Oscar Garcia

Elgin

1938-2001

Oscar A. Garcia Sr., 63, of Elgin, died Nov. 11 in Walla Walla.

There will be no service. Mountain Valley Funeral Chapel of Walla Walla is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Garcia was born on Feb. 27, 1938, in Riviera, Texas, to Ysidro and Elvera Alanis Garcia.

He had lived in Elgin for four years after moving here from Sonora, Calif.

He married Dixie D. Hardin on Sept. 18, 1959, in St. George, Utah. He worked for Pacific Gas & Electric of California for 30 years.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting and watching Monday Night Football on TV. He was a member of the Elks in Sonora.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter and son-in-law, Tina Robert Moore of Elgin; a son and daughter-in-law, Oscar Jr. and Lisa of Elgin; three sisters, Aurora Patterson of Fountain Valley, Calif., Eva Lopez of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Olivia Garcia of Texas; two brothers, Gustavo of Houston and Adam of Corona, Calif.; four grandchildren, one great-grandchild and other relatives.

His parents, two brothers and two sisters died earlier.

Contributions may be made to a charity of choice.

Ethel Matheson

Formerly of La Grande

1917-2001

Ethel Amelia Matheson, 84, of Gresham and formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 12 at a care center. The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at Burns Mortuary Chapel, 685 W. Hermiston Ave., in Hermiston. Burial will follow at the Island City Cemetery.

Mrs. Matheson was born May 24, 1917, to Wilson and Florence Walters McCosh in Twin Falls, Idaho. She married Joseph Marvin Matheson in 1934 in La Grande. She lived in Hermiston for 52 years until 1997, when she moved to Portland to be near her sister. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, gardening and going to the beach.

Survivors include her daughter, Virginia Vandermeer of Sacramento, Calif., five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a sister, Ruth Litton of Portland. Her husband and two infant brothers died earlier.

Margaret Snuffer

Enterprise and

formerly of Wallowa

1909-2001

Margaret Louise Snuffer, 92, of Enterprise and formerly of Wallowa, died Oct. 20 at a care center. Services were held Oct. 27, and burial was at Promise Cemetery.

Mrs. Snuffer was born Dec. 21, 1909, to Oscar Samuel and Nellie Kathleen Marshall Paige in Sheridan, Mont. She attended school in Baker City, and on Sept. 1, 1934, she married Ernest Snuffer of Promise in Weiser, Idaho. The couple lived on their farm at Wallowa, and she raised large gardens, cooked for harvest crews and cared for her family.

After her husbands death, she continued by herself.

Survivors include her daughters, Ann Graham of Lostine and Lynn Boss of Elgin; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Elizabeth McGinnis of Tualatin; brothers, Gene Chadwick of Baker City and Clifford Paige of Chico, Calif.; and other relatives. Her brothers, Ralph, Paul and Sam Paige, and her sisters, Kathryn Zufelt and Fern Woods, all died earlier.

Ellen MacGregor

Formerly of La Grande and Enterprise

1909-2001

Ellen Buchanan MacGregor, 92, of Vancouver, Wash., and formerly of La Grande and Enterprise, died Nov. 11. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Evergreen Staples Funeral Home in Vancouver. A dedication of the grave will begin at 2 p.m. Monday at the Island City Cemetery.

Mrs. MacGregor was born Oct, 7, 1909, to Roe and Daisy Dollie Garrett Buchanan in Burns. She graduated from Enterprise High School in 1927 and married Edward Mac MacGregor in La Grande. She worked as a seamstress for two dress shops in La Grande, Ann Johnsons and Genevieves Ladies To Wear, before becoming a house-mother in student housing at Eastern Oregon University. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Royal Neighbors of America, the Neighborhood Club and the Rebekah Lodges in La Grande and Vancouver. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading and cooking. She made 72 afghans for family and friends.

Survivors include her children, Barbara Pabst and Thomas MacGregor, both of Vancouver, and Jack MacGregor of Long Beach, Calif.; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; a sister, Jean Walker of La Grande, and other relatives.

Her husband died in 1959.

Memorials may be made to the Eastern Oregon University Scholarship Fund in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.

