Gina Lee

La Grande

Gina Lee, 41, of La Grande died Sept. 5 at her home of natural causes. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Services are pending and a full obituary will be published later.

‘Dick’ Hensley

La Grande

A.R. "Dick" Hensley, 79, of La Grande died Sept. 6 at his home. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Services are pending and a full obituary will be published later.

Ada Craig

Summerville

1913-2003

Ada Leona Craig, 89, of Summerville died Sept. 5 at a local care center.

A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Summerville Cemetery. Viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.

Mrs. Craig was born Oct. 31, 1913, to George and Gladys Ostrander Hays in Seattle, Wash. In 1936 she moved to Union County from the Twin Falls, Idaho, area and in 1937 she marred Archie Craig.

She was a homemaker and enjoyed the outdoors, crochet, crafts and being with her family.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Juanita and Ray Omohundro of Summerville; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Wanda Doud of La Grande; and other relatives. Her husband, four brothers and two sisters died earlier.

Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to GRH Hospice in care of Daniels Chapel.

Keith Simonis

North Powder

Keith L. Simonis, 78, died Sunday at his home in North Powder. Graveside services for Mr. Simonis will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at the North Powder Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at Coles Funeral Home in Baker City from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Memorial donations may be made to Pathway Hospice in care of Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City 97814.

Vernon E. Hoxie

La Grande

1917-2003

Vernon Esbond Hoxie, 86, of La Grande, died Sept. 3 at his home. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, with Pastor Gary Hood of the Pioneer Park Church of God officiating. Private burial will be later at the Mountain View Park Cemetery in Colville, Wash.

Mr. Hoxie was born May 18, 1917 in Orin, Wash., to Sadie Deardorff and Delbert Hoxie. Except for two years in the Army, he spent his first 61 years in that area.

Mr. Hoxie worked in logging, sawmills and over 30 years for the Steven County, Wash., Road Department.

He married Evelyn Streit in 1936 and they had two children, Robert Warren and Patricia Ann. Evelyn died in 1978.

In 1979 he married Retta Hoxie, widow of his half-brother, Les Hoxie. The couple moved to La Grande from Colville in 1979.

Mr. Hoxie loved fishing, hunting, travel and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was a member of the Pioneer Park Church of God and belonged to the Happy Ramblers Travel Club. He had formerly belonged to the Eagles Lodge and the Grange.

He leaves his wife, Retta of La Grande; son-in-law, Don Riggleman of Libby, Mont.; stepdaughter, Ruth Lester of La Grande; seven grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and other relatives.

His first wife, three half-brothers, a sister, a son, a daughter and one grandson died earlier.

Memorials can be made to the Shelter from the Storm or Birthright, in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.

Mary Conroy

La Grande

Mary E. Conroy, 85, of La Grande died Sept. 9 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Services are pending, and a full obituary will be published later.

‘Dick’ Hensley

La Grande

1923-2003

A.R. "Dick" Hensley, 79, of La Grande died Sept. 6 at his home. Viewing will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St. The funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Friday. Private inurnment will follow.

Mr. Hensley was born Oct. 19, 1923, to James and Amanda Buchanan Hensley in Summerville. He attended school in Imbler and served in the Navy. He married Ruth McDonald on March 16, 1946, in Yuma, Ariz. He worked at farming and ranching in Union County for a time, and in 1950 began operating heavy equipment in the logging industry. He continued logging until his retirement in 1988. The couple lived in various locations in Oregon.

He was a member and past trustee of the Eagles Lodge in La Grande. He enjoyed rodeo, hunting, fishing, camping and telling stories.

Survivors include his wife and a daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Michael Gibson, all of La Grande, and other relatives. Five brothers and two sisters died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the St. Mary’s Cancer Center in care of Loveland Chapel.

Keith Simonis

Union County

1925-2003

Keith Lorin Simonis, 78, of North Powder died Sept. 7 at his home. Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. in Baker City. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at the North Powder Cemetery with Jimmy Larkin officiating.

Military rites will be accorded by Company A 3-116th Cavalry Oregon Army National Guard. Vault interment will follow.

