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News Obituaries Obituaries for the week ending March 15, 2008
Obituaries for the week ending March 15, 2008
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Smith, Colter, Dorman, Lillard, Rogers, Glaze, Larkin, Luhrs, Scott, Glaze, Partridge, O’Neil, Smith,
Vinita Smith, 90, of Joseph died March 8. A service will be held at 1 p.m. March 17 at the Community Congregational Church in Enterprise. The family suggests memorials to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation in care of Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main St., Enterprise 97828. Published March 11, 2008Norma Fay (Horn) Colter, 75, formerly of Elgin, died March 5 at Corvallis. A funeral was held for her at Northside Church in Corvallis on March 8. A celebration of life is planned for 1 p.m. March 22 at the Elgin Methodist Church. The family has indicated that floral arrangement are not necessary. Born July 6, 1932, to Mercedes McCain, Norma was raised from birth by Arthur and Annie McCain. At age 13 she traveled to Oregon with her grandparents and lived with her uncle and aunt, Jim and Agnes Hicks. On Oct. 23, 1948, at age 16, she married Eugene Ray Horn at the Elgin Church of Christ. They had four children, Rebecca June, Charlie Ray, Roy Eugene and Phillip Arthur. Eugene died Dec. 20, 1968. Norma went back to school and received her GED in 1969. She graduated from accounting school in 1970. On May 22, 1970, she married James L. Cagley. They had one child together, Jamie Leigh, the youngest and sweetest of her children, family members said. The couple were divorced in 1976. On Oct. 22, 1977, Norma married Robert Dale Colter and lived happily with him until her death. Norma loved to play card games, bingo and do crossword puzzles. In her younger years she enjoyed deer hunting and fishing. Later in life she enjoyed time with her children and grandchildren, and enjoyed fellowship with members of her church. Norma had six sisters, five brothers, 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Family members said she was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother who will be missed by all who knew her, and that Heaven will be blessed with her presence there. Published March 11, 2008 Derek Leon Dorman, 33, of La Grande, died March 1 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Services will be at a later date. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Derek was born June 24, 1974, in Sacramento, Calif., to Guy and Terri (Fulton) Dorman. He graduated from Encino High School in 1992. He was a talented musician and songwriter as well as a loving and devoted father, family members said. He was preceded in death by his father, Guy, and his sister, Wendella. He is survived by his grandparents, Carol and Yvonne Fulton of Sacramento; his mother, Terry Zidek, of Lakeview; his son, Hunter; and Hunter’s mother, Megan Rynearson of La Grande. Published March 11, 2008 Kenneth Leroy Lillard, 84, of La Grande, died March 19 at his home. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Christian Church of La Grande. There will be a viewing from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. Ken was born in Yale, Okla., on Jan. 22, 1924, to Frank and Sadie Lillard. He graduated school in Lovell, Wyo., in 1941, and attended Radio Broadcasters School of America in Beverly Hills, Calif. He moved to Portland in 1944 and worked at KVAN Radio in Vancouver, Wash. He went to work for KLBM Radio in La Grande in December 1944 and became manager in 1952. He purchased KLBM in 1972 and put KLBM-FM radio on the air in 1977. He sold both stations in January 1985. He received the Man of the Year award from the La Grande-Union County Chamber of Commerce in 1971. He received the Distinguished Citizens Award from the La Grande Jaycees in 1957 and was nominated for the same award a few years later. Ken had been a member of the La Grande Lions Club, and served as president for one year. He had also been a member of the Elks Lodge, served on the board of directors of the Salvation Army, the Red Cross and chaired the Blood Drawing Program for several years. He was a member of First Christian Church for more than 50 years, an elder and chairman of that board for many years, chair of the Worship Committee for many years, chairman of the congregation for one year, sang in Chancel Choir for about 50 years and was presented the Chancel Choir Emeritus Certificate. He sang his first solo at age 13 in Winnett, Mont., and sang solos at the Christian Church, as well as many other La Grande churches. He sang with the Grande Ronde Symphony Singers, presented a number of concerts at the La Grande First Christian Church and elsewhere, presented many sermons in song, and sang at hundreds of funerals. He