Robert L. Mudd

Robert L. Mudd, 87, of Union died Thursday at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel. A complete obituary will be published later.

Inez Rumney

Inez Rumney, 93, of Prairie City and formerly of La Grande, died at a local care center. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel. A complete obituary will be published later.

Ruth Weber

A memorial service for Ruth Weber of Wallowa, who died Nov. 7, will take place at 2 p.m. Nov. 23 at Wallowa Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of choice in care of Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main St. 97828.

John Fitzgerald

Formerly of La Grande

1922-2001

John William Fitzgerald, 79, of Hermiston and formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 14 at his home.

A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hillcrest Cemetery. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.

Mr. Fitzgerald was born July 14, 1922, to Bill and Mary Elizabeth Young Fitzgerald in La Grande. He served in the Army Air Forces and the Air Force during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include a son, Shean Fitzgerald of Hermiston; a daughter, Mary Helen Dusak of Kentucky; seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Evelyn Fitzgerald of La Grande. His wife, Lillie, died in 1990.

Frank Eckley

Formerly of Joseph

and Wallowa

1932-2001

Francis Frank M. Eckley, 69, of Kellogg, Idaho, and formerly of Joseph and Wallowa, died Nov. 12 at his home. The funeral will begin at 1 p.m. today at the Church of Christ in Wallowa. Burial will be a the Wallowa Cemetery. Shoshone Funeral Services of Kellogg is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Eckley was born July 14, 1932, to Benjamin and Alma Rudger Eckley in Joseph. He graduated from Joseph High School and served in the military during the Korean Conflict. He married Flossie Geneva Bennett on Sept. 25, 1954, in Enterprise. He owned Eckley Logging Co. and the Burro Cafe, Restaurant and Motel. He moved to Idaho in 1999 from Wallowa. He worked for the LaVigne Drug Group and as a care giver for the state. He was a member of the Joseph Masonic Lodge.

Survivors include his wife of Kellogg; daughters and sons-in-law, Rena and Tony Kerfoot of Mountain Home, Idaho, and Brenda and Ron Sarman of Fordyce, Ark.; seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; four sisters, LaVelle Roberts and Mary Howerton of Enterprise, Maxine Daggett of Joseph and Georgie Waits of Salem; and a brother, Benjamin Eckley of Woodburn.

Memorials may be made to the Wallowa Church of Christ.

Merle Alford

Joseph

1918-2001

Merle L. Alford, 83, of Joseph, died Nov. 15 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main St., in Enterprise. Burial will be at Enterprise Cemetery.

Mr. Alford was born May 27, 1918, to George L. and Ruth Carter Alford in Causey, N.M. He graduated from Enterprise High School in 1937, and on Nov. 9, 1943, he married Aleene Barton of Bend. He served in the Army Air Forces during World War II. He was a partner in owning and operating the Alford Ranch in Joseph for over 50 years. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church, the Wallowa County Grain Growers and the Good Sam RV Club.

He enjoyed his family, hunting, fishing and farming.

Survivors include his wife and two sons, Gary L. and John M. Alford, all of Joseph; a daughter, Marietta Hauser of Twin Falls, Idaho; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; three brothers, Clebert Alford of Portland, George Alford of Joseph and Glen Alford of Amity; a sister, Joan Tippett of Asotin, Wash.; and other relatives.

Memorials may be made to any charity.

Barbara K. Briggs

Barbara Kausler Briggs, 57, of La Grande, died Friday at her home. A complete obituary will be published later.

Inez Rumney

Formerly of La Grande

1908-2001

Inez Rumney, 93, of Prairie City and formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 16 at a nursing home.

A celebration of life service will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. today at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St.

Mrs. Rumney was born March 12, 1908, to William H. and Bessie Rimbey Fields in Elgin, where Inez attended school.

She met Stuart Francis Rumney in a construction camp, where she was cooking. The couple were married Oct. 13, 1928, in Walla Walla, and lived mainly in La Grande before moving to Island City. Mr. Rumney worked as a heavy equipment mechanic and operator in the construction field. Mrs. Rumney worked for the American Optical Co. and for Drs. Ralston and Pearl in La Grande as an optical technician.

She loved gardening, especially roses. She loved to knit from a kit, and also loved the outdoors and fishing, for which she had a special knack.

