Obituaries for the day of May 1, 2009

Park, Shelley, Young

Mary Eleanor Apple was born Jan. 21, 1926, in Los Angeles.

She was a member of the Faith Center in Island City and was a devoted Bible study leader of the “Grannies.” Mary kept in contact with her “Grapevine” ladies for more than 60 years. Those who knew her say she was famous in the Grande Ronde Valley for her delicious zucchini bread, homemade caramels and her lovely artwork.

They say Mary lived her life to the fullest to the very end, and she loved her family, her Jesus and her friends.

Survivors include her husband, Richard Park, of Cove; children, Cathy and her husband, Ric Krohn, Christina and her husband, Bob Osborne, and Stacie and her husband, Mark Ponton; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her two sons, Jefferson and Christopher Elmendorf; and husband, Richard (Mike) Edmunds of Elgin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Center in her name.

Joann H. Shelley, 68, of Pendleton and formerly of La Grande, died April 29 at a local care center. No services will be held at this time. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of arrangements.

Joann was born April 5, 1941, in La Grande. She was the daughter of James E. and Cleo E. (Woodell) Hudson. She was raised and educated in La Grande.

She married Laverne Brent in 1959, and that marriage later ended. She married James C. Shelley in March 1964 in Long Creek. The family made their home in Long Creek where she worked at raising her family. The couple later divorced, and Joann moved to La Grande. While in La Grande she raised her family and also worked as a nursing aid in the La Grande Nursing Center. She moved to the Pendleton area in 2001.

She greatly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially doing arts and crafts. She also enjoyed ceramics and going to Wal-Mart.

She is survived by three children, Lisa Griffith and Tina Scmauder, both of Pendleton and James E. Shelley of La Grande; two brothers, Jerry Hudson of Summerville and Jimmy Hudson of La Grande; sister, Connie McKenzie of Ola, Idaho; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorials contributions may be made to the Salvation Army in care of Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, P.O. Box 489, Pendleton 97801.

Gerald E. Young, 76, of La Grande, died April 29 at a hospital in Walla Walla. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in McKenzie Theatre at Eastern Oregon University. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Jerry was born Dec. 7, 1932, to Frank Edward Young and Lola Banton Young in La Grande.

He was a third-generation Young born in the Grande Ronde Valley. He lived his early years on a fruit orchard at the foot of Mount Emily and started his education in a one-room school on Mount Glen Road.

He graduated from La Grande High School, attended Eastern Oregon State College and Oregon State College and received master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Oregon State University. He studied pomology, mechanical engineering, chemistry, history of science and did his research in radiation chemistry.

He began teaching chemistry and mathematics at Eastern Oregon College in 1959. He became division head of the science department and then dean of the School of Arts and Sciences until he retired.

He was a strong advocate of volunteering in the community and served on many boards and committees and lived his life as an example.

He was a member of the La Grande Rotary Club, EOU Foundation, McKenzie Farm Board, water quality and forestry boards, Salvation Army board and a longtime member of the La Grande School Board. His daughter serves as a fourth-generation school board member in Walla Walla.

He traveled to many other countries, first with the Navy and then on a Fulbright grant to Peru, and to many other countries in his later years.

He married Arlene Anderson Sept. 1, 1955, and they have three children: Douglas Edward of La Grande; Lucinda Kay Meyer and her husband, Dr. Joseph Meyer, of Walla Walla; and Patricia Lynne and her husband, Bobby Anderson, of Rogue River; two granddaughters and three grandsons; brother, Dale Young, his wife, Peggy, and their three children; and many cousins.

His parents preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to the EOU Foundation., One University Blvd., La Grande 97850.

LOCAL FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS

May 2 — Jerry Young, celebration of life, 11 a.m., McKenzie Theater, EOU; reception to follow

May 2 — Mary Park, celebration of life, 1 p.m., Faith Center, Island City