>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Fowler, Huff, Kuchler

Ernest “Ernie” Fowler, 92, of La Grande, died June 26 at a local care center. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Fourth Ward Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Island City.

Burial will be in Pocatello, Idaho. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Ernest was born Feb. 7, 1916, to Guy and Martha (Seymour) Fowler in Mt. Grove, Mo. He married Elsie Vera Ormond in Pocatello Oct. 27, 1937. They had four children. Elsie died in 1973. He then married Dorothy Statler in 1975 in La Grande. She died in 1995. Dorothy had one daughter.

Ernest retired from the Union Pacific Railroad in 1977. He greatly enjoyed dancing at the senior center, and was a member of the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Junior Old Timers, Kiwanis International, Eagles and Elks. He helped start the Toastmasters group in La Grande and to fulfill a community service project for the group, he set up a charter of Vision Northwest, a support group for people and their families with limited vision.

Ernie was on the steering committee for the construction of the Union County Senior Center. He served on the board of directors for many years. He also served on the Governor’s Advisory Council for Senior Citizens and a second council for people with disabilities and independent living.

Ernie played Santa Claus at the mall for a number of years and was involved in the Big Brother program in Union County. He was involved with EOU’s international student host family program, hosting students from Taiwan and Iran and opening his home for students to stay during the holidays when the dorms were closed.

He was a rancher at heart and enjoyed helping friends on their ranches whenever possible. This led to an interest in leather work, making chaps and saddles. He attended auctioneer school and was a local square dance caller who helped establish square dance groups throughout Union and Wallowa counties.

Ernie was an original member of the Knot-heads. He donated his time to a number of local churches to help with building and service projects. He also traveled to all 50 states and several countries. Over the years he was recognized many times for the service he gave to the community and his various talents.

He is survived by his children, Carolin and her husband, Jim Godown, of Glendora, Calif., Norma and her husband, Gilbert Scovill, of Hoffman Estates, Ill., and Jean and her husband, Kevin Rogers, of La Grande; stepdaughter, Sheila Criswell; 14 grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren. Ernest was preceded in death by his siblings, Seth, Margeret, Mary, Martha, Roger and Twila Fowler; an infant daughter, Martha May Fowler; and an infant granddaughter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or Union County Search and Rescue in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

Jerry Wayne Huff, 67, of Wallowa, died June 18 in Wallowa of a heart attack. A viewing was held at Bollman Funeral Home in Enterprise June 25, and a wake was held at Dianne’s Kitchen in Wallowa the night of June 26.

The Navy was a big part of Jerry’s life, having served for 28 years. At the wake, Jerry’s brother, Kim, read a narrative that Jerry had written, “What a Sailor Is,’’ and a poem.

“A sailor is a magic creature. You can scratch him off your mailing list, but not out of your mind,’’ the narrative read in part.

The other piece, a poem, spoke of “the gallant boys of blue ... a million miles from you.’’

“Taps” was played at the end of the wake.

Jerry was born March 22, 1941, to Wayne and Juanita Huff in Halfway where Jerry attended school until the age of 10. The family moved to Echo where he graduated from high school, then joined the U.S. Navy.

Jerry had a football scholarship to the University of Washington, but played football for the Navy at Whidbey Island. He served in the Navy one hitch, then attended one year at Blue Mountain Community College where he served as student body vice president.

Over his 28-year naval career from 1959 to 1987 he earned numerous medals and citations and traveled much of the world. Much of his 7,000 hours in the air were as a navigator/sonar systems operator on P-3 Orion airplanes. He was discharged as a chief petty officer.

He married Antonia Gala, Dec. 26, 1971, in Athens, Greece. They later divorced.

Jerry was a charter member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4307 in Enterprise. He helped to build the post.

Jerry loved to hunt and was an excellent fisherman. Most days he would frequent Dianne’s Kitchen from 4 to 5 p.m., then he’d say it was time for him to go home.

Survivors include his parents;  brother, Kim, of Hermiston; sister, Kathleen Rae Smith, of Battle Mountain, Nev.; daughter, Sophia Bates of Conway, Ark.; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Windsor M. Kuchler, 91, of La Grande, died June 29 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. Viewing will run from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Daniels-Knopp.

Windsor was born May 26, 1917, to Thomas Milton and Ruth (Day) Kuchler in Bismarck, N.D. He was educated in Flora.

On Dec. 28, 1937, he married Gail Bull in La Grande. He logged on the coast for many years. They moved to La Grande in 1963 where he farmed. He liked the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He enjoyed his horses and cats.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Linda Kuchler of La Grande; daughter, Marian Stuckman of La Grande; brother, Foster Kuchler of Seattle; cousin, Creston Shaw of Cove; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by son-in-law, Bobby Stuckman; and sister, Donna Collins.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial contributions to the Blue Mountain Humane Association.