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Wallowa County Obituaries

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     Daniel Peter Callahan, old time resident of Joseph, passed away in the Marshall nursing home in La Grande Sunday evening, Aug. 3.
      He was born Dec. 11, 1866, at St. Martin's, Brown county, Ohio, the son of Hugh and
Anna Callahan. He came to Joseph in 1903 and was a resident of this county from that time until 1946 when he was hospitalized in La Grande. Mr. Callahan had been a prospector and preferred the outdoor life.
     He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Agnes Cook of Portland, and Mrs. Sarah McDerrnott, Chicago, Ill., and by a nephew, W. J. Cook of Portland.
     Funeral services were held Thursday morning at 9 o'clock in La Grande with Father Charles in charge. Burial was in the Catholic cemetery in La Grande.

     Word was received that former Wallowa County resident Mary Jo (Reece) Cantrell passed away Dec. 2, 1998, in Puyallup, Wash. She was born in Enterprise on Sept. 20, 1930, to Lacy and Ruth Reece.
    Mary Jo was a member of the local VFW Auburn Auxiliary #2298 and the Eagles. She retired from Boeing in Everett, Wash., in 1995. She loved her family and friends in a big way. She is survived by her four children; son, Rudy Kruse of Clatskanie; daughters, Cindy Kruse of Sumner, Wash., Gloria Kruse of San Diego, Calif., and Dawn Holland of Sumner, Wash., and 8 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Good Samaritan Hospital Oncology Ward, Puyallup, Wash.

     On Saturday evening June 26th came the close of one of the noblest lives of Enterprise. Though she had been battling against a dreadful disease for many months and had been expected for days, the fact that she had at last entered the Great Beyond came with a shock of personal bereavement to the large circle of friends. By the little children who had the privilege of knowing her she was endearingly called "Grandma Carter" and she was a lovely example of that noblest type of woman, a christian mother to the community.
     Annabel Fulton was born in Belmont county Ohio Jan. 28, 1856, at the time of her death being 64 years, 5 months and 6 days of age.
     At the age of four years she went with her parents to the state of Missouri and at the age of twenty-three was united in marriage to James R. Carter. They came west a few years later and settled in Wallowa county on Alder Slope, thirty years ago. They became residents of Enterprise, nine years ago having since resided here.
     For the past year Mrs. Carter's health has been noticeably falling.
     On April 21 she went to Portland to consult Dr. Rocky and underwent an operation there five days later. But all that medical skill could do was unavailing to allay her suffering which she endured with wonderful courage. An active member of the Baptist church since 22 years of age. She was ever loyal and hard working in all its activities and her passing will leave a great void in her church.
     She is survived by the husband, J. R. Carter and four daughters, Mrs. V. C. Hart, Mrs. S. Burge, of Enterprise, Mrs. Oscar Estes, of Joseph and Mrs. W. O. Treanor of Ottumwa, Iowa. Two little sons died early in life.
     The funeral was held at the residence Monday June 28, Rev. Mergler in charge. Interment was made in the Enterprise cemetery.

     Thelma Caudle, the fifteen year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Caudle of Lostine, died Saturday noon from a rifle shot wound. Thelma was walking along a street of Lostine last Wednesday when a rifle bullet from a 22-rifle in the hands of Jesse Phillips struck her and passed through the body. Young Phillips who is fifteen years old maintains that the shot was purely accidental. He has been bound over to the circuit court on the charge of second degree murder.

     The following lines are in memory of little Dell, son of T. J. and Jennie Chandler, who died March 24, 1894; aged three years and seven months:

     Milton-Freewater-George C. Clark 90, for many years a merchant in Wallowa county, died here Monday at the home of his son, Alton Clark. Born in London, England, June 25, 1866, he came to the United States as a child of 2-1/2 and grew to manhood in Minnesota. He moved to Flora, in Wallowa county, where he operated saw mills, and later established a mercantile business which he ran for more than 40 years. Surviving are two sons, Alton of Milton-Freewater, and Frances Owen (Bus) Clark, Walla Walla; two daughters, Mrs. W. C. Loney, Moscow, Idaho and Mrs. Joyce McFetridge, Imnaha, Ore; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

     Nellie Clark wife of G. C. Clark of Flora, passed away early Wednesday morning. She had been a resident of the Flora community for the past 50 years. Nellie Courtright was born at Summerville, Ore., on May 3, 1878. She came to Flora to teach school about 1899 and there met Mr. Clark. They were married on Feb. 18, 1900, and made Flora their home up until the time of her death. On account of her heart they had planned to move to Clarkston, but had not completed moving when she was stricken. Surviving are her husband and four children: Alton B. Clark of Milton, Alma Loney of Moscow, Idaho, F. O. (Buster) Clark of Flora, and Joyce McFetridge of Joseph. There are also six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
     Mrs. Clark did a great deal for her neighbors in the Flora community and had many friends. She was a member of the Royal Neighbors lodge. 
     Funeral services will be held tomorrow (Friday) from the Booth chapel with burial in the cemetery at Summerville beside her mother and sister.

