Orrin Austin McCoy, 92, a longtime resident of Wallowa County, died March 16 at his daughter’s home in Redmond with his three daughters by his side. A graveside service is planned for 10 a.m. Friday at the Enterprise Cemetery, followed by a dinner at the Lostine Grange.

Mr. McCoy, known as Jake, was born Jan. 9, 1915, to Austin Nelson and Ada Lois McCoy in Wallowa. He married Bettie Lou Haney on May 10, 1941, and they had three daughters. He married Gladys Trump Haney in 1968.

A heavy equipment operator, Jake was a longtime member of the Lostine Grange. He worked the McCoy farms with his

brother Ed McCoy in Enterprise until retiring in 1994. He was a farmer at heart and enjoyed working on small engines and grading.

Survivors include his wife, Gladys; daughters, Betty Goebel of Wallowa, Lois Williams of Redmond and Shirley Surber of Metolius; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; and sister, Penny Terry of La Grande. He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and a sister.

Memorials may be made to a hospice or a charity of choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Autumn Funerals of Redmond.

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Jeffery Max Stevens, 39, formerly of La Grande, died March 10 after battling cancer. There will be a private family memorial service in Canby. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

Jeffery was born Aug. 22, 1967, to Arthur and Shirley (Shelly) Stevens in Oregon City, where he graduated from high school. He never married and was a painter by trade. He enjoyed spending time with his children, taking trips to the Wildhorse Casino in Pendleton, bowling and working in his yard.

Survivors include his children, Jessy Stevens of Milwaukie and Desiree Stevens of La Grande; siblings and their spouses, Rick and Sandi Stevens and Cheryl (Chester) Gunter, all of La Grande; one grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Gus Stevens.

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Joyce Nadeane Skillings, 69, died of natural causes March 14 at her home in Wallowa. A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Wallowa Community Center.

Joyce was born April 26, 1937, to Donald and Cora (Sasser) Hough in Enterprise. She was the first grandchild born to Wallowa County pioneers Joe and Ava (Roark) Sasser. She was educated in Wallowa, graduating as valedictorian in 1955. While in high school, she worked at Burrows Cafe.

Joyce attended what is now Eastern Oregon University and worked at the Highway Cafe in La Grande, where she met Neal Robert Skillings. They married in 1956.

Joyce enjoyed being involved in her children and grandchildren’s lives, attending their sports events and other activities. She loved playing cards, going to coffee, playing bingo and volunteering at the Community Center, Wallowa Alumni and the Oyster Feed. She was a member of the La Grande Women’s Bowling Association for many years and traveled across the United States for bowling tournaments. She was a member of the La Grande Eagles Auxiliary. She also helped with the first Spook-a-roma and played on Riveria’s parents volleyball team. Joyce worked at Safeway in La Grande and Enterprise for many years.

Survivors include her husband of more than 50 years, Neal of Wallowa; children and their spouses, Benny and Karen Skillings of Summerville and Dawna and Cody Miller and Ava JoAnne Skillings, all of Wallowa; and three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Wallowa Community Center.

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Dorothy Laree Norton Britton Kuba, 74, of Cottage Grove and formerly of La Grande and Wallowa County, died March 15. A graveside memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. March 24 at the Wallowa Cemetery. A lunch for family and friends will be served at 1 p.m. at the VFW Hall in Enterprise. Arrange-ments are under the direction of Bollman Funeral Home, Enterprise.

Dorothy was born Nov. 11, 1932, to William and Eva (Scrivner) Norton in Nampa, Idaho. The third of seven children, she moved with her family to La Grande in 1941 and to Enterprise in 1942. In 1944 the family moved again to Seneca, where her father was a logger, and later to Scio, where she met Willard Britton, whom she married in 1949.

Dorothy and Willard lived in Albany, where two children were born. In 1954 they moved to Wallowa, where Willard was employed at the sawmill, and they had two more children. The family suffered the loss of 5-year-old Cathy in 1958 from complications from one of the earliest open-heart surgeries, at OHSU.

In 1964 they moved to Cottage Grove, where Dorothy worked as a school custodian until retirement. She and Willard divorced in 1974. In 1980 she married Ryoyei (Roy) Kuba, and they continued to live in Cottage Grove. Dorothy was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Moose Lodge.

