Obituaries for the day of September 25, 2009

Obituaries for the day of September 25, 2009

James R. Ince

La Grande

James R. Ince, 84, of

La Grande and formerly of Milton-Freewater, died Sept. 24 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A private graveside service will be held at the Milton-Freewater Cemetery. Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

George R. Gillespie II

Elgin

1937-2009

George Richard Gillespie II, 72, of Elgin and formerly of Placerville, Calif., died Sept. 21 at his home with family by his side.

Family and friends are invited to a small get-together and celebration of life at 3 p.m. Sunday at his home. A Masonic memorial service for George will be held in Placerville at a later date. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

George was born March 21, 1937, to George Sr. and Laura (Amie) Gillespie on his grandparents’ farm in McDonald, Pa. He lived there until 1948, at which time he moved to California with his family.

He met his wife, Patricia Evans, at Franklin High School in Stockton, Calif., while in biology class. They married Oct. 11, 1953, in Minden, Nev. Then they moved to Hawthorne, Calif., where George started work at Northrup Aircraft at the age of 16 and became a journeyman machinist at the age of 18.

In 1959, he moved his family to Placerville, Calif., where he went to work at Aerojet Gen. Corp. in Nimbus, Calif. In 1960, he worked as a member of the Polaris team, on a historic project for the Navy — the first submerged launching of a ballistic missile from a submarine, the USS George Washington. He also machined parts for the Apollo spacecraft, Delta and Titan missile projects.

He opened his own machine shop in 1970 where he machined parts for the space shuttle and offshore oil drilling rigs. George retired in 1997 and moved to Elgin to hunt and fish.

Those who knew George say he was an honest, hardworking and proud man who took great pride in his family, supporting them in all their endeavors be it college rodeos, sports or business ventures. He touched many lives. Those who remember him say he was well loved and liked by all and could be quite a jokester when he wanted.

George was an avid hunter, horseman and fisherman. He spent many years hunting and packing horses in Utah. He fished near Donner Summit in California with his son, grandson and friends. He belonged to the El Dorado Gymkhana Association and participated in the re-enactment of the Pony Express ride from Sacramento, Calif., to Lake Tahoe from 1970 to 1981. He also enjoyed participating in the re-enactment of the old West gunfights during the Wagon Train Days in Placerville every year.

He was a member and past master of the Hiram No. 46 Masonic Lodge in El Dorado, Calif. George was also a member of the El Dorado Chapter No. 499 Order of Eastern Star where George and his wife, Patricia, were Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron in 1984.

George is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia Gillespie of Elgin; children and their spouses, George R. “Rick” III and Monique Gillespie of Kelsey, Calif., and Julia and Leon Huot of Elgin; sisters, Donna Lapczenski and Paula Terle; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association.

Gene G. Stockhoff

Island City

1923-2009

Gene Gaylord Stockhoff, 85, of Island City, died Sept. 21 at a local care center.

A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Presbyterian Friendship Center. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Gene was born Oct. 11, 1923, in Junction City, Kan. On July 4, 1926, Gene became the son of Henry George and Lula Cordelia (Nickelson) Stockhoff in Blue Mound, Kan. In the late 1920s the family moved to Oregon. In 1942 he graduated from McMinnville High School, where he was student body president his senior year. He attended Eastern Oregon College before serving with the 611th Army Engineer Corp during World War II.

On Nov. 1, 1945, he married Neola “Maxine” Wood in McMinnville. He worked as a rancher most of his life.

Gene was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was also a life member of the VFW Post 4060 in Union and a 50-year-plus member of the Elks Lodge. While ranching he was a member of the Union County Cattleman; the Union County Farm Bureau, where he was a past president; the South 40 Club; and the Good Sam Club. He was Cattleman of the Year in 1964 and served on the Union County Fair Board.

He loved to fly his plane when he was younger and enjoyed hunting.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine Stockhoff of Island City; children and their spouses, Henry and Valerie Stockhoff of Union, Nancy and Fred Calhoun of Alicel, John and Carol Stockhoff of La Grande and Frederick Stockhoff of La Grande; sister, Juanita Ramey of La Grande; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by sister and brother-in-law, Beatrice and John Ward; and brother-in-law, C.W. “Pete” Ramey.

Memorial contributions may be made to VFW Post 4060 or any charity.