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

William Lewis Ash, 95, of La Grande died June 26. A graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Cove Cemetery.

Mr. Ash was born Nov. 9, 1910, to Ulysses Yaudes and Eve Belle Mayes Ash in Riddle. He was raised on a farm and attended a trade school in Los Angeles to learn to be an electrician. He loved gardening, and worked on the Becker farm in lower Cove. On June 16, 1947, he married Marie Kight in Cove. They lived on a 10-acre farm on the Cove road outside of Union.

He worked at the mill in Union, the state Highway Department, and then Boise Cascade in La Grande. He retired from Boise Cascade in December 1973. He was the oldest retiree from Boise Cascade.

When he wasn't working, he enjoyed his gardens and flowers. His family said he could plant almost anything and it would grow. They said he worked hard at going the extra mile in his life. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Survivors include children and their spouses, Robert and Rose Marie Reese, and Frank and Helen Blake, all of La Grande, Shirley Hinojos of Portland, and Larry and Shirley Ash of Union; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a sister, Helen, of Central Point. His wife died in 2001.

Memorials may be made to the LDS Genealogy Library in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St.

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Susan Jane Harsin, 67, of La Grande, died June 30 in Woodburn. A memorial mass will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church.

Mrs. Harsin was born Aug. 22, 1938, to Jim and Elizabeth Nolten Gooding in Salem. She graduated from St. Mary's Academy in Salem, and moved to La Grande. She married Darwin Harsin on July 24, 1961.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church and the St. Jude Altar Society, the UPRR Junior Old Timers and Old Timers, the Eagles Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was an ombudsman for the local nursing homes for a number of years and an honorary member of FFA. She loved to read. Her family and church were her main activities. She suffered from phantom pain for the last 25 years of her life but was always a champion for the underdog. She helped many people over the years.

Survivors include her husband of La Grande; a son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Carrie Harsin, all of La Grande; a brother and two sisters; and other relatives. One sister died earlier.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Luke's Hospital for the Neonatal ICU and the flight crew in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.

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Donald A. Yeske, 77, of Lebanon and formerly of La Grande, died June 29 at Salem Hospital. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the family home, 38811 Collins Lane, Lebanon.

Mr. Yeske was born Aug. 17, 1928, to Herman E. and Frieda V. Zweifel Yeske in La Grande. He graduated from La Grande High School and served in the Army Air forces during World War II, then served 32 years in the reserves.

On April 22, 1949, he married Lois Johnston in La Grande. He attended the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, Calif., and worked in as a quality control inspector in aerospace and later for the Army Depot. He retired in 1990.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and being with his friends.

Survivors include his wife of Lebanon; two sons and their wives, Mark and Colleen Yeske and Cory and Vicki Yeske; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A son, Alan Yeske, and a grandson, Derrick Yeske, both died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of the Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon 97355. Condolences can be made online at www.hustonjost.com .

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Judy Ann Hendrickson, 59, of La Grande, died July 3 at Grande Ronde Hospital. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Island City Ward.

Mrs. Hendrickson was born Aug. 11, 1946, to Emerson Lee and Florence Ann Theisen Merritt in Hastings, Neb. The family lived in Iowa, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, New York, Florida and Arizona before settling in La Grande.

On Oct. 9, 1968, she married Harvey Leon Hendrickson in Moses Lake, Wash. They had a civil ceremony, and on Oct. 11 were sealed in the LDS temple in Logan, Utah. They lived in Moses Lake for a few years before moving to La Grande.

She volunteered in the PTA, serving on many committees and as president twice. She enjoyed reading and would visit the first-grade class weekly to read to the children. She served as Mother Education leader, as Junior Sunday School teacher, Mia Maid leader, YW president, ward and stake activities cultural arts specialist, secretary, counselor and president in primary, youth and Gospel Doctrine teacher, Cub Scout den leader and Enrichment leader. She loved her church and her family.

Survivors include her husband of La Grande; children and their spouses, Craig and Trish Hendrickson of Colville, Wash., Staci and Travis Armstrong of La Grande, Jamie and Irene Hendrickson of Pilot Rock, Todd and Camille Hendrickson of Everett, Wash., Darren and Shauna Hendrickson of La Grande, Alisa and Aqeel Rasheed of San Diego, Calif., and Mandy Hendrickson of La Grande; 20 grandchildren and a step-brother, Robert Merritt. Another step-brother, Paul Willis, died earlier.

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Corinne Josephine Svetich, 78, of Walla Walla, died June 29 at her home. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Skyview Memorial Park in Pendleton. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Svetich was born Jan. 4, 1928, to Charles and Francis Butler in Sacramento, Calif. She grew up in North Port, Wash., and graduated from La Grande High School in 1946. She took business courses at Eastern Oregon Normal School for two years.

