System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Donna Miles
Donna G. Miles, 75, of Baker City, died Nov. 27, 2005.
At her request, she was cremated. There will be a memorial gathering at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at her home at 850 Park St.
Donna was born on May 31, 1930, at Baker City to Herbert and Elaine Miles. She was a 1948 Baker High School graduate and furthered her education at Whitman College at Walla Walla, Wash., receiving her bachelor's of arts degree in English literature in 1952.
After graduation, she moved to California where she lived for 52 years. She spent the last 32 years at Alameda, Calif. She worked for Industrial Indemnity at San Francisco in human resources. She returned to Baker City in April of 2004. She loved all of her family and friends.
Survivors include nephews, William (Pat Smiley) Miles of Easton, Pa.; Kevin (Sharon) Miles of Nottingham, Pa., David Miles and Luis Alvarado of Oakland, Calif.; her dear cousins, Mary Ellen, Judy, Deanna/Marlena, Camille, Janine, Dennis, and Barbara; surrogate nieces, Maggie, Katie and Mollie; stepbrother and sister-in-law, Gordon and Madelyn Olsen of Baker City and their family; best friends, Mary Jo and Pleas Brown of Baker City; three grandnephews; and other friends too numerous to list.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Bob; and her parents, Herb and Elaine Miles.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sumpter Valley Railroad Restoration, the Blue Mountain Humane Society or to a charity of one's choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Sylvan Hewitt
Sylvan Star Hewitt, 88, of Union and formerly of Richland, died Nov. 25, 2005, at a La Grande care center.
There will be a celebration of his life at 10 a.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., in La Grande. Interment will be at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. Visitations will be Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.
Sylvan Hewitt was born on May 13, 1917, at Richland to Elvira and Icey Hewitt. He attended Richland and Baker schools.
In 1939, Sylvan married La Nore Wilson. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1941 and saw active duty in France, Italy and Germany.
After the war, he built and operated a sawmill at Summerville. In 1957 he sold the mill to Val Setz Lumber Co. and moved to La Grande.
Sylvan pursued some other interests at that time, including the purchase of several commercial and residential properties. He spent a short time in the cattle business, purchased an airplane to do some aerial crop spraying and to fly sportsmen into Red's Horse Ranch. He also spent a few years hauling logs.
Sylvan was divorced after 27 years of marriage and in 1973 he moved back to Richland. He had an undying love for gold mining. He built and collected a lot of mining equipment and followed his hobby, which took him to the Snake River, Cornucopia, Sumpter, Granite and finally to Alaska.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and fixing mechanical things and he loved helping people. He enjoyed traveling and took trips to visit his son while he was in Iran and England. His son was training Iranians to fly helicopters.
Sylvan had his share of tragedies. His first-born son was run over and killed at age 7 by a car driven by a close family friend. His second son was killed in a helicopter crash while logging in Montana after his tour of duty in Iran was completed.
Sylvan has survived many illnesses and spent the last three years on dialysis. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and of the American Legion. He had many close friends and will be truly missed.
Survivors include two grandsons, Zachary Stockton Hewitt of Palm Springs, Calif., and Gabriel Stockton Hewitt of Austin, Texas; two brothers, Richard and Bob Hewitt, both of La Grande; and longtime close friend, Etta Ruberg of Union.
He was preceded in death by his two sons, Duane and Tom; and two sisters, Rita and Arvilla.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars through Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, OR 97850.
‘Ernie' Burby
Ernest "Ernie" Burby, 80, a former longtime Baker City resident, died Nov. 27, 2005, at Idaho Falls, Idaho.
His funeral and interment will be at Idaho Falls.
He was born on June 7, 1925, at San Jose, Calif., to Ernest and Phoebe Burby. He attended school at Baker City and was a Baker High School graduate. He loved Baker City and returned often.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce, of Idaho Falls; a daughter, Vickie Whitney of St. George, Utah; and his mother, Phoebe Burby, and his brother, Robert Burby, both of Baker City.
