Miller, Carman, Curtiss, Thiesen, DeBoie, Twedt, Ward, Andrews, Parker, Taal, Troutman, Lingafelter

Mary Ellen Miller, 87, of La Grande, died April 17 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Mary Ellen was born June 4, 1920, to John Joseph and Beaulah May (Bell) Robinson in Clarenton, Texas. On June 16, 1942, she married Charles Miller in New Mexico. They lived in Weiser, Idaho, for 41 years before moving to La Grande. Charles preceded her in death on Dec. 13, 1993.

Mary Ellen was a life member of the Order of Eastern Star in Weiser. She also belonged to Daughters of the Nile.

Survivors include her daughters, Mary Ann Miller of La Grande and Joellen Miller Lane of Longview, Wash.; two granddaughters; and two great-grandsons. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son-in-law, Jerry Thompson; and a grandson, Zachary Hiram Lane.

Memorial contributions may be made to any charity in care of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center.

Beverly June Carman, 79, of Union, died April 12. A celebration of life begins at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Union United Methodist Church with a potluck gathering at the church to follow immediately after the services. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

She was born Nov. 2, 1928, to Roy F. Gipson and Blanche E. Wilson in Union. Beverly was married 25 years to Homer Collins and they had two children: Blanche Ann (Collins) Leonard and Thomas Roy Collins. She was married to Paul Carman for 31 years until his death in 2005.

Beverly worked for G. I. Hess as a bookkeeper at the Union Lumber Mill. She was a homemaker for many years while raising the children and was a bookkeeper for K-Log Logging Inc. – a business she ran with her first husband, Homer Collins.

She worked for GTE for 15 years after the children were grown until her retirement in 1993. Beverly was a Cub Scout leader, room mother, 4-H knitting leader and a Brownie leader. She enjoyed crocheting, painting, sewing and squaredancing. Those who knew her say she immensely enjoyed her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by two children and their spouses, Blanche and her husband, Emery Leonard, of La Grande, Tom and his wife, Jeannie Collins, of Elgin; four stepchildren, Sandy and her husband, Ron Droke, of Union, Paul and his wife, Brenda Carman. of Union, Elvin and his wife, Carolyn Carman, of Montana, and Rod Carman of Portland; five grandchildren, 12 great-grandhildren; numerous step-grandchildren; siblings, Dick Gipson of Firth, Idaho; Roy and his wife, June Gipson, of Nampa, Idaho; and Janice and Gail Keffer of Joseph.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husbands.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bobcat Scholarship Foundation, the Union Cemetery drinking fountain or any other charity.

Anna L. Curtiss, 71, of La Grande, died April 17 at home surrounded by her family. A graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Grandview Cemetery. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Anna was born Jan. 1, 1937, to John and Gladys (Ratcliffe) Rom in Portland. She was raised and educated in Portland and attended two years of college at Columbia Basin College in Tri-Cities, Wash.

She married William Curtiss on Oct. 17, 1955, in Downey, Calif. Anna moved to La Grande from Tri-Cities about nine years ago. She owned and operated an art and craft boutique in Rockaway Beach, and also worked as a waitress and an apartment manager. But those who knew her say her greatest accomplishment was raising her five children and three of her grandchildren.

She enjoyed art, music, literature and theater, and was an accomplished oil painter.

Her open-door policy with children and teens made her home a safe haven to many who fondly called her Grandma or Grannie.

She is survived by her children, Mary DeWeber of Royal, Ark; Debra Kelsay of La Grande; William Curtiss, Jr. of La Grande; and Annette Curtiss of Spokane; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one stepgrandson, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; a daughter, Linda Bacon; and three sisters.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande 97850.

Russell Clark Thiesen, 82, of Joseph, died April 19. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Joseph Baptist Church with burial to follow at 3 p.m. Friday at Greenwood Memorial Terrace in Spokane.

Russell was born Sept. 25, 1925, to Harold and Viola Mae in rural Columbia County in Wisconsin. He was the second of eight children.