        Oretta M. Clegg, 69, of Enterprise, died Friday, Aug. 23, 1996, at Wallowa Memorial Hospital.
      A Funeral service will begin 11 a.m. Monday at Enterprise Community Church.  Interment will follow at Enterprise Cemetery.
      Mrs. Clegg was born in Enterprise March 23, 1927, to Fred and Myrtle (Ownbey) Hearing.  On Nov. 28, 1946, she married Robert E. Clegg in Walla Walla, Wash., where she was attending nursing school.
      After living in Baker City for 10 years, they moved to Enterprise in 1955, where he began his 22-year music career.  Mrs. Clegg began working at Wallowa Memorial Hospital in 1965.  Her favorite job as a nurse's aid was helping new babies come into the world.  She loved them all, family members said.
      She retired in 1983 and sent most of her time going to sports and musical events, gardening, knitting and watching her two grandchildren grow up.
      She is survived by her husband, Bob of Enterprise; daughter Debbie Kellerman of Joseph; sons, Jim Clegg, Ron Clegg and Dave Clegg, all of Enterprise; and grandchildren, Deron Clegg of Corvallis and Amber Clegg of Enterprise.
      Memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Foundation in care of the Bollman Funeral Home, 3154 W Main St., Enterprise 97828.

     Services for Edith L. Cooper, 82, of Newberg, were held Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 1 p.m. at Macy and Son Funeral Chapel in McMinnville. Interment will follow at the Enterprise Cemetery. She died Nov. 6, 1993, at the Chehalem Care Center in Newburg.
    She was born June 17, 1911, in Lostine, the daughter of Martin Luther and Hattie Jane (Biggs) Greenough.
     On July 8, 1929, she married William H. Cooper in Enterprise.
     Mrs. Cooper was raised and school in Lostine. She helped raise her brother and sisters and then lived on her uncle's farm and helped him farm. In 1961 she moved to Newburg and in the late 70s she moved back to Lostine until 1984 when she moved back to Newburg.
     She loved to play cards.
     Survivors include five sons, William Jr., Ramon, Darrell, Gary and Steven Cooper, all from Newberg; three daughters, Carol Jane Prine, White Salmon, Wash., Lois A., Trent, Puyallup, Wash., and Susan Perez, McMinnville; one sister, Louise Gettling, Klamath Falls; 27 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren.
     She was preceded in death by a son; Wesley Cooper, two brothers, one sister and three grandchildren.

     Rev. Harry W. Cooper, pastor of the Church of God, passed away yesterday at five o'clock from the effects of the dread disease that is taking so many lives in all parts of the world.
     The deceased was born in Butler county, Kansas and was thirty-two years old. He leaves a wife and three children, and parents who live at Moscow, Idaho. His father was at the bedside of his son.
     Rev. Cooper had been sick about ten days and was thought to be improving but the disease had weakened his heart and he passed away very suddenly yesterday morning.
     He came to this city from Idaho to take charge of the Church of God and has built up the church and was universally liked.
     The funeral services were held at the grave in the Enterprise cemetery this morning at 10 o'clock.

     Minnith O. Couch, 74, of Toppenish, Washington, died Saturday, Oct. 29, 1983 in St.. Alphosus hospital in Boise, Idaho. He was born Dec. 21, 1908 in Wallowa, to Leonard and Minnie (Fisher) Couch. He attended schools in Wallowa, graduating in 1927 from Wallowa High School. He attended Oregon State University, the her served in the Army during W.W.I, earning the Victory Medal, the American Theater Service Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal. In 1945 he was discharged and went to work in Portland, as an oiler in the Jones Lumber Company sawmill. He moved to Toppenish in 1956 and worked for the Toppenish School District as a custodian, retiring in 1971.
     Mr. Couch married Ruby Langdon on Feb. 6, 1959 in Toppenish. He was a member of the Washington Old Time Fiddlers, the Blue Mt. Fiddlers, and the Mid-Valley Geological Society and attended the Calvary Baptist Church in Toppenish. Survives include his wife, Ruby Couch of Toppenish; two step-sons, Ray Morris of Anchorage, Alaska, and Jim Morris of Toppenish; three step-daughters, Betty Lou Coles of Yakima and Mary Winberry and LaVonne Cupits, both of Boise, Idaho; three brothers, Quinton Couch of Portland, Robert Couch of Colville and Phillip Couch of Dayton, Ohio; 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, four brothers and one grandson.

