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

Kalac, Johnson, Myers, Hewitt, Coleman, Stein, Schriver, Shuping, Moy

Karen Sue Kalac, 63, of La Grande, died in an automobile accident on Feb. 2. Memorial services were held Feb. 8 at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A service will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Warrenton Christian Church, 1376 SE Anchor Ave., Warrenton 97146. Burial will follow at the Warrenton Cemetery and a reception will follow at the Warrenton Christian Church.

Karen was born on April 23, 1944, in Ontario, Calif., to William David and Ernst Kathleen (Hamilton) Farmer. She received her education in Ontario and graduated from Chaffey High School.

She loved her plants and playing games with her family. She enjoyed people, especially her clients that she was a caregiver for. Karen had many loyal friends.

She is survived by her husband, Frederick Joseph Kalac of La Grande; son, James Brian Kalac of Rocklin, Calif.; daughter Katherine Lynn Duplessis of Antioch, Tenn.; brother, William Edward Farmer of Warrenton; sister, Eileen Shoop of Hammond; six grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to Karen’s estate in care of New Song Community Church, 3008 Cove Ave.,

La Grande 97850.

Published Feb. 11, 2008 

Fredarica G. Johnson, 97, of La Grande, died Jan. 29 at Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation Center. A celebration of life will be held later in La Grande.

Freida was born Oct. 4, 1910, to Fred and Emma Gerber Taal in La Grande. She lived in La Grande her entire life. She married Oscar Johnson on April 21, 1934. She worked in the cook house at Mt. Emily Logging Co. until it closed in 1955. She and Oscar moved to La Grande and she then went to work for the old Grande Ronde Hospital until 1963. She was a housewife after that. They had no children. Oscar died on March 9, 1980, in La Grande.

Freida loved to crochet and work in her yard and flower garden.

She is survived by her brother, Wesley Taal and his wife, Eileen; sister-in-law, Beulah Taal; niece, LaVelle Gerlach and her husband, Harlin; nephews and nieces, Arlan Taal, Donna Taal Hudson and her husband, James, Annette Hoadley, David Taal and Mary Ellen Case Taal, all of

La Grande, Gerold Taal and his wife, Sue, of Myrtle Creek, Jim Taal and his wife, Arleen of Yuma, Ariz.; and many grandnieces, grandnephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers,  one sister and grandnieces and grandnephews.

Published Feb. 12, 2008

Edward David Myers, 55, of Union, died Feb. 5 at his home. A celebration of life will begin at noon Wednesday at the Prairie Baptist Church in Prairie City. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Canyon City Cemetery in Canyon City. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Ed was born Jan. 27, 1953, in Springfield, Mo. He grew up in Canyon City, Colo., with his adoptive family until he joined the Navy in the 1970s. He served in the Vietnam War and was proud to be an American and a veteran.

He moved to Eastern Oregon in 2003. Ed enjoyed going to church, helping people in need, building model cars, playing the piano and having coffee with his friends. He loved his dog, Jazzy Toes, and was proud of his 16 years of sobriety.

Ed and his best friend, Bill, were roommates for 14 years. Those who knew them say the two of them made a great team, depending on and helping one another through each day. They say God creates special bonds for special people, and Bill was blessed to have such a friend in Ed.

Ed was preceded in death by his sister and both parents.

Published Feb. 12, 2008

Mody Russel Hewitt, 46, formerly of La Grande, died Feb. 12 at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston. A celebration of life gathering will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Hermiston Eagles Lodge No. 2909, 160 NW Second St. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of arrangements.

Mody was born July 17, 1961, to Mike and Joanne Johnston Hewitt in La Grande. Mody was a military brat and was raised throughout the United States and in Germany. He graduated from Ellison High School in Killeen, Texas, in the Class of 1979. He then moved to California and Washington for a time before returning to Germany where he started his career in construction.

Mody worked in several countries including Germany and Japan as well as the United States. Mody lived in Orting, Wash., for 17 years where he worked in construction before moving to Umatilla in 2005 where he has lived since.

Mody was a member of the Orting Eagles Lodge. He volunteered for many churches and groups over the years including his recent volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity in Umatilla. Mody enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, jeeping, golfing, sports and the outdoors. He volunteered as a Little League coach and was a great supporter of youth athletics.

