Wilhelm, Hix, Hull, Killgore, Kretschmer, Martin, Prince

LOCAL FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS

Sept. 9 – Ray Wilhelm, viewing, 4 to 6 p.m., Loveland Funeral Chapel

Sept. 10 – Ray Wilhelm, viewing, 9 to 11 a.m., Loveland Funeral Chapel; casual dress graveside service, 1 p.m., Hillcrest East Cemetery, La Grande; potluck to follow, Elgin Stampede Hall

Jan Ann Hix, 74, of Enterprise, died Aug. 25 in her home after being diagnosed with cancer. At Jan’s request, there will be no funeral.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life and a barbecue at 3 p.m. Sept. 19 at the home of Carol Sullivan, 1004 S. College St., Joseph. For more information, call 432-2061.

Jan was born April 27, 1935, in Detroit, Mich. As a young woman, she enjoyed riding horses and playing the piano. Jan graduated from St. Mary’s Academy for Girls. She married Ray Danielson Sept. 4, 1955, in Michigan. She moved to California in 1960 and then settled in Enterprise in 1969 while raising four children. She married Bill Hix Sept. 2, 1995.

Jan worked for 20 years at Wallowa Memorial Hospital. Those who knew her say she was a constant source of inspiration and a mentor to her children and others.

Jan loved Wallowa County, cooking for friends and family, growing her garden and flowers and taking care of her own little acre with her husband, Bill, for the last 13 years and their dog, Yo.

Good friends Linda Holiday and Carol Sullivan provided care and support for Jan and Bill during Jan’s last days.

Survivors include her husband, Bill; brother and his wife, John and Maryann Widerman of Fort Collins, Colo.; two sons and their wives, Rick and Kathleen Danielson of Grass Valley and Krut and Cindy Danielson of Lake Tapps, Wash.; two daughters and their husbands, Pam and Mike Noland and Cindy and Chris Warlick, all of Nine Mile Falls, Wash.; and several gradnchildren.

In lieu of flowers, contributions toward final expenses can be made in the name of Jan Hix at Community Bank, P.O. Box 399, Enterprise 97828.

Robert “Bob” Louis Hull, 76, of Union, died Sept. 5 at his home. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Union Baptist Church. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Robert was born to Irene J. and Robert Lathen Hull in Salt Lake City. His father was killed in a truck accident when Robert was 8 months old. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, Tex Cowell, from the time he was 9 years of age. At 17 he joined the Navy and was immediately sent to Korea. The four years he was in the Navy he served on the Yorktown, the Rendova, the Shangri-la, The Antietam and the Philippine Sea. He then joined the Air Force and spent 16 years serving in North Africa, Guam, Savannah, Ga., and Tucson, Ariz., where he met and married Janice Buffum in 1963. Together they were stationed in Adana, Turkey, and Omaha, Neb.

In 1971 Robert and his family moved to Union where their family grew to six children. Bob worked at the Boise Cascade particleboard plant for 24 years, retiring in 1995. He worked for the Oregon Trail Bullet Co. in Baker City part time for the next 10 years.

Bob enjoyed hunting and fishing. He had owned 78 motorcycles through the years, but his favorite hobby was his guns. He shot Ipsec, Cowboy Action, muzzleloaders and trap through the 38 years in Union, until ill health prevented him from continuing shooting. But he could talk “guns” anytime and anywhere there was an interest.

He was a member of Union’s VFW and Union Baptist Church. He was proud of and loved his children and his best friend and wife of 46 years.

He is survived by wife Jan of Union; four sons and their spouses, Bob Jr. of Ellabell, Ga., Tyrone and Daniela of Gatesville, Texas, Tod and Angel of Union and Jason and Holly of Horseshoe Bend, Idaho; daughter and her husband, Tina and Tommy of Murfreesboro, Ark.; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Tammy, in 1980.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Union Fire and Ambulance in care of Daniels-Knopp, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.

Virgil Lee “Killer” Killgore, 75, of La Grande and formerly of Weston, died the morning of Aug. 13 at Evergreen Vista Rehabilitation Center in La Grande from complications of kidney failure.

Virgil requested a happy gathering and potluck dinner. It will begin at 5 p.m. Friday at 410 N. Railroad St. in Weston. Those who knew him are asked to bring pictures and stories of Virgil. Family and friends may call 541-566-2435 for information. Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home in Milton-Freewater is in charge of the arrangements.

