Neil D. Buchanan

Union

1930-2019

Neil Darwin Buchanan, 88, of Union, died Feb. 21 at a local care facility. At his request, there will not be a service.

Neil was born Sept. 11, 1930, in Arnegard, North Dakota, to Roy and Pearl (Wright) Buchanan. He resided in John Day, Burns and Union. He graduated from Grant Union High School in John Day and served in the U.S. Army. Neil married Kathy Ridgeway and later divorced. He later married Jean Westfall, who preceded him in death.

Neil was employed with the CP National Power Company until retirement. He was awarded for 31 years of service for CP National. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and football.

Survivors include his children and their spouses, Chuck and Cheryl Buchanan of Durkee and Michael and Connie Buchanan of Summerville; brothers and sisters-in-law, Myron and Pearl Buchanan of Eugene and Victor and Carol Buchanan of Federal Way, Washington; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and ex-wife, Kathy (Ridgeway) Wood of Union.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Pearl; wife, Jean (Westfall) Buchanan; and stepson, Steve Beardsley.

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

Donna Fuhrman

Formerly of La Grande

Donna Fuhrman, 82, formerly of La Grande, died March 7 at her residence in Monmouth. A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. May 10 at Loveland Funeral Chapel. An obituary is forthcoming. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory will be handling the arrangements.

Rene Stevens

North Powder

Rene Stevens, 90, of North Powder and formerly of Christmas Valley, died March 9. An obituary is forthcoming. Arrangements are under the direction of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home of Halfway. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.

Joel P. Bekowies

La Grande

1949-2019

Joel Paul Bekowies, 69, of La Grande, died Feb. 6 of complications from cancer at his home. A memorial will be held in the spring.

Joel was born April 16, 1949. He graduated from Lake Oswego High School in 1967 but lived in La Grande most of his life. He graduated with honors from EOU in 2002.

Joel worked with his grandfather on the family farm for years in the Grande Ronde Valley. In more recent years he enjoyed being on the hospitality team at Denny’s restaurant. Joel was an artist and an author. He raised beautiful house plants and loved to pick mushrooms with his friends.

Survivors include his sister, Karla Maughan of Spokane Valley, Washington; children, Allysa Lambert, Jeremy Joel Shankel, Jennifer Wilson and Lillian Wilson; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and nieces, Sherrill Van Zante of Lewiston, Idaho, and Bonnie Gellatly and Trish Hansen, both of Spokane, Washington.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Paul and Bertha Knautz of La Grande; mother, Lillian Bekowies of Spokane, Washington; and father, Helmuth Bekowies of West Linn.

Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.