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BILL DUNCAN
Bill Wesley Duncan died at Los Angeles, Calif., on Dec. 10, 2000, at age 77.
He was born Jan. 17, 1923, at Joseph to Noel and Florence Duncan. His maternal grandparents were Merritt and Sarah (Rigg) Le Gore, early settlers who homesteaded on Hurricane Creek on what later became the Fred Himelwright place. His grandfather, Wesley Duncan, was a wheelwright and owned the Joseph Livery, a landmark on Main Street for many years. His father died when Bill was eight.
Bill graduated from Enterprise High School in 1941. Before and after graduation, he worked in the Gamble Store.
He entered the service in February 1943 and took basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas. Before completed, he and two other sharpshooters were sent overseas as replacements in a New York unit. He served in the Pacific Theater in the 165th Army Infantry Battalion (the Fighting 69th of World War I fame). He was in the Pacific Islands of Gilbert, at Tarawa; Makin; Marshall; Marianas, at Saipan; and Ryukyus, at Okinawa. His unit was poised to be in the first assault on Japan when the war ended. He was in the occupational force in Japan. During the war, he was a message runner, later advanced to Sergeant and Message Center Chief in Headquarters Company.
He lived with his half-sister, Helen Steel, in Los Angeles while he attended Woodbury Business College. He graduated in the upper percentile of his class. In his employment, he soon became manager of a branch office of a financial concern and advancement to a higher position was imminent when he was struck by a car at a busy thoroughfare.
Serious, permanent injuries to head, spine, and eyes kept him in intensive care for weeks. By perseverence and determination, he relearned the English language and regained his ability to speak. His second career ended, he worked for a manufacturer making lamps and driving delivery until his condition worsened and he could no longer work.
Bill experienced other tragedies. His son, Noel, who had recently graduated from college with high honors in electronics and had started a promising career, received multiple serious permanent injuries in a motorcycle accident, thus ending his career. Later, Noel's wife was struck by a car and has permanent head injury.
Bill was an inspiration to know. Throughout his life he was cheerful, loving. Kind. Caring. Considerate, uncomplaining, accepting. He was an ardent fisherman as a child and as an adult. On the first day of fishing season, he was absent from the classroom. He was an expert fly fisherman. He enjoyed his life in Wallowa County and the wish to return was ever with him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; half-sister Helen Heffling Steel; half-brothers, Merritt, John Donald, and Eugene Fletcher Heffling; and nephew, Donald Keith Heffling.
Interment will be at Joseph (Prairie Creek) cemetery. There will be no services at this time.
TEDDIE HAYS
Teddie William Hays died Dec. 23, 2000, at his home with family members in Irrigon.
Teddie was born to William Herbert and Martha (Huffman) Stinson on March 17, 1921, in New Port Ritchie, Florida.
Teddie was basically raised in Wallowa County. At the age of 13, he started work as a sheepherder for the Dobbins family. At the age of 21 he joined the Navy and served during World War II. After being discharged he did a variety of jobs including saw milling, farming and ranching on Joseph Creek. He eventually hired on with Burlington Northern Railroad and was able to retire in 1983.
Teddie married
Gerva (Shuman) Hays, Dec. 28, 1950, in Asotin, Washington. From this marriage two sons were born, Teddie and David Hays. Teddie enjoyed life, being with family and friends, playing music, fishing, hunting and camping.
He is survived by his wife, Gerva and sons, Teddie, Jr. of Irrigon and David of Trout Lake, WA, grandchildren Lance Nelson, Jessie Rendo, Payl Hays, Dulcie Peterson and Shawn Hays, brother Herbert Stinson of Irrigon, great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and many friends.
A graveside service was held on Dec. 29, 2000, at the Lostine cemetery. A memorial service will be held Father's Day at the Boardman Marina Park, details to be announced later. All are welcome.
MARY MILLER
Mary C. Miller, 94, died at the Wallowa Valley Care Center on Dec. 31, 2000. She was born April 26, 1906, in Lyons, Nebraska to Andrew Anderson and Jenny (Tryon) Anderson. Mary was a graduate of Lyons High School and moved to the Wallowa Valley in 1949, and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Liberty Grange.
