Obituaries for the day of August 12, 2011

LOCAL FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS

Aug. 13 — Johnnie Bill ‘JB’ Wilson, funeral service, 2 p.m., Loveland Funeral Chapel

Aug. 13 — Theodore Hooey, celebration of life, 3 p.m., American Legion Post 43, La Grande

Aug. 13 — John J. Gregory, graveside, 11 a.m., Wallowa Cemetery

Aug. 13 — Henrietta H. Coe Quinn Gavin, gathering for family and friends, 11 a.m., Joseph Masonic Lodge

Aug. 20 — Robert J. Casey, celebration of life, 4 p.m., Buhler Ranch (Mt. Joseph ranch), 61968 Ski Run Rd.

Robert J. Casey

Enterprise

Robert Joseph Casey, 70, of Enterprise, died Aug. 7 at Peace Hospice in Great Falls, Mont. A celebration of life will begin at 4 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Buhler Ranch (Mount Joseph ranch), 61968 Ski Run Rd.

Bollman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Johnnie Bill ‘J.B.’ Wilson

Formerly of La Grande

1913-2011

Johnnie Bill “JB” Wilson, 97, of Pasco, Wash., died Aug. 5 at a local care center in Pasco. Her funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery.

She was born Oct. 1, 1913, in Durante, Okla., to C.D. Fults and Mary E. Savage Fults.

She married Miles J. Wilson. Johnnie and Miles built their home in La Grande where she lived until October 2006 when she move to Richland, Wash., and then to Pasco. She said their home in La Grande was the first house to be fitted with a solar water heater in 1978 in the area.

Those who knew Johnnie say she leaves behind nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends, grandkids and great-grandkids who played very important roles in her life and she in their lives.

Her interests included gardening, sewing and crafts including wood-working. She loved spending time with her family.

She devoted much of her time and energy as a caregiver to Miles before he died in December of 1978. She volunteered at the senior center, wearing many hats and helping out where needed. She helped in the kitchen, with setting tables, in the general store, making parade ribbons and more. She was proud of being a part of “Sorghum Sqeezin’,” making sweet golden sorghum.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Miles “Slim”; son, Anthony D. Swinney “Dan”; and her six siblings.

The Observer publishes free obituaries as a community service. Obituaries are edited to fit news guidelines. Photos are encouraged. Paid space is available for families who would like to include more information. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center posts unedited obituaries at www.danielsknopp.com, and Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory posts obituaries at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.