Edith Hopkins
Edith Wilson Hopkins, 84, of Baker City and formerly of Imbler, died Nov. 22, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Care Center.
Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Summerville Cemetery Chapel.
Edith was born on July 15, 1921, to Benjamin Franklin and Mary Ann Green Hopkins at Duke, Okla. She finished her schooling at Ellsinore, Mo., and then attended Ontario Community College where she earned her nursing degree. She worked for a time at St. Elizabeth Hospital and later was caretaker for her parents.
Edith had a strong sense of family ties and family was the most important thing to her. She had a special collection of angels and enjoyed crafts and gardening. She loved to read and follow the life of Princess Diana. Her two little dogs, Angel and Fluffy, were her children.
Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Dorothea and Hal Weinmann of Redmond; brother and sister-in-law, Olin and Margaret Hopkins of Salem, Utah; several nephews and nieces and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by siblings, George Ovie Hopkins, Albert Hopkins, Montana Walking Bull, Dwight Hopkins, Marie Bogart, Baby Ruth Hopkins, Earl Hopkins and Frank Hopkins.
Memorial contributions may be made St. Elizabeth Health Services through Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, OR 97850.
Mable George
Mable I. George, 93, of La Grande, died Nov. 24, 2005 at her home.
Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., in La Grande. Committal and interment will be at the Hillcrest Cemetery.
Visitations will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.
Mrs. George was born on Feb. 9, 1912, to Henry and Hattie Wade Nollsch at Havana, Kan. The family moved to Oregon in 1922 and lived in the Rock Creek and Muddy Creek areas of Baker County.
She married Paul E. George on Nov. 2, 1932, at La Grande and they made their home at Union. In 1942 they moved to Huntington where Mr. George worked for the railroad. While living there she was active with the PTA and was president of the Rebekah Lodge. In 1946 they moved to La Grande. Mr. George died in 1988.
Mrs. George enjoyed outdoor activities, particularly camping, berry picking and mushroom gathering. She also enjoyed visiting with relatives and friends.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Audrey and Willis George of Umatilla; son, Rod George of La Grande; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
She also was preceded in death by her brothers, Henry, Charlie and Guy Nollsch; and sisters, Oma George, Virgie Doty and Lila Bell.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice through Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, OR 97850.
Marie Jones
Marie Lupe Ahumada Jones, 70, of Baker City, died Nov. 19, 2005, at St. Luke's Medical Center in Boise.
There will be a private family gathering later. Visitation was for family only.
Marie had lived the last 12 years of her life at Baker City, but lived most of her life at Los Angeles. She was born on Feb. 14, 1935, in Mexico.
She became a registered nurse after college and loved to help people. She also loved flowers and had a very special touch with them. She never had to do much with them and they grew big and beautiful. She didn't have much luck with houseplants, though.
Marie was a very generous person and would spend her last dollar on her grandkids. Whenever she had a chance, she would play bingo and go to the casinos.
The last 10 years of her life she loved to work with beads, making things and looking forward to selling her beaded jewelry and other items at the Miners Jubilee every year.
"She will surely be missed, " her family said.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Kris Jones of Crescent City, Calif., and Richard's son, Michael Jones of Roseburg; her daughter and son-in-law, Jackie and Jeff Heriza of Aurora, Colo., and Jackie's children, Jessica and Whitney McKnight of Boise, and Kristin Jones and Robert Heriza of Aurora, Colo.; her son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Liane Jones of Baker City, and their children, Ashley, Gabby and Dylan Jones; her daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and F. "Scott" Ashby of Baker City, and Sheila's children, Tyler Reich, Kristina Friedman and Faith Rae and Amanda Ashby; her daughter and son-in-law, Theresa and Bill Wenger of Van Nuys, Calif., and children, Billy and Kenny; three great-grandchildren; three sisters; one brother; and many nieces and nephews; and most importantly, her husband of many years, Kenneth.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Cora "Lois" Moberly
Cora "Lois" Moberly, 78, of Milton-Freewater and a Haines native, died Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005, in Walla-Walla, Wash.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 26, at 10 a.m. in the chapel of the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home, 902 S. Main St., Milton-Freewater. Private burial will be in the Milton-Freewater Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Alzheimer's Association, or to the Diabetes Association through the funeral home.
