Obituaries for the day of April 14, 2009

Obituaries for the day of April 14, 2009

Raymond Fenn

La Grande

Raymond Fenn, 88, of La Grande, died April 12 at a Boise hospital. A celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m. Friday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center. A full obituary will be available later.

Marilyn E. Brown

La Grande

1944-2009

Marilyn Elizabeth Brown, 65, of La Grande, died April 8 in Spokane. A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Valley Fellowship. Heritage Funeral Home in Spokane helped with arrangements.

Marilyn was born Feb. 3, 1944. She loved music and art.

Survivors include her husband, Charlie; four sons, Patrick, Johnathan, Joseph and Jarrod, all of California; and two granddaughters.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any charity.

George N. Chadwick

Formerly of La Grande

1918-2009

George Norwood Chadwick, 90, of Happy Valley and formerly of La Grande, died April 3 at his son’s home. A private burial was held April 9 at Willamette National Cemetery.

George was born April 7, 1918, to Charles and Olive (May) Chadwick in La Grande. He went to public schools and graduated from La Grande High School. After graduation, he spent four years in the armed services, serving in World War II.

On Feb. 18. 1942, he married Judy Hagey. The couple settled in La Grande to raise their family. After a long career in plumbing, they retired to the Portland area.

He is survived by his children, Mike and Barbara of Clatskanie, Steve and Delia of Happy Valley, Leslie and Walter Blackman of La Grande, Melinda of Fraizer Park, Calif., Mark and Michelle of Boise and Tony and Jani of Oakdale, Calif.; 22 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Judy, in 2003.

Stephen O. Reeder

Formerly of La Grande

1947-2009

Stephen Orville Reeder, 61, of Pahrump, Nev., and formerly of La Grande, died March 11 in Las Vegas. Pahrump Family Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Stephen was born March 18, 1947, in Pendleton. He was a resident of Pahrump for two years and a former resident of La Grande.

He was a horseman and a wrangler and professed the Christian faith.

Survivors include his daughters, Shana Coggins of Jordan Valley, and Bobbie Tuck of Pahrump; son, Stephen Jay Reeder of Texas; father, Jay Reeder of Pahrump; brothers, Vernon Reeder of Washington and Virgil Reeder of La Grande; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Della Reeder; sister, Janice Colburn-Reeder; and brother, Rodney Reeder.

Jay L. Vess

La Grande

1921-2009

Jay Lewell Vess, 88, of La Grande, died April 6 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Jay was born Feb. 3, 1921, in Old Fort, N.C., to James Elmer and Pearl (Cox) Vess. He moved to this area from Old Fort 83 years ago. He married Beverly J. Mellinger in 1946. They had three children.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 through 1945.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, family get-togethers and restoring Volkswagens. He was a member of the Eagles and the National Rifle Association.

Jay is survived by his wife, Beverly; three children, Tony Vess of La Grande, Barbara Karl of Vancouver, Wash., and Darin Vess of Gresham; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his nine siblings, Jessie, Pauline, Paul, Daniel, Clara, Carrie, Robin, Calvin and Evelyn.