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MARY SHAVER
Mary E. Shaver, Wallowa County native died at the age of 100 at the Wallowa Valley Care Center on Oct. 23, 2000. She was born Dec. 23, 1899 near Enterprise to King Samuel and Alabama (Weaver) Francis, early pioneers of Wallowa County. She was married
to Everett S. Shaver on Feb. 22, 1921 and lived on wheat farm north of Enteprise where their four children were born. Everett died in 1930 and Mary moved to Enterprise which has since been her home.
Along with raising her children, she enjoyed gardening, reading and sewing, crocheting and quilting. She was a member of the Christian Church in Enterprise, NABA #16 and was a Gold Star Mother, American Legion #18.
She is survived by son Dean Shaver, Spokane, WA, daughter Viola Marie Brogan, Salem, four grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sons, Ivan and Robert Shaver, four sisters, Minnie Bowman, Effie Baker, Nellie Spicer, and Lora Mawhin and one granddaughter.
Services will be at the Bollman Funeral Home on Friday, October 27, 2000 at 11 a.m. Donations can be made to charity of choice or the Enterprise Christian Church, 207 E. Main St., Enterprise Or 97828. Burial will be at the Enterprise cemetery.
TED PRINCE
Funeral services for Raymond "Ted" Prince will be held Thursday Oct. 26, 2000, at 2 p.m. at the Wallowa Christian Church with Interment to follow at the Wallowa cemetery. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the charity of choice in care of the Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main St., Enterprise, OR 97828. Ted died at Wallowa Memorial Hospital on Oct. 23, 2000.
MARLYN MCCORMACK
Marlyn J. McCormack, 73, of Milton-Freewater passed away Aug. 24, 2000, at his home.
Mr McCormack was born July 1, 1929 in Enterprise, the son of Bert and Barbara Sasser McCormack. He was the youngest son and was born in the same house in which his father was born in 1888 on Alder Slope near Enterprise. His grandfather, William McCormack, was the first white settler in Wallowa County in 1971.
He attended grammar school at Alder Slope and high school in Enterprise graduating in 1947. After his schooling he worked on ranches around Enterprise until the late 1950s. He then moved to Milton-Freewater and worked for Archie Harris in his feed lot for a few years. Mr. McCormack then moved to the Othello-Yakima, WA, area. He worked for the city of Othello as an animal control officer until 1991 at which time he retired and moved back to Milton-Freewater.
On June 20, 1970 he married
Gloe Propeck Gekky in Milton-Freewater. She preceded him in death on July 29, 1982, in Othello, Washington.
Mr. McCormack in survived by three brothers, William McCormack and Doyle McCormack, both of Milton-Freewater, and Delbert McCormack of Atlanta, Ga.; a step-daughter, Sheryl Richards of Eltopia, WA; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three sisters, Arlene Ruth McCormack, Carol McCormack and Dorothy Heskett, and a brother, Roy McCormack.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home in Milton-Freewater. Private interment will be in the Milton-Freewater cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice through the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home, 902 S. Main, Milton-Freewater OR 97862.
VIRGINIA MARTIN
Virginia (Simmons) Martin passed away at home in Echo, Oct. 13, 2000. Services will be at Prairie Creek cemetery on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. An obituary will follow at a later date.
ALTA GEKELER-PARKER
Alta M. Gekeler-Parker, 80, died in Salem, on Oct. 13, 2000.
Alta was born on Dec. 12, 1919, in Lostine to Al and Mabel Willett Thompson. She spent most of her early years in the Wallowa County area, prior to attending Oregon State University. She married
Melvin Gekeler on Oct. 24, 1940.
They lived on ranches in North Powder and Haines area for 15 years, moving in1960 back to Wallowa, where they ran a ranch until his death in 1970.
She married
Jess Parker in November of 1978. He preceded her in death in 1992. She was also preceded in death by her son, Barry Gekeler. She was a member of the Wallowa Methodist Church. She enjoyed golfing and playing bridge.
