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

Eugenia "Genie" Irene Wright, 83, of Cove and formerly of Enterprise, died Dec. 24 at Cove Cottage, a care center. A celebration of life begins at 2 p.m. Jan. 5 at Bollman Memorial Chapel.

Genie was born July 28, 1924, to Floyd V. and V. Avis Morrison in Murtaugh, Idaho. She was the fifth of six children and grew up and went to school in Murtaugh.

She attended the University of Moscow, Idaho, where she met her life partner, Noel M. Wright. They married on June 18, 1944.

Noel and Genie farmed near Moscow where both their daughters were born. In 1948, they moved to Enterprise and farmed on Alder Slope. In 1966, they bought the Enterprise Flower Shop and Greenhouse and were active merchants for many years. They retired and sold the flower shop in 1998. Noel died in 1999.

Genie is survived by her daughters, Linda Hutchinson and her husband, Bill, of John Day, and Sandy Larison and her husband, Bob, of La Grande; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Frank Morrison and his wife, Lavonna of Manhattan, Kan.; two sisters-in-law; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Noel; parents; and all but one of her five brothers.

Published Dec. 31, 2007

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Neva Irene Masters, 80, of Hermiston and formerly of La Grande, died Dec. 29 at Regency Hermiston Good Samaritan Center in Hermiston. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston. Burial will be held at noon Thursday at the Summerville Cemetery in Summerville. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.

Neva was born Sept. 16, 1927, to Everett Nathaniel and Hazel Averl (Tooker) Pyle in Hooker, Okla. Neva was raised in La Grande. On Sept. 16, 1947, she married Clyde "Gerald" Masters in La Grande. They lived in Imbler for a while before moving back to La Grande and then moved to Irrigon in 1976. Her husband, Gerald, died in 1985.

She is survived by daughters, Geraldine "Geri" Estes of Hermiston, Marie Owen of Ruidoso, N.M., and Mae Caswell of Hermiston; sister, Vera Jackson of Pasco, Wash.; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald; parents; brother, Glen Pyle; granddaughter, Michelle Caswell; and grandson, David Estes.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society at 7325 W. Deschutes Ave., Suite A, Kennewick, Wash., 99336.

Published Jan. 1, 2008

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George Peter Polfer III, 57, of La Grande, died Dec. 23 at his home following an extended illness. A life celebration will begin at 3 p.m. Jan. 12 at the 4-H building at the Union County Fairgrounds in La Grande.

George was born June 19, 1950, to George P. Polfer Jr. and Dorothy Jean Paul Polfer, in Cameron, Mo. Following high school he served with the U.S. Army. He lived in various places including Chicago, Panama, Vale, Oregon Slope and Huntington before settling in La Grande in 1987.

He was a member of the American Legion and the Elks Lodge. He was a true outdoorsman, enjoying snowmobiling, four-wheeling, hunting, camping and hiking. He loved spending time with his grandkids and watching car racing.

Survivors include his children, Kimberlee Jansen and Jed and Keri Polfer of La Grande; siblings, Connie Schutt, Vickie Polfer, Carol Lee Polfer Bier, Jeff Polfer, Bill Polfer and Cheryl Hickox; five grandchildren; his faithful companion and dog, "Bud"; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a grandson, Conner Polfer.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Burnt River Snowmobile Club in care of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh Street,

La Grande 97850.

Published Jan. 1, 2008

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Andy Louis Preston, 76, of Elgin died Dec. 6 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. At Andy's request there will be no services. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Andy was born Nov. 26, 1931, to Bertha and Charles Nelson Preston at Prairie City. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 15. After his honorable discharge he worked at several sawmills in Oregon and Northern California. Following that, he did construction work at Lake Tahoe in Nevada and California and then worked several years as a truck driver.

Andy is survived by a nephew, Gary Preston of Hermiston; wife, Jackie Preston of Union; and other relatives and many friends.

Published Jan. 1, 2008

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Montana Adair Rayburn, 95, formerly of La Grande, died Dec. 28 at Blue Mountain Nursing Home in Prairie City. A cryptside service will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday at Grandview Mausoleum in La Grande. Viewing will run from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Burns Mortuary of Hermiston.

