>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Robert Lee Campbell, 56, died unexpectedly of natural causes April 18 at his home in La Grande.A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Known as Bob, he was born Dec. 17, 1950, to Charles L. and Tressa June (Needham) Campbell in La Grande. He graduated from

La Grande High School and lived his entire life in La Grande.

In 1969, at age 18, Bob was severely injured in an alcohol-related car accident following an underage party on Morgan Lake Road. The accident left him partially paralyzed with acute memory loss and aphasia. After many years of therapy and continuous support from his parents, siblings, family and friends, Bob was able to live on his own and became a part of the community.

Although he was never able to work, he was known to many people and will be remembered riding his bike and later his motorized wheelchair around La Grande. He loved to have coffee at Denny's, shop at Albertsons and eat at McDonalds, all close to his apartment.His friendly smile and outgoing personality gained him many friends.

Bob was a member of Victory Christian Church in La Grande and had a deep faith and a belief that in the after life he would be made whole.

Survivors include his brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Sandy Campbell, and his sister and her fianc, Glenis Harrison and Joseph Hamm, all of La Grande; four nephews, two grandnieces, four grandnephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family would like to acknowledge their gratitude for the many people and organizations that helped Bob through his life, including Dwight Dill, Marladeen Risteen, the many people at New Day Enterprises who loved and cared for him, his case manager, Dustin Willey, and the members of Bob's church.

Memorials may be made to the Union County Safe Communities Coalition, to help curtail underage drinking and driving, in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh Street, La Grande 97850.

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Tracy Lawrence Epping, 56, of Summerville, died April 16. Services will begin at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Church in Mt. Angel. A reception will follow at St. Mary's Church Hall. Those who cannot attend the service may go to www.danielschapel.com to sign the guest book or leave a condolence online.

Tracy was born March 1, 1951, in Salem. He earned an engineering degree from Oregon State University and began a construction career in the Willamette Valley, where he got married and raised his daughters. He moved to the Grande Ronde Valley in 2003 and lived on a ranch while continuing his career in construction.

He was passionate about his family, friends and horses. Always a competitive spirit, Tracy completed the 100-mile Tevis Cup endurance ride in California on his favorite horse, "Kid."

He felt most at home in the wilderness and shared many great hunting, fishing and camping adventures with his family and friends. In recent years he was a dedicated volunteer with the Clackamas and Union County Search and Rescue teams.

Survivors include his parents, Larry and Jeanette; daughters, Jenny and Dianne and her husband, Nick Johnson; first wife, Kay Rufener; second wife, Sue Epping, and her children, Josh and Sierra; brothers, Randy, Daniel and Gary and his wife, Jennifer; sister, Shawn Engelberg and her husband, Chas; and and four nephews.

Memorials may be made to Union County Search and Rescue or to MHA of Oregon, Bipolar Disorders research (Regional Research Institute, Portland State University) in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.

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Dallas Richard Miller, 66, of Cove, died April 18 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Cove Sportsman's Club, followed by a potluck dinner. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

Mr. Miller was born Dec. 19, 1940, to Lester and Ida (Hunter) Miller, one of a set of twins. He attended school in Cove, graduating from high school in 1959, then joined the Navy.

After his discharge from the Navy, Mr. Miller held various jobs until he became a farmer. He married Irene Lampkins Jan. 15, 1966, and farmed with his father-in-law, Darrell. He enjoyed playing cards, hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his

brother, Dale Miller of Union; ex-wife Irene Miller of Cove; daughters and their spouses, Denise and Martine Mills of Cove, Debbie and Robert Waltenberg of Dayville and Diane and Greg Fair of Redmond; seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a

sister.

Memorials may be made to Loveland Funeral Chapel to assist with funeral expenses, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande 97850.

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Marilyn Rose Muller, 74, died of natural causes April 19 at her residence in

La Grande. A celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the La Grande United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

Marilyn was born June 7, 1932, to Roy L. and Ruby V. Skeen in Portland. She

attended school in La Grande, graduating from La Grande High School in 1950. She then attended Cottey College in 1956-57 and graduated from what is now Eastern Oregon University in 1957 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a minor in music.