Virgil was born April 20, 1934, to Jesse and Monnie (Lancaster) Killgore in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Following graduation from Weston High School, Virgil enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on several ships in the Pacific during the Korean War where he earned several medals and citations while on board the USS Talladega as a MoMM Petty Officer Second Class. He transferred to serve as a Navy Corpsman and served in missions with a Naval Warfare unit and missions with the Marine Corp.

Following the war, Virgil returned to Weston. He attended OIT for electrical engineering. He then worked as an electrician.

In 1969 at Reno, he married Rosella Fern Doering of Maupin.

Later in life, Virgil opened an unnamed business working on the local community’s faulty electrical items and cars. Those who knew Virgil say his venture became a significant business in the Weston area. He didn’t charge much, if at all, and loved to help out. Virgil retired from the business 10 years ago to pursue his other passion, fishing.

Music was one of the loves of his life too. Virgil was an accomplished piano player and earned the nickname “Killer,” which everyone called Virgil for his style of playing, comparable to that of Jerry Lee Lewis’ style. Virgil wrote several songs including “The Blue Mountain Waltz,” which he played at local harvest parties, events and bars.

Virgil was proud of his military service and his Southern heritage.

Virgil is survived by his sons, Michael Killgore of La Grande and Eric Killgore of North Hollywood, Calif.; two granddaughters; a grandson; and a great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Monnie Killgore; brother, Jerry; and wife of 38 years, Rosella Fern Killgore.

Virginia Kretschmer, 93, longtime La Grande resident, died Sept. 3 at a local care center. Committal and interment will begin at 10 a.m. at the Island City Cemetery. A memorial service will begin at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the La Grande First Baptist Church, 1702 Sixth St.

Virginia was born July 23, 1916, to William Henry and Mina Elizabeth (Allen) Spence in Wallowa. After graduating from Enterprise High School she attended Oregon State University, graduating in 1938 with a degree in home economics. She returned to Enterprise and worked as a substitute teacher until moving to Elgin where she taught home ec at the high school.

On Dec. 25, 1942, she married Stuart Eugene Kretschmer. She became a stay-at-home mom with the birth of her first child. In 1952 the family moved to

La Grande and she later worked for City Garbage Service as a bookkeeper for several years. She then helped her son, Bob, in his grocery store, Hub City Foods, keeping books and billing.

Virginia was a very active and devoted member for more than 50 years of the First Baptist Church in La Grande. She served as church historian, taught Sunday school and served in many other capacities while she was able.

Survivors include her children, Robert W. “Bob” Kretschmer of La Grande and James D. “Jim” Kretschmer of Beaverton; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren with two more expected soon; sister, Carol Conrad of Beaverton; and other relatives.She was preceded in death by her husband in 1986; granddaughter, Kristen in 1989; son, John in 2000; and a brother, William “Bill” Spence in 2009.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Camp Elkanah scholarship fund in care of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850

Vandon C. Martin, 79, of Enterprise, died Sept. 3 of natural causes. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Enterprise Cemetery with Jerry Raedeke officiating.

Vandon was born Sept. 9, 1929, to Lee E. Martin and Ethel Mae (Evans) Martin in Flora. He married Noma Fay Kuhn July 2, 1947. She precdeded him in death in 1998.

Vandon was a retired rancher.

Survivors include his son, Gerry Martin of Enterprise; daughter, Patsy Allen and her husband, Jim, of Ritzville, Wash.; special friend and companion, Margaret Botts; sister, Voneta Brock of Hermiston; half-brother, Russell; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ielene Searles; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Twila DeVane; half-brother, Everrett Martin; brother, Eldon Martin; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tobacco Free Youths in care of Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main St. Enterprise 97828.

Sylvia Alberta “Bertie” Prince, 90, of Wallowa, died Aug. 31 at Wallowa Valley Care Center. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Lostine Cemetery with Mel Byers of the Wallowa Christian Church officiating. Bollman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

She was born March 19, 1919, to Walter Ashley and Lulie May (Barton) Carper. She went to school in Promise and Maxville.

Those who knew Bertie say her family was her life. In fact, many graced her dinner table for her homemade red beans and rolls and enjoyed her yard and gardens. She also enjoyed camping and fishing. She played several musical instruments, and she and Ted would play for dances.

She married Raymond Joseph “Ted” Prince. He preceded her in death Oct. 23, 2000. She was also preceded in death by four sisters; one brother; daughter-in-law, Louise; and three grandchildren. She is survived by her sons, Darrell and his wife, Gwen, Lowell, and his wife, Barbara, Gale and special friend, Rose; two brothers, Orville and Robert Carper; two sisters, Leona Collins and Shirley Doud; 19 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; and 30 great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wallowa Senior Center.