Lois was born Dec. 15, 1926, in Haines to LeRoy and Lela Cross Speelman. She received her schooling in Haines, North Powder and Baker City. She married Joseph D. Moberly on Sept. 30, 1946, in Baker City. They lived in Baker City; Waitsburg, Wash.; and Independence for the most part of their marriage.
She was a cook and waitress at various restaurants in those areas. For a time they were property managers for various apartment complexes in the Tri-Cities.
Mr. and Mrs. Moberly moved to Milton-Freewater in 1980 to help care for her mother. After the death of her husband in 1983, she lived in Pasco for a time with her son. She came back to Milton-Freewater in 1990 and lived with her sister, Marjorie McAlliser and later moved to Fran's Place in 2004.
The most important thing in her life was her family. All the family dinners were at her house for many years. They had several foster children, and were very active in the Waitsburg Southern Baptist Church. She and her sister loved to play bingo and did so regularly until ill health made it impossible.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Claudia and Tom Allen of Milton-Freewater; sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Joy Moberly of Pasco, Wash., Doug and Susan Moberly of Rainier, and Dan and Colleen Moberly of Milton-Freewater; foster son and his wife, Tom and Nadine Bowling of Penrin, Calif.; sister, Marjorie McAllister of Milton-Freewater; and sister-in-law and husband, Peggy and Charles Hill of Dallas. Also surviving are 19 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Claude Speelman, and sister, Jewell Wright.
Fern M. Galligan
Fern M. Galligan, 93 of North Powder, died in her home Friday, Nov. 18, 2005.
A celebration of her life and a rosary is set for 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Baker City. Father Julian Cassar will officiate. A reception will follow at the Geiser Grand restaurant in Baker City.
Disposition is by cremation at Eastern Oregon Pioneer Crematory.
Fern was born Oct. 9, 1912, in Baker City to Windom H. and Catherine Wood Myers. She was raised and educated in North Powder, where she spent her entire life.
She married Michael J. Galligan June 14, 1933. They lived on their ranch on Wolf Creek where she remained after Michael died in 1984.
Survivors include a brother, Dr. Kenneth H. Myers and his wife, Betty, of McMinnville; daughters Mary Schaan of Seattle, Janet Clarke and her husband, Edward, of Brookings, and Joan Colton and her husband, Fred, of North Powder; 12 grandchildren; 16 greatgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, brothers Kermit Myers and his wife, Thelma, Jerome Myers, and sisters Marjorie DeMoss and her husband, Harvey, and Shirley Spence and her husband, Virgil.
Remembrances may be made to the charity of one's choice through Gray's West & Co., PO Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Myrna German
Myrna Maxine German, 66, of Baker City, died Nov. 18, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
There was a private service and burial was at Mount Hope Cemetery. Daniels Chapel of the Valley in La Grande was in charge of arrangements.
Myrna was born on Jan. 14, 1939, at Baker City to Max and Enid Ware Sipp. She was raised in various places all over Baker County. She married Bud German on Dec. 29, 1955, at Weiser, Idaho.
She attended business school in Baker City and worked as a bookkeeper for Ellingson Lumber Co., the Forest Service and the State of Oregon offices in Baker City before retiring. Many will remember her as the secretary of the men's and the women's bowling leagues, which she did for many years.
Myrna enjoyed the outdoors and was her husband's hunting and fishing partner. She enjoyed crocheting and loved flowers of all types and she loved her dachshunds! In 1976 she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis but that did not stop her from continuing to hunt and fish with her husband. She put up a brave struggle with the disease over the years and will be remembered for her courage.
