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

Edwin Leonard Craig, 83, of La Grande, died March 9 at his home. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Loveland Funeral Chapel.

Mr. Craig was born May 13, 1923, to Leonard Clinton and Marguerite Elizabeth (Kinsloe) Craig in Hutchinson, Kan. He was raised in Twin Falls, Idaho, and graduated from high school in Rock Springs, Wyo.

He married Norma Bluhm Aug. 7, 1942, and served in the Army during World War II. Norma died while he was stationed in France.

On April 14, 1946, Mr. Craig married Sylva Fay Gilson in Rupert, Idaho. In 1954 they moved to La Grande, where he operated Craig's Cleaners until he retired in 1986.

Mr. Craig was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed boating and waterskiing with his family and was an avid golfer.

Survivors include his wife, Sylva Fay Craig of La Grande; sons and daughters-in-law, Edwin B. and Lesta Craig of Montclair, Calif., John L. and Jody Craig of La Grande, Thomas A. and Teri Craig of Eastside, Steve A. and Rhonda Craig of Albany and Bruce D. Craig of Salem; and nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the LDS church library or a charity of choice in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande 97850.

____________________

Janice Ann Snodgrass, 64, of La Grande and formerly of Union, died March 8 at the Oregon Health and Science University hospital in Portland. A graveside service is planned for 2 p.m. Thursday at the Island City Cemetery. A celebration of life dinner will follow

at the La Grande First Christian Church, 901 Penn Ave. Viewing will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande.

Janice was born May 30, 1942, to Richard and Ruth (Gruis) Young in La Grande. She was raised in La Grande and graduated from La Grande High School. On March 19, 1961, she married Russell Snodgrass in La Grande. They lived in Athena from 1969 to 1977.

Janice greatly enjoyed her grandchildren, family and friends. Her hobbies were scrapbooking and card stamping. She was a member of the La Grande First Christian Church and Island City TOPS.

Survivors include her husband, Russell of La Grande; children, Robyn Moore of Union and Heidi Talbert of Pilot Rock; twin sister, Joyce Foster of Portland; eight grandchildren; and other relatives.

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel 1508 Fourth Street, La Grande 97850.

____________________

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, she was a mainstay for her parents in the family business, the cafe Cunningham's Lunch in Spokane.

Virginia married Chester W. Broyles April 24, 1940, in Couer d'Alene, Idaho. In 1941, the couple moved to La Grande, where Chet hired out as a conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad. Mrs. Broyles was a devoted home-maker and mother to their four children.

After Chet's retirement in 1979, they began making toys and traveling to craft fairs, a hobby that gave them many hours of enjoyment. Mrs. Broyles was also an avid seamstress, supplying her family with many beautiful articles of clothing, quilts and dolls. One special project was her daughter's wedding dress, which she appliqued and beaded by hand.

Mrs. Broyles was active in Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile, serving as Worthy Matron of Hope Chapter No. 13 in 1973.

Virginia and Chet moved to Hermiston in 1999, after 58 years in La Grande, to be near two of their children. Chet preceded her in death in 2000, after nearly 60 years of marriage.

Survivors include her sister, Lois Pacello of Spokane; children and their spouses, Robert and Nancy Broyles of Portland, Jim and Penny Broyles of Seaside, Steve and Michelle Broyles of Hermiston and Sheila and Rod Hardin of Hermiston; and 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, a brother, Wilton Cunningham, and an infant son.

Memorials may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children, Portland Unit, in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande 97850.

____________________

Todd Milton Dippold, 31, of Union, died March 10 at his home. A memorial service is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Union High School gym. A community potluck will follow.

Todd was born March 13, 1975, to Robert and Judy (Allen) Dippold in La Grande. He shared a birthday with his sister, an aunt and an uncle. He was raised and educated in Union, graduating in 1994 from Union High School. During high school he was active in football, wrestling and FFA.

After graduation Todd attended Blue Mountain Community College. He worked for the Oregon Department of Forestry as a firefighter and as a farm hand for Conley Farms. He later went to work for Northwood Manufacturing, where he was employed at the time of his death.

On Nov. 7, 1999, Todd married Katie Mayberry in Cove. He loved the outdoors and being with friends and family. He especially enjoyed playing with his son and his nieces and nephews. He was particularly close to his uncle, Woody Colyott. He loved his dogs, and they were a big part of his life.

Survivors include his wife, Katie, and son, J.W., of Union; parents, Robert and Judy Dippold; siblings, Woody Dippold of Union and Montica Ray of Tempe, Ariz.; grandparents, Bill and Birdie Allen; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Toni Wilson and Chet and Helen Dippold.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the John "J.W." Dippold Fund, for his son's education, in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.

____________________

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, 1913, to Alton and Josephine (Cavin) Hogoboom in Baker City. She attended school in Baker City, Walla Walla and Pendleton. She also lived in Huntington, Wallowa County, Portland and Susanville, Calif., but spent most of her adult life in Union and La Grande.

Mrs. Harris, known affectionately as "Grandma Belle," had many interests and was talented at drawing, singing, playing the piano, sewing, crocheting and cooking. Her biggest love was her family and friends. From being present at the birth of a friend's baby to soothing an ill great-great-grandchild, Mrs. Harris could always be counted on to help where she was needed.