She married
Olin Perry Miller in Nebraska in 1928, and had two sons, Lynn and Neil and a daughter Fern.
Survivors include Lynn Miller of Joseph, Neil Miller of Vanderhoff, BC, daughter Fern Keith of Fairmont Hot Springs, BC., seven grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Services are to be at Bollman Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, with Tim Schmeck officiating. Interment to be at Prairie Creek cemetery in Joseph and memorial donations can be made to the Wallowa Valley Care Center.
ELOISE BRICE
Eloise Brice died on Jan. 1, 2001, at her home in Enterprise. The funeral will be Friday, with time to be announced later.
A full obituary will be published next week.
LOUISA (LOVELAND) WARTHEN
Louisa Warthen, 82, died at her home in Vale on Dec. 25, 2000. She was the sister of Evelyn Johnson of Wallowa and Marie Davis of Ontario. Memorial services were held in Vale.
FLOYD B. WILSON
Floyd Bailey Wilson Jr., Salem, died on Jan. 14, 2001, at the age of 80.
Floyd was born in Oregon City on Sept. 20, 1920, to Floyd B. Wilson, Sr. and Myrle (Bruce) Wilson. He was raised in the Willamette Valley, and graduated from McMinnville High School. Floyd served in the Army during World War II in Company A, 41st Division. He was wounded in New Guinea during enemy fire, and received the Purple Heart.
Floyd worked at Master Service Center in Salem for nine years and was a Letter Carrier at the Salem Post Office from 1953 to 1979, when he retired. He was a member of Disabled American Veterans, Keizer Elks and Salem Keizer Area Seniors.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Jean, whom he married
in 1944; daughters Shirley Starr of Albany and Karen Mason of Joseph; brothers Don of Wallowa and DeWayne of Hubbard; sister, Mary Alice Zastoupil of Leaburg, grandchildren Jerry Winn, Jeena Winn, Kelly Winn, Scott Starr, Colin Starr and Darin Starr; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Russell.
Floyd will be remembered for his great sense of humor and hard working lifestyle, always putting others before his own needs. He will be missed greatly.
Private family services were held Jan. 17, with interment at Willamette National cemetery in Portland. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
LUELLA A. SKILLINGS
Luella was born April 22, 1923, to Charles P. and Bertha Jane (Doud) Carper at Promise. She worked in the canneries and laundries during World War II. Luella moved to Wallowa after marrying Isaac Henry Skillings on Sept. 6, 1945, and they had six children.
Survivors include daughters Verna L. Mudie of Ione, Vicki Nepple of Portland, and Annita B. Skillings of Everett, WA; sons Rick L. Skillings of Wallowa and Jay Skillings of Pendleton; brothers Ivan Carper of Wallowa and Lewis (Doud) Carper of La Grande; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Lee Skillings.
Those who wish may contribute to the Pioneer Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home direct (P.O. Box 9, Heppner, Oregon 97836) or through Bishop Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 325, Pendleton OR 97801.
ARCHIE RHODES
Archie J. Rhodes passed away Jan. 14, 2001, at his home in Enterprise, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born Feb. 14, 1931 in Union to Clifford and Jean Rhodes. Archie married
Verna Winters on Feb. 14, 1952. Archie loved hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with family and friends. He was also a member of the VFW.
Archie was employed at Joseph's Boise Cascade Sawmill for 40 years, and retired in 1993. Archie was a very special husband, father, brother, grandfather ("Papa") and great uncle. He was cherished by his family and will be greatly missed.
Cremation has taken place and at Archie's request a memorial will be held at a later date.
ALVIN NORTON
Alvin M. Norton, 82, Mauston, Wis., passed away on Jan. 4, 2001, at Meriter Park Hospital in Madison, Wis.
Alvin was born Oct. 20, 1918, in Paradise to Albert and Rosa (Shelton) Norton.
