John Eric Whelan, 34, of Nampa, Idaho, and formerly of Union County, died May 9 in Nampa. A celebration of life will begin at noon Tuesday at the Wallowa United Methodist Church, 102 West First St. Burial will follow at the Bramlet Cemetery.

John was born in 1972 in Chester, Calif., and lived in Half Moon Bay, Calif., until 1989 when his family moved to Summerville. He graduated from Imbler High School in 1990 and moved to

La Grande in 1991. He worked at the La Grande Country Club prior to taking a position at Albertson’s in La Grande. In 1999 he moved to the Boise area and worked at the Albertson’s in Eagle, Idaho.

John married Janelle Larkins in 2000. They made their home in Nampa with their horses and dogs. He later became the general merchandise manager at Paul’s Market in Kuna, Idaho.

John enjoyed golfing, steelhead fishing, bird hunting with his dog and being at the ocean. He loved his family very much, and Janelle was the love of his life.

Survivors include his wife, Janelle; parents, Dave and Val Whelan of Summerville; and grandparents, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

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Robert Henry Baldwin, 60, of Cove and formerly of South Dakota and Connecticut, died May 11 of cancer. A celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St.,

La Grande. A memorial service will also take place Saturday in Rapid City, S.D., and June 3 in Taftville, Conn.

Known as Bob, he was born April 24, 1947, to Earl and Alice (Matte) Baldwin in Norwich, Conn. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1966 and served 26 years until his retirement at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., in 1992.

On August 16, 1969, Bob married Patricia Marie Butler. They were married 37 years and

had two daughters.

Bob was an accomplished craftsman, an avid golfer and a beloved Gramps and friend to many. He enjoyed using his talents to benefit others.

Survivors include his wife, Pat of Cove; daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Michael Ragon of Sioux Falls, S.D., and daughter, Lisa Hulse of Cove; four grandchildren; mother, Alice Baldwin of Taftville, Conn.; sisters, Jean Chasse of Taftville, Conn., Earlene Morey of Plainfield, Conn., and Lynn Morey of Canterbury, Conn.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and two brothers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Herring House in care of St. Mary’s Medical Center, Development Office, P.O. Box 1477, Walla Walla, Wash. 99362.

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Sarah Elizabeth Ford, also known as Sarah Evans, 18, of La Grande, died March 15.

Sarah was born June 13, 1988. She grew up in La Grande and graduated from La Grande High School in 2006. She was engaged to be married to Daniel Blanchard, also of La Grande. They were both planning on attending Eastern Oregon University in the fall.

Survivors include her parents, Warren and Ellen Evans; brother, Jason Evans; and stepsiblings, Tabitha, Melody and Enoch Evans.

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Charles O. Forthman, 85, of Hermiston and formerly of Flora, died May 12 at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Veterans Administration Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash. Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m. (Mountain Time) Wednesday at the Evergreen Cemetery in Ontario. Visitation hours will be from

7 to 9 p.m. today at Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home, Milton-Freewater.

Mr. Forthman was born April 21, 1922, to William T. and Margery M. (Ager) Forthman in a log house in Flora. In 1940 he studied mechanics in heavy equipment and truck driving at the National Youth Association School in Pendleton. In 1943 he attended five weeks of school for heavy equipment and truck driving.

During World War II Charles was drafted into the Air Force, serving in Italy and the Philippines. He received an honorable discharge in January 1946 and was very proud of his service time and of being a veteran.

After his return he was employed as a log truck driver, sawmill worker, farmer, millwright and jack-of-all-trades.

In 1997 Charles attended a school reunion in Flora and became reacquainted with Voneta Brock and they have been together since. In 2003 he moved to Hermiston.

An outdoorsman, he enjoyed elk, deer, grouse and pheasant hunting and fishing and camping with his family. After eight years he finally drew a big horn sheep tag for the Owyhee Unit in 2000.

Charles was a passionate supporter of the National Rifle Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Special Olympics. He became involved with the Special Olympics when a granddaughter became handicapped.

Survivors include his companion, Voneta Brock of Hermiston; children, Lynnette Forthman and Steve Forthman, both of Milton-Freewater, and Carolyn Munden of Lowden, Wash.; sister, JoyDean Williams of Ontario; and five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Vandon Forthman; uncle, Dallas Forthman; and nephew, N. Lynn Williams.

Memorials may be made to the Special Olympics, National Rifle Association or the VFW Post No. 4567 in care of Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home, 902 S. Main St., Milton-Freewater 97862.