     Mrs. B.T. Long received word Thursday evening of the death of her father, P. L. Courtney at Payette, Idaho and left for that place Friday. M. O. Courtney of Lostine accompanied her. P. L. Courtney was one of the earliest settlers of the valley and lived here until recent years when he was compelled to try a different climate to relieve asthma from which he was a sufferer. He spent the past year in California from there going to Payette only two weeks ago and on the trip contracted the influenza to which he succumbed.

Pinkney L. Courtney was born on Jany. 31, 1848, in Mongabala(?) county, Virginia. He moved with his parents from there to Appanoose county, Iowa, ten years later. A few years later they again moved this time to Lucus county, Iowa. On October 17, 1867 he was united in marriage with Jane E. Barger and the same year they united with the Baptist church and remained faithful to the end.
     Nine children were born to the union six of whom are living, three dying in infancy. Those surviving are: Alphon W. Courtney, Payette, Idaho. Mrs. B. T. Long of Enterprise, Oregon. C. R. Courtney, Heber, Calif. Mark O. Courtney, Lostine, Ore. Mrs. L.C. Gates, Long Beach, Calif.
     In June 1873 he settled on a farm near Summerville, Oregon. In April 1883 they moved to a farm near Lostine, and five years later moved to Enterprise, Oregon and after living there a few years moved on a farm near Lostine. About two years later on account of asthma moved to Corvallis, Ore. In 1896, he moved back to Lucas county, Iowa and after staying there a few years moved to Bonesteel, S.D. taking up a homestead. Finding no relief for his asthma there in 1908 moved to Orange, California, staying there until March 27th when he went to Payette, Idaho, hoping to find relief. He passed away April 10, 1919, aged 71 years 2 months and ten days.

     Marion Coverdale was found dead in his cabin near the river in Joseph on Wednesday of last week, July 12, 1922. He had been in poor health for some time and had been receiving care from Miss Mayme Peterson, county nurse. He lived alone.
     Mr. Coverdale had lived in the county for upwards of 40 years and was a rather picturesque character. He was fond of the mountains and canyons and trapped and hunted for a living much of his time. He was born in Walla Walla, Feb 16, 1864, and came with his parents to Wallowa county when a boy. The family lived near Joseph and Marion Coverdale made his home on Prairie Creek for many years.
     Later he went to the upper Imnaha where he had a hunter's cabin at what is now known as the Coverdale Ranger Station. He was married twice. A daughter of his first wife lives in Montana and his second wife lives with her children at Estacada. Two sisters survive Mr. Coverdale, one living at Weston and the other at Portland and a brother, Osa, lives at Estacada.

     Zadock Coverdale, a pioneer of Upper Prairie Creek, this county, but of late a resident of Milton, Oregon, died December 15th at the advanced age of 83 years.

     Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Cramer and Mrs. Edwin Bloom went to Wallowa Friday to attend the funeral of Miss Lola Cramer who died in Pendleton of the influenza and was brought to Wallowa where her parents live for burial.

     R.N. Crawford died at Baker, Ore. Friday last. Mr. Crawford was well known here having worked at the E. M.&M. mill for a number of months last year. He was a brother of O. G. Crawford who went to Baker Friday and accompanied the body to Heppner, for burial.

     Monday morning at her home northeast of Evans, Mrs. E. A. Crossler was suddenly and unexpectedly called to enter her rest. Her death came as a severe shock to her relatives and friends. In meeting life's call as a mother she passed into the shadow and crossed to the other shore from whence no traveler ever returns. besides her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Bright of Wallowa and other relatives, she leaves her husband and four children, Eula, Irene, Melvin and Mina, to mourn her untimely going. Mrs. Crossler was laid to rest in the Lostine cemetery Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Bogue officiating. She rests beside the child who died in infancy.

