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

Michael James Armato, 51, of Heppner, died Feb. 19 of natural causes in La Grande. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. March 3 at the Pioneer Masonic Cemetery, Heppner. A Rosary will be read at St. Patrick's Catholic Church during the regular 5 p.m. mass. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. March 4 at the Heppner Elks Club. Arrangements are under the direction of Sweeney Mortuary of Heppner.

Mr. Armato, known as Mike, was born June 27, 1955, to Frank and Catherine Armato in San Francisco. He grew up in San Rafael, Calif. He graduated from San Rafael High School in 1973 and attended the University of California, Berkeley.

Mike married Pamela Waterhouse in 1978, and they had two children, Phillip and Gail Armato. In 1990 he married Kim Cutsforth of Heppner, and they had two children, Maggie and Joe Armato.

Mike lived in Heppner for the past 12 years. He was most recently employed as a conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad, based out of La Grande. He was a member of the Heppner Elks Club and St. Patrick's Parish, where he directed religious education and taught first communion classes.

Mike loved to help people and was a tireless volunteer for Hospice. An avid chess player, he taught "Chess for Success" at Heppner Elementary. He served on the budget committee for the Morrow County School District and was a member of the Morrow County Board of Property Tax Appeal. He had also been a Little League umpire.

Mike was well known for his culinary skills and occasionally taught classes. He loved history and followed current events with great interest. An articulate man, he never shied from controversy.

Survivors include his wife, Kim; children, Joe and Maggie of Heppner and Phillip and Gail of Danville, Calif.; siblings and their spouses, Peter and Kathy Armato of Seward, Alaska, John and Laura Armato of Santa Rosa, Calif., Cathy and Bill Silva of Novato, Calif., and Elizabeth and Robert Price of San Francisco; stepmother, Frances Armato of Petaluma, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Pioneer Memorial Hospice, P.O. Box 9, Heppner 97836.

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Nichola Lynn Headrick, 60, of La Grande, died Feb. 25 at her home. She will be buried next to her mother, Dorothy Helm, in Hillcrest Cemetery, and there will be no public services. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Ms. Headrick was born Jan. 20, 1947, to Jim Graham and Dorothy Wall in La Grande. She was raised in La Grande and graduated from La Grande High School. For more than 10 years she worked for Wal-Mart, in the warehouse and later on the floor stocking shelves. In her younger years she enjoyed drawing and painting, and in recent years her hobby was astrology and birth and star charting. She had a great love of animals.

Survivors include her daughters, Nancy Lynn Pelfrey of Portland and Barbara Ann Knight of California; half-brother, Mitch Graham; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Robin Elaine LaFever.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Association in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh Street, La Grande 97850.

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Thomas Martin Holt, 72, of Pocatello, died at his home Feb. 21. The family intends to hold a memorial service in the La Grande area sometime this summer. Details for this will be announced.

Mr. Holt was born Sept. 2, 1934, to John Charles Lucas and Eunice Louise (Johnson) Holt in Marquette, Kan., where he was raised and educated. He graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., with a bachelor of art's degree in business administration.

He married Judith Corinne Miller in 1956. The two then spent a few years teaching and coaching in the Midwest. They moved to Colorado, where he attended Denver University, graduating with an MBA in 1963. He then accepted a job with Boise Cascade as an accountant, and the family moved to Boise.

Mr. Holt moved up the ranks within the company and was asked to take on a controller position in a regional office in La Grande. The Holts settled on a small ranch in Summerville,

where they spent 32 years raising kids and becoming a part of the community and church.

While in Eastern Oregon, Mr. Holt participated with his children in all their endeavors, including sports and academia. He was elected and served on both local and state school boards and served as president of the congregation at Zion Lutheran Church in La Grande.

After retiring from Boise Cascade in 1993, he became active in the Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative and served on the Board of Directors for several years.

While living in Oregon, he pursued his true interest of raising and trading horses and mules. His hobby expanded into raising draft horses, mules and race horses. His role expanded to creating a favorite gathering place for his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; children and their spouses, Keri and Randall Fowler of Pocatello, Kris and Vicki Holt of Murphy, Texas, and Kurtis and Lisa Holt, also of Pocatello; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Dennis Holt.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.colonial-funeralhome.com. Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 902 Fourth St., La Grande 97850.

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Dorothy Ann Stennfeld, 74, of La Grande, died Feb. 24 at her home. A celebration of life is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church in

La Grande.

Mrs. Stennfeld, known as Ann, was born June 23, 1932, to Henry and Berniece Jackson Jones in Roseburg. She was raised in Myrtle Point, graduating from Myrtle Point High School in 1950. She graduated from Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Portland in 1954.

