Obituaries for the day of July 30, 2009

Obituaries for the day of July 30, 2009

Herbert O. Imel

La Grande

1929-2009

Herbert O. Imel, 80, of La Grande died at his home July 23. A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel.

Herb was born at Beaver Creek outside of Oregon City on April 16, 1929, to Herbert H. and Myrtle Imel. He went to a one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade then attended and graduated from Oregon City High School.

Herb worked for the Forest Service at Bull of the Woods Lookout. He had many experiences while working there, both with people and animals. He later enlisted in the Army and was sent to Germany during the Korean Conflict.

When Herb got out of the Army he studied automotive mechanics at OTI in Klamath Falls. He specialized in tune-ups and carburetor repairs. In 1955 Herb moved to La Grande and went to work for Shaw Motors (the Ford Dealership) and Hal Herman before starting his own business, H. I. Light Auto Repair.

In 1959 he met Pat Morton and they were married in 1960. Herb and Pat had three children.

Herb was an outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and the Eagle Cap lakes. He loved country music and attending music concerts and plays at the high school and Eastern Oregon University. Herb was very content to sit on the back porch with a cold beer or glass of wine and swap tales with friends.

Survivors include his children, Kevin Imel of Lawton, Okla., Randy Imel of Escondido, Calif., and Shelly Imel Patterson of Fresno, Calif.; sister, La Verne Civarra of Kent, Wash.; brother and sister-in-law, James and Doris Imel of Portland; four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Regional Cancer Center, for the Herring House, 401 Poplar, Walla Walla, Wash. 99362

Vera A. Pender

La Grande

1948-2009

Vera Ann Pender, 61, of La Grande, died July 27 in an ATV accident.

A graveside service will begin at 9 a.m. Friday (not Saturday as previously announced) at the Island City Cemetery. A viewing will run from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth Street, La Grande.

Vera was born July 20, 1948, in Oakland, Calif. She lived in Sacramento and the Bay Area in California, and in Warrenton and Astoria. She resided for 30 years in La Grande, where she worked at the Old Wood Shed Restaurant and Pine Eagle Freightliner and ran an adult foster home.

Survivors include her son, Billy Carroll of Nampa, Idaho; stepchildren, David Pender and Diane Collins, both of La Grande; siblings, Teri Benson and Bill Benson, both of Sacramento, Calif.; and numerous grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Vera was preceded in death by a son, Danny Carroll, and her husband, Gene Pender.

Myron D. Wilkinson

La Grande

1921-2009

Myron Dean Wilkinson, 87, died July 27 at his home in La Grande.

Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Gekeler Lane. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Myron was born Dec. 7, 1921, in Holbrook, Idaho, to Robert and Blanche (Chidister) Wilkinson. He served in the Navy four years as a medic. In 1953 he married Theresa R. Lauton in Carmel, Calif. In 1972, after serving 20 years in civil service, Myron and Theresa moved to Tempe, Ariz., where they lived until 2001, when they moved to La Grande.

Myron had a beautiful singing voice and many other talents. He was a member of the LDS Church and served in many positions. He found joy and took pride in his service.

Survivors include his wife, Theresa of La Grande; daughter, Geri McCrea of Tempe, Ariz.; daughter and son-in-law, Deanna and Bruce Weimer of La Grande; son, David Wilkinson of Phoenix, Ariz.; siblings, Garth of Utah and Corrine and Joy of Calif.; and 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.