>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

James Logan Cooper, 93, of La Grande, died Nov. 23 at Grande Ronde Retirement Center. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. today in the Kingdom Hall in La Grande. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Jim was born Feb. 7, 1914, in Benton County, Mo. He attended college in Greeley, Colo., and volunteered for the Army Air Corps in 1939, retiring from the Air Force in 1961 as a senior master sergeant.

In 1942, Jim married Lucille (Love) Cooper, of Racket, Mo. They spent 21 years living in several countries including France, England and Panama, and several states while Jim served his country until his retirement.

They settled in La Grande in 1961, with their two children, Max and Paula, both of whom graduated from La Grande High School in 1963 and 1965, respectively.

Gardening became Jim's main interest in his years following retirement. He grew produce, which he shared with many friends and neighbors throughout the years. His other hobby was woodworking and furniture making, many pieces of which are in his children's homes.

Jim is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lucille; his children, Max Cooper of Kaneohe, Hawaii, and Paula Rubio of Durham, N.C.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

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Opal Stoop, 101, of La Grande, died Nov. 19 at her home. A service will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St.

Opal was born July 6, 1906, to William Wallace Bradshaw and Emma Minerva Dickenson in Yakima. The family moved to Summerville where her father was a carpenter and warehouse man and ran a saloon in Summerville. Opal's mother was a housewife, seamstress and a milliner (made hats).

Opal was married to Edgar Park Stringham and they had two daughters, Opal Mae "Mickey" and Aloha. Edgar died in 1934. Opal married John William Powell and they had a daughter, Patricia Ruth. They divorced and Opal married W. Dohl Stoop who preceded her in death in 1999. They were known for their love of dancing.

Opal worked in an apple packing plant, as a truck driver dispatcher, a taxi driver, waitress, bartender and a marathon dancer and roller skater. She was well known as the Tupperware lady. She was also known for her fancy work as a seamstress, crocheting, embroidery and appliqué. In later years, she was best known for her dancing.

Those who knew her say Opal had a great sense of humor and had a quick comeback to those teasing her. She had a robust laugh. Opal and four other girls took off one day and decided to each get a tattoo. Opal was the first girl to get hers and after watching the process, the other four backed out. She got a rose on one thigh and an anchor on the other.

Opal joined the Eagles Auxiliary in 1947 and was president five times. She and Gus Tsiatsos always seemed to be elected together as they made a great team. She was a past State Madam President, State Grandmother twice, State Membership chairperson and Regional secretary for 20 years as well as being Eagle of the Year in 1976. She never missed a Region No. 4 meeting in over 40 years. She also volunteered for Seniors March of Dimes for 15 years and worked with the Indian Festival of Arts.

Survivors include her daughters, Opal Mae "Mickey" Courtney of Perry, Aloha Botelho of Island City and Patricia Ruth Baird of Pendleton; one granddaughter; one great-granddaughter; three great-great-grandchildren; and other relatives. Three brothers preceded her in death, William Pearl, Stanley Clinton and Donald Dickenson. She also had a sister, Hazel, who died at 6.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Association.

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Eugene E. Chapman, 74, of Elgin, died Nov. 21 at the Veterans Hospital in Portland. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Elgin Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held in the summer. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Eugene was born Aug. 4, 1933, in Portsmouth, Ohio, to Lawrence and Hazel (Orwig) Chapman. He enlisted in the Army in 1953, fought in Korea and served until 1960. He won several medals and was also wounded in combat.

He enjoyed fishing, rock-hounding, camping and spending time with his family. He was a great joke-teller and always made people laugh.

He married Laura Jean Tierce in Jefferson on Dec. 14, 1962. They had two daughters and three grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Laura Chapman of Elgin; daughters, Sandra Martinez and her husband, Aurelio Martinez Jr., of Bend and Tina Allen and her husband, Terry, of Elgin; and three grandchildren.

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Raymond Harold Danielson, 77, of Enterprise, died at the Spokane VA Medical Center Care Unit on Nov. 18 of cancer. A celebration of life will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Enterprise VFW Hall. A dinner will follow at 4 p.m.

He was born Feb. 28, 1930, in Rochester, Mich., to Gustave Danielson and Olive (Gill) Danielson. After graduation from high school, he joined the Army and served in military intelligence. He then attended Michigan State University, playing football and earning a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1956.

He married Janet Widerman in 1955. He worked for Chrysler Missile in Detroit, Mich., Convair Astronautics in San Diego, Litton Industries in Lompoc, Calif., and AeroJet General in Sacramento.

