Obituaries for the day of June 28, 2008

Anson, Fowler, Schreiner, Thielen

Claude Anson, 97, of La Grande, died June 23 at a local care center. A funeral service will be Monday at 1 p.m. at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande. Committal and burial will follow at the Grandview Cemetery. Viewing will be Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. until noon at Daniels-Knopp.

Claude was born on February 6, 1911, the son of Orlin and Mabel (McMurray) Anson in La Grande. He graduated from La Grande High School and attended Oregon State University for two years before returning to La Grande to work the family farm.

On Nov. 22, 1933 he married Dot Latham in Spokane. They owned and operated a ski apparel shop in La Grande while farming. He was involved with various farming organizations over the years, including the South 40 Club and the Farm Bureau. He was an avid skier and was very active with the National Ski Patrol.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved to laugh.

Survivors include his daughters, Sheryl A. McGuire of Golden, Colo., and Dot Ann Ricker of Whitefish, Mont.; six grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; many cousins and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dot, in 1998 and a brother, Delbert Anson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) or the Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol.

Oscar Ernest “Ernie” Fowler, 92, of La Grande, died at a local care center Thursday. A full obituary will be published later. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is handling arrangements.

Deveron Willis Schreiner, 38, of La Grande, died unexpectedly in Pendleton Thursday. A memorial service will be held at Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory Monday at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at Island City Cemetery. A full obituary will follow later.

Elery was born Dec. 11, 1926, the son of Maurice and Ella Mae (Lemons) Thielen in Baker. He attended Baker schools until the eighth grade when the family moved to La Grande where he finished his education.

During World War II he served with the Navy. After his honorable discharge he returned to La Grande, and on Oct.14, 1949 he married Artie Clack in Union.

He worked for the Boise Cascade sawmill for 23 years and then became the union organizer for the International Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America for 20 years.

In the mid-1960s he served on the La Grande City Council for at least two terms. For many years he was an instructor for the hunter’s safety program.

He was a member of the Western Council of Industrial Workers Local 2851 for more than 50 years and served as financial secretary and president. He was also a member of the Eagles Lodge,  the La Grande and the Union gun clubs and the Isaac Walton League.

He bowled on a league for many years and enjoyed trapshooting and playing softball.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed many pack trips into the Imnaha and the high lakes.  He loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, of La Grande; son and daughter-in-law, David and Shannon  Thielen of La Grande; daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Brad Biechler of Island City; sister and brother-in-law Madeline and Bill Lovan of La Grande; two grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the Parkinsons Disease Foundation, or Community Connections senior center of La Grande.