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

Rena May Zurbrick, 90, of Summerville, died Oct. 28 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

Rena was born July 26, 1917, to Dillard Raymond and Etta Carrie (Woodell) Choate, in Summerville. She graduated from Imbler High School in 1935 and later from Draper Business College. She lived in California from 1960 until 1970. She worked as a bookkeeper and was married to Al Colip and later Harrison W. Zurbrick.

She was past secretary of the Union County Fair Board and enjoyed playing cards — especially bridge. She liked fishing and gardening.

Survivors include her sister, Arleen Pratt of La Grande; nephew, Roddy Campbell of Summerville, and other relatives.

Memorial contributions may be made to Summerville Cemetery Chapel.

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Vennie Florence Delaney, 98, of Lewiston and formerly of Union, died Oct. 23 in Lewiston. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Union Cemetery. A luncheon and sharing time will follow at the VFW Hall in Union. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

Vennie was born Sept. 7, 1909, to Ray Jordan and Mamie (Riggins) Oliver in Fossil. The family moved to Union where she met Roy Delaney. They married on March 27, 1930. They lived in Union and raised their children there. She cooked at three restaurants during the early years and later became the town "Avon Lady" for 15 years.

Vennie and her good friend, Grace Aldrich, enjoyed traveling and lots of fun times together. Vennie took oil and watercolor painting lessons from her daughter, a well-known local artist. In 1974 her husband preceded her in death, and in 1999 she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Lewiston.

She sewed and crocheted many blankets and hats over the years. She loved to camp and fish and loved going to the ocean to collect seashells. Her family was important to her, and she thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them, especially her grandkids.

Survivors include her daughters and their husbands, Wythel and Ken Aldrich of Union and Vera and Ron Walker of Lewiston; daughter-in-law, Sue Delaney of Pacific City; 13 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her son, Keith Delaney, in 2003.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Union Methodist Church Endowment Fund.

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Guy Hafer, 71, of Cove died unexpectedly at his home Oct. 27. Memorial services will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St. A dinner will follow at the Cove Sportsmen's Club on Highway 237.

A private burial will be held at a later date.

Guy was born on a farm near Falfa, Colo., on July 31, 1936, to Charles "Paul" Edward and Erma Irene (Rea) Hafer. He, his sister and brothers grew up on farms and ranches in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado around Durango. Guy rode horseback to small country schools until the sixth grade. He attended Ignacio High School as a freshman in Colorado.

The family moved to Weippe, Idaho, in 1951, where he graduated. Because of the wonderful teachers in his early life, he always wanted to be a teacher.

Guy received his teaching degree in business education at the University of Idaho in 1958 and taught at Cottonwood High School in Idaho for five years. He furthered his education at Oregon State University, the University of California at Berkeley and at Eastern Oregon State College.

In 1963, he taught business and journalism classes at La Grande High School until retiring in 1993.

Guy married Cheryl Kay Lyon in 1965 in La Grande, and they made their home near Cove in 1972.

Guy enjoyed sharing his garden and place with friends. He liked gold mining, camping with family, photography, oil painting and mostly meeting people. It was often said that he never met a stranger. Grandchildren were the greatest delight of his life.

Guy enjoyed doing volunteer work with his wife. He was treasurer and a member of the Union County Retired Educators, a member of the Oregon Retired Educators, Cove History Committee, LHS "Our Gang," Cove Booster Club, Cove Sportsmen's Club, Cove Education Foundation and the Santa Claus Mall. It was his greatest thrill to see and be able to help a youngster find a gift for his or her family.

Survivors include his wife, Cheryl; daughter and spouse, Lisa and Dennis Murchison of Cove; son and spouse, Russell and Sandra Hafer of Meridian, Idaho; six grandchildren; siblings, Pauline Durham of Weippe; Robert Hafer of Grangeville, Idaho; and Edward Hafer of Lewiston, Idaho; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a niece and two nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests to please love your family as he loved his. Guy would have suggested making donations to the Cove Foundation Trust, Box 1, Cove 97824.

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Esther Luciel Jeffords Lewis, 79, of Wallowa, died Oct. 16 at Wallowa Valley Care Center.

