Obituaries for the day of August 21, 2009

Marillyn J. McCraw

La Grande

Marillyn J. McCraw, 79, of La Grande, died Aug. 19 at a local care center. Graveside services will begin at 10 a.m. Aug. 29 at the Island City Cemetery. A full obituary will be available later.

Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Jessie Marie McDonald

Elgin

1927-2009

Jessie Marie McDonald, 82, of Elgin, died Aug. 18 at her home. A memorial service followed by a potluck will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Elgin Community Center.

Jessie was born June 22, 1927, to Fonzy and Opal (Ketchum) Wilson in Elgin. On April 3, 1946, she married Terrance Lee “Terry” McDowell. He preceded her in death on Sept. 8, 1959. On April 18, 1969, she married Howard Leland “Lee” McDonald. He preceded her in death on Oct. 2, 2008.

She had various jobs throughout her lifetime. She started out working in a bank, then waitressed. In 1957 she began working for the drug store in Elgin. After she married Lee they started the Sears Catalog Store in Elgin. She worked with seniors through the Community Action Agency. In 1979 she became the veterans service officer for Union County. She retired in 1989.

Jessie was a devoted community member and served on the Elgin City Council. She was instrumental in getting the Elgin Community Center in place and assisted in its continued fundraising efforts. She was an advocate for those with diabetes and was active in the “Daffodils for Diabetes” program each year.

She was a member of the 20/10 program, the Indian Valley Paraders square dance club, the Good Sam Club, the Rock Wall Grange, the Dancing Wheels Motorcycle Club and the VFW women’s auxiliary, just to name a few.

She was Woman of the Year in Elgin in 1992 and earned the Mahlon Beals Lifetime Appreciation Award for more than 25 years of service to the community center. Just recently Jessie and Lee were honored by the community by a dedication of the city pool in their names, the Lee and Jessie McDonald Memorial Pool.

Jessie loved to paint.

Survivors include her children, Bill McDowell of La Grande, Terri McDowell of Elgin, Kelly and Kathy McDowell of La Grande, Michael and Lynn McDonald of Southern California, William McDonald of Summerville, Patrick and Colleen McDonald of Elgin, Linda and Kenneth Buttolph of Boring and Sandra (McDonald-Bauer) and David Jeffords of North Pole, Alaska; 25 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; sister, Bethel Crogan of Elgin; brother, Esley Wilson of Pendleton; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by brothers, Fonzy Wilson Jr., Fred Wilson, Rich Wilson, Sid Wilson and Willard Young.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Diabetes Association or the Elgin Community Center in care of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.