served on the school board for nine years and was a member of the Knife and Fork Club, where he served as president and vice president. When the Salvation Army was robbed of Christmas money, Ken went on the air and said if everyone gave $1, the money would be replaced. The money was more than replaced. He is survived by his wife Frances “Frankie’’ Lillard; sisters Neoma Palmer of Denver and Jewel Robinson of Tulsa, Okla.; brother Earl Lillard of Eugene; sons Gary Lillard of La Grande and Roger Lillard of Portland; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Gladys, three brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law. Published March 12, 2008 Leslie George Rogers, 74, of Imbler, died March 10 at his home. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A viewing will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Loveland. Les was born June 10, 1933, in Emmett, Idaho, to Mahlon and Louise (Barnett) Rogers. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1951 and entered into the Army in 1953. He was stationed in Presidio, Calif., as a military policeman. He married Nita Rose Lyndley in La Grande on Oct. 10, 1955, and they had three children. They moved to Imbler in 1967. Les retired from Boise Cascade as a shipping foreman. He also worked at Safeway and The Observer. He was a member of the Eagles, past president of the Elgin Stampeders and member of the American Legion. He married Gwen Rose Bomstad on Feb. 18, 1995. They enjoyed mushrooming, camping, riding four-wheelers, anything to do with the mountains, and his family. He also enjoyed doing woodworking with Gwen in his shop and having coffee at the Flying J at 10 a.m. on the dot. He is survived by his wife, Gwen Rose; children, Terri (Randy) Winterton of La Grande, Sue (Ron) Hveem of Roseburg and David Rogers of La Grande; stepchildren, Angie Twitchell, Donna Reed, Terry Mumma, Kristal Tutty and Chiana Bomstad; brothers and sisters, Harold, Jim, Gerre and Vonnie; 20 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Nita Rose. Published March 12, 2008 Amy Nicole Glaze, 32, of Houston and formerly of La Grande, died unexpectedly at her home from unknown natural causes Tuesday. A celebration of life will be Monday at 1 p.m. at the First Christian Church in La Grande. A viewing will take place Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Published March 13, 2008 Alice Larkin died in her home at MooreCare in Kent, Wash., March 9. A memorial service will be held Saturday at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 19030 Eighth Ave S., SeaTac, Wash., at 1 p.m. Burial will take place in Island City at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s research, hospice care or charity of choice. Alice was born June 28, 1913, in Canova, S.D., to Lizzie and B. A. Schierholz. As a young woman, Alice owned and operated a beauty shop in Corvallis. While in Corvallis, she met and married Earl Herrmann and moved to La Grande, where she lived for many years. There she and Earl raised their children, Phyllis and Jim and numerous foster children. Alice was an adventurous and creative artisan and cook, and was active in the First Christian Church. In 1971, after 35 years of marriage, Earl died. In 1975, Alice married Ted Larkin and moved to the Seattle area. During her years in Seattle she enjoyed her family, friends, cooking, painting and travels that took Alice and Ted to many interesting places. Alice was an active member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Seatac. Alice is preceded in death by her brothers, Howard and Hadley Schierholz, and sister, Belva Roddewig, husbands Earl Herrmann and Ted Larkin. Surviving Alice are her children, Phyllis Lee (John) of Yuma, Ariz., Jim Herrmann of Seattle, Terry Larkin (Diane) of Seattle and Judy See of Auburn, Wash., eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Published March 13, 2008 Sarah J. Luhrs, 88, formerly of North Powder and La Grande, died Tuesday March 11 in Eugene. A service will be start at noon Monday at West Lawn Funeral Home in Eugene. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to noon at West Lawn Funeral Home. Mrs. Luhrs was born March 1, 1920 in North Powder to Dick and Enolia (Gorham) Brothers. She married John Luhrs on Aug. 23, 1938 in Wallowa. They were married 47 years. John Luhrs died Feb. 16, 1984. She was a foster home care giver in La Grande, Corvallis, and Clarkston, Wash. She had lived in the Lane County area since 1961. Mrs. Luhrs was a 63-year member of and past president of Eagles 275. She had received the Lady of Charity Award, the Eagle of the Year honor and was in the Eagle Hall of Fame. Survivors include a son Richard of Eugene and daughters Carrie (Pat) Biggs of Eugene, Lola Gray of Dinuba, Calif., and Jean (Lynn) Funk of Salem.