Memorial services will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Wallowa Christian Church with lunch to follow. Ashes will be scattered privately.

Esther was born May 28, 1928, at home to Wendell Richard and Myrtle Esther Wickam Jeffords in Baker City. She graduated from Baker High School in 1947. She was proud that she was the first member of the Jeffords family to graduate from high school.

Esther moved with her family to Wallowa in 1949. There she met her future husband, Robert Vance Lewis. They were married on Jan. 27, 1951, in Jerome, Idaho.

Esther worked as a homemaker until her children reached high school. She then went to work at Wallowa Memorial Hospital and as a tree planter for Boise Cascade. Esther cooked at the senior meal site in Wallowa and drove school bus in Wallowa for Moffitt Brothers Transportation until she retired in 2000.

Esther was a member of the Wapiti Good Sam Club of Wallowa and enjoyed camping and going to the coast. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren's sporting events, playing dominos with her friends and bowling. Esther was an avid Portland Trail Blazer fan and rarely missed a game on television.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Vance Lewis; daughter, Carmen Kay and her husband, Rodney Charles Wickam, of Baker City; sons, Vearl Roy and wife, Linda Sue Conrad Lewis, of Wallowa, and Bobb Lee and wife, Kayleen Lenise Bennett Lewis, of Wallowa; brother, Wendell Ray and his wife, Janet Jeffords, of Wallowa; brothers-in-law and spouses, John "Jack" L. Taylor of Hazelton, Idaho, Bud and Loreen Lewis of Sherwood and Bill and Arley Lewis of Vancouver, Wash.; sisters-in-law, Susan Lewis Campbell of Estacada, and Sally Lewis Jones of Honolulu, Hawaii; 11 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Muriel Jeffords Taylor; and infant brother, Vearl Roy Jeffords.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lions Club Sight and Hearing Foundation, Doernbecher Children's Hospital of Portland, the Wallowa Senior Meal Site or any other charity.

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Maxine Elaine Mackin, 66, of Joseph, died Oct. 25 at St. Mary's Medical Center in Walla Walla. A memorial service began earlier today.

Maxine was born Feb. 4, 1941, to James F. Hillier and Ruby Feragan Hillier in Wallace, Idaho. She grew up in Spokane and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1958. She received a bachelor's degree in history from Washington State University in 1962.

Maxine married Gary Marr in 1963 and had two sons, Shane and Todd. They divorced and she married Jim Mackin in 1978. The couple was married for almost 30 years.

Maxine worked as an office manager at the Wallowa County Road Department from Jan. 1, 1977, to April 30, 2003. She enjoyed camping, traveling, family, cooking and pets.

Survivors include her husband, Jim Mackin of Joseph; sons, Shane Marr and his wife, Shelley, of Seattle, Todd Marr and his wife, Heather, of Enterprise; step-daughters, Patty Barnett and her husband, Pat, of Nez Perce, Idaho, and Jill Moncrief and her husband, Mark, of Enterprise; and stepson, John Mackin and his wife, Susie, of Rigby, Idaho.

She was preceded in death by her dad, James Hillier; mother, Ruby Hillier; and sister, Carol Hillier.

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Florence "Flo" Lawson, 83, died at her home in La Grande Oct. 27. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m.

Nov. 11 at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande.

Flo was born Sept. 22, 1924, in Greeley, Colo., to John Henry and Alvina (Wish) Reu. She moved to the Willamette Valley in 1936, working as a secretary, bookkeeper and in accounting most of her adult life. Flo got her pilot's license in September 1946.

She married on June 30, 1950, and had two children. She moved to La Grande in 1965. She enjoyed flying small planes. She liked music and sports and was a life member of the Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her daughter, Jenel AnDyke of La Grande; son, John Lawson; brother, Al Reu; sister, Evelyn Borgen;

five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

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Edith "Gayle" Emmons, 69, of La Grande, died Oct. 29 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.

