetery in Walla Walla during a private service. Affordable Funeral Alternatives in Gresham is in charge of arrangements. Ruby was born April 19, 1912, in Pomeroy, Wash. She later married William Q. Aylward, a farmer. They moved to Joseph in 1947, and in 1952 moved to Elgin, where they farmed for more than 45 years. She lived at the Fairlawn … Read more

Horn, Stanley Bruce – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Stanley Bruce Horn, 74, of Elgin died Nov. 19. An inurnment begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Elgin Cemetery with a celebration of life following at 1:45 p.m. at the Elgin Community Center. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Stanley was born May 16, 1933, to Clarence and Lillie Southard Horn in Kimball, Neb. When he was 4, his family moved to High Valley near Union, and when he was 5 or 6, they moved to Cricket Flat near the breaks of the Minam River. He spent the remainder of his childhood years … Read more

Herold, Reao Richard – Obituary

Summerville, Oregon Reao Richard Herold, 91, of Summerville, died Nov. 10 at a local care center. At his request there will be no public services. Those who wish may sign the guest book at www.danielsknopp.com. Reao was born on July 11, 1916, to Thomas and Elsie (Grabley) Herold in Montrose, Colo. During World War II he served with the U.S. Navy. After his honorable discharge he worked in the home construction business in Longview, Wash., and Portland. He loved his work and enjoyed gambling. He moved to Summerville from Lake Oswego four years ago to be near family. Survivors include … Read more

Hartsock, Gary David – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Gary David Hartsock, 45, of La Grande, died Jan. 13 at his home. A viewing runs from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at the La Grande Church of Christ, 2107 Gekeler. A graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Gary was born in Yakima, Wash., on March 30, 1962. He attended elementary school through the third grade in Yakima. Gary’s family moved to Joseph in 1971. There he attended school in Enterprise and … Read more

McGrath, Vivian Clare – Obituary

North Powder, Oregon North Powder native Vivian Clare McGrath Davis, 100, of Spokane and formerly of North Powder and Union, died Jan. 2 at her home in Spokane. A graveside funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Friday at the North Powder Cemetery. Thornhill Valley Funeral home in Spokane is handling arrangements. Vivian was born Sept. 28, 1907, to Walter Vincent and Leila Marquerite Gardner McGrath in North Powder. She lived there for 72 years. Being a natural musician, she played drums and piano in the family quartet at dances in Union and Baker counties. Prior to the 1940s, the … Read more

Luhrs, Sarah J. – Obituary

Sarah J. Luhrs, 88, formerly of North Powder and La Grande, died Tuesday March 11 in Eugene. A service will be start at noon Monday at West Lawn Funeral Home in Eugene. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to noon at West Lawn Funeral Home. Mrs. Luhrs was born March 1, 1920 in North Powder to Dick and Enolia (Gorham) Brothers. She married John Luhrs on Aug. 23, 1938 in Wallowa. They were married 47 years. John Luhrs died Feb. 16, 1984. She was a foster home care giver in La Grande, Corvallis, and Clarkston, Wash. She had lived in … Read more

Larkin, Alice – Obituary

Alice Larkin died in her home at MooreCare in Kent, Wash., March 9. A memorial service will be held Saturday at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 19030 Eighth Ave S., SeaTac, Wash., at 1 p.m. Burial will take place in Island City at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s research, hospice care or charity of choice. Alice was born June 28, 1913, in Canova, S.D., to Lizzie and B. A. Schierholz. As a young woman, Alice owned and operated a beauty shop in Corvallis. While in Corvallis, she met and married Earl Herrmann … Read more

Horstman, Dolores Rose – Obituary

Dolores (Dode) Rose Horstman, 77, of La Grande died Feb. 22 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Walla Walla. At her request there will be no public services. Those who wish may sign the guest book on-line at www.danielsknopp.com. Dolores was born Oct. 20, 1930, to Charles and Velma (Weidman) Marra in Red Oak, Iowa. She was the only child. The family moved to La Grande when she was a teenager. She attended school in Baker City and La Grande, graduating from La Grande High School with the Class of 1947. In 1950 she married Norman Bud Horstman in La … Read more

Smith, Irene W. – Obituary

Irene W. Smith, 85, of La Grande, died Feb. 23 at a local care center. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, at the Union Cemetery. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements. Irene was born July 2, 1922, to Archie and Eunice (Griffith) Williamson in Brookhaven, Miss. She lived in Seattle for some time before moving to the Los Angeles area of California where she lived for 30 years. In June 1984, she moved to La Grande to be near family. In the early 1990s her daughter, Judith Ann DeLeebeck lost her … Read more

Johnson, Robert E. – Obituary

Robert E. “B.J.” Johnson, 74, of Barstow, Calif., and formerly of La Grande, died Feb. 15 at his home from complications of colon cancer. A memorial service was held Feb. 24 at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland, Wash. Einan’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. He was born April 2, 1933, the first of five children, to Alva and Macel Johnson in St. Paul, Ark. After serving four years as a fighter jet radar technician in the U.S. Air Force and receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Richland to pursue his collegiate education and follow his dreams of … Read more