A lifelong performer of classical music, Marilyn was committed to music education and the arts. She served as organist for BMCC, EOU, Pendleton High School and La Grande High School and since 1959 gave private piano and organ instruction. She was the organist for the Pendleton Presbyterian Church for 37 years as well as being a member of the church. She was also a member of the EOU staff, PEO, Knife & Fork Club, BMCC staff, the La Grande Methodist Church and the American Organist Guild.

Marilyn enjoyed baking and cooking for family gatherings and celebrations, pinochle card parties, picnics with friends, ski trips and going to the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon. She was a two-time Princess of Evensong at EOU.

Survivors include her husband, Darrell Muller; sons, Mike Muller of Echo, Steve Muller of Pendleton and Rich Muller of La Grande; and siblings, Joan Lynch of Hood River and Dave Skeen of Richland, Wash.

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Mary Ann (Heaverne) Marks, 89, of Imnaha, died April 20 at the Wallowa County Nursing Home in Enterprise, where she had been a resident for several months. A graveside memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Enterprise Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Bollman Funeral Home, Enterprise.

Mrs. Marks was born May 26, 1917, to Andy and Rosita Heaverne in Joseph. She attended school in Joseph until the seventh grade, at which time she went to live in Imnaha where she helped care for a widowed member of the family. When she was 15 she went to work for Celia Titus, who ran sheep on the Snake River.

At 16 she married Clarence "Kid" Marks. Except when the couple worked briefly for Dave Warnock in Lostine and operated a ranch at Horse Creek on the lower Imnaha, they lived all their lives in Imnaha, near the mouth of Freezeout Creek.

Kid and Mary worked for the Marr Flat Cattle Association from 1936 to 1955. Mrs. Marks cooked for the first Appaloosa Ride, which began at Wallowa Lake and ended at the Bear Paws Mountains in Montana. She was awarded a plaque for participating in all the rides —100 miles each summer.

She was the 1988 Hells Canyon Mule Days grand marshal as well as grand marshal for Imnaha Canyon Days. She was known for her cow camp cooking and excellent pies. She enjoyed gardening, working cattle and visiting her many friends. She was a 50-year-member of the Imnaha Grange.

Her husband of more than 50 years died in 1987. She managed their cattle alone for a few years and eventually sold out, but continued to live in her little house in Imnaha.

Survivors include her longtime companion, Lyman Goucher, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Mike, Pat, Clifford, Mercy and Alice.

Memorials may be made to the Wallowa Valley Health Care Foundation.

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Dorothy S. Oertli, 93, died April 21 at the Wallowa Valley Care Center in Enterprise. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Enterprise Community Congregational Church. A second memorial service will be conducted at a later date at the Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, Bainbridge Island, Wash.

Dorothy was born Feb. 19, 1914, to Frederick William and Elsie Marie Victoria (Lattstrom) Schulz in Huron, S.D. She graduated from Huron High School in 1931 and from Huron College in 1933, majoring in education. She taught school in South Dakota from 1933 to 1943, then worked for a title insurance company in Seattle from 1946 to 1955.

On March 18, 1948, she married Lawrence A. Oertli in Seattle.

Mrs. Oertli was a member of the Eagle Harbor Congregational Church on Bainbridge Island for approximately 40 years. She was a Camp Fire Girls Leader on Bainbridge Island and also volunteered at the senior center.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Marlys and Todd Watson of Joseph; two grandsons; brothers, Merlin Schulz of Seattle and Harry Schulz of Madison, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1982; stepsons, Samuel Oertli and Fred Oertli; and siblings, John Schulz, Roland Schulz and Marilyn Schulz.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas 75231-4596 (1-800-AHUSA1 or www.americanheart.org) or to the Enterprise Community Church Christian Education Program.