In 1969 he moved his family to Wallowa County. He raised cattle on Alder slope until 1974. He married Rochelle Larson in 1974. He sold cars for Moffit Brothers, managed the Elks in Enterprise, owned and operated Swede's Tavern in Joseph and held other various jobs through the years. He enjoyed skiing, hunting, reading, traveling, Wallowa County, all his friends and volunteering at the VFW.

Survivors include sons and daughter-in-laws, Rick and Kathleen Danielson of Grass Valley and Kurt and Cindy Danielson of Sumner, Wash., daughters and son-in-laws, Pam and Mike Noland of Nine Mile Falls, Wash., and Cindy and Chris Warlick of Nine Mile Falls, Wash.; sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Dan Guthrie of Utica, Mich.; brother, Glen Danielson of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.; and seven grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Veterans of Foreign War Post No. 4307 in Enterprise.

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Ellen Haefer, 88, of Boise and formerly of La Grande and Baker City, died Nov. 23 in Kuna, Idaho, at the Kuna Living Center. A graveside service began at 1 p.m. today at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Ellen was born June 5, 1919, to Herbert and Esther Lane Green in Baker City. She married Willard Haefer at Walla Walla in 1936. They had one child, Amelia "Amy" Worm.

Ellen lived at Cornucopia and Muddy Creek and cooked in the Muddy Creek School in the 1940s. She became a licensed practical nurse in 1950, training at St. Joseph Hospital in La Grande. Ellen worked at Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande and at Willamette Valley Hospital in Oregon City.

Survivors include her daughter, Amelia; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister, Viola Perkins of Haines; sisters-in-law, Vera Hill and Thelma Haefer; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetic Association or any other charity.

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Massonn Alexander James Reagan, 14 months old, of La Grande died Nov. 23 at the home of his great-grandparents in Caldwell, Idaho. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at the La Grande Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery near his cousin, Draek Parsons.

Masson was born Sept. 18, 2006, to James Calvin "J.C" and Kendal (Warnock) Reagan of La Grande. Although Massonn's life was short, he brought joy and laughter to all who knew him. Those who knew him say his mischievous smile could never be missed and all wished they could read his mind. The bond he had with his daddy, mommy and older brother, Treston, and sister, Cambrie, was an inspiration to family and all who knew him. Although Massonn's brother, who is 4 years old, never met his cousin, Draek Parsons, he told his whole family that Massonn was in heaven playing with Draek.

Massonn is survived by his parents; brother and sister; grandparents, Diane Villines of Caldwell, Idaho, Kelly Warnock of La Grande, Dixie (Cornia) Reagan of La Grande and Mick Reagan of Portland; great-grandparents, Homer and Dorothy Villines of Caldwell, Janice Warnock of La Grande and Me-ma Cornia of Payette, Idaho; aunt and uncles, Chris and Mandi (Warnock) Parsons, Zane and Amanda (Birkey) Warnock, Mike and Kayla (Hopkins) Reagan and George and Jamie (Reagan) Bass; and many cousins and playmates.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Massonn Reagan Memorial Fund in care of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center.

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Idella Lee Suzanne (Smith) Keys, 33, of Boise and formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 20 at a local hospital surrounded by her family. A celebration of her life will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Cloverdale Funeral Home, 1200 N. Cloverdale Road, Boise. According to Idella's request, her family will spread her ashes at a later date.

Idella was born to Robert M. and Connie I. Smith on July 8, 1974, in Hillsboro. When she was 2 the family moved to New Meadows, Idaho, where Idella attended school until the age of 14. They then moved to La Grande where she lived until after she graduated from La Grande High School in 1993.

After graduation, Idella moved to Boise where she met her husband, Billy Keys. Idella and Billy were married on July 23, 1999. They moved to New Meadows in 2000 where she ran the High Meadows Cafe for 2 1/2 years. Idella worked as a waitress from the age of 17 and treated her customers as if they were a part of her family.

Idella gave birth to her son, William "Kyson" Keys on Jan. 7, 2003. One month later, Idella was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. In July 2004, she and her family moved back to Boise, where she remained for the rest of her life, to be closer to her doctors.

Idella enjoyed spending time with Kyson, who she always said was the most important person in her life. Idella was very family oriented and loved getting together and cooking big family meals. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, huckleberry picking, reading and baking. Idella always greeted everyone with a smile even at the end of her long battle with cancer.