Survivors include her husband, Bud German of Baker City; mother, Enid Sipp of La Grande; brother, Clayton Sipp of Baker City; sister-in-law, Wanda Jones of Haines; nephews, Craig Sipp of Union and Brian Sipp of Kennewick, Wash.; close friends, Carl and Nancee Heath of Baker City; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Max; and brother-in-law, Roy Jones.
Memorial contributions may be made to the MS Foundation through Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, Oregon 97850.
Angela Edvalson
Angela A. Edvalson, 92, a Baker City native, died Nov. 18, 2005, at her residence in Meadowbrook Place.
Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2625 Hughes Lane. Bishop Jeff Daniels of 1st Ward will conduct the service. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St.
Angela was born on Jan. 22, 1913, to Jesse A. and Zina Stark Smurthwaite in the family home at 345 Second St. She was the first born in the family and was followed by six brothers and a sister who died in infancy.
Angela was a 1930 Baker High School graduate She had already worked for Leo Adler Magazines part time while she was in high school and continued working there for another 25 years. Later, she worked for the U.S. Forest Service for the next 15 years before retiring in 1971.
Angela was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served numerous callings including that of teacher, chorister and pianist. In 1940, she served a mission for her church in California. She remained active until her health started to fail and she was unable to attend church.
Angela married John P. Edvalson on July 26, 1946, at Boise. They later had their marriage sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple. The couple's only child, Timothy P. Edvalson, was born in 1953. Tim was truly their pride and the joy of their life. Before moving to Meadowbrook Place, Angela and John had lived in the same home for more than 52 years.
Angela loved her brothers and was very proud of them. All six of them served their country in the armed forces. Four of them in World War II, and the youngest two in the Korean War. Her brother Gordon was a prisoner of war in the Philippines and was killed in 1945 while being transported to Japan. Her husband, John, also served valiantly in the army during World War II.
Survivors include her husband, John P. Edvalson; her son, Dr. Timothy P. Edvalson, and his wife, Dana, of West Linn; her granddaughters, Allyson Edvalson and Marel Edvalson, who are both attending Brigham Young University and live at Provo, Utah; her brothers, Doug Smurthwaite of Baker City, and Paul Smurthwaite and his wife, Norma, of King City; sisters-in-law, Mabel Smurthwaite of Beaverton, Ola Smurthwaite of Nampa, Idaho, Sue Smurthwaite of Portland, and Ada Dungan of Orangevale, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Zina Smurthwaite; her brothers, Gordon, Don, Bob, Tom; and an infant sister, Margaret.
Memorial contributions may be made to the LDS Church Humanitarian Fund, Heart 'N' Home Hospice or to the charity of one's choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Norman Thomason
Norman Earl Thomason, 89, of Wingville, died Nov. 20, 2003, at this home.
His graveside funeral will be Monday, Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery. Military rites will follow the service. There will be a gathering for family and friends after the service at the Wingville Ranch. Visitations will be Sunday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St.
Norman was born Dec. 29, 1913, at Baker City to William and Addie (Beham) Thomason. He was a lifelong resident of Wingville. He graduated from Baker High School in 1932. He was in the service during World War II. He was stationed in North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy as an armorer for bomber planes. He liked to talk about the things he saw while traveling with the Army.
He ran the family farm at Wingville from the time he came home from the war until he retired in 1979. He worked for Farmterials for about 15 years.
He is survived by his nephews, Paul Thomason of Las Vegas, Gary Thomason of Seattle, Bill Pierce of Baker City, Larry Pierce of John Day, and Tom Pierce of North Powder; his nieces, LaVelle Woodcock and Wilma Shankle, both of Baker City, Joanne Salsby and Judy MacKay, both of Reno, and Marlene Elliott of Tucson, Ariz.; 34 great-nieces and -nephews also survive.
Norman was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Elton; and sisters, Hazel, Frances, Babe, Cynthia and Mary.
Contributions in Mr. Thomason's memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children. This may be done through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