Survivors include her husband, Roy Kuba; former husband, Willard Britton; children and their spouses, Kenneth Britton, Larry Britton and Lyle and Gina Britton; siblings and their spouses, Clarence and Frances Norton, Agnes Roberts, Juanita Hanson and Mary Horton; and 11 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Catherine Laree Britton; and siblings, Richard Norton and Marjorie Fincher.

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Betty Jane Christensen, 88, formerly of La Grande, died March 17 in Gilbert, Ariz. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande, and 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center, 1802 Gekeler. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the LDS Stake Center, followed by dedication of the grave at Grandview Cemetery.

Mrs. Chistensen was born March 16, 1919, to Roy and Blanche (Kessler) Grice in Hutchinson, Kan. Her family moved to Oregon when she was a child, first to Pendleton and a short time later to La Grande. She spent more than 70 years in the Grande Ronde Valley.

A 1937 graduate of La Grande High School, she was involved in many high school activities, including her role as Little Eva in the play "Uncle Tom’s Cabin" in which she was hoisted to heaven on a rope.

After high school, trained and graduated as a registered nurse from the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. Mrs. Christensen returned to La Grande in 1941, where she worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She later joined the Army Nurses Corp and spent most of her time on the maternity ward in Oakland, Calif.

She met Russell "Lamar" Christensen upon her return to La Grande. They were married Feb. 1, 1947. Lamar preceded her in death in 2003.

She worked as a nurse in various capacities for 34 years, including St. Joseph’s Hospital, Eastern Oregon University Health Center, Union County Health Department and Home Health.

Mrs. Christensen’s central focus was her family. She was a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1958 and served in many positions in the church.

In their later years, the Christensens moved to Kent, Wash., with their daughter and son-in-law and later accompanied them to Gilbert, Ariz., where Mrs. Christensen continued to live until her death.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Steve and Melody Christensen of Portland, Rebecca and Dennis Cass of Gilbert, Ariz., and Russell and Molly Christensen of Salem; brother and sister-in-law, Roy "Bud" and Maggie Grice of Boise; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and a niece and a nephew.

Memorials may be made to the La Grande Family History Center or to the American Cancer Society in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande 97850.

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Jack LeRoy Courtney, 85, of Perry, died March 18 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande.

Mr. Courtney was born March 20, 1921, to John LeRoy and Nora Edna (Arnett) Courtney in La Grande. He graduated from La Grande High School and served in the Navy aboard the USS Enterprise as an electrician’s mate during World War II.

On July 12, 1952, he married Opal Mae "Mickey" Stringham in La Grande. He ranched most of his life and worked for Boise Cascade until retiring in 1982.

Jack was a member of the La Grande Elks Lodge, the La Grande Eagles Lodge and the Farm Bureau. He loved to be in the hills, working fences or cattle or just looking at the scenery. He had a good sense of humor and always made people feel good.

Survivors include his wife, Mickey of Perry; daughter, Sherry Royston of La Grande; one granddaughter and three great-grandsons; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Hubert, Lester, George and Burl Courtney and Marjorie Weir and Mildred Snodgrass.

Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.

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Robert Lee Pierce, 58, of La Grande, died March 12 at his home after a long battle with multiple myeloma. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

Known as Bob, he was born Oct. 16, 1948, to Robert and Phyllis (Eckelman) Pierce in Portland. He graduated from Beaverton High School.

Bob served in the Air Force from 1967 to 1971. While stationed in Georgia, he met and married Julia LaFavor. They had a son, Scott, in 1972. The couple later divorced.

After moving back to Oregon, Bob met Helen "Ann" Wilson, whom he married in 1974. Ann had two daughters, Sonnet and Sandy, and Bob and Ann had a son, Danial. They lived in Verona and raised their children on a small farm. During this time Bob drove a log truck and enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and playing musical instruments.

The family moved to North Powder in 1994 and opened an adult foster care home.

In 1998 Bob and Ann divorced. Bob moved to Starkey and drove truck for Gresham Transfer. He loved the Starkey area and spent his free time playing music and hiking around the mountains.

In 1999 Bob met Doreen Boyer. They married in September 2004, adding stepchildren Sheila and Jeremy to his family, and they made their home in La Grande. Bob’s health forced him to retire in 2004, which gave him time to do the things he loved playing music and spending time with his kids and grandchildren. He also was able to get reacquainted with his brothers and sisters, who share his gift of music.

Survivors include his wife, Doreen of La Grande; children and their spouses, Scott and Tonya Pierce of Baker City and Danial Pierce of Kona, Hawaii; stepchildren and their spouses, Sonnet and Sandy of Washington, Sheila and Tyson Orr of North Powder and Jeremy Boyer of Monument; siblings, Donna Kinsman, Laura Garcia, Ron Pierce and Dennis Pierce; 11 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Larry Pierce.

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Kathleen Enid Sanderson, 83, of La Grande, died March 19 at a local care home. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. April 14 at the Island City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Kathleen was born Oct.22, 1923, to Thomas Houston and Lucinda (Davis) Blackman in Island City. On Jan. 8, 1941, she married Delbert "Bud" Sanderson in Weiser, Idaho.

During World War II she ran the head rig for Mt. Emily Lumber and was a "Rosie the Riveter" for Reur Aircraft in San Diego, Calif. After the war, she and Bud returned to La Grande.

Mrs. Sanderson was a member of the La Grande Eagles Auxiliary.

She kept a well-groomed and weed-free garden every year. She loved fishing, hunting, camping and music and was a fan of the Portland Trail Blazers and the Seattle Mariners. A fun-loving woman who always had a smile on her face, she had a great sense of humor and was never at a lack for a joke or story.

Mrs. Sanderson had very original and inherited sayings that will be passed down in her family. Known as "Cookie Grandma," she was an excellent cook. At Christmastime she made many homemade candies.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Judie and George Kleng of La Grande, Michael and Bernie Sanderson of Hermiston and Deleen and Dave Wyland of Summerville; siblings, Clara Huff and Pat Hardwick, both of La Grande, and Bob Blackman of Island City; eight grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband and brothers, Levi and Walter Blackman.

Memorials may be made to the Oregon Trail Diabetes Association in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh Street, La Grande 97850.

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Barbara Joan Gray, 70, of Union, died March 20 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. At her request, there will not be a formal service, but all are welcome to attend a gathering in remembrance at 11 a.m. Saturday at the VFW Hall in Union. The family requests no gifts or food.

Barbara was born Nov. 21, 1936, in Enterprise. She was educated in La Grande, graduating from La Grande High School and attending what is now Eastern Oregon University.

Barbara married Wade Crook in Portland; they later divorced.

She lived in Seattle for many years and worked as a typesetter for various newspapers, including the Post Intelligencer and the Seattle Times. Upon retirement she moved back to the Grande Ronde Valley.

Barbara loved animals and the outdoors. Although declining health kept her increasingly indoors, she loved watching the birds and squirrels come to her patio feeders.

Her part-Siamese cat, Surena, was an important part of her life.

Barbara had a lifelong love of reading and was a talented writer, leaving a legacy of poems, essays and short stories. Using her typesetting skills, she designed and published a treasured family history book as well as an annual family newsletter.

Very active in the community, Barbara served on the Union City Council and volunteered with the annual Grassroots Festival. She received Union’s 2005 Woman of the Year award.

Survivors include her mother, Eunice Gray of La Grande; siblings and their spouses, Doris and Greg Tsiatsos of Starkey and Don and Brenda Gray of Murrieta, Calif.; aunts and uncles, Harold and Katie Scott of Central Point, Ralph and Jean Scott of Joseph and Ethel Burgett of Omak, Wash.; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her father, Lloyd Gray.

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Evelyn Irene Weatherspoon, 67, of Elgin, died March 18 at her home. A celebration of life began at noon today at the Rockwall Grange.

Mrs. Weatherspoon was born April 18, 1939, to Lloyd Rodney and Gladys Marie (Dodson) Brock in White Salmon, Wash. She graduated from high school in Portland. In 1984 she moved to Elgin from Portland and worked as a bartender.

On April 7, 1988, she married Donald Weatherspoon in Elgin. He died Sept. 15, 2005.

Mrs. Weatherspoon loved rock hunting and the outdoors. She enjoyed her home and family.

Survivors include her brother, Dwayne Lee Brock of Waukomish, Okla., and sister, Rita Sleight of Washougal, Wash.; two nephews; two nieces; numerous cousins and other relatives.

Memorials may be made to the Elgin/Imbler Philly Trip in care of Daniels Chapel

of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.