OBITUARIES FOR AUGUST 20 – 25, 2001

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, August 28, 2001

Israel Ramirez

Israel G. Ramirez, age 1, of La Grande died Saturday at Oregon Health Sciences University hospital in Portland.

Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. An obituary will be published later.

Beulah Sims

Beulah Sims, 82, of La Grande died Saturday at Grande Ronde Hospital.

Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. A full obituary will be published later.

Fern Prosch

Fern Prosch, 91, of La Grande, died Sunday at Grande Ronde Hospital. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

Betty Lovell

Betty Lovell, 71, of La Grande, died Sunday at Grande Ronde Hospital. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

David Brizendine

Formerly of La Grande

1918-2001

David W. Brizendine, 83, of Pendleton and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 15 at his home. A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Marys Catholic Church in Pendleton.

Mr. Brizendine was born June 26, 1918, to Isaac F. and Maude May Bortz Brizendine at Lupus, Mo. He graduated from high school in 1936 and moved to Oregon as a junior foreman for the Bureau of Reclamation on the Owyhee Dam project. In 1942 he joined the Oregon State Police and in 1955 was promoted to sergeant. He was assigned as station commander in Arlington and supervised Morrow, Wheeler and Gilliam counties. In 1959 he was made station commander of La Grande and supervised Union and Wallowa counties. He transferred to Pendleton in 1969 and retired in 1974.

After his retirement he ran a property management and maintenance business, served as security supervisor for the Pendleton Banking Company, now Inland Empire Bank, and became a private investigator.

He was a leader of the Boy Scouts and a member of the Masons and the Elks.

He was instrumental in forming the La Grande Chapter of Youth Optimist International and served on the board of directors of the Salvation Army, Lions Club, Eastern Oregon Alcoholism Foundation, First Christian Church and United Way.

Survivors include his children, Cami Conners of Boise, Susan Schnell of La Grande, and Dan Brizendine of Santa Monica, Calif., and eight grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Casey Eye Institute, OHSU Foundation in care of Bishop Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 325, Pendleton 97801.

Stu Guthery

A memorial service for Stewart Upton Stu Guthery of Stanfield and formerly of Elgin will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston.

Mr. Guthery died Monday at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston. He was 78.

A full obituary will be published Wednesday.

Fern M. Prosch

La Grande

1910 -2001

Fern Marie Prosch, 91, of La Grande, died Aug. 19 at Grande Ronde Hospital.

A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, with Pastor Ted Davis and Mouse McKinney officiating.

Mrs. Prosch was born Jan. 11, 1910, in Bucklin, Kan., to James and Anna Brenton Dicus. She later moved to Hutchinson, Kan., and worked as a bookkeeper.

She married Victor Prosch on Sept. 6, 1936, in Osawatomie, Kan. He died May 17, 1999.

She was a bookkeeper for her husbands La Grande barber shop for many years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women and a boat club. She enjoyed fishing, canning and freezing fresh food, sewing, playing pinochle and reading poetry.

She is survived by her sons, Robert of Island City and Douglas of Troutdale; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, and other relatives. Three brothers and three sisters died earlier.

Memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity, in care of Daniels Chapel, 1502 Seventh St.

Israel Ramirez

La Grande

1999-2001

Israel G. Ramirez, 1, of La Grande died Aug. 18 at the Oregon Health Science University Hospital in Portland.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St.

A celebration of life service will start at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Loveland Funeral Chapel with with Pastor Tom McReynolds of the Bread of Life Fellowship officiating. A Mass of Christian Burial will start at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church with Father Francis Hebert of Heppner officiating.

Committal and interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Israel was born Nov. 22, 1999, to Gerardo Ramirez and Evita Guiteau in La Grande.

Although impossible to count them all, Israel will be remembered for many things. They include his beautiful brown eyes, adorable hands and feet, round little belly and kissable mouth, family members said. Israel possessed a powerful presence despite his diminutive size and quiet voice. He had the ability to unite people and bring out their strength and grace. He will be remembered for his incredible persuasive and fighting spirit, family members said.

Continuously ill from the day of his birth, he refused to give up until he knew his family and friends had gained wisdom and faith. Those who knew and loved him know he is walking, talking and eating real food in a peaceful place where pain can no longer touch him.

Survivors include his parents and grandparents and many aunts, uncles and other relatives.

Beulah Bell Sims

La Grande

1920-2001

Beulah Bell Sims, 81, of La Grande and formerly of Weiser and Caldwell, Idaho, died Aug. 18 at the Grande Ronde Hospital.

A celebration of life service will be at 2 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Grande Ronde Retirement Residence, 1809 Gekeler Lane, with Mouse McKinney officiating. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. (Mountain Time) Thursday at Hillcrest Cemetery in Weiser, Idaho, with the Rev. Doug Hale officiating.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande.

Mrs. Sims was born Jan. 26, 1920, to William Arthur and Mamie Rayle Butts in Knobby, Mo.

