Vernon Newkirk

Vernon Newkirk, 77, of La Grande died Monday at a local care center.

Arrangements will be announced later by Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

John Collier

Enterprise and formerly

of La Grande

1926-2001

John H. Collier, 75, of Enterprise and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 10 at a care center in Milton-Freewater. A private memorial was held. Daniels Chapel of the Valley was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Collier was born May 28, 1926, to John and Lena Collier in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He married Louise E. Hewitt on March 10, 1948, in Houston.

Survivors include his children, Marla Becker of McMinnville, Elaine Hughes of Lewiston, Darla Woods of Island City, Melvin Collier and Bernie Collier, both of La Grande, Kevin Collier of Elgin and Dana Collier of Union; 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers and a sister. His wife died earlier.

Harlow Speckhart

La Grande

1918-2001

A celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday for Harlow A. Speckhart, 83, of La Grande, who died July 2 at a local care center.

Mr. Speckhart was born Jan. 18, 1918, to Carl and Mary Spencer Speckhart in Payson, Ill. He graduated from Seymour High School and received his B.S. in agriculture economics from the University of Missouri.

He married Helen Jean Speckhart in 1942 in La Grande. He ran the family farm for 58 years and was involved in the Oregon Farm Bureau and the Lions Club. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and participated in a mens breakfast group. He also served on the budget board for the La Grande School District and played violin in the Grande Ronde Symphony. He had a great appreciation for classical music.

Mr. Speckhart was on the board of directors for the Blue Mountain Translator District, playing a major role in bringing broadcast television to the rural counties of Eastern Oregon, and served on the board of directors of the National Television Association. He played a significant role in supporting agriculture and television legislation that assisted rural districts.

Survivors include his wife and daughters, Mary Koza and Joanne Lowry-Parsons, all of La Grande; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Jane Sims of Quincy, Ill., and Lois Ann Koenig of Clearwater, Fla., and other relatives. A brother, Robert Speckhart, died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the youth scholarship fund of the First Presbyterian Church or the Eastern Oregon University Foundations music programs.

Louise Clark

Formerly of La Grande

1919-2001

Louise Ferne Sion Hug Clark, 82, of Portland and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 10. The funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Gladstone Christian Church, where she was a member.

Mrs. Clark was born Feb. 28, 1919, to Leighton and Louise Sion in Perry. She graduated from La Grande High School in 1937 and received her teachers certificate from Eastern Oregon Teachers College in 1939. In 1967 she earned a bachelors degree from Eastern Oregon College. She taught in schools all over Northeast Oregon and last worked at the library at EOSC. She retired in 1984. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi International.

Survivors include her children, Donald Clark Jr. of Tualatin, Richard Clark of Jackson, Ala., Linda Reinmiller of Portland, John Cole of Las Vegas; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and other relatives. A son, David Clark, and a granddaughter died earlier.

Heather Bech-Kovachevich

Formerly of La Grande

A celebration of life for Heather Marie Bech-Kovachevich, 31, who died July 24 after an extended illness, will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at 9636 Bienapfl Drive in Boise. She was the daughter of Mike and Rita Bech, formerly of La Grande.

Ralph Graham

Lostine

1933-2001

Ralph Graham, 68, of Lostine, died Aug. 10 in Enterprise. A celebration of life will begin at 3 p.m. Friday at the Wallowa United Methodist Church. Burial will be at the Lostine Cemetery. A dinner will follow at the Wallowa Senior Center.

Mr. Graham was born March 11, 1933, to Arthur and Opal Graham in La Grande. In 1952 he graduated from Wallowa High School where he played football and was selected for the East-West Shrine all-star game. He attended Eastern Oregon College and on July 26, 1953, he married Ann Snuffer. He served in the Army as a dental assistant before earning a bachelors degree in sociology at the University of Oregon.

He opened a real estate office and later an appraisal office, where he specialized in condemnation and litigation. The couple moved back to Wallowa County in 1991 and opened Graham Realty in Wallowa.

He enjoyed camping, fly-fishing, hunting and especially spending time with his family at their cabin.

Survivors include his wife of Lostine; children, Leisa Prince of Wallowa, Charles Graham of Eugene; five grandchildren; two sisters, Vivian Patrick of Eugene and Verna Browne of The Dalles; and other relatives.