Montana was born Aug. 25, 1912, to Archibald Nahalie and Della May (Stickney) Doe in Dover, Idaho. Montana was raised in Dover, Idaho, and in Bates and moved to La Grande in 1938. On Feb. 23, 1941, she married Orval Ernest "Ernie" Rayburn in Weiser, Idaho. They lived in La Grande until 1958 when they moved to Hermiston.

Montana liked to fish and renovate old homes with her husband. She was a snow bird, traveling to the warmer states for the winter for 14 years.

She is survived by a daughter, Linda and her husband, Jim Goben, of Hermiston; grandson, James Brown; four great-granddaughters; and two great-great-grandsons. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie Rayburn in 2001; parents, Archibald and Della Doe; siblings, Laurel McKlin, Stanley Doe, Henrietta Leishman, Royal Doe and Virgil Doe; and grandson, Jason Brown.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at this address: Columbia/Willamette Chapter, 1311 N.W. 21st Ave., Portland 97209.

Published Jan. 1, 2008

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Donald Dean Rynearson, 76, of Enterprise died Dec. 27 at his home. Funeral services begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Enterprise Community Church with vault interment and military honors at the Enterprise Cemetery.

Donald was born April 25, 1931, to William Marlow Rynearson and Hanner Rebecca Smith Rynearsib in Emmett, Idaho. He was the youngest of 11 children. Donald was a student in Emmett until his sophomore year when he dropped out and joined the U.S. Navy in 1948. He served for four years, mostly aboard ship in Europe. He became a deep sea diver as an underwater welder and salvage person.

After his discharge in 1952, he moved to Prairie City. He married Bessie Inez Winebarger on Nov. 21, 1952. They had four children: Robert "Bob" Marlow, James "Jim" Dean, Jeffery "Jeff" Alan and Becky LuAnn.

Donald worked with his brother, Floyd, logging for a short time then worked for California Pacific power company in John Day for three years. Donald moved to Portland and worked as a truck driver for Pacific Power and Light. He was transferred several times — first to Hermiston then to Bend. When the company had a cutback and laid off many employees, he went on construction for a short period but didn't like being away from family. He moved back to Prairie City and drove log trucks for Bates Sawmill for four months before returning to Pacific Power in Portland.

Donald was studying to become a lineman and served his apprenticeship in Lebanon for three years. In 1964, he came to Enterprise to work as a lineman. He moved to Milton-Freewater in 1977 to be a lineman representative in Umapine out of the Walla Walla division. In 1983, he moved back to Enterprise and was a service man until his retirement in 1990.

Donald liked to fish, tend his livestock, hunt, cut wood and top trees. He started doing wood working in the 1970s. He and his wife, Bessie, started a craft business and traveled many places making sales for 25 years. Donald spent many hours in his wood shop making furniture for the family.

Donald was a life member of Eagle Cap Post 4307 of the VFW in Enterprise. He was active in the Lions Club while in Milton-Freewater and served as president for many years. He was also a member of Enterprise Elks Lodge for a while and helped deliver Christmas boxes

Donald is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bessie; son, Bob and his wife, Dana, of La Grande, Jim and his wife, Sue, of Joseph, and Jeff and his wife, Darlene of The Dalles; daughter, Becky of Enterprise; sister, Fern and her husband, Clayton Horn, of Prineville; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Rynearson of Emmett, Idaho, and Norma Rynearson of Prairie City; seven grandchildren; three step-granddaughters; seven great-grandchildren; 7 step-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John, Raymond, Floyd and Lewis; sisters, Zella, Louise, Dorothy, Alta and Lucy.

Memorial contributions may be made to Home Health, The Community Church or Enterprise Cemetery Beautification in care of the Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W Main St., Enterprise 97828.

Published Jan. 1, 2008

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George F. Stillman, 77, of Heppner and formerly of La Grande and Elgin, died Dec. 31 at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Heppner. A graveside service will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Elgin Cemetery. Sweeney Mortuary of Heppner is in charge of arrangements.

George was born March 12, 1930, to Solomon and Lola Bibler Stillman in La Grande. He was raised in Elgin and graduated from Elgin High School.