Edith was born on May 22, 1938, to Harry and Ethel (Gardner) Thomas in Baker City. As a teenager, she moved with her family to La Grande where she finished her education, attending business college. On Oct. 29, 1955, she married Don Emmons in Weiser, Idaho. They made their home in La Grande and she worked as a fry cook for the Sac Annex, for Accu Tax and served on the election board for years in addition to being a wife and mother.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church. She loved the mountains, camping, fishing and hunting. She enjoyed reading, crocheting and puzzle books. Those who knew her say the most important thing in her life was her family.

Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Don Emmons of La Grande; children and their spouses, Tom and Brenda Emmons of Washougal, Wash., Faye and Jack Aldrich of Union and Kaye and Bruce Kirk of Buckley, Wash.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives.

Memorial contributions may be made to any charity.

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Allen O. Nantz, 81, of North Powder died Oct. 27. At his request, a private family service will be held.

Allen was born May 10, 1926, to Charlie and Percy Nantz. He married Claudeen Jones in 1947. Allen lived his entire life in North Powder. He enjoyed agriculture and worked for local farmers in the North Powder area.

He is survived by his wife, Claudeen; sons, Ron and his wife, Kathy, of La Grande, Russ and his wife, Beth, of Huntington; daughter, Kathy and her husband, Steve Boyd, of Walla Walla; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth Health Services in care of Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City 97814.

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Vennie Florence Delaney, 98, of Lewiston and formerly of Union, died Oct. 23 in Lewiston. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Union Cemetery. Lunch and sharing time will follow at the VFW Hall in Union. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

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Florence "Flo" Lawson, 83, died at her home in La Grande Oct. 27. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. A reception will follow at Zion Lutheran Church at Fourth Street and I Avenue. The funeral home originally announced the funeral would be Nov. 11.

Flo was born Sept. 22, 1924, in Greeley, Colo., to John Henry and Alvina (Wish) Reu. She moved to the Willamette Valley in 1936, working as a secretary, bookkeeper and in accounting most of her adult life. Flo got her pilot's license in September 1946.

She married on June 30, 1950, and had two children. She moved to La Grande in 1965. She enjoyed flying small planes. She liked music and sports and was a life member of the Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her daughter, Jenel AnDyke of La Grande; son, John Lawson; brother, Al Reu; sister, Evelyn Borgen;

five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

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Jeffrey Lynn Rachau, 57, of La Grande died at his home Oct. 30 after a long illness. A memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St.

Jeff was born July 26, 1950, to George E. and Beverly J. (Powell) Rachau in La Grande. He attended

La Grande High School and went into military service at the end of his senior year. Jeff served two tours in Vietnam as a radio operator. He also attended three years of auto mechanic school in Portland. He married the former Jeanne Larkin in Reno, Nev., on March 22, 1999.

Jeff enjoyed playing drums; hunting deer, elk, pheasant, ducks and other animals; and trout fishing. He was also an avid handyman.

He is survived by his two children, Brandon Wiggins of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Brian Wiggins of La Grande; stepchildren, Steven Lee Smith of La Grande and Jessie Marie Smith of Pendleton; three grandchildren; and several aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his parents.

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Rena May Zurbrick, 90, of Summerville, died Oct. 28 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. At her request, there will be no services.

Rena was born July 26, 1917, to Dillard Raymond and Etta Carrie (Woodell) Choate, in Summerville. She graduated from Imbler High School in 1935 and later from Draper Business College. She lived in California from 1960 until 1970. She worked as a bookkeeper and was married to Al Colip and later Harrison W. Zurbrick.

She was past secretary of the Union County Fair Board and enjoyed playing cards — especially bridge. She liked fishing and gardening.

Survivors include her sister, Arleen Pratt of La Grande; nephew, Roddy Campbell of Summerville, and other relatives.

Memorial contributions may be made to Summerville Cemetery Chapel.

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M. LaVelle Givens, 80, of La Grande and formerly of Baker City, died Oct. 25 in La Grande. At her request there will be no public services. Those who wish may sign the on-line guest book at www.danielsknopp.com.

LaVelle was born on May 19, 1927, to Elmer and Ethel (Boyer) Graven in Baker. Her great-grandparents, Thomas and Marietta (Dunn) Boyer, homesteaded in the Grande Ronde Valley in 1864. Her grandfather, Richard Boyer, was born near La Grande in 1873.