Russell was a wounded veteran of World War II. After he married, he moved to Seaside and worked for the state highway department. Later he became a member of the city police force. He moved his family to Spokane, where he worked several jobs, eventually going back to security. He soon moved back to working for the state highway department where he worked his way up to foreman then retired in the early ’80s.

Russell moved to Joseph where he was active in the community and was an active member of the Joseph Baptist Church, where he met Maxine. The couple married Oct. 30, 1992.

Russell is survived by his wife, Maxine; four sons, Mike, Bill, Jim and Ted; stepsons, Dennis, Dave and Don; sister, Shirley Gabbei; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Alberta.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Joseph Baptist Church in care of the Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main St., Enterprise 97828.

Ross Graham DeBoie, 67, of Pittsburg, Calif., and formerly of La Grande, died March 30 at his home from complications of an extended lung illness. A memorial service celebrating his life will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral Cremation and Life Celebration Center.

Ross will buried next to his father in the Hillcrest East Cemetery in La Grande, in the community he considered a place of family and peace.

Ross was born June 8, 1940, to Ralph and Bonnie DeBoie at St. Joseph’s Hospital in La Grande where he was raised and educated. He attended Ackerman Elementary and La Grande Junior High and graduated from La Grande High School with the Class of 1959.

As a youth, he was an active member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in La Grande. While attending Eastern Oregon College he was a photographer for Perry’s Studio in La Grande.

In 1962 he entered the U.S. Air Force. He completed his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, then Tech School in Montgomery, Ala., where he was trained to be a dental lab technician. He was subsequently stationed at March Air Force Base in Riverside, Calif., Goose Bay Air Force Base in Goose Bay, Labrador, Beale Air Force Base in Maryville, Calif., before retiring as a tech sergeant after 20 years of service. Following his honorable discharge in 1982 he resided in Concord, Calif., where he worked for a private dental lab. In 1984 he began working as a dental lab tech for the Veterans Administration in Martinez, Calif.

After retiring from his second career on April 1, 2006, Ross began enjoying the retired life while continuing his active involvement in Pittsburg community affairs. His involvements included serving several terms on the board of directors of the Bay Harbor Homeowners Association, City of Pittsburg Community Advisory Commission, City Traffic and Circulation Advisory Board and the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee. He was a volunteer for the Pittsburg Seafood Festival and served on its board of directors. He was a member of the Pittsburg Elks Lodge, the Country Waffles Breakfast Club and the Smokehouse Coffee Club in La Grande, which was started by his father.

Ross enjoyed photography, electronics of any type, automobiles and bocce ball. He traveled to Italy several times, to the home of his foreign exchange student, Simone Ghiotti. He loved his family, especially his nieces and grandnephews. He appreciated good food and expensive wine, classical music, musicals and television. Most importantly he enjoyed his friends.

Survivors include his mother, Bonnie DeBoie of La Grande; brother and sister-in-law, John and Nancy DeBoie of Albany; several nieces; two grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph DeBoie, in 1999.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association or the American Heart Association in care of Daniels-Knopp, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.

Terrance “Terry” Lee Twedt, 72, of Pacific City and formerly of La Grande, died at his home April 21 surrounded by family. A life celebration reception will run from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Kiawanda Community Center in Pacific City.

Terry was born July 14, 1935, to Irvin and Virgie (Wilson) Twedt in Omaha, Neb. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Army. In 1961 he married Karin Lee Twedt in Portland. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Oregon State University and worked in management with Boise Cascade in La Grande and Many, La., retiring in 1994.

In January 1995, Terry and Karin settled on the Oregon coast in Pacific City where Terry enjoyed photography, walking on the beach, playing cards and taking part in the Kiawanda Community Center activities.

Survivors include his wife, Karin; son and daughter-in-law, Ken Twedt and Kendal Shaber of Wexford, Pa.; daughter and son-in-law, JoAnna and Dale Wilson of Payson, Ariz.; five grandchildren; and special care givers, Perry and Ginny Sorenson of Pacific City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kiawanda Community Center in care of Waud’s Funeral Home.

Tess Ward, 81, of Joseph, died peacefully from complications of lung cancer April 13 at her home on the banks of the Wallowa River. Services begin at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the United Methodist Church in Joseph with Pastor Craig Strobel officiating. A celebration of life reception begins at 4:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall on Main Street in Joseph.

Tess was born Nov. 26, 1926, to John and Katherine Bellan in Pittsburgh, Pa. Her 3-year-old sister soon named her Tessie.

Tess received her RN in 1947 from Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh and took her first position at The Warren State Hospital in Warren, Pa., where she was to meet and marry her lifelong partner and friend, John Grodel Ward. They married in 1949, then moved to Albuquerque, N.M., where John graduated from the university and the couple raised their four girls and two boys.

Tess spent her working life as a psychiatric head nurse in Albuquerque and then a psychiatric counselor in Richland, Wash. The family moved to Richland in 1967. Her work life was at the Mid-Columbia Mental Health Center where she was associate director. Her volunteer life was at the Central United Protestant Church. Those who knew her say her garden sustained her.

While living in Richland, Tess was an avid Bomber basketball fan. She was part of the Cursillo movement and the Walk to Emmaus. Tess was also accredited as a flower judge.

Tess and John moved to the Wallowa Valley north of Joseph in 1993 and found their spiritual home at Joseph United Methodist Church.

Those who knew her say Tess was devoted to unconditional love and she shared her love through her delicious pies and cookies.

Survivors include her husband, John; children, Lisa Sprecker and her husband, Jerry Whiting of Seattle, Robert Ward and his wife, Becky, of Whidbey Island, Wash., Jan Ward of Boulder, Colo., Mari Hanson and her husband, Mark, of

La Grande, John Ward and his wife Joneen of Boise; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a niece. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Gina Lea; and a sister, Virginia.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Joseph United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 87, Joseph or to the Friends of the Joseph Branch, P.O. Box 422, Enterprise 97828.

Horton K. Andrews, 92, longtime resident of La Grande and Union County, died April 20 in a Portland nursing home following an extended illness. At his request there will be no service. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Alternative Burial and Cremation of Oregon are in charge of arrangements.

Horton was born July 19, 1915, in Perry. In 1933 he graduated from La Grande High School – a school he was proud to have represented in the first statewide high school basketball tournament.

He worked for the Mount Emily Lumber Co. for 30 years and later spent 15 years as the first chemistry storeroom keeper at Eastern Oregon University. On May 3, 1941, he married Ruth E. Tulley at her family home in Wallowa.

He was long active in the La Grande United Methodist Church. He and Ruth enjoyed attending plays and concerts at the college and dinners with the Knife and Fork Club. In the 1950s and early 1960s, he served on the La Grande School Board, including a term as its chair.

His childhood in Perry left him an authority on its sawmills and the Grande Ronde River log drives, and it helped foster his lifelong love for the history and geography of Northeast Oregon. As his sometimes weary family could attest, he tried to drive or hike nearly every road, track or trail in the central and northern Blue Mountains. Few lakes in the Wallowas escaped his visit.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth; daughters, Karla Long of Albany and Sharla Rickles of Portland; son, Michael Andrews of Gresham; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Barbara Jean Parker, 73, of Joseph and formerly of La Grande, died April 19 at Wildflower Lodge, a local care center. At her request there will be no service.

Barbara was born July 27, 1934, to Arnold and Bernice (Phillips) Suydam in La Grande where she was raised and educated, graduating with the La Grande High School Class of 1952.

While working in a local restaurant she met a recently discharged soldier and on Jan. 22, 1957, she married Hubert “Hugh” Parker in La Grande. They lived in Seattle for a short time before making their home in Wallowa County. Barbara worked as a custodian for the Wallowa County Courthouse until retiring in 1997.

Barbara loved the outdoors, boating, fishing, camping and cutting wood. She enjoyed gardening, both vegetables and flowers. She was very proud of her yard and garden. She liked to crochet and paint the yard ornaments that her husband made.

Survivors include her husband, of Joseph; children, Sally Parker of Hermiston, Scott Parker of Joseph, Teresa Currier of Bend and Michael Parker of Athena; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert “Bob” Suydam.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in care of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. La Grande 97850.

Beulah May Taal, 92, of La Grande, died April 21 at a local care center. A celebration of life will run from 1 to 3 p.m. May 3 at her home at 1903 Washington Ave. in La Grande. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Beulah was born Dec. 10, 1915, in Starkey. She lived there for a few years until she moved with her family to Island City. She went to grade school in Island City, then on to high school in La Grande.

In 1937, she married Winnie Taal. They lived a few years in Owsley Canyon where they had a ranch. They then moved to Lakeview for a few years. Around 1945, they moved to the old Mount Emily lumber camp in Starkey. They lived there until 1955, then bought a home in La Grande.

She and Winnie liked to go camping and fishing. She took pride in her yard and home and her card parties with friends.

Survivors include a daughter, Annette Hoadley; several grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; brothers and their wives, Ralph and Myrtle Hagey, Darl Hagey, Floyd and Evelyn Hagey and Cliff and Ruth Hagey; parents, Henry and Maggie Hagey; and son-in-law, Bob Hoadley.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grande Ronde Hospital Home Health Hospice.

David Joseph Troutman, 72, of Hillsboro and formerly of La Grande, died peacefully April 18 at Tuality Community Hospital. A private celebration of life is planned for May 10. Tualatin Valley Funeral Alternatives at 237 W. Main St. in Hillsboro is in charge of arrangements.

David was born Jan. 10, 1936, to William and Ethel Troutman in Hillsboro. He attended North Plains Elementary School and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1954. He was active in sports and held the state broad jump track record for more than 20 years. He attended Pacific University in Forest Grove for two years.

He worked with the Oregon State Highway Department for two years. He then went to work for Coast Pack, Kummers Meat and Safeway before starting his own business, AA Quality Meats. In this business, he maintained a partnership for more than 15 years. He later owned a video rental store and a meat market on Scholl’s Ferry Road.

He was the manager of Eastern Oregon Rental Co. in Baker City for two years and worked as a shipping clerk at Polycast for six years before retiring.

He married Cynthia Lee Braseth on Sept. 11, 1971, in La Grande. They would have celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary in September.

David enjoyed sports, reading, gardening, hiking, traveling and spending time with family. His favorite place on Earth was the Wallowa Lake mountains where he had a second home.

Survivors include his wife, Cyndi; sons, Michael Troutman and his wife, Stacey, Kirk Troutman and his wife, Denise and Jeff Troutman and his wife, Lena; daughters, Vicki Naylor and Jennifer Philabaum and her husband, Todd; sister, JaneAnn LaMordden and her husband, Lloyd; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Gerry Braseth Palmer of La Grande; and brothers-in-law, Craig and Cory Braseth of La Grande.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William “Willie” and Ethel (Cornelius) Troutman; and brothers, Albert “Bill” Troutman, Edmond “Ed” Troutman and Danny Troutman.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Volunteer Wallowa Lake Rural Fire Protection District, P.O. Box 922, Joseph 97846.

Betty C. Lingafelter, 76, of La Grande, died April 22 at a local care center. No public services are planned at this time. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Betty was born June 11, 1931, in Topeka, Kan., to Hulda and John I. Gustafson of McPherson, Kan. She married Dean Lingafelter of Galva, Kan., on March 12, 1948.

Betty was active in McPherson High School and in church activities growing up. She loved to do anything with group and social activities. Betty had a variety of jobs and she enjoyed them all.

She and Dean owned a camera shop in McPherson. She also worked as manager of clothing and shoe stores from Hatfields to Burch’s in Eugene and Springfield. She joined her husband, Dean, and worked for the Lane County Sheriff’s office in vice in Eugene. She managed a shoe store in La Grande, then worked in advertising at KLBM radio in La Grande.

Betty got involved in pet groups in La Grande and Union, which she was very dedicated to. She helped organize Pets and People, and helped get the Humane Society in La Grande where it is located now.

She liked to go camping, fishing and dancing in her younger years. Photography was always in her life, and it became a fulfilling hobby for her.

She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Deanna and Sam Hamilton of Irrigon; and grandson, Michael Hamilton of Irrigon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Dean, who died on Aug. 8, 2000.

Memorial contributions may be made to any pet group or to the no-kill animal society Best Friends, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741.