Mr. Simonis was born June 9, 1925, to Ernest and Olena Johnson Simonis in Baker City. He was raised in North Powder and Union and attended school in Union. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II, achieved the rank of sergeant and served in the Leading Night Fighter Squadron.

On Sept. 26, 1969, he married Margalee Putman in Winnemucca, Nev. The couple lived in North Powder, and he worked as a heavy equipment operator all over the state. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, the Eagles Lodge, and the 701 Union. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, telling stories, playing pinochle and spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed playing the guitar and accordion for his family and friends and wrote many of his own tunes.

Survivors include his wife of North Powder; children and their spouses, Randy Simonis, Bobby Simonis, Dusty and Nancy Simonis, Vickie Simonis, Linda and Wayne Burnside, Suzie and Ted Travis, Jeanna Valencia, and Kim and Chris Larkins; stepchildren, Danny and Carla Putman, Mark Putman, and Shawn Schisler; 24 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and a brother, Elvin Simonis. A brother, Vernon Simonis, died earlier.

Memorials may be made to Pathway Hospice, 1904 Resort St., Baker City 97814.

Harold Schwebke

Cove

Harold Schwebke, 84, of Cove died Sept. 9 at a La Grande care center. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Services are pending, and a full obituary will be published later.

Mary Conroy

La Grande

1918-2003

Mary E. Conroy, 85, of La Grande died Sept. 9 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Zion Lutheran Church, 902 Fourth St., with Pastor Don Voeks officiating. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Conroy was born March 12, 1918, to William and Emma Prange Schwarz in St. Louis. She graduated from high school in Belleville, Ill., and worked as a telephone operator. On Feb. 12, 1945, she married Edgar J. Conroy in Belleville. The couple ran a grocery store until 1960. She earned a degree in accounting and worked as an accountant until she retired in the early 1980s. The couple moved to the Kennewick, Wash., area to be near family. Her husband died in 1985, and she came to La Grande in 1997.

She enjoyed reading and spending time with her family.

Survivors include a daughter, Carol Etchemendy of Summerville; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a brother, Dick Schwarz of Georgia; and a sister, Lucille Kiefer of Missouri. Two brothers and a sister died earlier.

Memorials may be made to Grande Ronde Hospital Home Health and Hospice in care of Loveland Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., 97850.

Grace L. Aldrich

Union

1909-2003

Grace L. Aldrich, 94, of Union, died Sept. 10 at her home.

A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at the Union United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jerry Peters officiating. Committal and interment will follow at the Haines Cemetery. Viewing will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mrs. Aldrich was born on Jan. 2, 1909, the daughter of John W. and Bertha George Blize at Rock Creek, near Haines. She attended schools at Muddy Creek, Haines and Baker City. On July 21, 1924, she married Everett Aldrich in Baker City. They moved from Haines to Island City in 1946. They later moved to Union and then Hermiston and back to Union.

Mrs. Aldrich was a member of the Union United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women and was a senior meals helper. She was a member of the Jewel Rebekah Lodge and the VFW Auxiliary in Union since 1952. She enjoyed dancing, fishing and playing cards and loved bingo.

Survivors include her children, Kenneth Aldrich of Union, Glen Aldrich of Union, George Aldrich of Cove and Betty Ann Griffith of Prineville; 14 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; brother, John Blize of Winlock, Wash.; sister, Emma Graves of Weiser, Idaho; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Wilma, in 1928; a son, Elmer, in 1949; her husband in 1970; and a son, Frank, in 2001.

Memorials may be made to the Grande Ronde Hospital Hospice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Gina Lee

La Grande

1962-2003

Gina M. "Campbell" Lee, 41, of La Grande, died Sept. 5 at her home of natural causes.

A memorial service will start at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the New Life Center, 10700 Walton Road. Pastor Larry Savage will officiate.

Mrs. Lee was born May 10, 1962, in La Grande, the daughter of Charlotte Campbell. She was raised and educated in La Grande and attended schools here. She was a homemaker most of her life. She was artistic, and enjoyed writing poetry, working in ceramics, collecting "junk jewelry" and spending time with her family.