On March 10, 1950, she married Matthew Svetich in Pendleton. She worked as a teller at U.S. National Bank and Oregon Bank in Pendleton, and briefly for Baker-Boyer Bank in Walla Walla.

She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Neighbors of Woodcraft, the Elks Lodge No. 228 and the Pendleton Country Club. She enjoyed sewing, crochet, gardening and cooking for her family.

Survivors include her husband of Walla Walla; children, Randy Svetich of Pendleton, Steven Kim Svetich of Ephrata, Wash., and Lisa Marie Hartman of Las Vegas, Nev.; a bother, Robert Butler of Island City, and a sister, Winnie Heaps of Connell, Wash.; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. A sister, Loraine, died earlier.

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Margaret Ann Carroll Ball, 80, of La Grande, died July 2 at her home. The funeral will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday July 6 at the First Baptist Church, at Sixth Street and Spring Avenue, with Pastor Kent Hug officiating. Graveside services will follow at Grandview Cemetery. Viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday July 5 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.

Mrs. Ball was born April 27, 1926. to Mr. and Mrs. J.P. McCann of Hattiesburg, Miss. She married Herb Carroll in March, 1946. They lived in Corvallis and Valley Falls, where they helped run the family general store, and moved to La Grande in 1959.

She was a member of Women's Aglow and the First Baptist Church where she served as deaconess, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and was superintendent. Her skill as a hostess was always in demand for visiting missionaries, guest speakers and friends.

In later years she worked with her husband in their real estate and insurance business. After he died in 1985 she enjoyed traveling. She sometimes shocked her friends and family with stories of solo adventures in far away places.

In the mid-1990s she married Braden Ball. The couple lived in La Grande from 1995 until 1999 when they moved to Lake Oswego. In 2004 she returned to La Grande to live with her daughter and son-in-law.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Gayle and Gordon Schaad and Thomas Carroll, all of La Grande, and Robert and Karen Carroll of Knoxville, Tenn., six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

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Donald Lee Mallon, 79, of Joseph died June 29 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital. A memorial service was held today at Bollman Funeral Home.

Mr. Mallon was born June 14, 1927, to Charles E. and Elsie M. Bridgeman Mallon in Craig, Mo. The family lived in Lone Rock before moving to Alder Slope in 1939, and Joseph in 1941. He attended one year of high school and served in the Army during World War II. On aug. 29, 1948, he married Ruth "Anne" Homewood. She died in 1996.

He worked as a logger and for the Chief Joseph Lumber Mill until it closed. He served as a police officer in Joseph for two years before starting his own construction business. He worked as a contractor until 1980 when he was forced to retire after an injury.

He was a member of the Masons, the Elks and the VFW, and enjoyed camping, fishing, woodworking, playing cards and chess and being with his family and friends.

Survivors include children and their spouses, James E. Mallon of Navasota, Texas, and Linda and George Sweet of La Grande; five sisters, Marjorie Harrison of Griffin, Ga., Mabel Henderson of White Salmon, Wash., Dorothy Lind of Walla Walla, Ruby Zollman of Joseph, Leona Sherk of Vancouver, Wash.; two brothers, Ray Mallon of Joseph and David Mallon of Pendleton; three grandchildren; four step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. Two sisters, Viola Sparks and Barbara Mallon, and three brothers, William, Bob and Charles Mallon, all died earlier.

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Robert Alan Oesterling, 57, of Glide died July 2 in Baker City at his mother's home. A graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. at Friday July 7 at Grandview Cemetery in La Grande. Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Oesterling was born Dec. 26, 1948, to Robert Grandy and Winnifred Eloise Moore Oesterling in La Grande. He was a champion swimmer in his teens and an avid hunter. He could never pass a historic landmark without stopping to read it. He enjoyed skiing, cooking, fishing, listening to classical music, photography, cats, intellectually challenging conversation, computers and the ocean.

Survivors include his companion, Faye Rodriguez of Glide; his mother of Baker City; a brother, Richard; a sister, Judith; daughters Michelle and Jennifer; four granddaughters and other relatives.

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Willa Chloe Hickman, 86, of La Grande, died Thursday morning at a local care center.

A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hillcrest Cemetery. Arrangements are with Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mrs. Hickman was born on March 10, 1920, the daughter of Hezekiah and Pearl (Carlton) Villines in Ponca, Ark.

In 1940 she married Bill Franklin Hickman, and they lived in California until his death in 1972.

After his death she moved to La Grande to be near family.

She was a member of the Assembly of God church. She enjoyed sewing, her pets and Kentucky fried chicken. She loved the Lord and her family.

Survivors include her son, Mike Hickman of La Grande; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sharon Choloe Chase in 2003, five brothers and one sister.

Memorials may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Association in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850. Public postings and private condolences may be left at www.danielschapel.com.