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Bette Ladine Spears, 70, died April 19 after a long illness at her residence in La Grande. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Christian Church, 901 Penn Ave., La Grande, with Pastor Mark Schlessman officiating. A luncheon will follow at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

Bette was born Aug. 5, 1936, to Vance and Marie (Reichle) James in Plains, Mont. She graduated from La Grande High School in 1954 and married Claude A. Spears in 1955. They raised four children and later divorced.

She trained to be a certified nurses aide and worked at Grande Ronde Hospital and Mountain Vista Care Center for many years before her retirement. Bette loved being with her family and spent as much time as possible with her grandchildren. She enjoyed her cats, gardening, playing Scrabble and yard sales.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Jim and Susan Spears of Union, Jerry Spears of Portland, Judy and Joe Lucius of La Grande and Janet and Mark Howard of Bend; siblings and their spouses, Don and Marlene James of La Grande and Carol Smith of Baker City; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to GRH Home Health and Hospice or to the Blue Mountain Humane Association.

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Don D. Turner, known as "Coach D," 76, formerly of La Grande, died April 18 at his home in Bella Vista, Ark.

A memorial service will be conducted Wednesday in Bella Vista.

Mr. Turner was born Dec. 12, 1930, to Ralph H. and Ella (Jebb) Turner in Monmouth, Ill. In his youth he broke and trained horses and gave riding lessons for the Turner family horse business.

He served in the Air Force from 1948 to 1951 and was in the reserves until 1955. He graduated from Monmouth College with a bachelor's degree in 1956 and from Illinois State University with a master's degree in 1960.

He dedicated his life to teaching, coaching and mentoring players and students.

Throughout his life he coached football, wrestling, track and baseball and taught English literature, health and P.E. He was athletic director and/or coach and professor at numerous high schools and universities, including Eastern Oregon University; led the Birmingham England Bulls to the BAFA League Championship; and coached the Bellingham, Wash., Eagles in a semi-professional league.

Coach D was a life member of the American Football Coaches Association, Who's Who, VFW and numerous community and volunteer organizations.

Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Louise Turner of Bella Vista; brother and sister-in-law, Wendell and Lila Turner of Magnolia, Texas; sons, Steve Turner and Greg Turner and his wife, Krista, of La Grande; stepchildren and their spouses, Bill Barrett of Springfield, Ill., Brad and Medilyn Barrett of Seattle, Julie and Jim Kieffer of Nevada, Iowa, and Laura Becker of Dubuque, Iowa; and nine grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Youth Program at The Bella Vista Community Church, 75 E. Lancashire Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. 72714; to the Athletic Program at Monmouth College, 700 E. Broadway, Monmouth, Ill. 61462; or to the Washington Regional Hospice, 34 W. Colt Square, Suite #1, Fayetteville, Ark. 72703.

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Shelby Lynn Strange Brandt, 23, of La Grande, died unexpectedly April 21. A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday at Riverside Park. A second service is planned for 11 a.m. Sunday at the home of Harry Metaxas in Eel Rock, Calif. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Shelby was born Feb. 7, 1984, in Eureka, Calif. She attended elementary school in Humboldt County and secondary school in Eastern Oregon. She graduated from Eastern Oregon University with a dual bachelor's degree in psychology and political science in June 2006.

Shelby lived in La Grande with the love of her life, Troy Howell.

From an early age, Shelby was dynamic. Her humor was infectious and her sense of justice swift. A member of both 4-H and FFA, she showed animals at fairs in California and Oregon. Shelby loved to cook and feed people, which she learned from her mother, expanded on in 4-H and perfected in college hosting dinners for "her boys." At EOU she was instrumental in the establishment of the Young Republicans organization.

Shelby won awards for her ceramics and had several pieces shown and sold in Kelly's Gallery in Joseph. She also loved to paint and crochet. She had a passion for music and dance and enjoyed camping.

Shelby spent the summer of 2006 caring for her great-grandmother, Carol Metaxas. The loving care she provided kept her from being placed in a care home. Grandma Metaxas passed away in September 2006 with Shelby at her side.

