Janice M. Metz

Formerly of North Powder

1934-2007

Janice Marie (Christman) Metz, 73, of Troy, Mont., and formerly of North Powder, died Aug. 29 of congestive heart failure at the Libby Care Center in Libby, Mont. A memorial service is planned for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Methodist church in North Powder, followed by a graveside service at the North Powder Cemetery.

Janice was born on May 15, 1934, in Halfway, to Calvin and Helen Christman. She grew up in the North Powder area and graduated as salutatorian of the North Powder High School Class of 1952.

From an early age, Janice was an accomplished pianist and organist and often played during Sunday worship services at local churches. She earned college scholarships to Oregon State University and was a member of the Azalea House. Janice attended Eastern Oregon University, and earned a degree in elementary education from the University of Idaho in Moscow.

On Jan. 23, 1957, Janice married August "Gus” G. Metz Jr., in Stevenson, Wash. They had seven children. The family moved to northern Idaho, where Janice was an elementary school teacher for the Bonners Ferry School District. She taught in the Umatilla School District for several years. Some of her former pupils maintained contact with her until her death.

Janice retired after more than 20 years of teaching and managed property in Portland with her husband. They enjoyed collecting antiques. She moved to a hilltop ranch in northwestern Montana, where she enjoyed gardening, landscaping and spending time with her grandchildren.

Janice is survived by her former spouse and long-time companion, Gus; children, Kathy Meyer of Toledo, August G. Metz III of Rock Springs, Wyo., Jeff Metz of Sandpoint, Idaho, Brian Metz of Troy, Mont., Amy Metz of Missoula, Mont., and Karen Martin of Mountain Home, Idaho.; siblings, Carol Wisdom of North Powder, Marilyn Esquibel of Northridge, Calif., and Marion "Bruce" Christman of Baker City; 27 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Sid, and her son, Keith Metz.

______________________

Darleen ‘Cookie’ Keeney

La Grande

1942-2007

Darleen "Cookie" Keeney, 64, of La Grande, died Sept. 9 at her home of natural causes. There will be a memorial service on Friday at 2:30 p.m. at the Victory Christian Center, 1020 Jefferson Ave. in La Grande. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Cookie was born on Dec. 25, 1942, to Fred and Thelma (Olsen) Hall in Medford. She was raised and educated in Redmond. She had a daughter, Laura, and a son, Patrick, both of La Grande.

Cookie loved the outdoors, horseback riding, camping and fishing. She also enjoyed watching her grandchildren play sports. She loved church and was very passionate about doing the Jail Ministry. Those who knew her say that showing compassion was one of her greatest gifts, and she always tried to see the good in everybody.

She is survived by her father, 100-year-old Fred Hall, and stepmother, Faye Hall of Redmond; children, Laura Stein-Robbins and Patrick and his wife, Linda Stein, of La Grande; siblings, Janet May of Redmond, Joanne Delu of Redmond, Vada Harlow of Kennewick, Gary Romine of Phoenix, Ariz., Tom Hall of Redmond and Brad Smith of Eureka, Calif.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Thelma Smith.

Memorial contributions may be made to Jail Ministry, in care of Victory Christian Center, 1020 Jefferson Avenue, La Grande 97850.

______________________

Warren L. Jennings

La Grande

1949-2007

Warren Lyle Jennings, 58, of La Grande, died Sept. 9 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A private service for family and friends will be held. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

Warren was born on July 26, 1949, to Max and Loretta (Gorham) Jennings in Baker City. He was educated in La Grande and later attended community college for training in computers. On Oct. 9, 1973, he married Dayle Murray.

He owned and operated Cornerstone Computers in La Grande before working with the computer department at Blue Mountain Community College.

Warren enjoyed traveling, gardening, going to the mountains, music, computers and most of all, his family.

Survivors include his mother, Loretta Jennings of La Grande; wife, Dayle Jennings of La Grande; sons, Wade Jennings of La Grande and Bruce Howard of San Diego; brother, Vernon Jennings of Island City; sisters, Sandy Babic of La Grande and Marceen Kees of Orofino; nine grandchildren; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Max Jennings.

______________________

Billy R. Leggett

La Grande

1918-2007

Billy Robert Leggett, 89, of La Grande died Sept. 11 at Valley Creek Adult Foster Home in La Grande.

Visitation will run from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Coles Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday 15 at Coles Funeral Home with burial following at Mount Hope Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Baker City United Methodist Church with the Rev. Juanita Bergacker officiating.

Billy was born April 26, 1918, to Robert Lee and Mary Virginia (Shaver) Leggett in Seattle. He was raised in Seattle and went to school there. Billy worked as a lifeguard at Green Lake. In July 1936 he moved to the Baker community where he continued his schooling and played football at Baker High School. After graduating, Billy joined the Army and served four years in the European Theater.

