Obituaries for the day of August 8, 2011

Barbara Ann Murdoch

North Powder

1922-2011

Barbara Ann Daugherty Murdoch, 88, long-time resident of North Powder, died July 28. Graveside services will begin at 10 a.m. Aug. 12 at the Haines Cemetery. A memorial lunch will immediately follow at the North Powder School cafeteria.

Barbara was born Sept. 12, 1922, to William Daugherty and Florence Jeffords Daugherty in Haines. Barbara was raised in Haines and attended school there through graduation.

Barbara met John Murdoch while attending grade school, and by her own account, had fallen in love with him by the eighth grade. John and Barbara married Feb. 13, 1943, in Weiser, Idaho, and were together 61 years. They enjoyed many outdoor activities including camping, fishing and boating. One of their favorite places was Porcupine Guard Station.

Barbara attended business college after graduating from high school, and worked in Haines as a phone operator and in Pondosa for the railroad before moving to California to live while John was serving in the Navy during WWII.

They returned to Oregon after the war, and Barbara was a housewife while John did ranch work. She and John settled in North Powder to raise their three children and purchased the Chevron station in 1959. Together they operated Murdoch Chevron in North Powder for 36 years. John worked on cars, and Barbara kept the books and worked in the station.

Barbara had a special place in her heart for dogs and began raising Schipperkes for show in 1981. She earned several awards for best of breed, 1981 highest scoring novice obedience dog from the Schipperke Club of America and best adult handler. She earned champion status in both America and Canada with two different dogs.

Although she retired from raising Schipperkes, she never lost her passion for dogs. She enjoyed spending time with her Corgi companion, Jessie.

Barbara was a cook, a seamstress and a ceramics painter, and she produced many crewel embroidery pieces. She loved flowers, antiques and spending time with her family.

Barbara loved living in North Powder, and she enjoyed supporting the local school and community. She was honored to have been the Huckleberry Festival queen in 2009.

Barbara is survived by her daughters, Donna Dias and her husband, Ernie, and Lora Murdoch and her partner, Doug Fialkowski; one grandson; two granddaughters; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Glen Daugherty.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, William and Florence; her husband, John; son, Dennis; and brother, Kenneth.

Memorial contributions may be made to Best Friends of Baker.

Richard ‘Dickie’ Shafer

Elgin

Richard “Dickie” Shafer, 60, of Elgin, died Aug. 1 at his home. A casual dress celebration of life will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Elgin Stampede Hall.

A potluck will follow. For potluck information, call Misty Shafer-Calhoun at 541-720-7796. A complete obituary will be available later. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

Johnnie B. Wilson

Formerly of La Grande

Johnnie B. Wilson, 97, of Pasco and formerly of La Grande died Aug. 5 at a care center in Pasco. A complete obituary will be available later. Loveland Funeral

Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Paul Woods

Formerly of Union County

Paul Woods, 37, of Enterprise and formerly of Union County, died Aug. 4 at his home. A complete obituary will be available later. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.