Survivors include her mother and stepfather, Lori and David Brandt; brothers, Justin, Christopher and Travis Brandt; father and stepmother, Terry and Erin Strange; siblings, Muriel and Merrick Strange; grandparents, Denny and Joyce Brandt, Nanette Green and Sue and Jack Strange; aunts and uncles, Terrie Green, Melissa Strange, Rick Green, Dennis Strange and Tony Strange and their families. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Paul Green.

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Lowell Gene Clinkenbeard, 57, died April 22 at his home in La Grande. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mr. Clinkenbeard was born Jan. 23, 1950, to Kenneth Lowell and Fern Ilene (Harbaugh) Clinkenbeard in Kansas City, Mo. His family moved to Union County when he was a child, and they lived in Elgin, Union, Cove, Imbler and Summerville as he was growing up.

He served with the Navy during the Vietnam War and after an honorable discharge returned to Union County and worked in the concrete construction business.

On May 27, 2006, he married Katherine Glen in Elgin.

He was an avid motorcycle rider and built motorcycle tricycles. He also made swords and walking sticks and collected knives.

Survivors include his wife, Katherine Clinken-beard of

La Grande; mother, Fern Ilene Clinkenbeard of La Grande; children, Candy Rose Clinkenbeard of Pendleton, Russell Gene Clinkenbeard of Salem, Lowell Phillip Clinkenbeard of Portland and Alice Ilene Clinkenbeard of Pendleton; stepchildren, Bryan Michael Nearing of La Grande, Russanne Glen of Everett, Wash., and Jennifer, Ashley and Tyler at home; brothers, Rex Clinkenbeard of La Grande, Allen Clinkenbeard of Wallowa County, Terry Clinkenbeard of Imbler and Doug Clinkenbeard of Hermiston; several grandchildren; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father.

Memorials may be made to the Lowell Clinkenbeard Fund in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.

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Wanda J. Rickett, 57, for-merly of La Grande, died of natural causes April 20 at her home in Emmett, Idaho. A celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. April 30 at the Abundant Life Fellowship, 207 S. Washington, in Emmett.

Wanda was born Sept. 11, 1949, to Lewis and Genevieve (Roberts) Ingram in La Grande. She attended school in Cove and graduated from La Grande High School in 1968. After graduation she worked at the public library in La Grande.

In 1973 she moved to Flagstaff, Ariz., where she met and married Keith Rickett. She moved to Emmett in 1986 and opened a dog-grooming business. She had a deep love for all animals and nature.

Survivors include her mother, Gen Madsen of Emmett; brothers and their wives, Ray and Bev Ingram of Emmett and Dee and Vickie Morris of Union; three nieces, four nephews and numerous cousins. She was preceded in death by her father and husband.

Memorials may be made to the Pet Adoption League (P.A.L.) in Emmett, Idaho.

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Kenneth Merritt Snowberger, 80, of La Grande, died April 20 at St. Anthony's Hospital in Pendleton. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Private burial will be at the Grandview Cemetery in

La Grande.

Mr. Snowberger was born April 6, 1927, to Merritt Kenneth and Vivian (Jameson) Snowberger in Payette, Idaho.

On May 30, 1948, he married Nettie Marie Ring in McPherson, Kan., and they moved to La Grande in 1973.

He loved teaching children and served as a Vacation Bible School teacher and Sunday school teacher. He also worked with the puppet ministry and with the Boy Scouts. His family was very important to him, and he was a caring and nonjudgmental person.

Survivors include his children, Diane Smith of Wichita, Kan., Kathy Snowberger of Bend, Patricia Downing of Hermiston, Daniel Snowberger of Tracy, Calif., and Larry Snowberger of Port Angeles, Wash.; sister, Mildred Whipple of Fruitland, Idaho; 20 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his wife in October 2005 and a son, David Snowberger, in December 2005.

Memorials may be made to the Sonrise Free Methodist Building Fund in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. La Grande 97850.