Joseph Scott

La Grande

1912-2004

Joseph L. Scott, 92, of La Grande and formerly of Summerville died Aug. 28 at a local care center. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Summerville Cemetery with Pastor Bill Miller of Valley Fellowship Church officiating.

Mr. Scott was born Feb. 16, 1912, to Joe and Myrtle Hays Scott in Wray, Colo. He attended schools in Pueblo, Colo., and Willow Springs, Mo. He married Vinnie Collins in 1931 in Willow Springs. The couple lived in Arizona and New Mexico before settling in the Grande Ronde Valley in 1937. He worked in sawmills and farming most of his life. He was self-taught and enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.

Survivors include children and their spouses, Evelyn and Chuck Pollard, and Joe Lee and Gay Scott, all of Island City, James "Mike" and Shirley Scott and Joyce and Roddy Campbell, all of Summerville, and Louise and Mick Houtz of Baker City; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Rex Scott of Sandy; and other relatives. His wife, two sisters, two brothers and a grandchild all died earlier.

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

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George ‘Bud’ Grover

La Grande

1907-2004

George "Bud" Grover, 97, of La Grande died Aug. 28 at his home. A memorial Mass will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church with Father Hank Albrecht officiating. A second service will be held Sept. 18 in Hamilton, Mont.

Mr. Grover was born July 7, 1907, to George S. and Eugenie Lauzier Grover in Frenchtown, Mont. He graduated from the University of Montana in 1931 with a degree in pharmacy. He received an ROTC commission and married Hazel Mumm in 1935. He had a drug store in Deer Lodge, Mont., from 1934 to 1967, when the couple moved to Hamilton. They moved to La Grande in 1999 to be near family.

He was president of the Rotary Club, Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus, an honorary member of Future Farmers of America, the Elks Lodge and the Chamber of Commerce. During his first years in Deer Lodge he played baseball and softball on city teams. He was also an intercollegiate boxing champ in the lightweight division in 1929-30. He worked with the Boy Scouts and taught classes in boxing to members of FFA and at the state penitentiary. He served on the State Board of Health and as an official at track meets. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and wildlife preservation on his ranch.

Survivors include his wife of La Grande; his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Joseph and Carrie Grover of La Grande; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild and other relatives. A brother, Archie Grover, died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the University of Montana School of Pharmacy Scholarship Fund, the American Cancer Society or any charity in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.

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Nedra Salisbury

Formerly of Summerville

Nedra Estella Salisbury of Salem and formerly of Summerville died Aug. 28 at her home. Burial will be at the Union Cemetery. Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Salisbury was born to Samuel Guy and Sarah Elizabeth Hill Bradshaw in Summerville. She married John "Jack" Salisbury and lived in Union County until 1945 when she moved to Salem. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Ann Salisbury of Brigham City, Utah; four grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Her husband died earlier.

Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the American Diabetes Association, Oregon affiliate, 380 S.E. Spokane St., No. 110, Portland 97202.

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Verna Abel

Formerly of La Grande

1921-2004

Verna Christina Abel, 83, of Hermiston and formerly of La Grande died Aug. 30 at a care center. A graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Olney Cemetery in Pendleton. A celebration of life will follow at the home of Steve and Sherra Spike in Hermiston.

Mrs. Abel was born May 27, 1921, to Albert Crittendon and Tamry Hall Hensley in Pocatello, Idaho. She lived in

La Grande, Rieth and Pendleton. On June 30, 1940, she married Burl Abel in Boise. She worked as a secretary for the Stanfield School District for 12 years. She was a member of the Eagles’ Lodge and enjoyed country music, dancing and being with her family.

Survivors include children, Gary Abel of Tigard, Wayne Abel and Sherra Spike, both of Hermiston; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her husband and six siblings, Lena, Yank, Leola, Raymond, Dale, Bill and Forrest, all died earlier.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church or any charity in care of Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, P.O. Box 289 Hermiston 97838.

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Marty Bellisle

La Grande

1958-2004

Marty Samuel Bellisle, 45, of La Grande died Aug. 28 at his home. A memorial service will begin at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 5 at the home of Lorna and Marvin Fager, 58045 Pierce Road with Pastor Steve Kirkeby officiating.

Mr. Bellisle was born Nov. 4, 1958, to Arthur and Phyllis Sjogren Bellisle in Mount Vernon, Wash. He attended school in Vancouver, Wash., and worked as a manager of a warehouse in Vancouver before moving to La Grande in 2003. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his mother of La Grande; siblings and their spouses, Eddy and Linda Bellisle of Big Bear Lake, Calif., Alfred and Gale Bellisle of Sandpoint, Idaho, Frank Bellisle and Judy and Bill Bramley, all of Vancouver, and Shanon Posey of La Grande; and other relatives. His father and two brothers, Dan and Terry Bellisle, all died earlier.

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‘Jim’ Kinkead

Formerly of La Grande

1922-2004

James Robert "Jim" Kinkead, 82, of Pilot Rock and formerly of La Grande died Sept. 1 at his home. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Community Presbyterian Church in Pilot Rock.