She married Albert John Bob Mammen on March 10, 1937, in Steamboat Springs, Colo., and they moved to a ranch at Weiser. He died Dec. 6, 1963, and she moved to Caldwell, where she worked for the College of Idaho. There she met Ollie Sims, and they were married July 3, 1968. He died Dec. 24, 2000.

Mrs. Sims was active in the support staff of the college. She belonged to Gem of the Mountains Rebekah Lodge, which honored her work in the community, church and lodge. She served on various committees and offices with the Rebekahs.

Health problems curtailed her activities beginning in 1994.

She was active in the Methodist Church in Caldwell. She enjoyed fishing and trailer camping.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Ginny Mammen of La Grande; daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Earl Marble of Oregon City; stepchildren, Shirley Martinez and Doylene Siruck of Caldwell, Charles Sims of Spokane and Victor Sims of Boston; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Her brothers, Lelan McCall Butts and Marvin Junior Butts, and a stepson died earlier.

Alonzo Lockwood

Hermiston

1903-2001

Alonzo A. Lockwood, 98, of Hermiston, died Aug. 20 at his home. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at Prairie Creek Cemetery in Joseph. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Lockwood was born May 11, 1903, to George and Ora Porter Lockwood in Union Gap, Wash. He served in the Navy during World War II. He worked as a logger and shoed horses. He was a member of the carpenters union and the VFW Post 16. in Springfield

Survivors include a son, Layton Lockwood of Hermiston; a daughter, Barbara Lockwood of Redmond; three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and other relatives. His wife, Versie, died earlier.

Memorials may be made to St. Marys Medical Center in Walla Walla.

Betty Lovell

La Grande

1930-2001

Betty Lovell, 71, of La Grande and formerly of Wallowa County, died Aug. 19 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., with Pastor Irwin Smutz of

the Imbler Christian Church officiating.

Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at the Wallowa County Memorial Cemetery in Enterprise.

Mrs. Lovell was born May 21, 1930, to Jesse and Angie Ownby Masterson in Enterprise. She attended school there and on Nov. 29, 1946, she married Gordon Lovell in Enterprise. The couple moved to La Grande in 1958. She worked as a bookkeeper for many years and was a member of the Mavericks Riding Club, the Union County Democratic Party and the Eastern Oregon Quarter Horse Association.

She enjoyed painting, flower gardening, horses and spending time with her family.

Survivors include her children, Karen Temple of Lexington, Cheryle Zollman of La Grande and Gordon Rick Lovell of Chehalis, Wash.; 10 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; a brother, Leslie Masterson of Enterprise; and other relatives. Her husband, sisters, Meda Ilene Brooks and Edna Heffling, brothers, Harold Masterson and Robert Masterson, all died earlier.

Flowers may be sent to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Stewart Guthery

Formerly of Elgin

1923-2001

Stewart Upton Stu Guthery, 78, of Stanfield and formerly of Elgin, died Aug. 20 at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston. A memorial service began at 10 this morning at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston. Burial will be at Pleasant View Cemetery.

Mr. Guthery was born July 1, 1923, to Fred and Fern Guthery in Moorcroft, Wyoming. He graduated from Elgin High School in 1940 and joined the Army during World War II. He was a high-speed radio operator and was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery during military action.

In 1946 he married Gloria Glascock in Boise. He worked at various weekly newspapers and in 1947 the couple bought the Elgin Recorder. In 1948 they moved to Stanfield, where he was traffic manager at Marlette Homes and a member of the Rodeo Cowboys Association. He raised, trained and showed cutting horses, served as Worthy Grand Patron of Eastern Star and Chapter Patron of Queen Esther 101. He was a life member of both Eastern Star and the Masons, serving as master of both the Echo and Hermiston lodges. He was a member of White Shrine, Hope Presbyterian Church and the VFW.

Survivors include his wife of Stanfield; a son, Fred Guthery of Stillwater, Okla.; a daughter, Shelley Walker of Hermiston; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and a sister, Fern Beem of Sequim, Wash.

Sadie Lyon

Sadie Lyon, 86, of La Grande died Wednesday at a local care facility.

A service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. A full obituary will be published later.

Patrice Weber

Formerly of La Grande

1957-2001

Patrice Weber, 43, of Moses Lake, Wash., and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 21 at her home after a long illness. Kaiser Chapel of Memories in Moses Lake is in charge of arrangements. A private service will be held.

Mrs. Weber was born Sept. 22, 1957, to Charles Willard Hoag Sr. and Louise Mary Hoag in Muencheller, Germany. She attended school in San Antonio, and modeling school in San Diego. On Sept. 12, 1987, she married Rob Weber and the couple moved to Baker City where she worked at Pioneer Bank. Later they moved to La Grande where she worked at Alayan, and then to Moses Lake, Wash., where she was office manager for Furniture West and also managed a Botan Hair Salon. She was an enthusiastic gardener but her greatest love was her family.

Survivors include her husband, Rob, and sons, Keven and Reed; a daughter, Kalee; her father of California and her mother of Arizona, three sisters and four brothers.