     Eliza Mary Crossler passed away at her home in Walla Walla November 28. She was born February 2, 1878, at Sweet Home, Oregon. Her parents, George and Mary Hearing, with their family, came to Wallowa county in 1884, settling in the hill country east of Lostine where they farmed many years and endured the hardships of the early pioneers. Years later they moved to Lostine and then to Wallowa.
     Eliza was married to George Childers and to this union seven children were born, five of whom survive.
     Mr. Childers carried the Lostine mail to the first passenger train coming into the county, and held this position until his death many years afterward. They were both members of the Christian church.
     Several years later she married E. A. Crossler, a prosperous farmer of the Chapman district. After selling their farm they moved to Walla Walla where they have since resided.
     She is survived by her husband; two sons, Cecil of Joseph and Clair of Eugene; three daughters, Mrs. Vera Pierson and Mrs. Maxine Schumacher of Portland; and Mrs. Verda Davis of Emmett, Idaho; one brother, M. V. Hearing of Joseph, Oregon, and one sister, May of Medford. She also leaves nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; besides three step-daughters, Mrs. Charles (Eula Bloodsworth of Hermiston, Mrs. Quentin (Irene) Lathrop of Lostine, and Mrs. Herman (Marie) Wood of Colville, Washington; and several nieces and nephews.
     While rearing her family Mrs. Crossler always found time to assist her neighbors in times of need. After her children were grown she became interested in painting, and many of her pictures adorn the homes of her children and close friends. Some of her best were painted at the age of seventy-three.
     Services were held at MacMartin & Chamberlain "Chapel of the Chimes" in Walla Walla Tuesday, December 1st, 1953. Concluding services were at Mt. View Cemetery in Walla Walla. All members of her family attended.

     Victor M. Crow, a rancher who lived near Enterprise and who was a native of Wallowa County, passed away Saturday, Oct. 25, 1975 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital.
     He was the son of Michael and Jennie Crow and was born at Lostine on Aug. 30, 1918. On April 11, 1971 he was married at Lostine to Ariss J. Englund. He was a veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Joseph United Methodist Church, Standley Lodge 113 AF & AM of Wallowa, Baker Consistory of the Scottish Rite, BPOE 1829 of Enterprise, Hurricane Creek Grange, the Oregon State Grange, and American Legion Post 18 of Enterprise.
     Survivors include his wife, Ariss at the ranch home; a daughter Mrs. Bryan (Lou Ann) Wolfe of Hermiston; a son, Philip Crow of LaCrosse, Wash.; two brothers, Melvin E. Crow and L. Warner Crow of Lostine; one sister, Mrs. Corda (Martha) Locke of Lostine; and five grandchildren.
     Memorial services, conducted by the Bollman Funeral Home, were yesterday (Wednesday) at 2 p.m. at the Joseph Methodist Church, with the R. E. Hefty and the Rev. Wm. B. Watson officiating. Gail Swart was organist and a quartet - Malcolm Dawson, Floyd Kennedy, Clifford Collinsworth and Don Swart - sang "How Great Thou Art" and "Deep River".
     Honorary pallbearers were the many friends of the deceased, and casket bearers were Dan Mosee, Dan Stein, Bob Swisher, John Freels, LeRoy Childers, Eugene Zacharias, Kenneth Stein and Jim Cheatham. Masonic Committal services were by Standley Lodge #113 AF & AM, and interment was in the Lostine Cemetery.
     Those who wish may contribute to the memorial fund of the Joseph United Methodist Church or a charity of their choice in care of Bollman Funeral Home.

     Word has been received of the passing on Monday, Oct. 10, 1960, of Mrs. Pauline Cruzan, about 49, of Portland, after an illness of several months.
     Funeral services were yesterday (Wednesday) at 3 p.m. at the Vernon Presbyterian church in Portland and burial was in Sunset Hills Memorial Park.
     Mrs. Cruzan was the daughter of Boone F. and Maude Childers and had lived in the Lostine area several years. She leaves her husband, James Cruzan, of Portland; a daughter, Mary Warfield; two foster sons, Dan and Michael Bolme, three grandchildren; four sisters: Mrs. Lulu Dimmick, Mrs. Uley McGinnis, Ruth Nuxall and Donna Goodale; and a brother, Howard Childers.

     Mrs. John Curry passed away Saturday, Jan. 16, 1937, at the home of her son, William G. Curry, near Flora. She had been in poor health for months, suffering from troubles brought on by her advanced age. Funeral services were held at Flora Methodist church Tuesday, conducted by the pastor, Rev. H. G. Luscombe, and burial was in the Flora cemetery.
     Lizzie Maria Burnett was born in Ireland, Dec. 12, 1857, and came to the United States alone when a young woman. She was married to John Curry at Seattle, Wash., March 26, 1887. Then years later Mr. Curry came to explore Wallowa county and filed on a homestead in the north end, which remained his home until he passed away, Feb. 23, 1935, and has been the home of his widow since then.
     Mrs. Curry was survived by four children: William G. and Samuel of Flora, Vena of Long Beach, Cal., and Mrs. J. B. Rowell of Honolulu, Hawaii territory and by 11 grandchildren. Two children passed away years ago. Miss Curry came from California for the funeral, her brothers meeting her at the train late Monday night.
     A long time resident of the county, Mrs. Curry had done her full part in the development of the north end. She was a woman of kind and gentle character and was loved by all.

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