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

Debra Audean Bailey, 54, of Ontario, died May 16 at her home. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. MDT Tuesday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Ontario, with Father Robert C. Irwin presiding. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hillcrest East Cemetery in La Grande. Arrangements are under the direction of Lienkaemper Funeral Chapel of Ontario.

Debra was born Dec. 6, 1952, to William Grant and Josephine E. Bailey in La Grande. She was raised in Baker City, where she attended St. Francis Academy and Baker County High School. She moved to Ontario in 1995. She worked for nine years for the Baker County Drug and Alcohol program and most recently at Holy Rosary Medical Center in Ontario as an admissions clerk.

Debra married Robert Early June 12, 1998, in Payette, Idaho. They enjoyed many hours of riding 4-wheelers and motorcycles and traveling in their motorhome.

Survivors include her husband, Robert, of Ontario; sons and their spouses, William and Alicia Martin of Baker City and Chris and Jennifer Stoaks of Bend; brother and his wife, Doug and Gloria Bailey of Baker City; mother-in-law and her husband, Chris and John Finley of Hermiston; father-in-law, Bob Early of California; brother-in-law, Jim Early of Roseburg; two granddaughters; two nephews, one great-nephew, two great-nieces and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents.

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Jacqueline Joan McGuire, 77, formerly of La Grande, died May 9 at a care center in Meridian, Idaho. A celebration of life was held May 12.

Jacqueline was born Sept. 18, 1929, to John W. Howard and Bessie R. Johnson in Burns. She grew up and trained horses at her aunt Purdy's ranch. Highlights of her younger years include being the 1957 princess of the Harney County Parade and working as a waitress in Burns at the Elko Caf.

She married Robert Keith McGuire Feb. 8, 1958, in McDermitt, Nev. Bob was an electrician, and they moved around until settling in Boardman in 1977. He died in 1999, and in 2006 Jacqueline moved to Meridian. She lived part of her later years with family in La Grande.

Jacqueline enjoyed playing cards, crocheting, going to yard sales and watching her husband and son in rodeos. Her favorite hobby was collecting sport cards. She also enjoyed watching basketball, especially Michael Jordan. Her favorite activity was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was well known in the family for her delicious homemade bread and fried chicken.

Survivors include her stepson and his wife, Patrick and Margaret McGuire of Boise; children and their spouses, Rodney and Lori McGuire of Arlington, Jack McGuire of Hermiston, Marchelle and Wayne Downey of Meridian, and Verda and Andy Lilly of La Grande; twin sister, Joyce Ammons of Milton-Freewater; brother, Henry Johnson of Silverton; and 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; son, William Valley; and siblings, Newton and Rachael.

Memorials may be made to the Ear Foundation (www.earfoundation.org) or any other hearing aid charity.

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Jeannie Emmons, 47, of Wallowa, died March 27 of cancer in Walla Walla. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Wallowa Cemetery. A celebration of life will follow at the home of Donna Emmons. Arrangements are under the direction of Bollman Funeral Home, Enterprise.

Jeannie was born Feb. 28, 1960, in La Grande and lived most of her life in Wallowa. She graduated from Wallowa High School in 1978 and moved to Boise for a short time before returning to Wallowa.

She enjoyed attending concerts and spending time with family and friends. She always had a positive attitude and touched the lives of many with her hard work, determination and thoughtfulness despite spending the last 23 years of her life fighting cancer.

Survivors include her mother, Donna Jean Emmons of Wallowa; and siblings, David Emmons of Eugene, Roger Emmons of Eagle Point and Vickie Sutton of Medford. She was preceded in death by her father, LeRoy Emmons; baby brother, David George Emmons; and grandmothers, Hilma Sherod and Esther Emmons.

Memorials may be made to the Cancer Society.

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Kenneth William Kennedy Jr., 46, formerly of La Grande, died May 13 in Sand Springs, Okla. A memorial service will be held at the Elgin Cemetery late this summer or early autumn.

Known as Billy, he was born April 26, 1961, to Kenneth William Sr. and Flora Eileen (Collingwood) Kennedy in La Grande. He grew up in Oregon and graduated from Elgin High School in 1980. Soon after graduation he enlisted in the Air Force. He served at Eielson AFB in Alaska and was discharged in 1984.

Billy enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing around the Elgin area and at Wallowa Lake, and family picnics and reunions. He had a funny sense of humor and a kind heart. Some of his hobbies included making jewelry and writing.

After the 2006 deaths of his father and paternal grandmother, Mildred E. (Phillips) Kennedy, Billy moved to Oklahoma to be near his sister Scherrill and her family. He lived in Oklahoma until his untimely death.

Survivors include his mother, Flora Gedenberg of Pocatello, Idaho; siblings and their spouses, Scherrill and Todd McNutt of Broken Arrow, Okla., Jerry and Wendy Jorgensen of La Grande, Sandy and Dan Colby of Milford, N.H., and T. David and L. Gale Kennedy of New Plymouth, Idaho; several aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by a sister and brother, father, stepmother and grandparents.

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Ronald Edward Mohr, 82, of Portland and formerly of La Grande, died May 12 as a result of Alzheimer's disease. A private service was held with burial at Portland's Willamette National Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Riverview Abbey Funeral Home, Portland.

Mr. Mohr was born July 20, 1924, in Baker City. Raised in La Grande, he graduated from La Grande High School. He earned an engineering degree from what is now Oregon State University and received his officer's commission at Columbia University in New York. He served in World War II and the Korean War, retiring from the Naval Reserves as a commander.

In 1946 he married Patricia Ferdinandsen; she preceded him in death in 1971. In 1972 he married Sharon Parker.

He owned Mohr and Company, a structural engineering firm, retiring in 1998.