On May 30, 1949, he married Virginia Rae Barton in Walla Walla. The couple lived in Ione for a time, then moved to Condon and Klamath Falls before settling in Heppner in 1952. He worked for Morrow County Grain Growers for 22 years, then went to work for Kinzua Corp. from 1973 until 1979. He then worked for the City of Heppner until retiring in 1992. George enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife; Virginia of Heppner; children, Randy of Boring, Beryl of Lexington and Rebecca Harshman of Hermiston; 17 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Rory Stillman.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pioneer Memorial Hospital, P.O. Box 9, Heppner 97836.

Published Jan. 3, 2008

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Bobby Gene Stuckman, 68, of La Grande, died Dec. 31 at a Portland hospital. A service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande. Burial will be at the Summerville Cemetery.

Bobby was born on Jan. 31, 1939, to Fredrick Warren and Emily Carter Stuckman in Durango, Colo. He was educated in Colorado and married Marian Kuchler on Jan. 12, 1960. In 1964 they moved to La Grande. He attended the Pentecostal Church of God. He worked as a cook for Royal Cafe and the Wrangler. He owned a restaurant in Island City and then Bob's Cafe in Wallowa.

He helped cook for an annual Lion's Club function in Wallowa for many years. He enjoyed painting and helping people as a handyman.

Survivors include his wife, Marian of La Grande; children, Johanna Binder of Elgin, Lynne Comisky of Cortez, Colo., Ruthie McClure of La Grande and Bryan Stuckman of La Grande; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; three sisters; three brothers; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oregon Cancer Society.

Published Jan. 3, 2008

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William Fredrick Tolles, 86, died Dec. 31 at his home in Island City after a lengthy battle with heart disease. Funeral services begin at 1 p.m. Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel followed by graveside services and military honors at Hillcrest Cemetery. A viewing will run from 10 a.m. to noon Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel.

Bill was born June 19, 1921, to Romine F. Tolles and Clarissa G. Henry Tolles in Rulo, Neb. In 1938, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. After boot camp he was assigned to the battleship USS Nevada. Bill served on the USS Nevada during the battle of Pearl Harbor, manning a five-inch anti-aircraft gun throughout the invasion. He was decorated with the Purple Heart for wounds received.

While the ship was being repaired at Bremerton Naval Yards he met his sweetheart Mary L. Meranda and they were married Oct. 31, 1942. Upon completion of the ship's repairs, Bill was sent to the North Pacific and fought in the Aleutian Island campaign.

Later in the war, Bill was stationed on the East Coast and was assigned to the battleship USS Missouri and served in the North Atlantic. He also had the honor of crossing the equator and being initiated as a Shell Back.

After the war Bill moved his family to the Grande Ronde Valley at which time he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad until being laid off.

He then moved his family to Leavenworth, Kan., where he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a prison guard at the Leavenworth Military Prison during the Korean Conflict.

After his discharge from the Army in 1953 the family moved back to La Grande. Bill worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and was transferred to Hinkle where he was briefly employed until he landed a job with the Army Corps of Engineers at McNary Dam.

Upon retiring he and Mary lived in Palmer Junction, La Grande and Island City.

Bill's family was the most important part of his life. He loved fishing, hunting and the Blue Mountains.

Bill was a member of the Hermiston Masonic Lodge, past member of the La Grande Elks Lodge, member of the La Grande American Legion, Union VFW and a NRA member.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years; daughter, Mary and her husband, Jim Gray, and Donna and her husband, Scott Hartley; four siblings; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and many friends, especially the children of the Swanson family. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, William A. Tolles; four grandsons; and two siblings.

Memorial contributions may be made to La Grande Hospice, Shiners Children's Hospital or St. Jude's Children's Cancer Hospital.

Published Jan. 3, 2008

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Adeline P. Elmore, 87, of La Grande and formerly of Union, died Jan. 2 at Country Rose Manor. A service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Union Baptist Church in Union. Private burial will be held at the Union Cemetery Monday at 10 a.m. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Adeline was born March 16, 1920, to Leopold F. and Gabrielle (Deleuze) Portal in Farrell, Pa. Adeline taught English and music and was a cartographer in Washington, D.C., during World War II. On June 11, 1952, she married Fabius "Stanly" Elmore in Albuquerque, N.M. They moved to the Grande Ronde Valley in the mid-1970s from Crawfordsville. Her husband preceded her in death on Jan. 5, 1984.

