Baum, Beem, Fitzgerald, Toney

LOCAL FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS

Nov. 12 – Tina Cook, memorial service, 4 p.m., Grande Ronde Community Church, 410 Fir St., La Grande

Nov. 13 – Ryan Toney, graveside service, casual dress, 11 a.m., Elgin Cemetery; reception to follow, Elgin Stampede Hall

Nov. 15 – Thomas Beem, memorial service, 2 p.m., Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center

Robert ‘Bob’ Baum

Formerly of Union County

Robert “Bob” Baum, 85, formerly of Union County, died Oct. 20 at his daughter Michele’s home in Bend with his family by his side, after battling a recurrence of cancer. A celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Oregon 4-H Center, Gray Hall, 5390 4-H Road N.W. in Salem. Private burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery.

Visit www.bobbaum.com for details and to share memories of Bob. Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Thomas M. Beem

Elgin

1950-2010

Thomas Miller Beem, 60, of Elgin, died Nov. 10 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Monday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center.

Tom was born April 4, 1950, to Leland Thomas and Ilda Claire (Miller) Beem in La Grande. He was educated in Elgin and served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. He received a Purple Heart while serving his country. After his honorable discharge he returned to Elgin and worked in various jobs in the timber industry.

He was a member of the NRA and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his brother, Mik Beem of Elgin; half-sister, Nancy Alford of Salmon, Idaho; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Pat Cagley and Mary Clark.

M. Loretta Fitzgerald

Formerly of Union County

1931-2010

M. Loretta (Fruitts) Fitzgerald, 79, formerly of Union County, died Nov. 9.

Private graveside services are planned. Family and friends are invited to a reception in her memory from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday in McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey St. in Troutdale.

She was born April 29, 1931, in Imnaha. She worked as a telephone operator her last two years of high school in Elgin. She graduated in 1950.

She married John Wallace Fitzgerald in September of 1950. They had six children and lived in La Grande, Dee, Pendleton and Portland. Loretta worked as a nurse’s aide and retired from Bess Kaiser Hospital.

She is survived by her sister, Vera Culver of Elgin; children, Jack, Byron, Pandora and Joni; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her two oldest daughters, Faustina Dillon and Rhea Fitzgerald.

Ryan E. Toney

Elgin

1979-2010

Ryan Edward Toney, 31, of Elgin, died Nov. 9 at his home. His graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Elgin Cemetery. A reception will immediately follow at the Elgin Stampede Hall. Casual dress is encouraged. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Ryan was born Oct. 12, 1979, to Edward Larry and Gail Marie (Hays) Toney of La Grande. He grew up in Elgin and attended Elgin High School where he played football. After graduation he was employed by Boise Cascade as a lathe operator.

Ryan enjoyed all outdoor activities including fishing, camping, barbecuing and Dutch-oven cooking. He was an avid hunter and a talented artist. He liked spending time with his dog, Nanook.

Ryan had a great love for his children.

Surviving are his spouse, Kaylee, and children, Alyssa and Edward of Elgin; parents, Ed and Gail of Elgin; sisters and their spouses, Heidi and Casey Hallgarth and Beth and Gregg Luse of Elgin; grandparents, Larry and Colleen Toney and Beverly Hays; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and one niece and three nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Clarence Hays; great-grandmother, Hazel Toney; and great-aunt, Claudia Gilkison.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial trust fund has been created at Community Bank to accept donations in support of Alyssa and Edward Toney, Ryan’s children. Memories of Ryan may be sent to Kaylee and her family at memoriesofryantoney@gmail.com.

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.