K. Miller, L. Miller, Shumway

LOCAL FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS

March 10 – James Cash, funeral service with Masonic rites, 11 a.m., Loveland Funeral Chapel; viewing to follow

March 11 – Kenneth Miller, graveside service, 2 p.m., Highland Cemetery, Elgin

March 11 – Eleanor Massey, memorial service, 11 a.m., Wildflower Lodge, La Grande

March 12 – Major General Lester Miller, funeral, 2 p.m., St. Peter’s Episcopal Church; burial to follow, Cove Cemetery

March 12 – William Lewis, celebration of life, 1 p.m., Wolf Creek Grange, North Powder

March 12 – Laurel Dawn Zelnar, memorial service, 11 a.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church, Island City

March 12 – Jerry K. Moffit, funeral service, 11 a.m., Wallowa Christian Church

Kenneth M. Miller

Elgin

1929-2011

Kenneth Max Miller, 81, of Elgin, died March 7 on his Century Farm on Cricket Flat. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Highland Cemetery in Elgin.

Kenneth was born July 27, 1929, to Francis Doyle and Mary (Shelton) Miller in La Grande. He graduated from Elgin High School and then attended Eastern Oregon University. He served with the U.S. Army in France.

On Sept. 25, 1954, he married Margaret McVay at the First Christian Church in La Grande. He raised wheat and hay and loved his cows. He was a former member of the Eagles Lodge and a member of the Grange on Cricket Flat.

He loved to steelhead fish and enjoyed hunting. His greatest love was getting in his bigJohn Deere tractor and farming.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret of Elgin; son and daughter-in-law, Dale and NolaMiller of La Grande; daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Mike Bowen of Cricket Flat; brothers, Ted Miller of Corneilus and Ron Miller of Hubbard; grandchildren; one great-grandson, Trey Miller; and other relatives.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande.

Maj. Gen. Lester F. Miller

Cove

Maj. Gen. Lester F. Miller (USAF Ret), 93, died March 5 at St Luke’s hospital in Boise. A funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Burial will follow at Cove Cemetery.

Lester was born in Dearborn County, Ind. He attended the University of Minnesota from 1936 to 1940 majoring in petroleum engineering. He entered the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet in 1942 and earned his commission and pilot wings. He was a B-17 instructor pilot at Gowen Field, Boise, before deploying to England with the 448th BG (B-24 unit).

Gen. Miller remained with the 448th through two combat tours, flying 33 bombing missions, accumulating 200 combat hours. He was the 448th station commander before returning at the end of World War II. Many career assignments followed, memorable of which was his tour at Fairchild AFB, Wash., as wing commander. Gen. Miller’s final assignment was director of personnel training and education, deputy chief of staff, personnel, Washington, D.C.He retired in July 1971.

His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.

Les had two fulfilling careers. After retiring from the Air Force and moving to the Grande Ronde Valley, he quickly started to grow cherries and worked on his beloved “home place” with his wife, Evie.

With his son, John, Miller Orchards was formed, and evolved into a 150-acre agricultural business, thus, providing Les with his second 30-year career.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Everdine; his sons, John and Andrew (Col. USAF Ret.) and his wife, Pam; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Survivors also include son and daughter, Fred and Anne Givens and their families. Les had nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Air Force Memorial in care of Daniels-Knopp, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.

C. Dale Shumway

Alicel

1936-2011

C. Dale Shumway, 74, of Alicel, died Feb. 28 at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. A memorial service will begin at 1:30 p.m. March 26 at Calvary Baptist Church, 2107 Third St. in Baker City. Causal dress is requested by the family. Coles Tribute Center is in charge of arrangements.

He was born Aug. 30, 1936, to Charles H. and Letha (Laxson) Shumway in Baker City. He spent his early childhood in Bridgeport then in Baker City.

He married Ava June Wagoner in Baker City on Dec. 1, 1979. The couple lived in Alicel for 30 years.

He was a charter and life member ofthe Sumpter Valley Railroad. He volunteered 40-plus years with the railroad – he loved steam engines. The railroad was his hobby.

Dale ranched in the Sunnyslope area and worked seasonally for the Oregon State Forestry Department. He spent time with his brother Jim in California and worked with the Long Beach Mounted Police as a groomer for their horses.

He spent nine years in the National Guard gaining the rank of sergeant. Dale helped organize a rural fire group, and he was a board member for the Baker County Alcohol and Drug Board. He also volunteered five years to help the Eagle Cap Excursion train in Union and Wallowa counties.

Dale retired from ODOT in 2001 in La Grande.

He is survived by his wife, Ava June; sons, Terry and Alan; daughter, Larena Van Gaasbeck; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Ann Shumway of Eugene; a brother, Marvin Shumway of Baker City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family to help defray funeral expenses.

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.