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

Chadwick, Wells, Norris, Blackman, Sweet, Witty, Everidge

Teresa C. Everidge, 29, of Tiffin, Ohio, and formerly of La Grande, died the morning of Jan. 26 at her home. A memorial service will be held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in La Grande at a later date. Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Teresa was born Aug. 10, 1978, to Vernon and Terry (Jacoby) Everidge in La Grande. She worked at Findlay, Ohio, at Findlay Products. She enjoyed bowling and loved her family and her children.

Survivors include her parents of La Grande; son, Joseph A. Washman of Tiffin; daughter, Sadie C. Washman of La Grande; paternal grandparents, Herman and Imogene Everidge of Baker City; and fiancee, Lee Burlile of Tiffin. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Ed and Nellie Jacoby.

Published January 28, 2008 

Donald H. Chadwick, 91, died at a local care center on Jan. 16. A memorial service begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at the First Christian Church of La Grande with Pastors Ted Davis and Andy Gilbert officiating. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Don was born April 9, 1916, to Charles and Olive Chadwick in La Grande as part of a family of 10. Don married Cleo Burke Dec. 29, 1935. A lifelong resident of La Grande, he owned and operated Don’s Plumbing & Heating with Cleo managing the office — she even threaded pipes as needed.

An avid bowler, Don participated in many bowling leagues and local and national tournaments. In 1972, Don achieved every bowler’s dream game of 300.

Don didn’t put down his pipe wrenches until he was 87 years old. Those who knew him say he will be greatly missed by people with heating systems that were in place long before the technology of today. Don was never too tired or too busy to make late night and weekend calls.

Don also had a passion for his dogs, never forgetting to order up an extra cheeseburger at McDonalds. He had a special place in his heart for Boston terriers, German shepherds and toy poodles. His last dog, “Buddy,” still resides at Angeline’s Senior Living.

Don was creative. If a part needed for a repair was not readily available, he was able to build his own to get the job finished. He was known to be a talented welder by his peer plumbers, friends and family. He crafted numerous figurines using his welding talents.

Don and Cleo were the loving parents of six children. Surviving family members are daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Jack Laughlin of Vancouver, Wash., Patty and Jack Rudd, Donna and Bill Tsiatsos, Linda and Bill Whittemore, all of La Grande, and Kathy and Andy Gilbert of Eugene; and son and daughter-in-law, James and Wayla Chadwick of La Grande; 19 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; and siblings, Walt Chadwick of Boise, Betty Holmes of San Clemente, Calif., and George Chadwick of Portland. In 1999, Don was preceded in death by Cleo, his wife of 62 years. Four brothers and two sisters also died earlier.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Association.

Published January 30, 2008

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Ernie Wells, 81, formerly of La Grande and Elgin, died Jan. 27 at Madeleine Villa Convalescent Center in Marysville, Wash., with family members present. At his request there will be no service.

Ern was born Feb. 7, 1926, to Rudolph “Rudy” Paul and Hazel Frances Barnes Wells in La Grande. He attended school at Pine Grove in Elgin and also in the Salem area. He graduated in 1944. After graduation he joined the U.S. Army, served in the Transport Services, served in World War II and was sent to Okinawa. He was decorated for combat services.

He married Ruth Clark on July 3, 1946, in Sheridan. He owned the U.S. Cattle Guard Co. in Joseph before moving to Milton-Freewater where he was a lab technician for Lamb-Weston. They moved to Elgin in 1964 and he went to work shortly after for Boise Cascade as a glue mixer, retiring in 1988 as press operator.

Mining was a passion for Ern and he owned and operated several copper, uranium and gold mines in the Granite, Durkee, Joseph and Imnaha areas. Ernie and Ruth moved to La Grande in 1998 where he lived until a few months before his death.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Arlington, Wash.; children and their spouses, Randy and Dolores Wells of Silverton, Tom and Sue Wells of Elgin, Marilyn Wells of Arlington and Zan and Preston Conger of Covington, Wash.; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Cameron Wells.