LaVelle was raised and educated in Hereford where she graduated from high school. She married Jimmie Warren on Dec. 17, 1945, in San Francisco. He died of injuries on April 11, 1946, at the Treasure Island Naval Hospital in San Francisco.

LaVelle married John Atkinson on Aug. 16, 1946. They had two sons and a daughter. LaVelle and John lived in Hereford, Austin Junction, Fossil, Baker and La Grande during John's career with the Oregon Department of Transportation.

LaVelle worked at JC Penneys in Baker City, for Dr. Alan Hall and at the Red Barn Market in La Grande. LaVelle and John were divorced in 1972, and LaVelle married Rex Givens on Dec. 15, 1973. LaVelle and Rex lived in Baker City, Payette and Medford where she assisted him with his carpet-cleaning business.

LaVelle was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, the Eagles Auxiliary and the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed the outdoors, picking huckleberries, camping and fishing. She also enjoyed painting, crafts and gardening.

Survivors include her mother, Ethel Graven of Payette, Idaho; children and their spouses, Ted and Patty Atkinson of

La Grande, Rhonda and Herb Hickman of Bend and Laine and Jean Atkinson of Ione, Calif.; sister, Evelyn Wells of Payette; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and other relatives.

LaVelle was preceded in death by her father, Elmer Graven; an infant brother, Elmer Jr.; an infant granddaughter; husbands, Jimmie Warren and Rex Givens; and longtime companion, Glen Burrell.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, The Red Cross or the GRH Hospice.

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T. William "Bill" Selman, 66, died while visiting family in Portland on Oct. 30. A celebration of his life will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church.

Bill was born June 28, 1941, in Detroit, Mich., to Joseph and Catherine Selman. He lived in many places throughout his life and always said home was where his family was.

Those who knew him say his faith was the guiding principle in his life through which he strove to bring love and healing to others. He reached out with an open mind and an open heart to those most in need and always felt his family was his greatest blessing.

Bill was a scholar, artist, teacher, healer, husband, father, brother and grandfather, and still said he didn't know what he wanted to be when he grew up.

Above all, those who knew him say he was devoted to honoring the power and glory of God. Bill believed his purpose in life was to be an instrument of God, and that everything he accomplished was only by God's will and for His divine plan.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Susan; his 13 children, William, Robert, Brian, Michael, Catherine, Kevin, Mary, Rebecca, Joseph, Christine, John, Thomas and James; 14 grandchildren; and brother, Joseph. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to FoodForThePoor.org or CovenantHouse.org.

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Robert "Bob" William Metlen, 85, of Ontario and formerly of Joseph, died Oct. 31. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Boulevard Grange between Ontario and Cairo Junction.

Bob was born Aug. 6, 1922, in Townsend, Mont., and was raised in Pocatello, Idaho. At age 17 he joined the Air Force and was shot down on his fifth mission as a ball turret gunner on a B-17. He walked from Belgium to Gilbraltar with the underground and was incarcerated in England until he could be positively identified. The war ended the day he was scheduled to fly from California to the South Pacific as a radioman on a B-36.

After the war, he attended the University of Idaho where he met and married the love of his life, Ruth Walden, now Metlen. He also graduated with a degree in range and forestry.

He retired from the U.S. Forest Service after a 35-year career. He was a district ranger for 19 of those years: two at Joseph, nine at Unity and eight at Mazama, Wash. The backcountry was always his passion.

He was very active in each of his communities as a first aid responder and instructor, boy scout leader and a ski patroller.

At 55, he and Ruth moved to their "homestead" out of Vale where they, with no former carpentry experience, built the house and shop where he lived until he died. Ruth still lives there.

Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Walden Metlen; a sister, Janice Hovey of Pocatello, Idaho; sons, Kit Metlen of Olympia, Wash., Kim Metlen of Imbler and Scott Metlen of Moscow, Idaho; seven grandchildren; and two (almost three) great-grandchildren. A sister preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that photos and stories of Ranger Robert are shared at the memorial.