She is survived by her daughter, Melva Gekeler of Salem, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Thursday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. at the Wallowa Methodist Church in Wallowa, with interment following at the Wallowa cemetery. Dallas Mortuary Chapel in Dallas and Bollman Funeral Home in Enterprise are in charge of arrangements.
VERNON SIMMONS
Vernon C. Simmons, 79, died Oct. 13, 2000, in Enterprise.
Mr. Simmons was born on Dec. 17, 1920, in Joseph, the son of Ted and Eva Simmons. He attended Pratt and Joseph schools. He was married
on March 14, 1941.
Occupations include milk delivery for the creamery, and working for the Mt. Emily mill and Boise Cascade mill for over 30 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. After retiring in 1982, he traveled with the Little Swiss Rovers, the Wallowa Valley Bucking 4's, and wintered in Arizona and Portland on occasion.
His survivors include one son, Dennis Simons of Enterprise; two daughters, Freda F. Curtis of Vale and Joyce A. Wren of Sheridan; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Teddy D. Simmons, Edward L. Simmons and Marvin G. Simmons.
Services were held Oct. 17. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Fund.
ELWOOD GOUGH
C. E. (Elwood) Gough, former resident of Enterprise, died in Boise, Idaho, on Oct. 10, 2000. He was born Sept. 10, 1917, at Midvale, Idaho, to Thomas Gough and Gertrude (Brown) Gough.
He will be remembered by friends in Wallowa County as shop foreman and production supervisor at the Wallowa County Chieftain; as an active member of the Enterprise Community Church; and by many as a Boy Scout Troop leader during his years in Enterprise.
During World War II, Elwood served in the Air Corps as a B-17 bomber pilot. After the war he joined in the family newspaper business in Parma, Idaho. He came to Enterprise during the early part of the 1960s to work at the Chieftain, then returned to Idaho where he continued his newspaper career, served as a staff administrator to Idaho Governor Samuelson, and spent many of his retirement years as Sergeant at Arms supervising high school student "pages" in the Idaho House of Representatives.
He is survived by his wife Paloma ("Mike") of 55 years at their home in Boise; children Diane Burch of Florence, Ken Gough of San Diego, Calif., Janeen Sanchez of Nampa, Idaho, David Gough of Boise, Idaho, and Jamie Gough of Kuna, Idaho; sister, Maxine Brandt of Nampa, Idaho; several grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
WAYNE ECKLEY
Wayne Alvin Eckley, listed as MIA in Vietnam for almost 25 years, died on Dec. 29, 1967. He was born May 22, 1936, in Enterprise to Wayne Neigheart Eckley and Erma Varner. Wayne attended school in the Enterprise area.
This "Synopsis of Missing Combat Talon C-130E" is published at the family's request:
On Dec. 29, 1967, one Combat Talon C-130 with 11 crew members failed to return from its combat mission over North Vietnam.
The aircraft was assigned to Detachment 1 of the 314th Tactical Airlift Wing, (later re- designated 15th Special Operations Squadron) based at Nha Trang, South Vietnam. The detachment flew overt and clandestine missions for the Military Advisory Command-Studies and Observation Group, based in Saigon. This mission called for two airdrops over North Vietnam. The first one was high altitude leaflet drop on a northerly heading west of Hanoi. The second was a diversionary cargo drop on a southerly heading in the mountains east of Dien Bien Phu. S-01 crew, commanded by Captain Edwin Osborne, was tasked to fly the mission.
It was a night mission whose departure was timed to have the leaflets reach the Hanoi area at daylight. The first part of the mission was flown at normal high altitude from Nha Trang to a checkpoint in the Laotian Plain of Jars. At that point the aircraft descended into a terrain following flight profile, flying at 1000 feet above the ground.