Her grandmother and grandfather died earlier.

Contributions may be made in her memory at US Bank in La Grande or Baker City.

Raymond Portillo

Raymond Portillo, 76, of La Grande died Wednesday at Grande Ronde Hospital.

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

Sadie Lyon

La Grande

1914-2001

Sadie Olive Lyon, 86, of La Grande, died Aug. 22 at a local care center. A celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., with Sally Wiens officiating. Burial will follow at the Island City Cemetery.

Mrs. Lyon was born Dec. 30, 1914, to Walter and Lula May Barton Carper in Promise. She married Gilbert Russell Lyon on Jan. 27, 1932, in Enterprise. The couple lived in Wallowa until moving to La Grande in 1963. They enjoyed hunting, gardening and wood cutting. She enjoyed quilting and loved family get-togethers.

Survivors include daughters, Barbara Whaley of College Place, Wash., Colleen Neustel of La Grande, Janice OMalley of Aumsville and Cheryl Hafer of Cove; 12 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Orville Carper and Shirley Doud, both of Lostine, Robert Carper of Joseph, Edna Beardslee of Washington, Alberta Prince and Leona Collins, both of Wallowa, Elsie Stroope of Hobbs, N.M.; and other relatives. Her husband, a grandson, Kyle Neustel, a brother, Joe Carper and a sister, Mary Patterson, all died earlier.

Memorials may be made to any charity in care of Daniels Chapel.

Verna White

Formerly of La Grande

1929-2001

Verna Louise White, 72, of Portland and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 12. A celebration of life will begin at 6 p.m. Monday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., with Father Hank Albrecht of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church officiating.

She was born July 3, 1929, to Sidney Vernon and Nina Gibson White in Fosse. She attended Central Elementary School in La Grande and graduated from high school in Albany. She attended Lewis and Clark College. She worked at Mighty Mite Portable Sawmill Co. in Portland and retired in 1994. She enjoyed painting in oils and loved animals, especially her cats.

Survivors include an aunt, Norma Gibson of La Grande; her cousins, Zee Koza, Vince Gibson, Dolores Allen, Jeff Carman and Tony Carman, all of La Grande, and Verla Jean Martin and Janice Arnhart of Wallowa.

Memorials may be made to the Shriners Childrens Hospital, 3101 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland 97201.

Vernon Bacon

La Grande

1917-2001

Vernon Bacon, 83, of La Grande, died Aug. 24 at a local care center. At his request there will be no public service.

Mr. Bacon was born Oct. 27, 1917, to Wayne and Anna Adler Bacon in Deforest, Wis. He graduated from high school in Waunakee, Wis., and attended business school. He served in the Army during World War II and married LaVelle Edington. The couple owned a collection agency in Redding, Calif., for 21 years. They moved to Bandon in 1981 and to La Grande in 1999 to be near family. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and the outdoors.

Survivors include his wife of La Grande; a son, Rodney Bacon of Redding; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; four sisters, Lois Welke, Joanne Heyn, Rachael Aaroen and Nancy Vanderpoeg; and other relatives. One sister and a brother died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.

Victor Cameron

La Grande

1927-2001

Victor Lloyd Cameron, 73, of La Grande, died Aug. 17 at Grande Ronde Hospital. At his request there will be no public service. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Cameron was born Nov. 26, 1927, to Ernest and Ethel McFerran Cameron in Genesee, Idaho. He served in the Army during World War II, and on March 1, 1957, he married Martha Zachow in Thompson Falls, Mont. In 1957 the couple moved to La Grande, where he worked for Boise Cascade as an edger man and foreman for over 29 years. He was a former member of the Eagles Lodge and enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and the outdoors.

Survivors include his wife of La Grande; children, Mike Cameron of Moscow, Idaho, Rose Reed of Coeur dAlene, Idaho, Leo Brittain of Grand Coulee, Wash., Bob Brittain of Galt, Calif., Phyllis Corning of Priest River, Idaho, and Joyce Hockett of Rathdrum, Idaho; 14 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and other relatives.

Two brothers died earlier.

Raymond Portillo

La Grande

1925-2001

Raymond M. Portillo, 76, of La Grande, died Aug. 22 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church with Father Hank Albrecht officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Cemetery. Viewing will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.

Mr. Portillo was born March 20, 1925, to Paul and Libarda Mendez Seguira in Sheridan, Wyo. He served in the Army during World War II, and on May 31, 1944, he married Flora Rodriguez in Billings, Mont. The couple moved to Sacramento, Calif., where he worked for Southern Pacific Railroad for 36 years. They moved to La Grande in June 2000 to be near family.

He was a member of the church, a railroad union, AARP and a veterans association in California. He loved to play the guitar and enjoyed fishing, camping, reading and going out to dinner with his family.

Survivors include his wife of La Grande; children, Virginia Portillo of La Grande and Raymond Portillo of Klamath Falls; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and other relatives. A son, David Portillo, and 13 brothers and sisters died earlier.

Memorials may be made to Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in care of Daniels Chapel.