Obituaries for the day of September 17, 2009

Obituaries for the day of September 17, 2009

Alfred E. Marshall IV

La Grande

1926-2009

Alfred Edward Marshall IV, 82, of La Grande, died Sept. 15 at a local care center. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Grandview Cemetery. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Alfred was born Dec. 3, 1926, to Alfred Edward Marshall III and Pearl Melissa Bell Marshall in Colorado Springs, Colo. When he was 4 years old the family moved to Oregon and he attended school in Island City.

When he was of age he joined the Navy and served during World War II and was later called back up during the Korean War. On Dec. 30, 1946, he married Jean Courtney in

 La Grande. After his discharge from the service he worked for Boise Cascade until his retirement in 1989.

Alfred enjoyed anything outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping and gold mining. He loved archery hunting and those who knew him say he was one of the first archers in Union County — he had to travel to Pendleton to purchase equipment. He also enjoyed inventing gadgets to solve problems that came up.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Marshall of La Grande; children and their spouses, Alfred and Eileen Marshall V of Marshalltown, Iowa, Delores and Gary Fincher of La Grande and Melissa and Steve Burright of La Grande; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by son, Dale R. Marshall in 1990; younger brothers, Charles and James Marshall; and grandchildren, Jeannie Lynn and Theresa Sue Fincher.

Memorial contributions may be made to any veterans organization.

Betty L. W. Shaffer

La Grande

1926-2009

Betty Lorraine Willey Shaffer, 82, of La Grande, died Aug. 24 at a local care center. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Sept. 26 at the IOOF Hall in Summerville. The service will be conducted by the family.

Betty was born Dec. 20, 1926, in Portland. Her family moved to La Grande when she was a small child.

During the war, at age 16, Betty was a welder’s helper in the Puget Sound Navy Shipyards. Her family was always proud of her contribution to her country.

In 1948 she married Wesley Shaffer and they had four children. Betty was at home with small children while Wesley served in the Army in Korea. Their marriage ended in 1972.

Betty lived in La Grande and Imbler most of her life. She loved the Grande Ronde Valley and considered it her home.

She was a nurse’s aide at Valley View Manor for many years, her love for people and caring nature made her a wonderful caregiver. After leaving Valley View she worked for the Broken Arrow Lodge.

In 1991 she retired due to injuries she sustained in a car accident. Retirement allowed her to spend more time with her family and in Alaska — her home away from home. She loved to boat, fish and spend time with family and friends in Sitka.

Betty left Imbler in the mid-’90s, moving to La Grande. She stayed in touch with all her friends and made many new ones. Family and her friends were the center of her life.

She will be remembered by family and friends for her love of old country music, mushroom hunting and scenic rides through the valley. Her kids and grandchildren will remember her laughter and her love.

She is survived by her sisters, Kathryn Guffnette and Sara Milbrandt; children, Sherman Shaffer of Sitka, Alaska, Clyde and Cathy Shaffer of Sitka, Alaska, Paula and Tim Scott of Silverdale, Wash., and Patsy Hoadley of La Grande; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Roland Willey and Pauline Matthews; and sisters, Dorothy Reidt and Patricia Dawson.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Wildflower Lodge Activities Fund, Evergreen Health and Rehab Activities Fund or Grande Ronde Hospital Home Health and Hospice. Donations may be mailed to Paula Scott, 7395 Roundup Lane NW, Silverdale, Wash. 98383.

Donald P. Weber

Elgin

1952-2009

Donald Paul Weber, 57, of Elgin, died Sept. 10. A memorial service began at 4 today at the Elgin Community Center. A potluck dinner was to follow. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

Donald was born March 28, 1952, to William and Marilyn (Blason) Weber in Portland.

Donnie was an avid outdoors man. He loved to fish and have picnics and barbecues or family gatherings of any kind. If there was a crowd, those who knew him say he was the happiest. He loved to joke and was always coming up with something to tease someone, or make everyone laugh. He enjoyed the home he and Melva had up Merritt Lane because he could go and walk and be outdoors whenever he wanted.

As the illness was overtaking him, some of the biggest struggles those around him had was stopping him from overdoing it, when it was apparent he was in no shape to be shoveling snow, mowing the lawn or even raking the leaves. But his family and friends knew that was Donnie — always there to help if there was a need. He was willing to help anyone, even if he had just met them.

Donnie worked in the construction industry and was self-employed. He was a skilled roofer and woodworker, and did other construction work as well. Those who knew Donnie say he was a perfectionist — if he was not a master at a project he would not do it until he could perfect it.

All who knew Donnie knew how full of life and laughter he was and that he was a strong fighter.

Donnie is survived by his companion, Melva Rushton, of Elgin; son, Greg Weber and his wife, Marrisa; one granddaughter; son, Chris Robertson; brothers, Greg, Scott and Daniel; sisters, Marie, Dana and Lisa; in-laws; numerous nieces and nephews; mother, Marilyn; and step-father, Robert. He was preceded in death by his father, William HM Weber, who was a famous artist; sisters, Laurie and Robyn; and his step-brother, Randall.

Donnie requested that no flowers be placed anywhere in his memory and for those who wanted to spend the money, they could make donations in his name to the American Cancer Society, 7325 W. Deschutes Ave., Suite A, Kennewick, Wash. 99336.