The altitude and frequent changes of heading over mountainous terrain permitted the aircraft to penetrate into North Vietnam's Red River Valley without being detected by the enemy's early warning radars. Once there, the aircraft accelerated to its maximum airspeed and executed a rapid climb to 31, 000 foot leaflet drop altitude. Its climb and drop tracks were flight planned just outside of the lethal ranges of known surface to air missiles (SAMS) and anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), exposing it only to a possible encounter with a MIG interceptor.
However, the planned avoidance of early detection, rapid climb to high altitude, with a short leaflet drop time, followed by an equally rapid descent to the terrain following altitude, insured that the enemy didn't have enough time to alert, launch and direct a MIG to the aircraft. After the drop, the aircraft proceeded westward through the mountains into the Black River valley. There, at 0430, over a prominent river bend, the aircraft made its last progress report.
The aircraft turned southward and its crew was preparing for the diversionary cargo drop in the vicinity of Highway 6. The cargo was intended to be discovered by the North Vietnamese and its contents were to lead them to believe that a commando team was operating in that area. Unfortunately, the aircraft never reached its intended drop zone.
Almost 25 years later, in October 1992, local villagers led a joint recovery team to an aircraft crash site, which was confirmed to be that of the C-130. The site was located on a steep mountain rise about 7 minutes of flight time from its last reporting point. Site examination confirmed that the destruction of the aircraft was total and instantaneous. The site was visited again one year later in October 1993 when the excavation and retrieval of aircrew remains was complete.
We join their families in remembering their sacrifice and honoring their devotion to God and country.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, and stepfather Albert Varner and two baby brothers.
Mr. Eckley is survived by his wife Patricia Eckley, son Wayne Arnold Eckley, daughters Jeanne Terry, Julie Dalton and Patricia Rasmussen, sisters Evelyn Rice, Anabelle Fritz, and Nancy Shoopman and many cousins.
Burial will be at Prairie Creek cemetery in Joseph on Oct. 30 at 12 noon with Military Honor Guard. On Nov. 15 there will be a ceremony at Arlington National cemetery for the crew.
Contributions in Wayne's memory can be made through Bollman Funeral Home in Enterprise to the Wallowa County Stockgrowers or the Women's Education Scholarship Fund.
JOHN LEMON
John Wilson Lemon, 83, died Oct. 16, 2000 at his home in Island City.
A celebration of life service will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, at Daniels Chapel of the Valley with The Rev. Mark Schlessman of the La Grande First Christian Church officiating. Committal and interment will follow at the Island City cemetery. Friends may call Thursday from 5 until 8 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. un til noon at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, OR 97850.
A full obituary will be published next week.
DASHIEL GORBETT
Dashiel Ivan Gorbett, infant son of Wes and Kathleen Gorbett, died Oct. 2, 2000. Dashiel was born Sept. 19, 2000, in Enterprise.
Dashiel gave love to his family, nurses and doctors. A baby unable to cry made many people cry. A baby unable to smile made those that held him happy. A baby without tears was anointed with his mommy's tears. A baby without sound made his mommy sing.
Dashiel is in the sun, in the clouds, in the sky. He is remembered by his parents, Wes and Kathleen, his brother Challis, his Aunties, Carman Johnson and Dawn Williams, his grandparents, Gaylen Williams, Mary Bowman and Susan and Leo Gorbett.
His grandma, Bonnie Pullen Gorbett, is deceased. He is also remembered by other family members and his friends at Deaconess NICU.
JONATHON BAUCK
Jonathon Henry Bauck, 22, Rathdrum, Idaho, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2000, as a result of a roll-over accident in which he was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was born on March 29, 1978, in Pendleton to Curtis and Rebecca (Beach) Bauck. Jonathon moved to the Rathdrum area at the age of 10 and graduated from Lakeland High School in 1997. Since graduation, Jon worked in Rathdrum and the surrounding community.
He enjoyed the great outdoors and during his spare time he could be found coaching the Spirit Lake Wrestling Club or spending time with his family and friends. His warm smile and friendly nature will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by father and stepmother Curtis and Cecil Bauck of Echo, mother and stepfather Rebecca and Jim Self of Rathdrum; brother Jeremy, Las Vegas, Nev.; sister Tineke Bauck, Syracuse, NY; grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Some of his relatives live in Wallowa County.
