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

Darrell M. Skillings, 67, of Wallowa died Feb. 14. Interment of cremains will begin at

11:30 a.m. March 1 at the Bramlet Cemetery. A celebration of Darrell’s life will follow at the Wallowa Senior Center. Bollman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Darrell was born at home April 3, 1940, to Amos Benjamin Skillings and Cora Ellen (Boyd) Skillings in Wallowa. He was raised and attended school in Wallowa. He served in the Army from 1960 to 1962. He worked in the timber industry, including owning and driving his own logging truck. He owned the Lostine Tavern with his second wife, Elaine (Kirk) Skillings, for a short time.

The pride of his life was Darrell Lynn, a son he had with his wife, Carol Schaures. The couple later divorced.

Darrell enjoyed reading and spending time with family and friends. He was a terrific storyteller, often recounting childhood stories about his siblings and friends.

He is survived by siblings, Vern Skillings and his wife, Virginia, Neal Skillings, Johnny Skillings and his wife, Eunice and Kenneth Skillings, Carolyn Pfeaster and her husband, Dewayne, all of Wallowa, and Myrna Sabey and her husband, Jim, of Pilot Rock.

He was preceded in death by his son, Darrell Lynn Skillings, on April 2, 1992; parents, Amos and Cora Skillings; brother, Raymond Skillings; sisters, Mina Shuman and Winifred English; and former wives, Carol Schaures and Karen Elaine Skillings.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Darrell Lynn Skillings Scholarship Fund, in care of Wanda Case, 63136 Wallsinger Road, Cove 97824

Published February 19, 2008

William Roberts “Bob” Patterson, 67, Wallowa Lake, died Feb. 12 from complications of cancer at the VA Medical Center in Walla Walla. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Enterprise.

Bob was born Feb. 16, 1940, in Baker. The Patterson family spent summers at their Wallowa Lake cabin, which was purchased in 1918 by his grandfather, Dr. Carl G. Patterson of Baker City.

Bob attended public school in Baker, and attended Eastern Oregon University. He was married to Ann Jennings of Joseph from 1961 to 1978, and the couple had two children, Kristan and Steven. He joined the Air Force and after completing flight school, he flew C-121 radar tracking aircraft over Vietnam.

Ultimately, he became proficient in all aircraft (fixed wing and helicopter) during his 14-year Air Force career. Bob flew for several airlines, finally as captain of both the Boeing 757 and Airbus 320 for America West Airlines. The last seven years he served as an instructor pilot on the Airbus training simulator.

Bob and his wife, Marvel, of 13 years both retired in 2007 to their new home on Wallowa Lake. They became quite active in the community this past summer, volunteering during Chief Joseph Days, caring for flower boxes on Main Street, and as members of the “Westsiders” of Wallowa Lake.

Bob’s cancer was diagnosed in late summer.

He is survived by his wife, Marvel; Marvel’s children, Chenelle and Connon; son, Steve and his wife, Chris, of Oregon City; daughter, Kris Fowler-Patterson; two granddaughters; brother, John of Walla Walla; sister, Charlotte “Char” Williams of Joseph; and seven nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Society, to Wallowa County Memorial Hospital or any other charity

Published February 19, 2008

Meridith (Paroz) Patterson, 59, formerly of La Grande, died Jan. 28 after a short illness in Wenatchee, Wash.

Meridith was born Sept. 12, 1948, to Andrew Paroz and Lucretia Ruckman Paroz in La Grande.

Survivors include brothers, Leon Paroz of Imbler, David Paroz of Illinois and Duane Paroz of Pendleton; sisters, Annette (Paroz) Brokaw of Nevada and Jean (Paroz) Parks of Texas; and longtime companion, Mickael Lavender of Washington.

Published February 19, 2008

Bonnie C. Wieden, 65, formerly of La Grande, died Feb. 11 in her sleep from a heart attack. Services begin at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Agnes Flanagan Chapel at Lewis and Clark College.