He married
LaVera Swisher on Feb. 19, 1940, and she died on March 7, 1986. He later married
Ruth Holtz on Oct. 22, 1988.
Alvin was a retired teamster. He was a member of the VFW Post #2114, currently serving as Senior Vice Commander and was past quarter master and a member of the American Legion.
He is survived by wife, Ruth; son Larry (Diane) Norton of Elkhorn, Wis.; grandchildren, Dawn of Walworth, Wis., Glen of Milwaukee, Wis., and Joy (fiancé, Matthew Loveland) of South Bend, Ind.; brother Donald (Vadna) Norton of Imnaha; sister Edris Rolls of Kennewick, WA; step-children Ronald (Mary) Holtz of Janesville, Wis., David (Dorothy) Holtz of Madison, Wis., Herbert (Brenda) Holtz of Franklin, Wis., Steven (Cheryl) Holtz of Humbird, Wis., Daniel (Sarah) Holtz of Spring Lake, Mich., Gerald (Casey) Holtz of Columbus, Wis., and Judith Holtz of Sun Prairie, Wis.; 17 step- grandchildren, and five step-greatgrandchildren.
Funeral services were held Jan. 8, with burial at New Lisbon City cemetery. Memorials may be made to the VFW Post #2114 Scholarship Fund.
ELAINE BENVENUTI
She is survived by two sons, Deron and Roman of Sacramento, daughters Nancy Benvenuti of Sacramento, and Carrie Sedar of El Dorado Hills, Calif. and two granddaughters Riley and Abigail Benvenuti, her mother Norma, three brothers, Richard Gray of Phoenix, Ariz., Steven Gray of Shingle Springs, Calif., and Burns Gray of El Dorado Hills, Calif., two uncles, Donald (Bud) Maxwell of Joseph, and Marvin Maxwell of Lostine. She was preceded in death by her father and Uncle Bill Maxwell. Elaine loved Wallowa County and made many visits to the county.
BERNIECE ARNHART
Berniece V. Arnhart., a native of Wallowa County, passed away Jan. 17 at Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande.
Mrs. Arnhart was born Feb. 7, 1908, near Enterprise, the daughter of Alvin McFetridge and Gertrude May Hearing McFetridge.
She married
Edmund E. Birkmaier on Aug. 23, 1927, and he preceded her in death in 1951. She later married
Gordon Arnhart on March 27, 1954, in her sister's home at Dayton.
Berniece was a member of the Christian Church in Enterprise, and she was active in many community organizations, such as being Mother Advisor for the Rainbow Girls. For years she was chaperone for the Queens and their courts of the Wallowa County Fair. She was a charter member of the Wallowa County CowBelles and their first president. She was also a staunch supporter of FFA, chaperoning them many times, and looked forward to being at the Elks for any special occasion.
Berniece's children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved her many friends as well.
She also loved the mountains, picking huckleberries, and looked forward to branding time and turning the cattle out on the range in the spring. She was always ready to help on the ranch, whether it be cooking for the crew or to help with the cattle-like so many cattlemen's wives do.
Survivors include her husband, Gordon of Enterprise; sons Alvin (Bud) of Enterprise and Mack Birkmaier of Joseph; sister Orva Gubsdet of Dayton; eight grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
A private service was held Jan. 20. A memorial service is planned for Spring. Contributions may be made to a charity of choice or to Wallowa County Stockgrowers and CattleWomen Scholarship Fund, in care of Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main St., Enterprise OR 97828.
Robert Colpitts
Robert Colpitts, 65, formerly of Troy, died Sept. 12, 1999 of cancer.
At his request, there was no service held.
Mr. Colpitts was born to Bert and Carmen Colpitts on Sept. 15, 1933. His childhood was spent at Peck, Idaho, and on a ranch in Troy.
In 1955 he married
Diane Brooks. She preceded him in death in 1992. Mr. Colpitts worked at various occupations throughout his life, but his love was truck driving.