Mr. Kin-kead was born March 10, 1922, to George Wesley and Edith Cowan Kin-kead in

La Grande. He graduated from Baker High School in 1941 and trained in machine and metal fabrication in the National Youth Administration. He worked in the shipyards in Vancouver, Wash., and served in the Navy during World War II. He attended Eastern Oregon College and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in forestry. In 1958 he married Barbara Livingston.

He worked for US Gypsum from 1954 to 1986 and served on the Pilot Rock School Board and budget committee. He was named First Citizen of Pilot Rock twice, and named Booster of the Year. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Pendleton Elks Lodge and the Union Masonic Lodge, and enjoyed sporting events at the high school, volunteering his time taking tickets, and helping raise funds for the youth of Pilot Rock.

Survivors include his wife of Pilot Rock; children and their spouses, Ray and Patti Kinkead, and Lisa and Kurt Cate, all of Pendleton, and James and Kathy Kinkead of Pilot Rock; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A daughter, Carla Dobbs, two sisters and a brother all died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the Pilot Rock Booster Club or the Pilot Rock Presbyterian Church in care of Bishop Funeral Chapel, 131 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton 97801-2210.

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‘Sarge’ Stahl

Enterprise

A celebration of life for Jeff "Sarge" Stahl will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the VFW Hall in Enterprise. Friends are encouraged to come and share their memories. For information call 263-0612.

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Virgil Choate

La Grande

1910-2004

Virgil Albert Choate, 94, of La Grande died Sept. 2 at a local care center. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.

Burial will follow at the Summerville Cemetery.

Mr. Choate was born July 7, 1910, to Thelbert A. and Mattie Hallgarth Choate on the family farm near Summerville. He attended schools in Elgin, a rural school in the lower Wallowa Valley, Summerville, Imbler and La Grande. He graduated from Imbler High School in 1930 and was one of the first 10 FFA members in Oregon to be awarded the State Farmer Degree.

He won the Union Pacific scholarship to Oregon State College but left school when his father became ill and he had to manage the farm. In 1933 he and his father moved to La Grande and established Choate’s Cigar Store.

He married Louise Wetzel on Aug. 15, 1933, in Pasco, Wash. He worked as a fireman for the Union Pacific Railroad for five years, then became a partner with a brother-in-law in Melville’s Gift Shop. He later sold the cigar store and bought the La Grande Outdoor Supply, which he ran until his retirement. He was a merchant in La Grande for over 45 years.

Mr. Choate was a life member of the Good Sam Club and a charter member of the Tri-Mountain Good Sam chapter; a life member of the Elks Lodge and a member of the Eagles, the Union County Museum, Union County Historical Society, Elgin Historical Society and the Wasco County Museum and Discovery Center. He enjoyed helping people and fed many hungry people. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and RV traveling with his wife.

Survivors include children and their spouses, Virgil L. and Carolyn Choate of The Dalles, and Nancy Christensen of Lebanon; a sister, Genevieve Turner of Beaverton; four grandchildren; several great-grandchildren, other relatives and a special friend, Dick Mason of La Grande. His wife died earlier.

Since he greatly enjoyed history and old photographs, the family suggest memorials be made to the Union County Museum, the Elgin Museum or the Union County Historical Society in care of Daniels Chapel.

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Milton Harris

Formerly of Cove

1920-2004

Milton Earl Harris, 83, of Canby and formerly of Cove died Sept. 1. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday in the Cove Cemetery.

Mr. Harris was born Oct. 14, 1920, to Momas and Gladys Harris in Cove. He graduated from Cove High School and Eastern Oregon College.

He served in the Army during World War II and spent his career in teaching elementary and junior high school in Dorena, Cottage Grove, Junction City, Granite Falls, Wash., Canby, Portland, Molalla and Rural Dell.

After retiring he worked for auto dealers transporting cars. He was a member and past master of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the LDS church. He enjoyed farming, gardening and traveling, visiting Japan and Hawaii and taking cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth of Canby; children, Gary Harris of Banks, Donna Carlson of Hermiston, Roger Harris of Canby and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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James Hart

Formerly of La Grande

1948-2004

James B. "Jim" Hart, 56,

of Irrigon and formerly of La Grande died Sept. 1 at his home. A graveside service began at 11 a.m. today at Desert Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Irrigon.

Mr. Hart was born July 7, 1948, to Donald and Dorla Hart in Meadville, Penn. He lived in California, Arizona, Ellensburg, Wash., and La Grande before moving to Irrigon in 1976. He worked in construction and was executive superintendent for O’Brien Construction of Hermiston for 12 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hang-gliding, building race cars and airplanes, barbecues and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Wondra of Irrigon; children, Tammy Spencer of Wenatchee, Wash., Cindy Hart of Irrigon, Kathy Piper of Hermiston and Nathaniel Caswell of Pendleton; 10 grandchildren; his father of Ellensburg; siblings, Nelson and John Hart, both of Eugene, Carolyn Hart of San Jose, Calif., and Sharon Larsen of La Grande. His mother, a sister, Judy Hayes, and his mother-in-law, Vavid Miller, all died earlier.

Contributions may be made to a memorial fund in care of Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, P.O. Box 289, Hermiston 97838.