On Sept. 25, 1954, she married Paul T. Stennfeld. After he died in 1975, she went to work for Grande Ronde Hospital and retired in 2001.

Ann was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church. She was also very active with the Boy Scouts and the Knife and Fork Club for several years. She enjoyed reading and researching history and geology.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Marsha and Barry Bones of Medford, Mark Stennfeld of Vancouver, Wash., Scott Stennfeld of Island City and Susan and Fred Knape of La Grande. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and a brother, Donald Dean Jones.

Memorials may be made to Doernbecker Children's Hospital in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth Street, La Grande 97850.

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Mildred Maxine Waltman, 88, of La Grande and formerly of Nampa, Idaho, died Feb. 23 at her home.

A brief graveside service will take place at noon Mountain Standard Time Thursday at Nampa's Kohler Lawn Cemetery, where she will be buried next to her beloved husband, Buzzie. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, La Grande.

Mildred was born June 30, 1918, to Henry and Pearl (Poole) Daniel in McCune, Kan., the sixth of 10 children. The family moved to Nampa in 1930.

Mildred married Cecil A. "Buzz" Waltman July 9, 1934, and they made their home in Nampa. They celebrated their 65th anniversary prior to Cecil's death in 1999. In 1953 they bought a small farm home east of Nampa, next to the railroad tracks. A historical article lists the house as the only remains of the lost town site of Collopy. Mildred lived there until August 2004, when she moved to La Grande to be close to her only remaining sister and her husband, Wynona and Walter Enter.

Mildred was a homemaker. Unable to have children of their own, Mildred and Buzz were delighted to care for their many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mildred loved to bake, and her nieces and nephews have fond memories of Auntie Mildred's pantry where they could always find home-baked cookies, cakes or pies. She was noted for making excellent sourdough pancakes, and it was not uncommon for visitors to show up for breakfast. In later years, she would reminisce about the friends and family whom she and Buzz entertained over the years.

Survivors include her youngest sister and her husband, Wynona and Walter Enter; sisters-in-law, Vivian Daniel, Rita Daniel and Susie Murphy; and all those who lovingly called her Auntie. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and eight siblings.

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Bruce Martin Lofton, 63, of Huntington and formerly of Summerville, La Grande and Union, died Feb. 20. A funeral service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at the VFW Hall in Huntington.

Bruce was born June 1, 1943, to Carlos and Dorothy Lofton in Ontario. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was retired from the Union Pacific Railroad.

Survivors include his sister, Frances; daughters, Wendy, Sheila and Lena; son, Kelley; and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

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Claude Allen Spears, 75, of Boise and formerly of

La Grande, died Feb. 22 at a Boise hospital after a short illness. A memorial service took place Feb. 26 at Redeemer Lutheran in Boise. Burial will be at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel of Boise.

Mr. Spears was born Jan. 18, 1932, to Leonard and Frances Katherine (Berry) Spears in Eugene. He grew up and attended school in La Grande and later worked for Boise Cascade Corp.

Drafted in 1952, he served two years in the Army in Korea, after which he returned to

La Grande, where he married and raised four children.

In 1975 Claude moved to Boise, where he met the love of his life, Maxine. They were married in 1977.

After retiring from the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local Union 296, he and Maxine enjoyed traveling all over the world and spending winters with friends in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

Claude was a member of the worldwide fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. He was a regular at meetings whether at home or traveling. He attended meetings in nearly every state as well as Canada, Australia and Brazil, and he and Maxine attended national and international AA conventions.

Claude loved the outdoors, especially picking berries or mushrooms, fishing and hunting elk or deer.

Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Maxine; children and their spouses, Jim and Susan Spears of Union, Jerry Spears of Portland, Judy and Joe Lucias of La Grande and Janet Spears of Bend; three stepchildren and their spouses, Keith Nelson of Yakima, Wash., Kari and Fred Haines of Boise and Kristi Nelson of Tunisia, Africa; and his eighth daughter, Akberet Mehertab of Boise; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; siblings and their

spouses, Wayne and Eda Spears of Seattle, Merle "Bud" and Shirley Spears of La Grande, Leonard and Gloria Spears of La Grande, Derrill Spears of Boise, Miriam and David Griffiths of Caldwell, Idaho, Harriet Kay and Jay Crist of Tacoma, Wash., and Ellen Bishop of Reno, Nev.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Boise Rescue Mission or a favorite charity.

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Gertrude Fay (Hancock) McMahan, 95, of La Grande, died Feb. 27 at a local care home. Viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. A celebration of life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Faith Center, 10300 South D St., in Island City. A private burial service will take place at a later date at the Oddfellows Cemetery in Council, Idaho.