She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Vern and Myrtha Fields of John Day, and sister-in-laws, Vida Fields of Union and Elizabeth Fields of La Grande; and other relatives.

Her brothers, Ilo and Edward Fields, died earlier.

Barbara Briggs

La Grande

1943-2001

Barbara Briggs, 57, of La Grande and formerly of Union, died Nov. 16 at her home. A celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Valley Fellowship, 507 Palmer St., with Pastor Bill Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery.

Mrs. Briggs was born Dec. 2, 1943, to Leon and Marta Sztukowski Daroszewski in Poland. She attended school in Pittsburgh, Penn., and on June 30, 1962, she married Robert Kausler in Los Angeles.

The couple moved to Union in 1970 and after a divorce she moved to La Grande in 1991. She graduated from Eastern Oregon University and worked at US Bank as a loan officer. She was a member of Valley Fellowship and enjoyed reading, painting, listening to classical music, shopping and spending time with her family.

Survivors include her children, Bob Kausler and Yvonne Roberts, both of Union, Denise Ferguson of North Bend, Wash., Tanya Baremore of La Grande, Bill Kausler of Tigard and Hillary Stotter-Feidler of Redondo Beach, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; her parents and a sister, Maria Stephenson, all of Pittsburgh; and other relatives. A sister, Anna Daroszewski, died earlier.

Memorials may be made to GRH Home Care Services in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.

Robert Mudd

Union

1914-2001

Robert Linton Mudd, 87, of Union died Nov. 15 at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.

A celebration of life began at 11 a.m. today at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., with Pastor Ray Bates and assistant pastor Jim Meyers of the Sonrise Free Methodist Church officiating. Viewing was from 9 to 11 a.m. before the service.

Mr. Mudd was born May 14, 1914, to Jacob T. and Grace B. Quible Mudd in Bassett, Neb. He served in the Navy during World War II and married Nell Anderson on Aug. 25, 1946, in Broken Bow, Neb. He attended the University of Nebraska school of diesel and electric trade and agriculture and worked as a rancher and mechanic for 46 years.

He moved to Union 25 years ago. He was a deacon in the Christian Missionary Alliance for the Church of the Nazarene and also a member of the Sonrise Free Methodist Church in La Grande. He enjoyed listening to music.

Survivors include his wife of Union; children, Barbara Toweill of Yakima, Janet Conyers of Gresham, J. Theodore Mudd and Terry L. Mudd of Union, Kathy Hardrath of Baker City, Robert Mudd of Kimberly, and Joyce Stevens of Payette, Idaho; sisters, Mary Mudd of Honolulu, Hawaii, Doris Linkhart of Sea Gert, N.J., and Marjorie Gibbs of Lincoln, Neb.; and 24 grandchildren. A daughter, M. Louise Erickson, died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the building fund of the Sonrise Free Methodist Church, P.O. Box 3373, La Grande 97850.

Ivan Bingenheimer

La Grande

Ivan Bingenheimer, 80, of La Grande died Tuesday at his home. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. An obituary will be published later.

Laura Pierce

La Grande

Laura Pierce, 102, of La Grande died today at a local care center. A full obituary will be published later. Loveland Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.

Matthew Boren

Formerly of La Grande

and Union

1974-2001

Matthew Llewellyn Boren, 27, of Portland and formerly of La Grande and Union, died Nov. 12 in an auto accident. A celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Church of the Nazarene in Burns. A potluck reception will follow. A memorial service will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Moore Street Church in Gresham. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in The Dalles is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Boren was born May 8, 1974, to Peter L. and Jacqueline Collinsworth Boren in Burns. He attended Union High School and earned a GED. He married Regina Warren in 1995, and the couple later divorced. After being in trouble early in life, he moved to Portland where he became a member of the Salvation Army. He was a soldier at the Moore Street Corps in Portland and worked as a wilderness guide for a Christian ministry, On the Edge Adventures. He enjoyed rafting and rock-climbing and developed a passion for his Christian faith. He had a wonderful sense of humor, family members said.

Survivors include his daughter, Stephanie Marie Warren of Union; his father of Burns; his mother of La Grande; a sister, Lori Mack of Union; grandparents, Hattie and Dewey Anderson of Hines; and numerous other relatives.

Memorials may be made to a fund for his daughter in care of On the Edge Adventures, 161 N.E. 188th Ave., Gresham 97230.

Geraldine Sandri

Union

Geraldine Sandri, 73, of Union, died Wednesday at her home. A Mass of Christian Burial is tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Union with Father Hank Albrecht officiating. A full obituary will be published later. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Nell Schmitke

Formerly of La Grande

1909-2001

Nell L. Schmitke, 92, of Portland and formerly of La Grande, died Oct. 24 at her home. A memorial service and burial were in Portland. Skyline Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Schmitke was born Sept. 5, 1909, to Frank and Edith McClure in Ladd Canyon. She moved to Portland in 1933 and married Carl Schmitke in 1936.

She was a homemaker.

Survivors include her sisters, Lulu Counsell and Margaret Chandler, both of La Grande, Gertrude Mason of Union; a brother, Francis McClure of Forest Grove; and other relatives.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Dortha Day

Formerly of La Grande

1915-2001

Dortha Day, 86, of Redmond and formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 8. At her request there will be no public service. A family burial service will be at Newport.

Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Day was born Feb. 24, 1915, to Minus M. and Ada Fincher Mardis in Medford. The family moved to La Grande, and on Nov. 16, 1928, she married F. A. Larkin in La Grande. After a divorce she married Walter Shafer on Sept. 28, 1936, in Walla Walla. After his death she married A. Hugh Day on Nov. 3, 1979 in La Grande. He died in 1988. She was a member of the Jehovahs Witnesses and enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, painting and crafts.

Survivors include her children, Norman Larkin, Lewis Larkin, Norma Gillis, Walter Shafer, Kenneth Shafer, Raymond Shafer and Theodore Shafer; her stepchildren, Sherry McNeil and Virginia Graham; 32 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

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

Berniece Cockram

Formerly of La Grande

1913-2001

Berniece E. Cockram, 88, of Baker City and formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 19 at a care center. The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at the First Lutheran Church, 1734 3rd St., Baker City, with Pastor David Hahn of Desert Cross Lutheran Church in Tempe, Ariz., officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery

Mrs. Cockram was born Feb. 23, 1913, to J. Q. and Docia Lynch Freeman in Wilson Creek, Wash. She graduated from Baker High School in 1931 and married Ernest Cockram on Sept. 8, 1934. The couple moved to La Grande in 1957 to operate a wholesale grocery business.

She was a homemaker until her children were grown and then worked as a receptionist for Dr. Bryce Young. In 1999, she moved back to Baker City to be close to family.

She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Baker City and Zion Lutheran Church in La Grande.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Freeman and Shirley Cockram of Vancouver, Wash., Fred Cockram of Baker City and John and Tonya Cockram of Scottsdale, Ariz.; eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren.

Her husband, a brother, a daughter-in-law and two great-grandchildren died earlier.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church in Baker City, Zion Lutheran Church in La Grande or Doernbecher Childrens Hospital in care of Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City 97814.

Shirley Ann Stevens

Shirley Ann Stevens, 65, of La Grande and formerly of Gladstone, Molalla and Marcum, died this morning at her home. Services will be handled by Loveland Funeral Chapel. A complete obituary will be published later.

Ivan Bingenheimer

La Grande

1921-2001

Ivan Bingenheimer, 80, died Nov. 20 at his home in La Grande.

A celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, with Pastor Raymond Bates of the Sonrise Free Methodist Church and Pastor Stephens Bingenheimer of the Westport Assembly of God officiating. Committal and interment will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem.

Mr. Bingenheimer was born July 10, 1921, in Salem to George Jacob and Augusta Garnjobst Bingenheimer. After graduating from Salem High School, he served in the Navy during World War II.

He attended Gonzaga University and the University of California at Los Angeles and graduated from the University of Oregon. He was an auditor for the Oregon Department of Revenue before joining the firm of Lippold, Brenner and Bingenheimer in Salem.

He married Katherine Janes on May 5, 1979, in Tillamook. They moved to La Grande in 1980 and opened Bingenheimer & Co., CPA.

