Perry, Gray, Nash, Riley, Osterloh, Beeman, Beverage, Craig

LOCAL FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS

Jan. 15 – Helen Perry, viewing, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Loveland Funeral Chapel

Jan. 16 – Helen Perry, viewing, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center, Gekeler Lane; service to follow, 10:30 a.m.

Jan. 16 – Eunice Gray, memorial service, 11 a.m., United Methodist Church, La Grande

Jan. 16 – Lela Nash, service, 11 a.m., Cove Historical Episcopal Church, Cove; potluck to follow, Cove Sportsman Club

Jan. 16 – Elinor Riley, memorial Mass, 11 a.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Union

Jan. 18 – Erros Osterloh, memorial service, 11 a.m., First Christian Church, 901 Penn Ave., La Grande

Mary Jane Beeman, 92, lifetime resident of Island City, died Jan. 12 at a local care center. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande. Burial will follow at the Island City Cemetery.

Mary was born July 29, 1917, to Ellis and Audrey (Simmons) Chadwick in La Grande. She graduated from La Grande High School with the Class of 1936. On May 29, 1937, she married James Fredrick “Fred” Beeman in Walla Walla. She worked as an operator for the telephone company and in the custodial department at Eastern Oregon University. She was a member of Royal Neighbors, the VFW Auxiliary and the Lions Club.

She served as treasurer for the city of Island City for many years. She enjoyed her grandchildren, working crossword puzzles and was an avid reader. She enjoyed traveling, especially her trips to see family in West Virginia.

Survivors include her children, George Beeman of Portland, Lowell Beeman of Island City, Tom Beeman of Tacoma, Bob Beeman of Island City and Kathy Spears of

La Grande; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and other relatives.

Memorial contributions may be made to GRH Hospice in care of Daniels-Knopp.

Dale Vernon Beverage, 80, lifetime resident of Union, died Jan. 12 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A private family service will be held. Burial will be at the Union Cemetery.

Dale was born July 20, 1929, to William and Gertie (McClure) Beverage in

La Grande. He graduated from Union High School. He married Donna Greenwood on Dec. 23, 1950, and she preceded him in death on Jan. 21, 1987.

Dale spent his life as a farmer and logger, and he loved raising cattle and hay. He also spent time as a member of the Union School Board and was an honorary member of FFA. He enjoyed gardening and was a carpenter who built his house that has been home to his kids and grandkids. In his younger years he enjoyed fishing and hunting and packed into the Minam to hunt many times. He loved and raised many flowers and a large garden.

Survivors include his loving companion, Evelyn, of Union; children, Craig Beverage of Union, Mark Beverage of Cove, Rod Beverage of Union and Jack Beverage of Middleton, Idaho; mother, Gertie Beverage of Union; siblings, Wayne Spears of Seattle, Darlene Saunders of Ashland, Gracia Goodrich of Union and Mike DeVore of Union; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by a sister, Ethel; a brother, Kenton Beverage; and his daughter, Gail Ann Beverage.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Union Bobcat Scholarship Fund or any charity in care of Daniels-Knopp, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande.

Velma V. Craig, 94, of Glide and formerly of Enterprise, died Jan. 9. Memorial services will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Glide Community Center. The family invites those who knew Velma to view her memorial website at www.taylorsfamilychapel.com.

She was born April 28, 1915, to Allen and Orah Crader in Stites, Idaho. Velma met the love of her life, Oscar Craig, and on May 27, 1933, the two married in Enterprise. They moved to Sutherlin in 1933 to start a family, and they later settled in the Glide area.

Those who knew Velma say her work ethic was strong and she always had more than one job at a time. She loved driving truck and also worked as a school bus driver. She enjoyed gardening and spending time outdoors. She was a proficient canner.

She is survived by her daughter, Darlene; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Velma was preceded in death by her husband of more than 64 years, Oscar, as well as her parents and seven siblings.

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.