Obituaries for the day of October 7, 2011

LOCAL FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS

Oct. 8 — Estella West, graveside service, 2 p.m., Union Cemetery

Oct. 8 — Emmett Bailey, remembrance gathering, 2 p.m., Emmett’s cabin, Glass Hill Road, La Grande

Oct. 10 — Lindsey Pierce, casual dress celebration of life, 4 p.m., Summerville Baptist Church; dinner for family and friends to follow, Imbler Elementary School

M. Iris Bates

La Grande

M. Iris Bates, 86, of La Grande, died Oct. 7 at her residence. A full obituary will be available later. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

Lula Walker

La Grande

Lula Walker, 92, of La Grande, died Oct. 6 at home. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center is in charge of the arrangements.

Lindsey L. Pierce

Summerville

1955-2011

Lindsey Les Pierce, 56, of Summerville, died Oct. 4 at a hospital in Lewiston, Idaho, of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. A casual dress celebration of life will begin at 4 p.m. Monday at Summerville Baptist Church. Dinner for family and friends will immediately follow at Imbler Elementary School. Burial will be at Summerville Cemetery. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Lindsey was born Feb. 25, 1955, to Artie and Irene (Raymond) Pierce in Fowler, Calif. He grew up in Elgin and attended schools in Elgin and La Grande. After graduation, he married Carolyn Olp.

They are the parents of five children.

Lindsey was employed with Boise Cascade and worked in the particle board plant in Elgin. He served as a volunteer firefighter for most of his life and was currently serving as Imbler Fire Chief.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing and coaching softball. One of his favorite activities was game night with his family. Lindsey was an active volunteer in the community.

Surviving are his wife, Carolyn; children and their spouses, Dena Pierce of La Grande, Tonia Snider of Summerville, Malessa and Joseph Molina of Topeka, Kan., Amber and Justin Clark of Summerville and Nathen Pierce of Summerville; siblings and their spouses, Artie and Layla Pierce of Tillamock, Roberta and Dale Witherspoon of Elgin and Raymond Morrison of Pahrump, Nev.; an aunt; 10 grandchildren; seven granddaughters; three grandsons; and several nieces and nephews.

Lindsey was preceded in death by his parents, Artie and Irene.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to help with Lindsey’s medical expenses would be appreciated. Checks may be made to Carolyn Pierce in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande OR 97850.

The Observer publishes free obituaries as a community service. Obituaries are edited to fit news guidelines. Photos are encouraged. Paid space is available for families who would like to include more information. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center posts unedited obituaries at www.danielsknopp.com, and Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory posts obituaries at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.