Vernon Newkirk

La Grande

1923-2001

Clyde Vernon Newkirk, 77, of La Grande, died Aug. 13 at a local care center. The funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center, 1802 Gekeler Lane, with Bishop Raymond Baum officiating. Dedication of the grave and burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. Viewing will begin at 1 p.m. at the Stake Center. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Newkirk was born Aug. 21, 1923, to Clyde Almarion and Daisy Deborah Winburn Newkirk in Bedford, Iowa. He attended school in La Grande and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II in England and Guam. He worked as an optician.

On Sept. 24, 1948, he married Jennie Ricks in La Grande, and on Oct. 30, 1949, he was baptized into the LDS church. He was first counselor to the branch president of the church for three years and served as financial clerk under three bishops in Tacoma, Wash.

Survivors include his wife of La Grande; a sister, Mary Simonsen of Port Orchard, Wash.; a half-brother, Robert Sanford of Seattle; and other relatives. A brother, Harry Newkirk, died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the Family History Center in care of Daniels Chapel, 1502 Seventh St.

Harlow Speckhart

La Grande

1918 -2001

A celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in La Grande for Harlow A. Speckhart, 83, of La Grande, who died July 2 at a local care center.

Victor Cameron

Victor Cameron, 73, of La Grande died this morning at Grande Ronde Hospital.

Arrangements will be announced later by Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Jay Adams

Formerly of Elgin

1923-2001

Forest Jay Houston Adams Sr., 78, of The Dalles and formerly

of Elgin, died Aug. 12 at a care center. The funeral was held today at Life in Christ Center with Pastor J.W. Jepson officiating. Burial with veteran services was at Parklawn Cemetery.

Mr. Adams was born Feb. 27, 1923, to Forest Houston and Edie Duke Adams in Manchester, Tenn. The family moved to Texas and then to California.

He served in the Army during World War II and married Bonnie Gean Walsh on Sept. 1, 1947, in Yuma, Ariz. The couple lived in California and Nevada before moving to Elgin in 1971 and The Dalles in 1978. He worked as a general contractor.

He was a member of the church and the Eagles Lodge in The Dalles and enjoyed square dancing and playing bingo.

Survivors include his wife of The Dalles; their children, Michael Adams of Vancouver, Wash., and Judy Renoe of The Dalles; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; four sisters, Florence Jackson, Katheryn Frazier, Mary Hartford and Evelyn Turpin; and other relatives.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 1311 N.W. 21st Ave., Portland 97209.

Avo Silvey

La Grande

1904-2001

Avo M. Silvey, 96, of La Grande, died Aug. 16 at a local care center. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. Burial will follow at the Union Cemetery. Viewing will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Daniels.

Mrs. Silvey was born Oct. 26, 1904, to Henry Thomas and Amanda Bozarth Neilson in Nashville. She married Otto William Silvey on April 7, 1923, in Paris, Ark. She was an avid gardener and loved spending time with her family.

She enjoyed crocheting, playing games, traveling, listening to music and visiting her friends.

Survivors include her children, William Silvey of South Beach, Thomas Silvey of Westfall, Arrene Powell of Bend and Dorothy Brookshire of Union; 13 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 30 great-great-grandchildren; and other relatives. Her husband, four brothers, five sisters, a daughter, Freda Huddleston, and a great-grandson, Clint Kirkland, all died earlier.

Jack Trump

Formerly of Wallowa

1924-2001

Jack Russell Trump, 77, of Portland and formerly of Wallowa, died Aug. 11 at a care center. A graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Elgin Cemetery. Lincoln Memorial Park and Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Trump was born March 22, 1924, to Lacey and Lulu Trump in Promise. He married Ruby Wilson and served as chief of police in Elgin.

Survivors include his wife of Portland; a daughter, Brenda Coe; stepchildren, Velda Rodriguez, Shirley Jensen, Floyd Arquette, Luther Arquette and Mary Arquette; 17 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren; brothers, Harry Trump and Jesse Trump; and sisters Hazel Wickers and Willa Johnson. Two brothers, Everett and Lloyd Trump, died earlier.

David Brizendine

Formerly of La Grande

David Brizendine, 83, of Pendleton and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 15 at his home. The funeral will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Marys Catholic Church in Pendleton. Bishop Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. A full obituary will be published later.

Verna White

Formerly of La Grande

Verna Louise White, 72, of Portland and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 12 at her home.

A celebration of life will begin at 6 p.m. Aug. 27 at Loveland Funeral Chapel with Father Hank Albrecht of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church officiating.

A full obituary will be published later.