Survivors include four children; stepdaughter, Lynn Millington of Garfield, WA; daughter, Marilyn Colpitts of Sumpter; sons, Tom of Lewiston, Idaho and Guy of Boise, Idaho. Mr. Colpitts is also survived by longtime companion, Ruth Gallant; sisters, Betty Botti and Grace Murrill of La Grande; brothers, Harvey Colpitts of Gillette, Wyo., and Bert Colpitts, Jr. of Lewiston; 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Alice Holmes
Alice Margaret Holmes, 94, formerly of Joseph, died Sept. 16, 1999, at Hermiston, where she and her husband are living. Born July 11, 1905, in Black River Falls, Wis., the daughter of George F. and Elsie A. (Brewer) Varnum.
She moved with her family to Mabton, Washington, in 1905. She was the second of seven children. She had three brothers and three sisters. She graduated from Mabton High School in 1923 as salutatorian in a class of 16.
She worked in the apples that fall to earn money to go to Central Washington Normal School in Ellensburg. After a year, they gave her a certificate to teach a year. She did that, but when the Community Bank bought out the other banks, they offered her a position as a bookkeeper/teller, which she accepted. She worked there until 1929, when she married
Harold F. Holmes at Prosser, Washington.
They moved to Joseph, on a ranch owned by his parents. they bought it and farmed it until they sold out anf built a home in Enterprise. While on the ranch, they were active in the Liberty Grange. They took all the degree work and Alice was Pomona Grange treasurer for 18 years.
On Jan. 31, 1947, a son, Alan Glen was born to them. Alice worked on the counting board while in Joseph and head of an election board in Enterprise. She served on regular jury and grand jury. She was an avid knitter and won prizes in State Fair and Grange competition.
After moving to Enterprise, she joined a club called The Time Out Club and was very active in it until she moved to Boardman. Her son Alan and family had moved to Boardman and because of health, he moved them to Boardman, so that he could look after them.
She is preceded in death by all her brothers and sisters except one; and son Norman Robert in 1944 at age two.
She is survived by husband, Harold, of Hermiston; son Alan of Boardman; sister Marjory Roloff of Walnut Creek, CA; three grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Bollman Funeral Home, with vault Interment following at Enterprise cemetery. Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Wallowa Memorial Foundation in care of the Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main Street, Enterprise, OR 97828.
George Marshall
George Wheatley Marshall, 93, passed away Sept. 16, 1999. Born March 27, 1906 in Walla Walla, Washington. He attended the Walla Walla public schools and Whitman College.
On Oct. 4, 1929, he eloped with Margaret Nancy Wall from Twin Falls, Idaho, and also a Whitman student. They were married
in Asotin, Washington, by the Presbyterian minister.
In January of 1930, he moved to Seattle to engage in the stock and bond investment business. He continued in this type of work until his retirement in 1973. George arranged the financing for many state and municipal projects in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. Although he maintained his residence in Seattle, he and Peggy spent considerable time at his cattle ranch in Wallowa County. Peggy and George loved to travel and over the years saw many interesting places around the world.
George was a past member of the Ranier Club, Balboa Club of Mazatlan, Mexico, Seattle Tennis Club, Bear River Club of Brigham City, Utah, Krichak Fly Fishing Club of Alaska, and the 380 Club of Seattle.
George is survived by his wife, Peggy, his wife of 70 years; son George H. Marshall and his spouse Marilyn; a daughter Deborah M. Jones and her spouse Ted; four grandsons; one granddaughter; four great-grandsons; and two great-granddaughters.
At his request no services will be held. Remembrances may be sent to the charity of your choice.
ELOISE BRICE
Eloise J. Brice, 86, of Enterprise, passed away Jan. 1, 2001. She was born June 25, 1914 in Minneapolis, Minn. to Gaar Thomas and May (Hervst) Thomas. In 1936 she married
Lawrence Ivan Brice, who preceded her in death in 1976.
She is survived by her son Dr. Larry Thomas Brice in Vancouver, Washington, and five grandchildren.
Services were held on Jan. 5, with interment at the Enterprise cemetery.