She had 18 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren. Published March 13, 2008 Dorothy Scott, 73, died March 5 at her Wallowa home after a hard-fought battle with cancer. A graveside service will be held March 22 at noon at the Summerville Cemetery with a memorial potluck at the Elgin Community Center on 10th Street immediately following. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory is handling the arrangments. Dorothy was born April 18, 1934, in La Grande to John and Letha Byers Traverso. The youngest of three, she was raised as a rancher’s daughter in Alicel. The old saying, “You can take the girl out of the country, but you can never take the country out of the girl” fit her to a tee. There was never a horse she couldn’t ride, a fish she couldn’t catch or a deer or elk she couldn’t bag. She loved to hunt and fish. Being in the woods and camping was like second nature to her. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many. She never knew a stranger. Survivors include her husband Albert “Dutch” Scott of Wallowa; four children, Glenda Steele and partner Terrie McGuire of Milwaukie, Sherryl Wilson of Gresham, John Steele and wife Karen of Troutdale, and Steven Steele and wife Londa of Lyons; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two stepdaughters, Renea Wojtkiewicz and Cheryl Scott; seven step-grandchildren,; and one step-great-grandchild. Survivors also include her sister Betty Olson of Cove, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Published March 13, 2008 Amy Nicole Glaze, 32, of Houston and formerly of La Grande, died unexpectedly at her home from unknown natural causes March 11. A celebration of life will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at the First Christian Church in La Grande. A viewing will be held Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Amy was born Sept. 10, 1975, in La Grande. She served as a flight attendant for Continental Airlines for the past 12 years in Houston. She took great pride in her career and in serving as a member of the Continental family. Amy loved to fly and was happiest when in the air between destinations meeting passengers and sharing her sparkling personality. Amy graduated from La Grande High School in 1996, and attended Eastern Oregon University. She later enrolled at the Air Academy in Vancouver, Wash., graduating in 1997. She was hired by Continental Airlines in 1997 and did her flight training in Houston. She married Todd Kersting, a pilot for Continental Airlines, in 1999 in La Grande. Amy and Todd continued their lives traveling throughout the world. Amy was divorced in 2008. Amy loved her friends and family, and enjoyed her two Goddaughters, Kenzington and Carrington in Houston. Amy loved to plan social activities and enjoyed being the life of the party. She always knew the latest fashions and delighted in dressing in pure style. Amy volunteered her time at the Texas Medical Center serving children with cancer. Amy is survived by her parents, Patty and Larry Glaze of La Grande; her grandmother, Lucille Glaze in Eugene; her grandparents, Bill and Gwen Baca of Canby; and her sisters, Amber and Aubrey of La Grande; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. The family said Amy will be missed deeply by her family, friends, children with whom she volunteered and others who were touched by her vibrant and caring personality. Donations may be made on Amy’s behalf to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel. Published March 14, 2008 Donald Doyle Partridge, 70, of Elgin and formerly of Hermiston and Fairbanks, died March 12 at a local care center. A memorial service will be held May 10 at 11 a.m. at the Cove Cemetery. Arrangements are with Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center. Mr. Partridge was born on Oct. 25, 1937, the son of Edward and Wilma (Clark) Partridge in Cortez, Colo. He served with the Oregon National Guard for a few years. He married Carolyn Hartley on Aug. 16, 1971 in Reno. They lived in La Grande for a year in 1975 and then Eugene before living for 17 years in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he owned and operated a tow truck service. When they left Fairbanks they lived in Hermiston before moving to Elgin a year ago. Mr. Partridge was a member of the Episcopal Church and the Moose Lodge. He loved to fish and bowl and thoroughly enjoyed long, long drives, especially if he could stop and watch and count the deer and elk along the way. