Obituaries for the day of August 25, 2009

Obituaries for the day of August 25, 2009

Darla Sunderman

La Grande

Darla Sunderman, 69, of La Grande, died Aug. 24 at her home. A full obituary will be available later. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Jeanie M. Blankenship-Crawford

Cove

1972-2009

Jeanie Marie Blankenship-Crawford, 36, of Cove, died Aug. 24 at her home. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at Faith Center, 10300 South D St., Island City. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Jeanie was born Dec. 30, 1972, and grew up in Carnation, Wash., at Lake Joy with her parents, Al and Betty, and her brothers, Tim and Terry.

Those who knew Jeanie say she had a laugh and a twinkle in her eyes that brought a smile to everyone she met.

Her childhood was full of camping trips, hiking, family pets, swimming and biking. She loved to ride her horse and run cross country.

After graduating from Tolt High School in 1991 she took classes at Everett Community College. Her son, Kendall, was born May 19, 1996, and her daughter, Kailey, was born March 7, 1999. Jeanie married Joe Crawford on Flagstaff Butte July 9, 2005, and she rode her horse to the ceremony.

Her pride and joy are her children, Kailey and Kendall. Those who know the family say her children have Jeanie’s beautiful smile, strength and spirit. She and Joe were planning on building a house on their acreage in the mountains above Elgin.

Jeanie was employed at the Union County district attorney’s office in La Grande as a legal secretary/trial assistant. Jeanie had a passion for life and the great outdoors.

Jeanie is survived by her husband, Joe Crawford; children, Kendall and Kailey Smith; parents, Al and Betty Blankenship; brothers, Tim Blankenship and his wife, Shilo, and Terry Blankenship and his wife, Stephanie Boudreau; grandmother, Saletta Blankenship; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Marillyn McCraw

La Grande

1929-2009

Marillyn J. McCraw, 79, of La Grande, died Aug. 19 at a local care center. A graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Island City Cemetery. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Marillyn was born Oct. 8, 1929, to Herald D. and Ruby Juanita (Reed) Vestal in Heber City, Utah. She married Harry R. McCraw Feb. 22, 1946, in Reno, and had five boys with one dying at birth.

She worked most of her adult life in La Grande in a laundromat, Highway Grocery, La Grande Mall, Cherry’s Florist, as well as for her husband. She had a knack for not having to ask for a job, but always having one.

Marillyn loved to knit, crochet and bowl, which she did for many years. In her younger years, she loved to hunt elk and deer and go camping. She and Harry had lots of good stories about their elk hunting trips.

Marillyn and Harry, later in life, loved to travel. They went many times to Hawaii and to Branson, Mo. She loved to go to Jackpot, Nev., and to Laughlin and Mesquite, both in Nevada. With her love for life, she fought for it right up to the last.

She is survived by her children, Larry McCraw of Florida, Mike and his wife, Sally McCraw, of La Grande, David McCraw of La Grande, and Steve and his wife, Sharon McCraw, of Elgin; siblings, Barbara, Rita Lou and Reed; and eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; and son, Robert.