Adeline was a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Crawfordsville and a faithful friend and attendee of the Union Baptist Church. She took care of the special scriptural messages on the monthly bulletin board, assisted with the AWANA program, was active in the Missionary Women's Prayer Fellowship in both Crawfordsville and Union, was a faithful giver of all her talents and was a devoted prayer warrior, family members said. Those who knew her say Adeline had the ability to make people feel at peace and always thought of others before herself.

Survivors include her adopted family, George, Karen and Tamera Tattersall and Grandpa "MJ" Kizer of High Valley, and Aaron Tattersall of Aurora, Colo. She was preceded in death by her brother, Alexander Portal.

In lieu of flowers Adeline had requested that memorial contributions be made to AWANA Missionaries Jerry and Angie Berheim in care of the Union Baptist Church.

Published Jan. 4, 2008

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Donald E. Hayter, 83, of Canby and formerly of Union, died Dec. 28 at a Tualatin hospital. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Canby Funeral Chapel. Private vault interment will be at Zion Memorial Cemetery.

Donald was born Oct. 18, 1924, to Louis and Nellie Hayter in Council, Idaho. He moved with his family to Union where he was reared and educated. Donald enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and served in the European/African Theater from 1943 to 1945, receiving the Bronze Star and numerous other commendations of merit. Following the war he returned to the Union and La Grande area and married Phyllis Elaine Hawes on Dec. 14, 1945.

Donald was a logger and was involved in the logging industry in Northern California and Southern Oregon. In 1960 he and Phyllis and family moved to La Grande. In 1963 Donald purchased a service station, Triangle Arco, which he operated for eight years. He sold the service station and became a mechanic for M.J. Goss in La Grande.

In 1977 they moved to Portland where he worked for Marv's Alignment Shop in Tigard. Later he also purchased a Tasty Freeze franchise and operated that business until 1980. In 1980 he went to work for American Precision Industries where he retired in 1986.

In his retirement he and Phyllis loved to travel in their motor home. In 1995 he moved to Canby where he had since resided.

Donald loved hunting, fishing, camping, the challenge of computers and most of all his grandchildren.

He was a member of the Eagles and Elks Lodge in La Grande, and a member of the Veterans Of Foreign Wars in La Grande.

Surviving family members include his wife of Canby; two sons, Glenn Hayter of West Linn and Frank Hayter of Hillsboro; four daughters, Linda Waltz of New Zealand, Donna Robison of Rathdrum, Idaho, Nancy Griffith of Beavercreek and Marcia Rowland of Silverton; 15 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by all of his brothers and sisters.

The family suggests memorials contributions to the American Cancer Society.

Published Jan. 4, 2008

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Raymond Henry, 79, of Arizona and formerly of Joseph, died Jan. 1 of cancer in Buckeye, Ariz.

Raymond was born Aug. 24, 1928, to Manford and Pearl Henry in South Dakota. He moved to Joseph in 1945. In 1950, he joined the Army.

Survivors include his son, Austin Henry of Bakersfield, Calif.; stepdaughter, Jeanie Huizenga of Forth Worth, Texas; brother, Don of Island City; sister, Reta Christenson of Williams, Ariz., one granddaughter in Elgin; six great-grandchildren; and three nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; and daughter, Linda.

Published Jan. 4, 2008

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Linda Laurell Hiatt, 65, of Burbank, Wash., and formerly of Elgin, died Jan. 1 in Kennewick. A funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Summerville Cemetery Chapel. Burial will follow. A celebration of life will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 12 at Faith Assembly Christian Center, 1800 Road 72 in Pasco. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Linda was born March 20, 1942, to Laurel Edgar and Mildred LaVoyle (Payne) Witty in La Grande. She graduated from Elgin High School. On Nov. 11, 1961, she married Eldon Hiatt in Elgin. In 1994 they moved to Burbank. She worked for Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute for 10 years.