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Partridge of Elgin; children, Don Partridge of Waterloo, Ind., Darren Partridge of St. Louis, Cindy Delozier of Ada, Okla., and Steve Mathainey of Fairbanks; three grandchildren; father-in-law, Alford Hartley of Summerville, sisters-in-law, Eva Fay Winterton of Republic, Wash., and Aloha June Travis of Meridian, Idaho; siblings, Howard, Harold, Janice, Ed and Stanley; special friends, Walt and Elaine Welding of Sitka, Alaska, and Lora Davis of Pasco. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Don, Ken, Emma Lou and Gene. Memorials may be made to the Don Partridge Memorial Fund in care of Daniels-Knopp, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, 97850. Published March 14, 2008 Annie Beddes O’Neil, 91, of Junction City and formerly of La Grande, died March 13 of age-related causes. A graveside service will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at Lane Memorial Gardens in Eugene. Burial will follow. A visitation will precede from 10 a.m. to noon at Lane Memorial Funeral Home. She was born in Elgin on July 25, 1916, to Joseph and Eliza Eleanor (Ricks) Beddes and raised in the area before moving away in the early 1950s. Annie was married to Glade Hards O’Neil on June 2, 1934, in La Grande and in a temple marriage in Salt Lake City. He died on June 15, 1986. She was a homemaker who also worked for Montgomery Wards in sales, a cannery in Eastern Oregon and for a family-owned box factory in the wood product industry. Survivors include sons Dr. David O’Neil of Riverside, Calif., Phillip O’Neil of Junction City and Michael O’Neil of Claremont, Ga., and daughter Judy Rassmussen of Preston, Idaho. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren. Besides her husband, dying earlier were son Eldon, two grandchildren and nine brothers and sisters. Published March 15, 2008 Vinita Ruth Smith, 90, died on March 8 at Alpine House in Joseph, where she had been a resident. Vinita was born May 16, 1917, to Earl E. and Leilia H. Prout, 30 miles northeast of Joseph at the family homestead, and spent her entire life in Wallowa County. She graduated from Enterprise High School in 1937. She married Max L. Smith on Sept. 27, 1940, in Weiser, Id. In 1952, Vinita was employed as alteration and sales clerk at Harold’s Woman’s Apparel, and eventually bought into the business, which was sold in 1980. Vinita was an accomplished seamstress and made many quilts, Afghans and crocheted, embroidered and knitted items. She was a member of the Enterprise Community Congregational Church, and a member of the Emerald Rebekah Lodge No.119 since 1944. She was also a member of the Soroptomist International Club of Wallowa County and worked at the Thriftshop after retiring from Harold’s Woman’s Apparel until the mid-1990s. She was also a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary No. 4307 since 1946. She always took part in community projects and activities her entire life. She is survived by her son, Norman Keith Smith, Enterprise, daughter, Karyl B. Bohnenkamp, Aloha, and daughter Karen L. Wilson, Pendleton; one sister, Pearl E. Collinsworth, Enterprise; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and grandson, Todd R. Bohnenkamp, and her parents. Memorial services will be held Monday. A family burial service will be held at 11 a.m. and a memorial service at 1 p.m. at the Enterprise Community Congregational Church in Enterprise. Memorial contributions can be made to the Parkinson’s Society or charity of choice. Published March 15, 2008 |