Gertrude was born Sept. 5, 1911, to James and Ora Hancock on a homestead in Indian Valley, Idaho.

She went to high school in Council, where she met Lester George McMahan. On Oct. 24, 1931, she and Lester — along with Lester's sister, Mildred, and Gertrude's brother, Joe Hancock — eloped to Vale. The foursome remained the best of friends throughout their lives and celebrated 65 anniversaries together.

The couple lived for some time in Council, where they had four children

After the family moved to

La Grande, two more children were born.

The McMahans operated a creamery together in the Council area until Lester went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad in 1942 in Payette, Idaho. The UPRR job took the family to Huntington and then to La Grande in the fall of 1945 at the end of World War II. In La Grande they served in the Ground Observer Corps, spotting and identifying aircraft from atop the Sacajawea Hotel.

Lester suffered a severe stroke in 1974, and Gertrude was his faithful caregiver for more than 25 years until he died in 1999. She will always be remembered for being selflessly devoted to her husband and children.

Gertrude was a lifetime member of the Eagles, and she bowled on the Eagles' team for many years. She participated in the Women's National Bowling Tournament for more than 20 years, traveling all over the United States, accompanied by Lester on many of the trips.

She was an avid gardener and spent many summer afternoons in her kitchen, canning vegetables and fruit. She enjoyed crocheting and embroidering gifts.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Phyllis and Larry Mardis of Elgin, Lyle and Sharlee McMahan of Edmonds, Wash., and Dr. Jim and Rita McMahan of La Grande; sister-in-law, Lillian Mortensen of St. George, Utah; 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives. She was preceded in death by three sisters; two brothers; her husband; a daughter, Beverly, died in 1990, and two infant children, Sandra and John.

Memorials may be made to the Grande Ronde Hospital Hospice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh Street, La Grande.

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Christmas Jean (Tuttle) Gaily, 105, died Feb. 27 at a local care home. The burial will be private, and a memorial service is planned for a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande.

Known as Jean, she was born Dec. 25, 1901, to Eddie Bruce and Verda Ethel (Woods) Tuttle on a farm in northwestern Union County. The farm was settled by her grandfather, Terry Tuttle, who came here by wagon train in 1862.

She attended the one-room Willow Creek School through the seventh grade, and rode horseback to Imbler School for four years. She graduated from La Grande High School in 1919. Jean attended Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State University), graduating with a bachelor's degree in home economics in 1924.

While teaching in the Enterprise school system, Jean met Donald L. Gaily. They were married April 18, 1924, and moved to La Grande in 1926. Don preceded her in death in 1989.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, T. Dean and Carole Gaily of Nanaimo, British Columbia; a niece; and two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The family wishes to express their thanks to Shirley and Rob VanWoerden and Sue Stubblefield as well as to the staff at Orchard Place for their care and compassion.

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Bill Jack Crooke, 81, of Pendleton and formerly of Union, died Feb. 27 at his home after a long illness. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday at Berean Baptist Church (formerly Calvary Baptist), 8 NW Ninth St., Pendleton, with Pastor Carl

LeTourka officiating. Arrange-ments are under the direction of Burns Mortuary of Pendleton.

Mr. Crooke was born April 4, 1925, to Ruth Ester and Jack Crooke in Meridian, Idaho. He was raised by his grandmother, Mrs. White, in the Meridian area and attended school there until he went to live with his father and stepmother in Union at the age of 15.

When he was 17, Bill joined the Navy and served in Espirito Santo and in the New Hebrides Islands during World War II as an aviation mechanic's mate.

In 1947 he married Donna McGovern from Baker City.

Two years later, he joined the Army for further education in police work. He went to Korea, where he was wounded. When he returned to the states he was employed as a policeman in several places. He worked for the Pendleton Police Department from 1955 to 1958. He then went to work for the Forest Service.

Mr. Crooke and his wife took in many foster children over 14 years. He was also a school bus driver for the Kilby family for 17 years.

In 1996 he retired driving bus to assist running his family's homes for elderly people.

He became a born-again Christian in 1954 and served in Baptist churches until he became too ill to attend worship regularly. Mr. Crooke was good-natured, loved children and had many friends. He would have been married for 60 years

April 5.

Survivors include his wife, Donna of Pendleton; sons, Anthony, Rosco and Joey; brothers, Bob Crooke and Bryon Crooke, both of Nampa, Idaho; and five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathleen, last August.

Memorials may be made to the Berean Baptist Church,

8 NW Ninth Street, Pendleton 97801.

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Mollie Ann Coleman, 88, died March 1 of natural causes at a local care home. Burial will be Thursday at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nev. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande.