Rodney Miller

Union

1914-2003

Rodney Edward Miller, 88, of Union, died April 17 at Grande Ronde Hospital.

A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Union Methodist Church, with the Rev. Jerry Peters and the Rev. Ernest Smith officiating. Burial will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery in La Grande. Friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mr. Miller was born May 20, 1914, to Simon "Edward" and Elida Stackland Miller in Union. He graduated from Union High School in 1932. After three years of college he started working for his father on the ranch.

He married Alma DeLong of La Grande in 1941. She died in 1973. Shortly after the marriage he was drafted and served with the Army during World War II. He returned to Union after the war and built his present home outside of Union in 1947.

The couple had two daughters, and Alma died in 1973.

In June 1975 he married school teacher June Aileen Coolidge. They lived on his home farm until her death in 1989.

Mr. Miller farmed all his life, showed sheep in 4-H as a child and entered mule races held at the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show during his teens. For three years he worked for the stock show guarding the north gate, where parades and the arena livestock entered the arena and racetrack. He and his sister, Elida, rode as a pair at the stock show in the original mounted quadrille team.

After retiring from farming in 1979, Mr. Miller joined the Grande Ronde Valley Masonic Lodge in 1980, the Grande Ronde Valley Order of Eastern Star in 1981, the Scottish Rites in Baker City in 1982 and the Union County Shrine Club in 1983.

Survivors include his daughters, Maureen Dunbar of Union and Cathy Stewart of Walla Walla; seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and other relatives. His sisters, Elida and Bethene, and brother, Odin, died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the Union Methodist Church.

Evelyn Parsons

Formerly of Elgin

1915-2003

Evelyn M. Parsons, 87, of Boise and formerly of Elgin, died April 16 at a care center. The funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Methodist church in Prairie City with Pastor Darrell Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at the Prairie City Cemetery.

Mrs. Parsons was born Sept. 28, 1915, to Ernest and Elta Cook in Prairie City. She graduated from Prairie City High School in 1933, and on Jan. 7, 1937, she married Glenn B. Parsons. The couple lived in various places and moved to Elgin in 1955, where Mr. Parsons worked as a forester for Heppner Lumber Co. and Boise Cascade. Mrs. Parsons moved to Puyallup, Wash., after her husband’s death in 1980 and then to Boise. She was a member of the Methodist church and was known for her dedication to her family. She enjoyed baking, crochet and tending her flower garden.

Survivors include children, Judy Griffin of Puyallup, Susan Young of Boise and John Parsons of Oakley, Calif.; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ernestine Kirkwood of Spokane and Carol Johns of Bates; and other relatives.

Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the Prairie City Methodist Church in care of Susan Young, 11229 W. Red Maple Drive, Boise 83709.

Birdy Stewart

Formerly of La Grande 1906-2003

Birdy E. McCoy Stewart, 97, formerly of La Grande, died April 19 at a care center in Irrigon.

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the New Life Center in Island City. Burial will follow at the Island City Cemetery. A memorial service also is planned at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Columbia View Community Church in Irrigon.

Mrs. Stewart was born on Jan. 26, 1906, in La Grande to Rufus and Ruth McCoy. The McCoys moved to North Carolina and later to Kentucky. The family returned to Oregon in 1915. After a few years in the Buttercreek area, the family settled in Imbler.

Mrs. Stewart graduated from Imbler High School and later met Frank Stewart of Alicel. They were married in 1930, lived in Alicel for a time and then followed the railroad bridge and buildings crew around Eastern Oregon.

In 1940 they settled on 40 acres north of Island City, where Mrs. Stewart lived until the fall of 1999, when she moved to the Grande Ronde Retirement Residence in La Grande. In April 2002 she moved to Irrigon to be closer to family and receive care.

She was active in church work over the years, specifically at the First Church of God, Valley Community and New Life Center.

She was a member of the Union County Historical Society.

Her husband, Frank, a brother and a sister, died earlier.

Survivors include her sons, Vernon Stewart of Irrigon and Warren Stewart of Pendleton; five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; three brothers, Benny and Warren McCoy of Irrigon and Chase McCoy of Banning, Calif.; many nieces and nephews.

MaryAnn Hamilton

La Grande

1917-2003

MaryAnn Hamilton, 85, of La Grande died April 17 at a care center. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday followed by a memorial Mass at 3:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church with Father Hank Albrecht officiating. A private burial will be at the Willamette National Cemetery. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Hamilton was born Dec. 20, 1917, to Francis Joseph and Bertha Mae Alford Nevins in Huntington. She graduated from Huntington High School and attended the University of Oregon and a business college in Pocatello, Idaho. On Sept. 24, 1940, she married Earl Hamilton in Huntington. She was an Army wife beginning with World War II. After her husband’s retirement, she worked as a dispatcher for the La Grande and Baker City police departments for many years. She was an expert at graphoanalysis (the analysis of handwriting) and taught this art to many others. The couple were snowbirders and spent time in Tucson, Ariz., and Palm Desert, Calif. Her husband died in 1980. Three years ago she moved to Portland, and six months ago she returned to La Grande. She was a member of the Catholic Church and enjoyed ceramics, leather tooling, making rugs and sewing.

Survivors include children, Margaret Ann Miller of Portland, Michael D. Hamilton of California; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and other relatives. A half-sister died earlier.

Memorials may be made to GRH Home Care Services, P.O. Box 3290, La Grande, or the Shriners Children’s Hospital, 3101 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland 97201.

Joanne Truesdale

Elgin

Joanne Truesdale, 71, of Elgin, died Wednesday at a local care facility.

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

James Kearns

La Grande

1922-2003

James Edward Kearns, 81, of La Grande died April 22, at his home. The funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Norman Shrumm officiating. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Kearns was born April 8, 1922, to John and Ethel Campbell Kearns in Hazen, N.D. He served in the Army during World War II and on Oct. 26, 1945, he married Bonnie Rutherford in North Dakota. He graduated from Dickinson State Teacher’s College in Dickinson, N. D., taught high school and coached a winning basketball team in Regent, N. D., and later earned his master’s degree and a doctorate in education from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He taught at Minot State Teacher’s College before moving to La Grande in 1957 where he was a professor of education and head of education, psychology and physical education at Eastern Oregon State College for 29 years. He retired in 1986. He loved teaching and working at Eastern. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, the Good Sam Club and the most longstanding EOU card club in La Grande. He enjoyed woodworking, fixing things, traveling and reading history, especially the history of the Grande Ronde Valley.

Survivors include his wife of La Grande; children, Karolyn McMillan of Pendleton and William Kearns of Springfield; four grandchildren and other relatives. Two brothers and two sisters died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the Eastern Oregon University Foundation or the Multiple Sclerosis Society in care of Daniels Chapel, 1502 Seventh St.

Ronald Oliver

La Grande

1946-2003

Ronald Lee Oliver, 56, of La Grande died April 18 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. A celebration of life will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at the American Legion Post, 301 Fir St. Burial will be in California.

Mr. Oliver was born Dec. 27, 1946, to Marvin and Lillah Oliver in Los Angeles. He graduated from high school in 1964 and served in the Army from 1966 to 1968. He married Linda and later divorced. He worked for a grocery warehouse Teamsters Union for 18 years. He moved to La Grande in 1988 and worked for Brooks Painting. He was a member of the American Legion where he was second vice president. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and traveling to Mexico for deep-sea fishing.

Survivors include his companion, Carolyn Caswell of La Grande, children, Gina, Jennifer and Rick, all of California; three grandchildren and 11 brothers and sisters. His parents and sister, Ellen, died earlier.

Thelma Anderson

Enterprise

1919-2003

Thelma May Anderson, 83, of Enterprise died April 22 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital. A celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m. May 3 at the Enterprise First Baptist Church. Bollman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Anderson was born May 29, 1919, to Andrew M. and Lily Wright Johnson in Craigmont, Idaho. She graduated from high school in Lewiston, Idaho, and on Sept. 3, 1938, she married Charles Roger Anderson in Clarkston, Wash. The couple lived in Kinzua, Heppner, Lightning Creek, Lexington, Pilot Rock and Post Falls, Idaho. After her husband’s death she moved to Enterprise in 1997 to share a home with her sister, Alma Crawford. She was a member of the Baptist Church, TOPS and the pinochle club at the senior center. She enjoyed crocheting, collecting elephant figurines and seeing the view of Ruby Peak and Chief Joseph Mountain from her home. She was known for her sense of humor and her love for her family and friends.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Alma June "Bunny" and Eldon Post of Pilot Rock; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews including Robert Crawford of Enterprise. An infant son, Darrell, and six brothers and sisters all died earlier.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the First Baptist Church in care of Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main St., Enterprise 97828.

John Forstner Sr.

La Grande

1946-2003

John B. Forstner Sr., 56, of La Grande died April 21 at Grande Ronde Hospital of natural causes. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Forstner was born Sept. 27, 1946, to William and Estelle Bulish Forstner in Long Island, N.Y. He married, and after a divorce married Connie Colvin. The couple came to La Grande in 1995. He had worked as

an exterminator in Arizona before he retired. He enjoyed gardening.

Survivors include his wife of La Grande; children, Christopher Forstner of Phoenix, Ariz., Randy Forstner of Pontiac, Mich., John Forstner Jr. of Sherman, Texas, Deborah Bennett and Donna Lipscom, both of The Colony, Texas; two stepchildren, Dyna Pittman of La Grande and Rebecca Berry of Padukah, Ken.; 11 grandchildren, four sisters, Delores Ciaponi, Jackie Fitzgibbon and Marsha Bortolottw, all of Florida, and Joanne Garramore of New Jersey; and other

relatives.

Joanne Truesdale

Elgin

1931-2003

Joanne Truesdale, 71, of Elgin died April 23 at a care center. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., with Bishop James Lethers officiating.

Mrs. Truesdale was born Joanne Pence on July 12, 1931, in Glendale, Calif. She attended a business college and married. After her first husband’s death, she married Grady Truesdale on Aug. 18, 1989, in West Linn. The couple moved to the Grande Ronde Valley in 1994.

Survivors include her husband of Elgin; sons, Ronald Lawhorn of Umatilla and Robert Lawhorn of Portland; three grandchildren and other relatives. A daughter, Kristi Lawhorn, and a brother died earlier.

James Kearns

La Grande

1922-2003

James Edward Kearns, 81, of La Grande died April 22, at his home. The funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Norman Shrumm officiating. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Kearns was born April 8, 1922, to John and Ethel Campbell Kearns in Hazen, N.D. He served in the Army during World War II and on Oct. 26, 1945, he married Bonnie Rutherford in North Dakota. He graduated from Dickinson State Teacher’s College in Dickinson, N. D., taught high school and coached a winning basketball team in Regent, N. D., and later earned his master’s degree and a doctorate in education from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He taught at Minot State Teachers College before moving to La Grande in 1957 where he was a professor of education and head of education, psychology and physical education at Eastern Oregon State College for 29 years. He retired in 1986. He loved teaching and working at Eastern. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, the Good Sam Club and the most longstanding EOU card club in La Grande. He enjoyed woodworking, fixing things, traveling and reading history, especially the history of the Grande Ronde Valley.

Survivors include his wife of La Grande; children, Karolyn McMillan of Pendleton and William Kearns of Springfield; four grandchildren and other relatives. Two brothers and two sisters died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the Eastern Oregon University Foundation or the Multiple Sclerosis Society in care of Daniels Chapel, 1502 Seventh St.

Gene Duncan

Cove

1928-2003

Gene Otho Duncan, 74, of Cove died April 24 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Monday at the Cove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jerry Peters officiating. Burial will follow at the Union Cemetery. Viewing will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.

Mr. Duncan was born Aug. 25, 1928, to Lawrence A. and Beulah Pearl Williams Duncan in Corning, Iowa. He began working for Crown Zellerback Paper Co. in Oregon City in 1948, where he worked for 20 years. He served in the Army in Korea from 1954 to 1955 as a squad leader on a half-track and married Esther Donna Lou Haugerud on Nov. 9, 1956, in Seattle. In 1971 he moved to Union to work for Boise Cascade at the particleboard plant. He retired in 1987.

Survivors include his companion, Sharlene Gray of Cove; children and their spouses, Judy and Bob Beyers of Salem, Shirley Inman of Portland, Dona Jean Duncan, Tom Duncan, Diane Duncan and her companion, Scott Gover, all of La Grande, Larry and Deb Duncan of Union; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and other relatives. His wife died in 1986.

Memorials may be made to the Union County Home Health Hospice or the Cove United Methodist Church in care of Daniels Chapel.

Opal McCrae

Formerly of Union

and La Grande

1920-2003

Opal Turner McCrae, 82, of North Bonneville, Wash., died April 16 at the home of her daughter.Burial was at Burns Cemetery.

LaFollette’s Chapel in Burns was in charge of arrangements. Funeral services were conducted by Dennis Kooy, pastor of Sunrise Christian Church, Ontario, on April 22 in Burns. Burial was in the Burns Cemetery.

Mrs. McCrae was born Oct. 10, 1920, to Charles Elba and Fannie Kesterson Turner in Crane. She graduated from Crane High School in 1938 and from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Baker City in 1942.

She served in the Army Nursing Corps during World War II and married Jay McCrae on Sept. 7, 1945, in Union. The couple divorced in 1972.

Her nursing career took her to many places including Walla Walla; La Grande; Farragut, Idaho; Harney County Hospital in Burns; Dornbecker Children’s Hospital in Portland; back to La Grande as the director of nursing at St. Joseph’s Hospital; to Pendleton to start their Home Health program; and in 1978, to Ontario where she worked at the Malheur County Health department until her retirement in 1985.

She enjoyed crochet, gardening and family history. She served as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, Camp You Can Do for children with cancer, Al-Anon, Alateen and AARP. She volunteered for the Peace Corp and was disappointed when she was turned down due to her age.

Survivors include her companion, Allen Johnson of Long Creek; two daughters, Janet McCumber of Hillsboro and Gwendolyn Priest of North Bonneville; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Helen Dickenson of Beaverton; two brothers, Charles "Bud" Turner of Eugene and Don Turner of Sedro Wooley, Wash.; Two sisters, Edith Turner and Dorothy Presley, died earlier.

Marlin Ediger

North Powder

Marlin Ediger, 72, of North Powder died April 21 at St. Elizabeth Health Services in Baker City. At his request there will be no funeral. Gray’s Pioneer Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Gray’s West and Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City 97814.

Fern Vanassche

Wallowa

1920-2003

Fern Marie Tippett Vanassche, 82, of Wallowa died April 22 in Tulare, Calif . Burial took place 10 a.m. today at the Enterprise Cemetery.

Ders Lorentzen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Vanassche was born Oct. 2, 1920, in Enterprise to Charles and Opal Tippett.

She rode horseback to Chesnimnus School and graduated from Enterprise High School in 1938.

She married Lewis Kerr in 1938. They had five children. In 1950, the family moved

to California where the couple worked on ranches.

Mr. Kerr died in 1963.

In 1965 she returned to Wallowa County, and in 1966 she married Wayne Vanassche.

She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wares Post 4307 Ladies Auxiliary in Enterprise. She enjoyed playing bingo at the VFW Hall. She spent the last several winters in Arizona, from where she was returning at the time of her death.

Survivors include her children, Patricia Christ of Red Bluff, Calif., Karen Hayes of Bristol, Tenn., Azalee Ann Cromer of Laurel Hill, Fla., Johnny M. Kerr of Valdez, Alaska, and Byron D. Kerr of Fairbanks Alaska; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; sisters, Shirley Guest of Walla Walla and Vesta Jacobs of Enterprise, and brothers Fred Tippett of Enterprise and Ted Tippet of Lewiston.

Her husband, Wayne Vanassche, and her brothers, Glen Tippett and Pat Tippett, died earlier.

Contributions can be made in her name to the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Post 4307 in Enterprise.

Bill Hasse

Formerly of La Grande

1919-2003

William A. "Wild Bill" Hasse, 83, of Yuma, Ariz., and formerly of La Grande died March 10 after a short illness. A celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m June 7 at the Hillsboro Elks Club.

Mr. Hasse was born July 20, 1919, in Idaho and grew up in La Grande. He served in the Army during World War II. He continued his military service in the Signal Corps, serving in China and India.

He married Alice Heasman in Cheyenne, Wyo., where he served in the military. The couple moved to Hillsboro in the late 1940s.

He earned a private pilot’s license, and for over 20 years he flew to Kotzebue and Kiana, Alaska, where he worked his gold mine and was a bush pilot.

He worked for West Coast Telephone Co., operated a gas station in Hillsboro and later opened his own auto repair shop. He was a member of the Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department and the Elks Club.

Survivors include children, Virginia Hanna of Danville, Calif., Anita Patton of Aloha, Doug Hasse of Chico, Calif.; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and a brother, Don Hasse of La Grande. His wife died in 1981.

Etoye Hopkins

Formerly of Imbler

1914-2003

Etoye N. Hopkins, 88, of Beaverton and formerly of Imbler died April 25. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. Burial will follow at the Summerville Cemetery.

Mrs. Hopkins was born Sept. 28, 1914, to Ollie and Mary Pipkins Nation in Elmore City, Okla. On Sept. 8, 1938, she married Dwight Hopkins in McLaud, Okla. The couple moved to Imbler in 1945. She taught school for 35 years, most of it as a first-grade teacher in Imbler.

She was a member of the Elgin United Methodist Church and worked with the women’s group, the missions and Vacation Bible School. She volunteered for the American Diabetes Association, participating in fund-raising efforts. She enjoyed supporting the Imbler Panthers basketball teams and local theater productions, teaching, gardening, painting, crochet and living in the valley.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, David and Jo Hopkins; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Her husband and a son, Dwight Hopkins Jr., both died earlier.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hopkins Scholarship Fund in care of any U.S. Bank.