Linda enjoyed square dancing, camping, water skiing, motorcycle rides and cruise trips to the Caribbean. She was active in her church and the Royal Family Kids Camp for many years, crocheting 70 crosses each year for the camp kids. She was a member of the Elgin Rainbow Girls when she was young and a member of the Emblem Club and the Eagles Auxiliary.

Survivors include her husband, Eldon of Burbank; son, Jerry Hiatt of Spokane; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Betty Hiatt of Hermiston; brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Carolyn Witty of Enterprise; two grandsons; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a daughter, Judy Hiatt.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Royal Family Kids Camp, 1800 Road 72, Pasco, Wash., 99301.

Published Jan. 4, 2008

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Robert "Bob" Preston Kopp, 82, of Brookings, died Dec. 21 at his home of natural causes. A memorial service was held Thursday at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 401 Fir St. at Azalea Park Road in Brookings. Rev. William A. Smith officiated and inurnment took place at the W.J. Ward Cemetery in Brookings where Bob will be laid to rest next to his wife. Redwood Memorial Chapel & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

He was born Feb. 21, 1925, to Clarence John and Nina Hortense (Clark) Kopp in Kalispell, Mont. As a young child, he moved with his family to La Grande where he was raised.

Following high school graduation, he attended the University of Oregon in Eugene where he earned a bachelor of science. degree in geology. Soon thereafter, he started his lifelong work in the area of geological mapping, a career involving extensive travel.

Following his first assignment in Saudi Arabia, he spent two years traveling internationally and having adventures including running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

While working in Pakistan, he met his future wife, Elizabeth Rebecca Millerwood, who was employed with the Canadian Consulate there. They were married March 21, 1959, in Ottawa, Canada, by Bob's father, who was an ordained minister.

The couple moved to Colombia, where their first child was born. Bob's work later took the family to Denver, Colo., where their second child was born. They lived in Australia and Canada during his career, and he often traveled to job assignments in other areas as well including Iran, Nairobi and New Guinea.

The couple wanted to retire in the Pacific Northwest, and settled in Brookings in August 1985. Bob cared for his ill wife at home until her death in July 1986.

He spent his retirement years doing many of the things he had never had the chance to do while working. He enjoyed gardening and listening to diverse styles of music. He was an avid reader of scientific literature. Bob was interested in many intellectual pursuits and was a wonderful conversationalist, having the ability to make complex ideas both understandable and fascinating, family members said.

He was a member of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, and although in declining health for several years, he was committed to being involved in the church to the best of his ability.

Survivors include his two children, Elizabeth Kopp and her partner, Patrick Brunner of Newcastle, Wash., and Rodney Kopp and his wife, Gabriella, of Lynnwood, Wash.; brother, Dr. C. John Kopp of Boise; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Laura May "Mandy" and Tom Adams of Wilsonville and Nina "Dinny" and Lee Kinnie of Denver.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 1237, Brookings 97415.

Published Jan. 4, 2008

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Julie Marie (Ihli) Pfel, 48, of La Grande, died Dec. 31 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Recitation of the holy rosary will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. Mass of Christian burial will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the Hillcrest East Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to attend the memorial reception following the burial at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church hall.

Julie was born Aug. 24, 1959, to Sylvester B. and Marjorie Jean (Burnett) Ihli in San Jose, Calif. Her mother died three days after her birth. She was raised in San Jose until she entered high school when she moved to La Grande. She graduated from high school with the Class of 1977. She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church.

Those who knew her say Julie had a big heart and an active, free spirit. They say she had a wonderful outlook, enjoyed life to the fullest, had a great sense of humor and a wonderful, contagious laugh. Those who knew her say she was devoted to her two sons — they were the most important thing in her life.

She was the secretary of the Union County Fair Association for many years, an assistant for the La Grande School District and had been working at the Grande Ronde Child Center. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, the beach and was an avid reader.

Survivors include her sons, Maverick Pfel of Portland and Austin Pfel of La Grande; father, Sylvester Ihli of

La Grande; sisters and their husbands, Pam and Gregg Kleeman, and Dawn and Bruce Roe of La Grande; nephews, Scott, Chris, Ben and Paul; and many other relatives.

Memorial contributions may be made to the United Way or to any other charity.

Published Jan. 4, 2008