He is survived by his parents, Mike and Joanne Hewitt of Umatilla; brother, Michael Hewitt and his wife, Theresia of Port Orford, Wash.; sisters, J. Marie Norris and her husband, Bob, of Pendleton, Modine Hewitt and her friend, Bob Taft, of Umatilla, Marcene Lay and her husband, Gary, of Orting, Wash.; numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews; and his special dog, Cindy. Mody was considered a special adopted grandpa — known as “MoMo” to many.

Published Feb. 13, 2008

 Catherine Elizabeth Coleman, 89, formerly of Island City, died Dec. 19 surrounded by close family. She was buried next to her husband in Island City. A celebration of life was held at the Shilo Inn at the Portland Airport on Dec. 29. A graveside service will be held in the spring.

Catherine was born Dec. 18, 1919, to James and Francis Beers in East St. Louis, Ill. She married Wayne Coleman on Oct. 8, 1939.

She loved to crochet and canned anything that didn’t move. Catherine loved all babies and raised four (and a special niece, Donna) to be her own.

She is survived by her children, Ronald Wayne and his wife, Joyce, Cathleen Coleman Lee and her husband, David, Marie Huestis and her husband, Mark, and Mary Smith and her husband, Tim; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her twin daughters, husband and two sisters.

Memorial contributions may be made to any charity or the Leukemia Society at 9320 SW Barbur Blvd. Suite 140, Portland 97219.

Published Feb. 14, 2008

Betty Ann Stein, 79, of Island City, died Feb. 11 at her home. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Island City Cemetery.

A viewing will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon Friday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande.

Betty was born April 25, 1928, to Milo and Jeanne (Smith) VanBlockland in La Grande. She graduated from La Grande High School and then received a degree in secretarial science from Eastern Oregon University. On Aug. 27, 1948, she married Robert Stein. They left La Grande so Bob could attend Oregon State University. They lived in Enterprise until 1966 until they moved to Beaverton where she worked as the secretary for the Asphalt Institute. The couple returned to Island City in 1985.

Those who knew her say she was a devoted wife and mother. While in Enterprise she belonged to a local sorority. She enjoyed horseback riding into the high lakes, camping, traveling, hiking and gardening. Those who knew her say she was an excellent cook and baker and was a very social person who never knew a stranger.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Stein of Island City; children and their spouses, Marc Stein and Andy Aleala of Portland, Kirk and Barb Stein of Hood River, Eric and Andrea Stein of Boise; grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Margaret Conrad of Gladstone, Ethel Patten of La Grande and Wanda Byrne of Brookings; and other relatives.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oregon Cancer Society, 0330 SW Curry, Portland 97220.

Published Feb. 14, 2008

 Mae R. Schriver, 95, of Milwaukie and formerly of La Grande and Wallowa, died Feb. 8. No service is planned. Sunnyside Little Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Mae was born June 28, 1912, in Wallowa. She graduated from Wallowa High School and lived in La Grande and in the Portland area. She was a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Nursing. She was married to Don for 38 years until he died in 1971. Mae was a nurse at various clinics and hospitals until she retired.

Survivors include her daughter, Susan Schriver; and nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by four siblings: Carrie Rounsavell, Charlton Roap, Pearl Eads and Pat Paulson.

Published Feb. 15, 2008

Iva May Shuping. 91, formerly of La Grande, died Feb. 9 at a Portland care center. A service will be held later in Portland.

Iva was born April 16, 1916, in Mile City, Nev. She lived in La Grande for more than 20 years with her husband, Bates Shuping, who was a retired master sergeant and a school bus driver.

Iva was known for her volunteer work, especially with cancer patients and the Red Cross. Those who knew her say she gave freely of her love and time.

She is survived by her daughter, Laura L. Klotzer.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oregon Cancer Society, 0330 SW Curry, Portland 97220.

Published Feb. 15, 2008

Elson Moy, infant son of Quing Yu and King “Steve” Moy, died from complications during birth on Feb. 12 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. Burial will be at the Hillcrest Cemetery in La Grande.

Elson is survived by his parents; grandparents; brother, Kevin Moy; and sisters, Lian and Alyssa Moy.

Published Feb. 16, 2008