Survivors include he wife, Sharon; children, Thomas Mohr, Martin Mohr and Jane Brown; three stepchildren; and 10 grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1311 NW 21st, Portland 97209.

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George Eugene Goodman, 62, of La Grande, died May 20 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the

La Grande First Christian Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mr. Goodman was born March 3, 1945, to C.D. and Berniece (Goble) Goodman in Twin Falls, Idaho. As George was growing up, the family lived in Ontario and Baker City. He graduated from Baker High School.

On June 25, 1962, he married Carolyn Gossett in Weiser, Idaho. At the age of 20 he began working for Boise Cascade in La Grande and Elgin. He retired as a warehouse parts man after 41 years of employment with the company.

George was a former member of the La Grande First Baptist Church and was currently attending the Summerville Baptist Church. He enjoyed the outdoors, including fishing, hunting, camping, boating, skiing, woodcutting and taking drives in the mountains. He enjoyed building things with his hands and did most of the work on his family's home himself. He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren and attending the various events they were involved with.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Goodman of La Grande; children, LaChelle Goodman of Michigan, James Goodman of La Grande, Erica Jarrett of Beaverton and MaLinda Gunnels of McCall, Idaho; mother, Berniece Osborn of Baker City; brothers, Charles "Chuck" Goodman, Donald Goodman and Dennis Goodman, all of Baker City; sisters, Eddy Beck of Oklahoma, Berniece Bird of California and Glenda Anderson of Baker City; nine grandchildren; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, C.D. Goodman.

Memorials may be made to the Oregon Heart Association in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.

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Harry Robert McCraw, 80, died May 20 of natural causes at a hospital in Boise. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Island City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

Mr. McCraw was born May 24, 1926, to W.W. and Mabel (Harwill) McCraw in New Plymouth, Idaho. He attended school in New Plymouth.

He married Marillyn Vestal on Feb. 22, 1946, in Reno, Nev., and they had four children. They moved to La Grande from Ontario in 1954 and enjoyed a 61-year marriage.

Retired from the insurance business, Harry enjoyed horsebacking, working on ranches, hunting, fishing and camping. He was a member of the Eagles.

Survivors include his wife, Marillyn of Island City, and children and their spouses, Larry McCraw of Florida, Michael and Sally McCraw of La Grande, David McCraw of La Grande and Steve and Sharon McCraw of Elgin. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Walter McCraw, George McCraw and Bernice Watkins.

Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.

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Dena Gooderham, 53, formerly of La Grande, died May 16 of natural causes in Coos Bay. Arrangements are under the direction of Coos Bay Chapel.

Dena was born Jan. 28, 1955, in La Grande. She was a homemaker and dedicated mother with a deep love for music and her cherished pet cats. She was baptized as a child in the First Christian Church of La Grande.

Survivors include her daughter, Amanda Bork; one grandson; parents, Jerry and Norma Gooderham; and sisters, Kris Franz and Julie Haines.

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Thelma Elizabeth Kemmerer, 84, of Cove, died of natural causes May 18 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A private graveside service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Cove Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday June 2 at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Cove. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande.

Thelma was born Sept. 28, 1922, to Lester and Mini (Coker) Fry in Nowata, Okla.

Survivors include one grandson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Orvil Joseph Jr., in 2004.

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Don Ferguson, 80, formerly of La Grande, died May 19 at his home in Lincoln City. An all-day celebration of life gathering will take place June 10 at the home of his daughter, Linda, at 506 SW Kinkade Rd. in Boardman. Call 541-418-3664 for information or directions.

Don, known as "Oke" and "Fergie," was born Oct. 1, 1926, to Clarence and Buelah Ferguson in Sparks, Okla. Unable to serve in the military, he worked in the shipping yards in California. He then moved to western Oregon, where he met and married his wife of 58 years, Doris Schoonover.

In 1954 Don went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad as a brakeman. In 1955 he was sent to Huntington, where he worked for 14 years, then to La Grande, where he worked until his retirement after 34 years with the railroad. He lived in Hermiston for 12 years, and then in Lincoln City the last four years of his life.

Don was an avid rockhound and enjoyed fishing and gardening.

Survivors include his wife, Doris Ferguson of Lincoln City; children and their spouses and/or partners, Linda and George Schisler of Boardman, Vickie and Dee Morris of Union, Pam and Tim Lenon of La Grande, Julie Ferguson and Kearns Heasty of La Grande, Darren Ferguson of Lincoln City, Dusty Ferguson of Hermiston and Don Ferguson Jr. and Tammy of Hermiston; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and brothers, Ken Ferguson of Milton-Freewater, Earl Ferguson of Chandler, Ariz., Lee Ferguson of North Powder and Nolan Ferguson of Salem. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

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Kathleen Weatherspoon Slack, 73, died May 23 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of life will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Elgin Stampede Hall, with a private burial at the Elgin Cemetery. Cheerful, casual attire is recommended for the service.

Kathleen was born July 31, 1933, to Guy and Elmy (Hessner) Culver in Baker City. She attended Elgin High School, graduating in 1951. In 1952 she married Bill Weatherspoon, who still lives in Elgin. She later married James Slack.

Kathleen helped many children for 25 years as the Elgin High School library aide.

Survivors include her husband, James Slack of La Grande; children, Rick Weatherspoon of Enterprise, Wanda Sams of Milton-Freewater, Rod Weatherspoon of Weston, Don Slack of Millersville, Md., Sherry Lance of Seaside, Rick Slack of Union and Sue Nichols of Hillsboro; and brothers, Clifford Culver of North Powder, Marvin Culver of Altus, Okla., and Delmer Culver of Umatilla. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Elvera Scott Trump.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kathleen Weatherspoon-Slack Education Scholarship in care of US Bank, P.O. Box 907, Elgin 97827.