Services were held in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The family prefers memorials be made to the Allergy and Asthma Net Mothers of Asthmatics, 2751 Prosperity Ave., Suite 150, Fairfax, VA 22031, or National Psoriasis Foundation, 6443, SW Beaverton Hwy, Portland, OR 97221.
ADA KING
Ada Lovell King, 93, of Joseph passed away Oct. 24, 2000, at her home.
Mrs. King was born Dec. 25, 1907, in Thayer, Mo., to Maude Perkins Wooldridge and William Marion Wooldridge. Her father's position with the Southern Pacific Railroad meant she spent her youth in many towns of the old South.
She was married
to her childhood sweetheart, Robert Clay King, with whom she shared 73 years of her life. Mrs. King was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Livermore, Calif., a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a lifelong Democrat. During WWII she proudly did her part as "Rosie the Riveter" of the Liberty Ships produced in the Kaiser shipyards of Marin, Calif. She enjoyed her bridge club while living in Wallowa, and was an avid reader.
Mrs. King was preceded in death by her husband, their infant son, James, and daughter, Judith Marion Berman. She will always be remembered as an intelligent, gracious, and beautiful southern lady.
She is survived by three daughters, Clada Kiser of Joseph, Gail Cain (Hett) of Yelm, WA, and Susan Jacobson and husband Norman of San Luis Obispo, Calif; grandchildren Rhonda Kiser Shirley, Christy Kiser Wells, Cliff Clay Kiser, Marianne Kiser Yost, Harmony Hett Vukmier, Julie Hett Streamfellow, Jonathon E. Hett, Robin Roy Bogue, Marion Amanda (Boo) Roy, and Robert E. (Charlie Brown) Roy; great-grandchildren Tyson and Tara Shirley; Benson and Marcus Wells; Cayla Kiser; Anna and Megan Yost, Emily and Magen Vukmier, Autumn and Alyssum Streamfellow, Amanda Bogue Garding and Robert Bogue; and two great-great- grandchildren, Madison and Payton Garding.
Services were Oct. 31, 2000, with burial at Prairie Creek cemetery, Joseph.
LYNDA KNIFONG
Lynda Jean Knifong, formerly of Lostine, passed away on Aug. 25, 2000. She was 42.
She leaves behind one daughter, Marisa Hunt of Lostine. She also is survived by one brother, two sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews who live in her hometown of Darrington, Washington.
Her favorite poem, Footprints, reflects the caring beauty of her soul, and is printed at the request of the family.
Footprints
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. He notice that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also notice that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
DONALD WILLIAMS
Donald Bruce Williams passed away July 31, 2000, in Walla Walla, Washington. He was born April 6, 1925, to Lenora Pearl (Todd) and Alex James Williams of Arrow, Idaho. He was Nez Perce and Assiniboine Sioux and an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho. His Indian name translated to White Owl.
Donald attended school in Arrow and Lapwai, Idaho, before going to Chemawa Indian School near Salem. At Chemawa he lettered in basketball, baseball, and football and was a star ball handler with Harvey "Jerky" Whitford and Bob Edden. He continued playing in Old Timer basketball tournaments until 1991 and was recently inducted into the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Athletic Hall of Fame.
As a rifleman, he served honorably in the U.S. Army from July 28, 1943, to Oct. 26, 1948, with active duty in Rome, Arno, North Appennines, and Po Valley. During World War II, in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater, Staff Sgt. Williams was wounded twice – on Sept. 17, 1944, and April 18, 1945. He received the Bronze Star medal for heroic achievement in ground combat near San Ansano, Italy, a combat infantryman badge for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy, a good conduct medal, and the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster (twice).