He attended First Baptist Church for many years and recently attended Sonrise Methodist. He was a 20-year member of the noon Rotary Club. He was a director of the Oregon Society of CPAs in Salem and was president of the Eastern Oregon Chapter. He raised orchids, worked in stained glass and collected antique music boxes.

Besides his wife of La Grande, he is survived by his sons, Stephens Bingenheimer of Westport and Bradley Bingenheimer of Salem; a brother Arthur, of Salem; his father-in-law, Glade Janes of La Grande; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and other relatives. A brother, Milton, and a sister, Lucille Bartlett, died earlier.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grande Ronde Hospital Home Care Services, in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.

Laura M. Pierce

La Grande

1899 -2001

Laura Mae Pierce, 102, of La Grande died Nov. 21 at a local care center. She lived in three centuries.

After a private family celebration of life service at Loveland Funeral Chapel, private interment will be at Grandview Mausoleum.

Mrs. Pierce was born Sept. 5, 1899, to James and Viola Rogers Bachelor in Central City, Ark.

She married Artie Gay Pierce on Oct. 12, 1919, in Barling, Ark. In 1929 they moved to Caruthers, Calif., where she worked in the school district cafeteria.

She moved to La Grande in 1959, and she worked in the kitchen at Hot Lake and as a housekeeper for the Catholic parish and for a local attorney. Among other jobs, she worked in a grocery store.

Mrs. Pierce was a past president of the Eagles Auxiliary No. 259 and a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church in Caruthers.

In La Grande, she was Grand Lady of the Southern Dixie Belles as well as the oldest acting umbrella girl in the world. She was the Grand Lady of the Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Jazz Festival.

She wrote poetry and was artistic. She enjoyed creative crafts. She loved people, including going to the Senior Center to be with friends, and being with her grandchildren. She danced on her 100th birthday with both her sons and many friends as well-wishers flocked in from seven states and abroad to celebrate the special day.

Survivors are her children and spouses, Artie G. and Irene Pierce of Pahrump, Nev., Robert D. and Linda Pierce of Fresno, Calif., Zella M. Guynes of La Grande; 13 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren.

Her husband died June 20, 1943. Sons Sonny Pierce and Eugene Pierce, a daughter, Joan McBride, two sisters and two brothers died earlier.

William C. Bushlen

La Grande

William C. Bushlen, 84, of La Grande and formerly of Clackamas, died today at a local care center. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. A full obituary will be published later.

Orval Rayburn

Formerly of La Grande

1912-2001

Orval Ernest Rayburn, 89, of Hermiston and formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 21 at his home.

A private family service will be held Wednesday at the Grandview Mausoleum.

Mr. Rayburn was born in 1912 to O.E. and Jennie Birdwell Rayburn in Crichton, Idaho.

He graduated from high school in Grandview, Wash., in 1933 and married Montana Doe on Feb. 23, 1941, in Weiser, Idaho.

He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad from 1935 to 1975 in bridge construction.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Survivors include his wife and a daughter, Linda Goben, both of Hermiston; one grandchild and four great-grandchildren; a brother, Glenn Rayburn of Grandview, Wash., and a sister, Grace Hinkley of Lancaster, N.H.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association in care of Burns Mortuary, Box 289 Hermiston 97838.

Geraldine Sandri

Union

1928-2001

Geraldine Geri Mae Sandri, 73, of Union, died Nov. 21 at her home. A recitation of the rosary will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., and a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Union with Father Hank Albrecht officiating. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery. Viewing will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Mrs. Sandri was born May 8, 1928, to William and Edith Connor Peterson in Sayre, Okla. She married Philip Sandri in 1920 in Las Vegas. Before she lost her vision, she enjoyed reading, especially Agatha Christie novels, sewing and cooking, her Scottish terrier Toby and most of all liked spending time with her family.

Survivors include her daughter, Judith Osburn, and a son, Hans Jack Peterson, both of Union, several grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Her sons, Norman Sandri, Christopher Sandri, Timothy Sandri and Randy Sandri, a brother, William Peterson, and a sister, Margaret Easterling, all died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the Union County Home Health Hospice, P.O. Box 3290 La Grande.