Survivors include her husband, Robert, of La Grande; her mother, Charlotte Bauer, of La Grande; four children, Dustin Fitzgerald of La Grande, Derric Campbell of Hermiston; Bre’an Lee of La Grande and Brittany of La Grande; a brother, David Paroz of La Grande; a sister, Rena Mora of Roseburg; and two grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande 97850, to help offset the costs of the services.

Harold Schwebke

Alicel

1919-2003

Harold I. Schwebke, 84, of Alicel died Sept. 9 at a local care center.

The funeral and burial will be private. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Schwebke was born Aug. 3, 1919, to Harry C. and Irene Evans Schwebke near Hot Lake. He graduated from Imbler High School in 1937 and attended Oregon State University before returning to work for the railroad. He served in the Army during World War II and married LaWana Boswell. He farmed and worked as a fire control officer for the Oregon Department of Forestry before retiring in l980.

He was active in many groups and organizations, and was a county commissioner for two terms.

Survivors include his wife, of Alicel; children, Marc Schwebke of Alicel, and Karen Balmer of Portland; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Memorials may be made to any charity in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St.

Jean Johnson

Jean Ann Johnson, 59, of Island City, died on Wednesday at her home.

A full obituary will be published later. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of the arrangements.

Doris Williams

Doris Williams of Elgin, 76, died Thursday at her home. A full obituary will be published later. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of the arrangements.

Robert Wilson

La Grande

Robert H. Wilson, 80, of La Grande died this morning at Grande Ronde Hospital.

Arrangements will be announced later by Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Donald Hoyt

Formerly of La Grande

1926-2003

Donald Eugene Hoyt, 77,

of Moro and formerly of La Grande died Sept. 10 at Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at the First Christian Church in Wasco with the Rev. Jerry Krewson officiating. Burial with military honors will be at 3 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Threemile Cemetery in The Dalles.

Mr. Hoyt was born Feb. 1, 1926, to Silas and Eunice Flander Hoyt in Clayton, Kan. The family moved to La Grande, where he attended school. He served in the Navy during World War II and later in the Army. He worked in the woods and sawmills around La Grande for 20 years, and for the Union Pacific Railroad for 14 years, retiring in 1988.

On June 1, 1983, he married Christena Rehmke in Reno, Nev. He was an accomplished carpenter and an enthusiastic supporter of Special Olympics. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife of Moro; children, David Hoyt and Catherine Mitts, both of La Grande, Gene and Steven Burnett and Susan Southward, all of Wasco, Dawn Thompson of Bradyville, Iowa, Roxanne Cuthbert of Minnesota and Katherine VonAhn of Moro; 27 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren; two brothers, Frank Hoyt of Union and Kenneth Hoyt of Norton, Kan.; and a sister, Florabelle Booth of Kennewick, Wash.

Memorials may be made to the Wasco-Sherman Chapter of the Special Olympics, 922 E. Second St., The Dalles 97058.

‘Howard’ Wilson

La Grande

1923-2003

Robert "Howard" Wilson, 80, of La Grande died Sept. 12 at Grande Ronde Hospital.

A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Grandview Cemetery with Warren Curry and Pastor Rob Collins of the Calvary Chapel officiating.

Mr. Wilson was born Jan. 31, 1923, to Paul and Ava Kernan Wilson in Joseph. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1942 and served in the Navy during World War II.

On Dec. 29, 1946, he married Mary Lou Dickens in John Day.

He worked as a postal clerk for the Post Office in La Grande for 30 years and retired in 1978. He was a member of the Mavericks horse club and was involved with 4-H groups.

He enjoyed farming, fishing and had a passion for square dancing.

Survivors include his wife of La Grande; children and their spouses, Ron and Debbie Wilson of Arlington, Nancy and Gerry Arnson of Moses Lake, Wash., and Steve and Danelle Wilson of La Grande; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, William Gerald and Lee Wilson of Portland and other relatives.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain 4-H Center or any charity in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.