Obituaries for the day of August 27, 2009

Obituaries for the day of August 27, 2009

Darla Sunderman

La Grande

Darla Sunderman, 69, of La Grande, died Aug. 24 at her home after a long battle with cancer. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church at Fourth and Spring.

A reception at the church will immediately follow the service and a gathering at the Sunderman home will begin at 5 p.m. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Emma J. McClellan

Formerly of Union

1914-2009

Emma Jenkins McClellan, 95, formerly of Union, died Aug. 22 in Eugene. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the LDS Chapel in Union. Graveside services will follow at Union Cemetery. A viewing will run from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Saturday at the church. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Emma was born May 10, 1914, to William M. and Jenerva Jane Jones Jenkins in Nephi, Utah. She was one of 11 children.

She lived in Utah until 1936 when she moved to Union. She married Leslie T. McClellan Nov. 10, 1936. She lived in Union for 68 years.

Emma was a member of the LDS Church, Union ward. She had several jobs in the church including Relief Society counselor, counselor in the Primary, Primary teacher, song leader and choir member. She also organized Home Evening for adults.

As a youth, she took part in lots of musicals in her church and in school. She seemed to always have a lead singing part in the Christmas programs each year. Emma sang solos for several organizations.

She also enjoyed sewing and making clothes for her daughters and their dolls. One of her great joys was dancing with the Can Can Girls of Union. She was a homemaker and worked at Hot Lake Sanatorium for Dr. Roth. She also cleaned the local bank in Union, babysat for several young mothers and took care of elderly ladies for many years.

Those who knew Emma say she was a feisty little lady who wanted her way although she did not always get it.

She is survived by a sister, Donna Barton of Utah; five children and their spouses, Sharon Hutshell and her husband, Pat, of Spokane, Neda and her husband, Alan Livingston, of Eugene, Susan and her husband, Bill Slemp of Soldotna, Alaska, Jeralyn and her husband, Ken Shoemake, of Pasco, and Richard “Dick” and Ella Mae McClellan of La Grande; 20 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; nine siblings; and her husband, Lester, in 1986.

Ida Mae Townsen

La Grande

1914-2009

Ida Mae Townsen, 94, of La Grande, died Aug. 24 at an adult foster home. A celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel.

Ida was born Dec. 25, 1914, to William Riley and Mary Viola Williams in Dallas, Texas. She married John C. Clymer in 1933. Following his death, she married M.C. Townsen in 1971.

Ida worked in the payroll department of the city of Dallas for more than 25 years.

On her retirement, she lived in Dallas until 1999 when she moved with her husband to La Grande to be nearer to family. Ida was a longtime member of the Eastern Star and enjoyed traveling.

She is survived by her son and wife, James and Paula Clymer of Forney, Texas; by

one granddaughter; one great-granddaughter; and sister, Dorothy Bryant of Amarillo, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, M.C. Townsen; and son and wife, John Clymer and Joanne Durst of La Grande.