She is survived by her husband, Billy, and beloved son, Kyson Keys of Boise; stepchildren, Christopher and Bryceanne of California; parents, Robert and Connie Smith of Boise; sisters, Stephanie (Clay) Morgan of Boise and Shaundra (Thomas) Vienola of Boise; brother, Shayne (Nicole) Smith of Caldwell; three nephews; two nieces; paternal grandparents, Sibyl and Richard Smith of Fruitland; and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Ronald and Elsie Clarkson and Clinton Perkins; maternal great-grandmother, Euphemie Perkins; paternal great-grandparents, Arlie and Jessie Smith, Claudia (Granny) and Roy Frison; a nephew, Kysun Houser; and cousin, Jeremy "John" Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an educational fund that has been set up for Kyson at any US Bank. For more information on making donations, call Stephanie Smith at 208-861-0849.

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Ruth Myrtle Loock, 88, of La Grande, died Nov. 26 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande.

Ruth was born Nov. 9, 1919, in Grafton, Neb., to Sylvan Pierson and Vera Bradley. Her family moved to Lyle, Wash., then to Hermiston, where she attended grades 1-8. She graduated from La Grande High School in 1939, and attended Kinman Business University where she graduated in 1941.

Ruth then returned to La Grande where she worked for 20 years as a private secretary for August Stang, president of Mount Emily Lumber Co., then went to work for First Interstate Bank for 17 years as a secretary and loan manager. She retired in 1974, but later worked part-time for Mike Lynch of Lynch Motor Co.

Ruth married the love of her life, Wilbur Loock, in 1948 after a long engagement and enjoyed many years together traveling, camping and fishing.

Ruth's hobbies were sewing, knitting, crocheting, quilting, gardening and volunteering. She was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Soroptimist Club, Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary, Ladies Emblem Club and the Elks Club. She had a special love for dogs and often babysat her little friends.

Ruth is survived by her niece, Diana Nelson, and her husband Skip; nephews, Dick Pierson and his wife, Pam and Rick Hamilton; special friends and caregivers, Vern and Julie Brown; and other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur; and by her brothers, Glenn Pierson of Las Vegas, Morris Pierson of Spokane, Dale Pierson of Salem; an infant brother, and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society or any other charity.

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Richard "Dick" Walter Satterlee, 84, of Yuma, Ariz., and formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 27 in Yuma. Memorial services will be announced later.

Dick was born Feb. 10, 1923, to Doreene and Walter Satterlee. He went to high school in Silverton and joined the U.S. Navy, serving for six years during World War II in the Pacific Theater. He married Betty Williams in 1945 and divorced in 1975.

He married Virginia Lovely in May 1976. The couple traveled and were snowbirds, going south to Yuma every winter. In retirement, Dick started playing golf. He enjoyed being around people and making new friends. He also loved and enjoyed being around his family.

He loved Eastern Oregon and loved to hunt and fish. He was a member of the La Grande BPOE. He retired from the Oregon State Department of Forestry in the mid-'80s and was a member of the State Forestry Retirees.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Satterlee of Yuma; daughter, Karen Fenn of La Grande; son, John Satterlee of Anacortes, Wash., stepsons, Gene, Jim and Mike Lovely, all of Portland; sisters, Elsie Simon of Woodburn and Dorothy Rose of Sacramento, Calif.; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to any charity.

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David John Walker, 51, of La Grande, died Nov. 26 at his home. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center.

David was born on Oct. 4, 1956, to David Lee and Betty (Belk) Walker in Cottage Grove. He was raised there and later moved to Southern California. He worked at a carpet cleaning company with his cousin, Glenn Matthews, until opening his own business. He returned to La Grande where he continued in the carpet cleaning business before working for Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation Center. He later worked for New Day Enterprises, and was employed there when he died.

He loved football and NASCAR and watched them all the time. The Denver Broncos were his favorite team, and he never missed a game.

Survivors include his mother, Betty Walker of La Grande; son, David John Walker Jr. of Simi Valley, Calif.; siblings, Linda and James Hermann of Washougal, Wash., Rodney Walker of La Grande, Michael Walker of Vancouver, Wash., Ken Walker of La Grande and Barbara and Richard Burton of Elk River, Minn.; 12 nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles, Arlene, Gary and Ella Walker; great-aunt, Joyce; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his father.

Memorial contributions may be made to the David Walker Memorial Fund in care of Daniels-Knopp, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande.