Kerley, Follett, Emery, Johnson, Larkin

Nancy Kerley, 72, of La Grande, died Monday at Grande Ronde Hospital. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Warren Kenneth Follett, 84, of Elgin, died Nov. 15 at his home. A funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at the Elgin LDS Church. Viewing will run from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande.

Warren was born April 16, 1925, to Jesse King “Jay” and Florance Naomi (Hug) Follett in Elgin. He was educated at the Pine Grove School and served with the U.S. Navy. On June 18, 1945, he married Annie Lois Sanderson in Lake Providence, La.

He worked for Boise Cascade until his retirement. He was a member of the Elgin LDS Church. He was a ham radio operator and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved traveling and trips to Mississippi, Louisiana and Alaska.

Survivors include his wife, Annie of Elgin; daughters, Ronna Witherspoon and Jaylene Witherspoon, both of Elgin; brothers, George Follett of College Place, Wash., and Roger Follett of Elgin; sister, Betty Thompson of Elgin; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by children, Craig Follett and Wendy Warren Follett; brothers, Claude Follett and Roland Follett; and sisters, Naomi Follett and Rita Hindman.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to any charity in his memory in care of Daniels-Knopp.

Arnold James Emery, 57, of Union, died Nov. 9 at his home. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Arnold was born Sept. 28, 1952, to Gordon and Alice Phel Emery of La Grande. On Sept. 3, 1971, he married the love of his life, Ronda Sue Mackey. He served in the U.S. Marine Reserve and U.S. Army National Guard. For more than 25 years Arnold and Ronda owned and operated Emery’s Texaco in Union. He also had a fuel-transporting business and drove trucks with his father, youngest brother and several drivers.

Top priorities in Arnold’s life were his daughters, Kristy and Kelly. Together they enjoyed the great outdoors hunting, fishing, camping, horse riding, four-wheeling and target shooting. His passion was hunting and fishing with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Ronda; daughters, Kristy and her husband, Dusty Perry, and Kelly Emery; parents, Gordon and Alice Emery; siblings, Rona and her husband, Glen Hogue, Eugene and his wife, Gene Emery, Mike and his wife, Sherrie Emery, Ronald Emery and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, 10109 East 79th St., Tulsa, OK 74133 or the Grande Ronde Hospice Care, P.O. Box 3290, La Grande 97850.

LaFern Margarite Hardy, 83, of La Grande, died Nov. 12 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Walla Walla. She had a compromised immune system due to cancer treatments. Memorial services will be announced at a later date.

LaFern was born June 9, 1926, to Lloyd and Lillian Kilborn in La Grande. She was the oldest of two children.

She met Glen Spilker in 1946. The couple married and had two children, Jonathan Glenn Spilker born in 1948 and Jeanne Margarite Spilker born in 1949.

LaFern and Glenn divorced. She married Ralph Hardy in 1972. The marriage ended later.

Those who knew LaFern said she was a special lady with a huge heart for life, love, family and friends. They say she showed her passion and adventure through dance, writing, camping, hiking and painting. She was involved with many organizations throughout her life and appreciated the large spectrum of social interaction.

She enjoyed painting, bird-watching, crafting and maintaining connections with her many friends.

She was a loving mother of two and a mentor to five grandchildren. People who knew LaFern say she put many smiles on people’s faces with her costumes and her way of enjoying life.

She is survived by her son, Jonathan Spilker and his wife, Patti, of Pendleton; daughter, Jeanne Hagenah and her husband, Sonny; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Gerry Follett and her husband, George; and numerous cousins and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Pauline Gail (Christensen) Johnson, 91, formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 5 at a hospice house in Bend. A memorial service was already held. Baird Funeral home of Bend is in charge of arrangements.

Pauline was born Jan. 3, 1918, in Milton-Freewater. She graduated from high school and went on to get her master’s degree in education.

She married Donald B. Johnson Nov. 8, 1939, in La Grande. Pauline worked as a middle school teacher in La Grande, and also taught language arts in a boxcar in a logging camp. Later she worked as a real estate agent in La Grande for about five years.

She was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, La Grande and Bend. Her favorite pastimes were singing in the church choir and watching Portland Trail Blazers games on television and at the Rose Garden.

Survivors include her husband, Don of Bend; daughters, Kris Courtney and Randi Anderson, both of Bend; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Partners In Care Hospice, 2075 N.E. Wyatt Court, Bend 97701.

Betty Ann Larkin, 73, of La Grande, died Nov. 10 at her home. Services will be held next year. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

Betty was born Feb. 8, 1936, in Fairbury, Neb., to Leo and Marie (Kruse) Snyder. She moved to La Grande when she was 17 from Green River, Wyo. She enjoyed bowling. She was a member of the Women’s International Bowling Association and earned recognition for being in the 600 Club. She was also an active member of the Eagles Bowling Team. She was a great seamstress and enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking and camping. She loved her kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Norm Larkin of La Grande; children Greg and his wife, Eileen Larkin, of Summerville, Jeanne Rachau of La Grande and Mike and his wife, Christine Larkin, of Summerville; siblings, Jeanne and her husband, Darrel Clark, of Stevensville, Mont., Leland and his wife, Sharon Snyder, of La Grande, Cleo Snyder of

La Grande, Joyce and her husband, John Spencer, of Pendleton and Larry and his wife, Judy Snyder, of Cove; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Herald.

The Observer publishes free obituaries as a community service. Obituaries are edited to fit news guidelines. Photos are encouraged. Paid space is available for families who would like to include more information. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center posts unedited obituaries at www.danielsknopp.com, and Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory posts obituaries at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.