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Milodene Ada Groupe, 85, died on her birthday, May 12, at Vermont Hills Care Center in Portland. A graveside service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday at the Summerville Cemetery. A celebration of life will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley in La Grande. A luncheon will follow at the La Grande Country Club at 12:30 p.m.

Mrs. Groupe was born May 12, 1922, to Ada Frances (Colt) and M.J. Goss III in La Grande. She attended La Grande schools, graduating from La Grande High School in 1939. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in education, a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

She taught school in Lowell, at Roosevelt High School in Portland and at La Grande High School. She married John Norman Groupe Dec. 9, 1945, in La Grande.

Mrs. Groupe served as a perpetual room mother during her children’s school years.

Her volunteer activities ran the gamut from Presbyterian Church wedding reception co-coordinator to Union County chairperson for Gov. Victor Atiyeh’s campaign. In addition, participating in art club and P.E.O. provided her with opportunities to serve, learn and educate. She was also a dedicated wife and mother.

Survivors include her husband, John N. Groupe of Tigard; children and their spouses, Dr. John R. and Cindy Groupe of Pendleton, Mary Crittenden of Lake Oswego and Melinda Ann and Peter Kennedy of Bellevue; brother and sister-in-law, Robert Dale and Delorris Goss of La Grande; and nine grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brothers, M.J. (Bill) Goss IV and Kenton Earl Goss, and a grandson, Charles Olaf (Ole) Groupe.

Memorials may be made to Providence St. Vincent Hospice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.,

La Grande 97850.

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Lois Yeske, 76, died May 3 at her home in Lebanon. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the family home, 38811 Collins Lane, Lebanon.

Lois was born Oct. 16, 1930, to Henry Dallas and Helen E. (Fleetwood) Johnston in Huntington. She grew up in La Grande and graduated from La Grande High School.

On April 22, 1949, she married Donald A. Yeske in La Grande.

In 1951 they moved to the Sacramento, Calif., area. Lois worked for the State of California until retiring in 1991. They returned to Oregon at that time, settling in Lebanon.

Lois belonged to the Lebanon Genealogy Society. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, quilting and genealogy. She loved being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include sons and their spouses, Mark and Colleen Yeske and W. Cory Yeske; sisters, Anita Dougherty, Joanne Hewitt and Patricia Ross; and three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald A. Yeske, in June 2006; son, Alan Kent Yeske in 2004; grandson, Derrick Yeske; and siblings, Doris Pierson Henry Dallas Johnston.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon 97355, condolences at www.hustonjost.com.

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Helen Denise Brito, 63, died May 13 at her daughter’s home in North Powder. Services are planned for this weekend in Battleground, Wash. Arrangements are under the direction of Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, Baker City.

Known as Denise, Mrs. Brito was born May 7, 1944, to Goldia Lavern and Helen Virginia (Brown) White in West Frankford, Ill.

On Nov. 1, 1960, Denise married Joseph Brito Jr. in Las Vegas. She had known him most of her life. The couple lived in Orange County, Calif., where they raised three children. In 1993, she moved to North Powder.

Denise was a very giving person. She lived for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Throughout North Powder, she was known as "Grandma."

She loved baking treats for her family and extended family in North Powder.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Marcia and Joseph Maddox of North Powder, Lisa and Bernie Stanford of Washougal, Wash., and Joseph Brito and his life partner Dennis Endicott of Baker City; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and siblings, Barney White, David White, Mark White, Gary White, Linda Comley, Deanna Rezutti, Kathy Hartmann and Chris White. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1999.

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J.C. Hawthorne, 81, of Portland and formerly of La Grande, died May 3. A memorial service was conducted May 7 in Portland. Burial was at Portland’s Willamette National Cemetery.

Mr. Hawthorne was born April 23, 1925, to Joe and Carutha (Steel) Hawthorne in Newton, Texas.

He served in the Army during World War II. After receiving an honorable discharge, he moved to Oregon in 1946 to work in the logging industry.

In 1948 he married Marian Leake. The couple had three daughters and later divorced. He married Helen Rymes in 1957, and they had six sons.

Following the dissolution of his second marriage, he returned to Texas, where he lived in Buna for 30 years.

In 2006, at the urging of his daughters, he moved to Portland, where he lived until his death.

Mr. Hawthorne enjoyed fishing, hunting, debating politics and cooking. A talented gard-ener, he was known for growing the best watermelon in Jasper County, Texas. He loved sports and was a regular at Little League games. He was also involved in community service and received numerous awards for his community work.

Survivors include his children and their spouses, Vinie Bethune of Santa Ana, Calif., Dianne Smith of Portland, Delores Cuie of Portland, Johnny and Paula Hawthorne of Oakland, Calif., Lenroe Hawthorne of Portland, Edward Hawthorne of Seattle, Clarence and Faunstina Hawthorne of Chattanooga, Tenn., Rodney and Claudia Hawthorne of Vancouver, Wash., and James Hawthorne of Vancouver, Wash.; 20 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; siblings and their spouses, Ruby McCain, JoAnna Walker, Beady Carol, Lenroe and Beverly Hawthorne, Edward and Clara Hawthorne and Jerry and Georgia Hawthorne; and best friend, Rose Johnson of Silsby, Texas. He was preceded in death by a brother, Lewis Hawthorne.

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Florence Mabel Carter, 84, formerly of La Grande, died May 11 at her home in Florence. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Mapleton. Arrangements are under the direction of Dunes Memorial Chapel, Reedsport.

Mrs. Carter was born Dec. 30, 1922, to Myrven and Jettie Stewart in Marshall County, S.D. Raised there, she moved to Minnesota after graduating from high school.

She attended St. Cloud Teachers College and taught in a one-room schoolhouse in North Dakota. During World War II, she tested radios in bombers at Holman Field and also worked as a mail censor at a POW camp in Georgia.

On Sept. 30, 1944, she married Ralph V. Carter in Deer Creek, Minn. In 1959, along with their four children, they moved to Oregon. They have lived in Klamath Falls, Prineville, La Grande, Portland, Salem, Mapleton and Florence. She worked as an apartment manager, a U.S. census taker, an assistant in the Crook County Assessor Office and as a matron for the La Grande Police Department.

She was an avid reader, expert seamstress and needlecrafter, baker extraordinaire and gifted gardener. She even raised pineapples in Mapleton.

Survivors include her children, Shari McGlasson, Deb Lee, R. Doug Carter and Connie Barton; siblings, Frances Peterson of South Dakota, Glenn Stewart and George Stewart of Minnesota, Andy Stewart and Jack Stewart of Arizona; 15 grandchildren and a multitude of great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and sisters, Vivian and Mae.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 1846 Pearl St., Eugene 97401 or to Peace Harbor Hospice, 310 Ninth St., Florence 97439.

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George James Deal, 86, of North Powder, died May 15 in La Grande. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mr. Deal was born Jan. 27, 1921, to George W. and Blanche (McCarger) Deal in Rainer. He graduated from Rainer High School and served in the Army during World War II.

On May 11, 1944, he married Ruth Holcom. He worked as a pipefitter and they lived in various places in the Northwest, including Pasco, Moses Lake, Imbler and Baker City. He enjoyed his family and reading.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Deal of North Powder; children and their spouses, Tom and Diane Deal of Elgin, Nicki and Gene Hiner of North Powder, John Deal of Cove and Jim and Trilla Deal of Imbler; siblings and their spouses, Eddie and Jeannie Deal of Kennewick and Dorothy and Bill Gallaher of Keizer; 12 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; and other

relatives.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Union County Veteran’s Office in

care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.

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Jane Cronin, 88, of La Grande and formerly of Wallowa County, died May 13. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. June 2 at the Enterprise Community Congregational Church.

Mrs. Cronin was born Aug. 22, 1918, in Melrose, Idaho, a few miles north of Lewiston, on a farm owned by her parents, Gertrude and Samuel Sardam. She graduated from Lewiston Normal School and then

attended Eastern Oregon Normal School.

Jane began her teaching career in Lewis, a town in Wallowa County just outside of Enterprise. In true pioneer fashion, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse and rode to school each day on horseback. She told the story of how one day the county superintendent visited the school and was surprised to see her dressed in such professional attire. Jane commented that she always changed into a dress after arriving at school and building a fire to keep the room warm.

Jane continued her career as an educator and taught elementary school in Joseph and then Enterprise. She was a teacher in Wallowa County for 32 years and always said that she grew to love every student who went through her class.

She married Vic Cronin Sept. 5, 1942. He managed the Boise Cascade lumber mills in Joseph, Elgin and La Grande. When he retired, the couple moved to

La Grande. They were married a few months shy of 60 years at the time of Vic’s death.

On spring and summer evenings, Jane and Vic could often be found fishing on Wallowa Lake or enjoying a round of golf. They truly enjoyed their life together.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Vici Cronin and David Lindberg, and two grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in care of Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main St., Enterprise 97828.