Published January 30, 2008

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Donna Norris, 72, of La Grande and formerly of Baker City, died Jan. 28 at her home. A funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center in La Grande.

Donna was born Aug. 12, 1934, to Everett and Flossie (Burgess) Norris in Vale. She lived in various places all over Eastern Oregon, including Baker City, Huntington and La Grande. She also lived for a time in Spokane, where she managed a motel. She earned a special award from the Spokane Police Department for helping them with drug enforcement. She enjoyed coin and antique collecting and will be missed by her family.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Tim and Gayle Gorrell and Sherrie and Terry Gerlach, all of La Grande; brother, Rodney Norris of Columbia Falls, Mont.; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by two sisters; and a granddaughter, Misty Dawn Edison Gerlach.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Published January 31, 2008

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Thomas “Bob” Blackman, 89, of Island City, died Jan. 29 at his home. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the Island City Cemetery. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Bob was born on May 12, 1918, to Thomas Houston Blackman in Walla Walla. The family moved to Island City when he was 2 and he graduated from  La Grande High School in 1936.

On Aug. 31, 1939, he married Ethel Margaret Murray in La Grande. Like his father before him, Bob worked for the La Grande Concrete Pipe Co. in Island City for 35 years. He then went to work for the Boise Cascade particle board plant until retiring in 1987.

Bob served his country with the Army in the signal corps. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant on Nov. 29, 1945.

He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, the Eagles and Elks lodges. He played softball for several years when he was younger and was an avid fan of the sport. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and working in his yard. He also enjoyed traveling.

Survivors include his wife, Ethel Blackman of Island City; children and their spouses, Gregory and Nancy Blackman of La Grande, Scott and Louise Blackman of Louisville, Ky., Jan and Pat Callaghan of Milwaukie and Kristi and Joe Richter of Bend; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sister, Clara Huff of La Grande; sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Buck Hardwick of La Grande; numerous nieces and nephews; and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by brother, Levi Blackman; brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Phyllis Blackman; sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Delbert “Bud” Sanderson; and brother-in-law, Ford Huff.

Memorial contributions may be made to the GRH Hospice.

Published February 1, 2008

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Phillip Sweet, 68, of Payette, Idaho, and formerly of La Grande, died on Jan. 29 after a courageous battle with cancer. Services begin at 1 p.m. Monday at Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel in Payette. A viewing runs for an hour before services. Graveside services will follow at Riverside Cemetery. The on-line guestbook may be signed and condolences may be sent to the family at www.Haren-Wood.com.

Phillip Sweet was born on Oct. 14, 1939, to George and Clara Sweet in Nyssa. He graduated from Nyssa High School in 1959. On Aug. 29, 1965, he married Sharon Thawley and had two sons and one daughter. After a brief career as a barber, he followed his dream and in March 1967 became a member of the Nyssa City Police Department, where he served for six years. Phillip also went on to obtain his associate’s degree in criminology from Treasure Valley Community College. He lived in La Grande for 17 years, serving as a trooper for the Oregon State Police until his retirement in 1992.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Sharon; children and their spouses, Stacey and Jennifer, Bryan and Trisha and Tara and George; nine grand children; three brothers; and two sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Clara Sweet.

Published February 1, 2008

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Duane C. Witty, 78, of La Grande, died Jan. 25 at his home. At his request there will be no public services. Arrangements are with Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center.

Duane was born on June 3, 1929, in Wallowa, the son of Clarence and Ruth (Miller) Witty. He graduated from Elgin High School with the Class of 1948. He served his country with the Air Force from 1950 to 1954. He worked in the construction and concrete installation business for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors. On Oct. 7, 1956 he married Juanita Masterson in Minden, Nevada. She preceded him in death on June 18, 2004.

Survivors include his children and their spouses, Steve and Tracy Witty of Cove, Sam Witty of La Grande, Cami and Keith Bebb of Portland, Christy LeFever of La Grande, Nona Rudolph or Beaverton and Teri Johnson of La Grande; 13 grandchildren; sisters, Betty Adams of Elgin and Wanda Pennington of La Grande; and other relatives.

Published February 2, 2008