On Dec. 22, 1945, Billy married Doris May Bond at the Presbyterian Church Parsonage in Baker City. The couple raised three children, Deryl, Billy and Janine, in Baker City.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Baker YMCA and the secretary of the Upper Bulger Ditch Company.

Billy is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Doris May Leggett; children, Deryl Leggett and his wife, Carolyn, Billy Leggett and his wife, Bonnie, and Janine Wilson; several grandchildren and their spouses; five great-grandchildren; sister, Catharine Ott and her husband, Robert; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Albert Leggett; sister-in-law, Louise Legget; a sister, Shirley Guyer and brother-in-law, Randel Guyer.

Memorial contributions may be made to any charity in care of Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City 97814.

______________________

Lois Jean De Long

La Grande

1913-2007

Lois Jean De Long, 94, of La Grande, died Sept. 13 in a care center in Hermiston. A funeral service will be held at the First Christian Church, 903 Penn Ave. in La Grande at 11 a.m. Monday. Burial will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery. Viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande.

Lois was born on May 3, 1913, near Cove to Nettie (Golden) and Arch Conley. She was a descendant of early pioneers, her great grandfather being Ben Brown, the first man to build a house for his family in La Grande. She was proud of her heritage and kept complete records of those families.

Lois married Vernon

De Long on Dec. 11, 1932, in La Grande. Together they started the "Fair Maids" for the Union County Fair and served as chaperones for the girls for 14 years. Vernon preceded her in death in June 1983.

She was the oldest member in length of membership of the First Christian Church. She served as secretary in the church office for 14 years. She was a member of the Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary until her health forced her to give it up.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis and Adrion Rimbey of Hermiston; sons and daughters-in-law, Dale and Jackie De Long of Island City and Cecil and Linda De Long of

La Grande; 12 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husband, parents, a sister, Cleo De Long and brother,

______________________

Robert ‘Blackie’ Bowen

Island City

Robert "Blackie" Bowen, 81, of Island City, died Aug. 1. A military memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at the American Legion Hall, 301 Fir St. in La Grande. Chaplain Bob Chapelle will officiate.

______________________

Frances M. Tubbs

La Grande

1908-2007

Frances Marie Tubbs, 98, of La Grande, died Sept. 7 at home surrounded by her loved ones. Memorial details will be announced later. A private burial will be held at Grandview Cemetery in La Grande. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Frances was born Sept. 17, 1908, to J.B. Smith and Clara A. (Stohl) Smith in Reger, Mo., the oldest of three. Her family moved to the La Grande area when Frances was 6 months old. She married Oregon State Police Officer Willard A. Tubbs on April 14, 1937, at the United Methodist Church in La Grande. They briefly lived in Arlington where Willard died on June 21, 1939. Frances returned to La Grande to raise their two daughters, Sonia C. B. (Tubbs) Cook and Willadean D. (Tubbs) Stonelake. She never remarried.

Frances was active in the community and was a member of the United Methodist Church. She retired from the Union County Assessor’s office in 1975. She was actively involved in the Rebekkah Lodge, the Pleasant Grove Grange and the Neighborhood Club. As a life-long animal lover, Frances was a founding member and volunteer of the Grande Ronde Humane Society. She loved to spend her time helping others and being with her family. Frances also enjoyed traveling, visiting family in many states and traveling to Europe and Canada.

Frances is survived by her daughter, Willadean Stonelake of Bend; a niece; two nephews; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by sisters Freda Brittingham and Amy Beaumont; and a daughter, Sonia.

It was Frances’ wish to see the Grand Staircase at Eastern Oregon University’s Inlow Hall restored and reopened as a benefit to the entire community. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to support the restoration fund. Checks may be made out to Eastern Oregon University Foundation/Frances Tubbs Memorial Fund and mailed to the Eastern Oregon University Foundation at One University Blvd., La Grande 97850. For more information, call Curtis Greenfield in EOU University Advancement at 962-3740.

______________________

Delmer B. Linfoot

Formerly of Elgin

Delmer B. Linfoot, 87, of Jefferson and formerly of Elgin, died Sept. 14 in Salem. Viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Bishop Funeral Chapel in Pendleton. Funeral service begins at 11 a.m. Monday at Mission Assembly of God Church, 47328 Short Mile Road in Pendleton. Graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at the Island City Cemetery.

Delmer was born Jan. 12, 1920, in Dacoma, Okla. He grew up in Elgin. A full obituary will be available later.

______________________

Ruth Van Cleave

La Grande

Ruth L. Van Cleave, 85, of La Grande, died Sept. 13 at a local care center. A complete obituary will be available later. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.