Obituaries for the day of July 2, 2009

Obituaries for the day of July 2, 2009

Charles ‘Dick’ Richard End

La Grande

1926-2009

Charles “Dick” Richard End, 82, of La Grande, died June 26. By his request, there will be no memorial service. He will be buried in the Summerville Cemetery.

Dick was born Oct. 9, 1926, to Antoine and Oneta End in Summerville. He was the youngest of nine children.

Those who knew Dick say he was a natural-born farmer from the beginning and remained a farmer at heart, even when he could no longer get his hands dirty.

He was married to Louise Thomas from 1946 to 1983. They had three children: Sandra, Tony and Kirk. He later married Betty Johnson in 1985.

Dick had a passion for fishing and long conversations with his many good friends. He was a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge of Elgin and gave many contributions to the community throughout the years. Those who knew Dick say he was a caring father, grandfather and mentor to all. They say he was well-known and respected during his lifetime of farming in the Grande Ronde Valley.

Dick leaves behind his loving wife, Betty; his children, Sandra Vermillia and her husband, Dan, of Portland and Kirk End and his wife, Mikki, of La Grande; daughter-in-law, Janine Lick; Betty’s children, Carlene and Wayne Crampton, Nancy Keeling and Denny and Ruth Johnson; and sisters, June, Maxine and Velda, all of Oregon. Dick and Betty had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren together. He was preceded in death by his parents; six siblings; and son, Tony.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Shriner’s Hospital in care of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center.

Melvin C. Kersey

Formerly of La Grande

1913-2009

Melvin Chester Kersey, 96, of Yamhill and formerly of La Grande, died June 30 at his son’s home in Yamhill.

Graveside services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Friends Cemetery in Newberg. Viewing will be from noon to 7 p.m. Friday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Chapel of Macy & Son.

Melvin was born March 17, 1913, to James Andrew and Martha Anna Peters Kersey in Gladstone.

He moved to Newberg at the age of 5 where he was raised on the family farm. He graduated from Newberg High School in 1932. After high school he went to work for Baynard Motors, the Butler Chevrolet Dealership. He married Alice Weatherly March 8, 1938, in Newberg.

After Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving from 1941-1945. Following his discharge in 1945 he went back to work for Butler Chevrolet as a parts manager.

In 1959 Melvin moved to La Grande where he worked for M.J. Goss Motor Co., retiring in 1976. He moved back to McMinnville in 1995. He loved hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his son, Jeff Morgan of Yamhill; brother, Robert Kersey of North Bend; sisters, Neva Kelley and June Nagel of Portland and Julia Muckler of Spokane, Wash.; one grandchild; and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Alice in 2005; and a son, Ricky Kersey.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice-McMinnville in care of Macy & Son.