With other squad leaders of the 91st "Powder River" division of the fifth army in Italy, he was cited for meritorious duty. He led the 2nd squad, third platoon, Company E, 361st infantry regiment. "In a sustained drive unsurpassed in modern warfare, the 91st Infantry Division in 18 days breached the defenses before Bologna, destroyed the enemy in the Po Valley, and forced the surrender of his beaten, demoralized and disorganized troops in the Alps, " the commendation read.
On Sept. 16, 1945, he married
Antoinete Conner with whom he had nine children and over 49 years of marriage. They met at a 1942 summer dance in the W.O.W. Hall in Pendleton. After the war, Don returned to Chemawa to receive vocational training while "Toni" worked as a Girl's Matron. They moved to Lapwai, Idaho, to the Agency Commissary apartments where they made lifelong friends, many with whom they would fish at Celilo. They also lived in Los Angeles, Pilot Rock, Pendleton, Mission and Tutuilla.
An expert archer, bow hunter and marksman, Don performed in archery exhibitions and competitions. Don moonlighted for more than 40 years in archery repair and made and sold custom arrow. He worked in sawmills, cabinet shops and, for about 25 years, in a furniture plant driving forklifts and lift trucks. He was also an ace mechanic.
He is survived by his children, Deanna, Sue and Lisa William, all of Coyote Creek, Jamie Todd Williams, Arrow, Idaho, and David and Steven Williams of Pendleton, 24 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, his brother Kenneth Williams of Wolfpoint, Mont. After the death of his daughter Sara Ann, he and wife "Toni" raised grandson William Anthony Surface. He is preceded in death by his wife Antointette, daughter Sara, sons Bruce and Donald, and sister Darlene.
He was a member of the Military Order of Purple Hearts, a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 922, and a member of the 361st Infantry Association of WWII. The latter group consisted of the regiment that was initially committed to action at Anzio, participated in 208 days of combat in the Italian Theater, killed, wounded, and captured 12, 058 of the enemy while winning over 1, 300 combat decorations.
Services were held Aug. 2 and 3, followed by Interment at Olney cemetery in Pendleton.
JOHN MURPHY
John N. Murphy, 80, of Milton Freewater, died July 30, 2000.
John was born Nov. 19, 1919, on Day Ridge near Troy. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Wakefield Murphy. He was raised and attended his schooling in the Troy area. During World War II he enlisted in the U.S.Army in March of 1942. He served in New Guinea and the Philippines. While in the service he received numerous medals and decorations and was discharged as a sergeant in November of 1946. John also served during the Korean conflict.
Mr. Murphy returned to Wallowa County and he married
Sarah F. Tucker in La Grande in 1947. They continued to live for several years in Wallowa County, where John farmed and logged. In 1955 they moved to Milton-Freewater to make their home. He worked for the City of Milton-Freewater from 1957 to 1969. He was a member of the Milton-Freewater Elks Lodge #2146, V.F.W. #4567, American Legion Post #24, and the National Rifle Association.
Survivors include his wife at the home; daughters and sons-in law, Sandra and Ken Hearn of Athena, Joana and Ken Hawk of Olympia, WA, Sally and Jim Nathlich of Yakima, WA, and Sharon and Wes Gillworth of Weston; son and daughter-in-law Darrell and Debbie Murphy of Milton-Freewater; brother Ray Murphy of Island City; sisters, Dorothy Lathim of Pasco, WA, and Mabel Tucker of La Grande; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two daughters, Susan Joan and Joyce Amber Murphy; brothers, Bernie and Howard Murphy; and sisters, Mary Fleet and May Wheeler.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. in the chapel of the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home, 902 S. Main St., Milton-Freewater. Concluding services and internment will follow in the Milton-Freewater cemetery. Ritualistic services will be conducted by B.P.O.E. #2146 of Milton-Freewater. Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Meadowwood Speech Camp through the funeral home.
BETTY BOHNENKAMP
There will be a memorial service for Elizabeth (Betty) Ruth Bohnenkamp on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2000, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Joseph. Betty passed away April 23, 2000.
All friends and family are invited to attend the service.
