OBITS: March 22, 2019

Published 12:24 pm Friday, April 5, 2019

John Wesley Eastland Sr.

September 3, 1940 – February 21, 2019

John Wesley Eastland Sr. 78, of Sparks Nevada, and formerly of La Grande, OR went to sleep in Jesus, on February 21, 2019. John leaves behind his wife, Gloria, and four children. John Eastland Jr., James Eastland/Dawn Wheeler, Sherri Manning/Clint Bower & Ted Manning, all from Sparks Nevada. He also raised Gloria’s brother, Kelly Herrod. Brothers Ernest Eastland/Deloris, San Diego California & Leroy Eastland/Twyla of Fletcher, Oklahoma. Grandchildren Brandy Lutu/Herbie, Mariah Eastland, Jaicee Eastland, Tyler Eastland, Alexandra, Christian, A’layah & Alani Lutu. And many nephews, nieces and cousins.

He was born in Green County, Missouri, and lived between Missouri and California before joining the military at 17. In the service he learned to drive truck which he turned into a lifelong career, owning several tractor/trailers and even mobile truck tire repair businesses over the years. Many of his kids’ favorite memories were of joining dad out on the road traveling the country and seeing the sites. John Jr. “Johnny” was with his dad out on the road when they stopped in Kansas City to see John’s dad, Clarence on his 12th Birthday. Johnny, a lifelong Royals fan got to see his childhood idol George Brett hit a game-winning home run that night. A trip with his dad he will never forget. The same for James & Sherri. They both have fond memories of travels with their dad.

After he retired, he and his wife Gloria bought a house in Oklahoma and lived there until he first became ill at which time they moved back to Sparks to be near the children and grandchildren. His family was the light of his life, and he was the light of theirs.

John never knew a stranger, loved and helped people, some of whose name’s he never even knew. He was “Uncle John” to hundreds. John was also known for nicknaming just about everyone with his special sense of loving humor.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Ruth, his daughter Lennie Rae, a sister Evelyn, and his brother Herbert.

A small graveside service will be held at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Fernley, NV at a future date. Also, a celebration of his life will be held at his grand-daughter, Jaicee’s home at a date to be announced.

Karen Frentress

March 3, 1943 – March 13, 2019

Karen Frentress died March 13, 2019, 10 days after celebrating her 76th birthday. She was surrounded by the thoughtful caring members of the Wallowa County Medical Profession and her family and friends. At her request, there will be no funeral or service.

She was born Karen Rae Porter in Portland, OR, March 3, 1943, to Kathryn McConnell and Comer Charles Porter. Her family moved to Clackamas where she graduated from Clackamas Elementary School and continued with the same classmates to Clackamas High School being in the first class to go 4 years and graduate. In 1960, she married Darrel Frentress and had 3 children. Her marriage ended in 1964, but the two ran a successful Interstate Trucking business that fulfilled Karen’s dream of sending her children to college.

In addition to her career in bookkeeping and dispatching, Karen coached her daughter’s All-Star Softball team and served as a Boy Scout Den mother and Girl Scout leader.

After caring for her parents until their deaths, Karen was able to add a chapter to her own life. A lover of the outdoors, nature and family, she moved to Wallowa County to run a small farm, be near her daughters, and be a part of grandchildren’s lives. In Enterprise, Karen enjoyed being a caretaker of and spending time with her beloved grandchildren; she also became involved in 4-H. Always a champion of animals, Karen filled her hours with horses, goats, dogs, and other small animals. She was also an avid gardener with a beautiful yard full of flowers, trees and plants.

Beema, as she was known to her family and friends, loved books and birds, little children and living creatures, music, red licorice and popcorn.

Karen is survived by her 3 children, Julie Gomes (spouse-Ed Gomes), Jim Frentress, and Jennifer Frentress (spouse- Guillaume Gendre), her cousin Kathy Mendenhall (a sister to her from the time they summered together as young children), grandchildren – Casey, Charles, Christina, Michael, and Cole, great-grandchildren – Phoenix, Paxton, Chase and Piper (coming April 2019).

Those wishing to make a donation in honor of Karen may do so to Wallowa County Humane Society, PO Box 565, Enterprise, OR 97828.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.

Joy Ruth Jones

June 22, 1951 – March 13, 2019

On Wednesday, March 13, 2019, Joy Ruth Jones, loving mother and grandmother, passed away at age 67 surrounded by family. A Memorial Service will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2819 W 10th, The Dalles, OR on Friday, March 22nd, 2019 at 1:00 pm.

Joy was born on June 22, 1951, in Pendleton, Oregon to Virginia Ruth (Warlick) Medhaug. She grew up in Hood River and graduated from Marshall High School. Eventually, she moved to Portland, OR where she met her future husband, Victor Bruce Jones. On March 5, 1979, they were married and together they raised two children, Adam and Stephanie, until Bruce’s passing. For the last two and a half decades Joy has lived in Elgin, OR where she worked as a Manager for Elgin Food Town and as a cook for Elgin Head Start.

Although her name was Joy, to most, she was simply “Nana”. A warm and loving woman whom all adored. As a self-professed introvert, nana enjoyed the simple things; reading and discussing her favorite romance or mystery novels, watching old shows and movies such as Golden Girls, I Love Lucy or anything with Doris Day. Eating rootbeer floats and hiding treats that she wasn’t supposed to have because she was diabetic. Nana was at times a conundrum, she loved watching it snow but hated the cold, she loved being in the sun but only with an umbrella. Her quirks are what her family will remember the most, many of which have been passed on to her grandchildren. Nana lived for her family, especially her grandkids. She invested all of her time to be present in their lives, supporting them at sporting events, going to school musicals, and teaching them important life lessons.

Joy was preceded in death by her husband Bruce in 1999. She is survived by her mother and father, Ruth and Ed, her two children, Adam and Stephanie, five grandchildren, Susan, Rachael, Gavin, Tristan, and Samantha, her siblings, Dan, Michael, Tom, Debbie, Mary, and Darlene, aunts and uncles, and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the Doctors and Nurses of The Grande Ronde ICU for all of their hard work and support over the last few weeks. We know that she couldn’t have been in better hands.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.

Marlene A. Eddy

Cove

Marlene A. Eddy, 75, of Cove, died March 21 at her residence. An obituary is forthcoming. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory will be handling the arrangements.

Craig Gross

Formerly of Union County

1962-2019

Craig Gross, 57, formerly of Elgin and Imbler, died Feb. 28 at his home in Cascade Locks. Craig was born Jan. 18, 1962, in Council, Idaho, to Charles and Betty (Woods) Gross, and has four siblings: Charlene Hampton, Cathy Worcester, Brenda Harris and Rodney Gross. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center of Hood River. To leave a note of condolence for the family, visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.

Mildred B. Davis

La Grande

Mildred Beatrice Davis, 92, of La Grande, died Feb. 16 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. March 30 at the La Grande United Methodist Church. Casual dress is preferred. Memories will be shared over a potluck lunch following the service. An obituary is forthcoming. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory is handling the arrangements.