Her example is evident in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Her great-granddaughters Kyira McLaughlin and Kimberly See were with her around the clock during her final days.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Norma Van Houten of Richland, Wash., and Jim and Chris Harris of Marsing, Idaho; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and four adopted grandsons.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands and a daughter, Linda Van Houten See.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Grande Ronde Hospice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.

____________________

Dell Harlen Long, 81, died Dec. 16, 2006, at the home of his son Robert and daughter-in-law April in Hermleigh, Texas. A graveside memorial service is planned for

2 p.m. Saturday at the Island City Cemetery. If the weather is bad, the service will be at the New Life Center Assembly of God Church, 10700 Walton Rd. (behind Wal-Mart), Island City.

Mr. Long was born June 5, 1925, to Harlen and Lela Mae (Blanchard) Long in Elgin. He attended the one-room schoolhouse on Indian Creek. In 1941 the family moved to the Mount Glen area outside of La Grande, where they continued to farm.

Part of a pioneer farming fam-ily, Mr. Long worked for many of the farming families of Union County, as a logger and insulating and roofing homes. In the early 1950s he worked for a construction company that paved the first road from the foot of Wallowa Lake to its head.

In July 1948 he married Bertie Lou Conrad in La Grande. They later divorced. He married Evelyn Faye Nelson Sept. 6, 1971.

Mr. Long loved the land and enjoyed socializing with his fam-ily and friends. He believed you should work hard and play hard and make the most of every day. He enjoyed fall hunting trips to the mountains with friends and his sons. The last time he went hunting was in 2005 with his son Steve.

He liked being in the outdoors, fishing and camping with his family. His greatest delight was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his children and their spouses, Patrecia Schanaman of Joseph, Steven and Rose Long of Nyssa, Sharon and Tom Holland of The Dalles and Robert and April Long of Hermleigh, Texas; eight grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Evelyn; siblings, Ralph Long, Laurence Long, Mildred Rollins and Helen Mae Long; and a granddaughter, Autumn Ann Long.

____________________

Alta B. Hunt, 88, of La Grande and formerly of Elgin, died March 14 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. today at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande. Burial will follow at the Elgin Cemetery.

Mrs. Hunt was born Nov. 15, 1918, the daughter of Leonard and Elsie Marie (Aldred) Parsons on the family farm in Elgin She graduated from Elgin High School.

On Jan. 29, 1938, she married Jesse L. Bennett. He preceded her in death Jan. 24, 1960. She she married John Ashby Hunt June 8, 1962, and he died March 22, 2001.

Mrs. Hunt worked as a cook for the Stella Mayfield School in Elgin for more than 25 years. She was a member of Elgin Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Mrs. Hunt was an active member of the Elgin Stampeders, and she and John served as grand marshals one year. Over the years she was also active with the VFW Auxiliary and the Elgin Food Bank.

She loved playing cards, especially rummy. She enjoyed bingo, fishing, hunting and camping. Her family was very important to her and during the past few years she looked forward to the many trips with family to Boise to visit her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Barbara and Erin Endicott of Cove, Corky and Karen Hunt of

La Grande, Tom and Pat Hunt of Ketchikan, Alaska, Susie and Bob Thomas of Elgin and Milean Mulnix of Bremerton, Wash.; brothers and their spouses, Dick and Laura Parsons and Dell and Sallie Parsons, all of Elgin; sisters and their spouses, June and Gerald Gray of North Powder and Phyllis and Joe Bechtel of Elgin; nine grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and other relatives. Dying earlier were her sisters, Chloe Phippen, LaRue Parsons and Ruby Kuhn and granddaughter, Traci Roulet.

Memorials may be made to the Portland Shrine Hospital Travel Fund or the Elgin Food Bank in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.

____________________

Charles Emery Blaylock, 74, of Burns, died March 11 at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. A celebration of life is planned for noon today at the Terrebonne Cemetery.

Mr. Blaylock, known as Chuck, was born Feb. 3, 1933, to Martha Alice (Hill) and Cecil Emery Blaylock in Humboldt, Kan.

In 1955 Chuck married Judith Nancy Bacon. Chuck lived his life on his own terms. He was a professional rodeo clown, bullfighter and entertainer for 27 years, retiring in 1976. He performed in Union County rodeos in 1967 and 1968. Chuck was also a singer, songwriter and comedian.

Chuck remarried in 1966 to Patty Hammock. They had two children. Patty joined him in his act, and she was the first woman in the nation to be "in the barrel."

Survivors include his wife, Patty; children and their spouses, Lori Lee Nancy and Greg Brugato of Boise, Cecil "Ted" Theodore and Debbie Blaylock of La Grande, Charles "Rick" Richard and Cheryl Blaylock of Palmer, Alaska, John and Jamie Wesley of Enumclaw, Wash., and Ron Earnest of Bend; a sister, Evelyn Perkins of Albany; 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and his lifelong friend and rodeo partner, Benny Bidwell.

He was preceded in death by his previous wife, Judith; siblings, Lora, Lavone, Richard, Clifford and Eugene; and a son, Rodney.

Memorials may be made to local homeless shelters or a charity of choice in care of Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day 97845.