Bonnie was born Feb. 9, 1943, in Casper, Wyo. Her parents, Ellis and LaWanda Scott, moved the family to La Grande.

In high school, Bonnie was senior class president, president of the Honor Society and the May queen.

She enjoyed hunting in the backcountry with her father. She participated in springboard diving and earned first place in the Far West Regionals in San Francisco in 1960.

She attended Eastern Oregon University for two years and then went to the University of Oregon where she worked days in the speech department and took classes at night.

In March 1966, she accepted an invitation to float on an inner tube down the McKenzie River with Dan Wieden and they married before the year was out.

The couple had three daughters, Tami, Laura and Cassie, and one son, Bryan. The family moved from Portland to Dundee. Bonnie started a 4-H horse club that attracted 26 members. She worked at A-Dec and received a U.S. Senate Productivity Award in 1985.

Soon after in October, Bonnie suffered an aneurysm after giving the laity sermon at the Dundee Methodist Church. It was the first of several, and other complications followed.

Bonnie continued her outreach, taking in an exchange student from France and several from Japan.

In 1996, the family purchased acreage at Blue Lake in the Cascades and started Caldera — a summer camp focusing on the arts, the environment and a strong sense of community. Hundreds of struggling young families benefit from the camp year-round.

Those who knew her say she was an accomplished woman who had a crazy humor and was skilled in checkers. They say she had a great smile and a big love for life.

Bonnie is survived by her husband of 42 years, Dan Wieden; her children, Tamira, Laura, Katherine and Bryan; four grandchildren; and sisters, Patricia and Susan. 

Published February 20, 2008

Ronald K. Moulton, 73, of Union, died Feb. 15 at his home of cancer. At Ron’s request, there will be no formal service. Family and friends are hosting a celebration of Ron’s life and a barbecue in Ron’s style beginning at 1 p.m. March 8 at the La Grande Country Club. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Ron was born Oct. 29, 1934, to Norman and LaVerda Kayser Moulton in Portland.

Ron had wonderful stories about his time as a minor league baseball player; about growing up and working around mills near Veneta; logging in western Oregon; his years at Central Lane Building Supply; guiding hunts in Montana; building apartments in Eastern Oregon; owning and racing thoroughbreds; and all the friends he made over the years.

Ron purchased the Tropidara Restaurant and Lounge in 1984 and expanded his restaurant holdings to include the Down Under Tavern. Ron’s best times were spent hunting or fishing and spending time with his family and friends. Since his retirement, those who knew Ron considered him the yard sale king of Union.

Ron is survived by longtime companion, Vickie Clark; his children and their spouses, Randy and Pat Moulton and Rick and Darcy Moulton, all of Hermiston, and Ronda and Peter Robles of Milwaukie; three stepchildren; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; his faithful dog, Sam III; and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to lung cancer research or any other charity.

Published February 21, 2008 

Douglas Wayne Henderson, 75, of La Grande, died Feb. 16 at a local care center. A celebration of life began at 2 p.m. today at the Foursquare Gospel Church, 470 W. Center St. in Lebanon.

Doug was born May 6, 1932, to Claude and Mabel (Hagen) Henderson in Hannibal, Wis. He was raised in Lebanon and graduated from high school there.

He moved to Union County about five years ago.

He married Artheda Rae Lander on May 4, 1957, at the Lebanon Presbyterian Church. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1952.

He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his nephew at football games. He was an avid sports fan, and loved spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Artheda of La Grande; children Doug Henderson of La Grande, Richard Henderson of Milton, Fla., and Zanna Nelson of Lebanon; brother, Buford Henderson of Lebanon; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant daughter, Brenda Henderson; two brothers, Marvin and Gordon; and three sisters, Violet Poppe, Deloris Willis and Iola Searles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the youth sports programs at La Grande High School or the American Legion in La Grande or Lebanon in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande 97850.

Published February 22, 2008