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Gus Malaxa
Gus Malaxa, born January 16, 1902, in Vizcaya, Spain, passed away at home in Enterprise on April 11, 2000.
Gus came to the United States in 1919 at the age of 17. He first arrived in Boise, Idaho, where his sister lived at the time. Upon arrival, she attempted to dissuade her little brother from making a life in a foreign land. Never a man to fold under pressure, Gus boldly defied his sisters' request to return home and instead moved to the Wallowa Valley where he spent his remaining years.
Gus went to work for Jay Dobbin as a sheepherder and in order to prove his ability, he spent the next four years and seven days in the mountains tending to the sheep.
In 1937, Gus, along with partners Antonio Martiartu and Silver Egana, purchased the Cherry Creek Sheep Company from their employer. Dedicated to achieving success, Gus once walked 51 miles in the cold of winter to insure feed for his stock. For the remaining years of his life, his family and a successful sheep operation would occupy his mind.
In 1950, Gus returned to Spain where he met his future wife of 49 years, Juana Ulacia. On the same trip, he met Joe Onaindia who would eventually become his brother-in-law and partner in Cherry Creek. Eventually, in 1974, the two sold the operation.
In retirement, Gus remained active. He spent time fondly retelling his journeys through the mountains to his grandsons. He would instill in them valuable memories and the ability to achieve anything that you are dedicated to. One memorable July afternoon, he also taught them how to play blackjack. Gus was finally able to enjoy the relaxing days that he had worked so hard for. Agur Aichiche.
Gus Malaxa is survived by his wife, Juana of Enterprise; daughter Mary and son-in-law Julian Garechana of Boise; and grandsons Jake Garechana of Seattle, WA, and Robert Garechana of Austin, Texas.
William J. Reich
William J. Reich, 78, of Enterprise, died of natural causes on April 15, 2000, at Wallowa Memorial Hospital. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as Sergeant in England during WWII.
He was employed as a sheet metal engineer. He was preceded in death by his father Herman F. Reich and mother, Wilma C (Brodrick) Reich. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Ellen Mae Reich; two sons, Randall J. Reich of Central Point and Terence J. Reich of Enterprise; a brother, Robert M. Reich of San Luis Obispo, CA; and one granddaughter.
At his request no services will be held. Donations may be made to the charity of choice in care of the Bollman Funeral Home.
Rolland Slatter
Rolland E. Slatter of Troy died Monday, April 17, 2000, at the Valley Vista Living Center in Rupert.
He was born April 19, 1908 in Roseland, Neb., to Daniel E. and Emma J. (Kaufman) Slatter. At the age of five he moved with his mother to Idaho to join his father. He grew up in Filer, Idaho. He married
Lucille Gentry in 1928, they were later divorced. They had six children. In 1978 he married
his special love Helen Harig, they lived in Troy, Oregon. He farmed in Idaho and Oregon and had a hoof trimming business.. He enjoyed the outdoors, his horses, mules and his dogs.
Rolland is survived by five daughters; Lorene E. Dean, Twin Falls; Ruby J. (Starley) Hutchinson, Rupert; Lee Keller, Idaho Falls; Lois (Keith) Tilton, Twin Falls and Velma J. (Len) Riddle, Hagerman. One son, Stanley L. Slatter of Gooding. Two sisters; Clare (Dale) Herre and Merle (Beryl) Lee. Ten grandchildren, twenty two great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters; Vergie, Lila and Marjory, three brothers, Orville, Clyde and Ernie.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m Friday, April 21, 2000 at Hansen Mortuary Rupert Chapel, Rupert, Idaho. Pastor Rob Coolidge will officiate. Family and friends may call at Hansen Mortuary on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Valley Vista Care Center or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Hansen Mortuary Rupert Chapel.
Ruby Bennett
Ruby L. Bennett, 83, of John Day passed away April 14, 2000 at the Blue Mountain Hospital.
She was born Dec. 16, 1916 to Edith (Koger) and Tom Farlow at Bates Cr. Near Wamic, Or and graduated from Maupin H.S. in 1934.
At age 19 she came to the John Day area to care for the ailing wife and three young sons (6, 3, 1 ½) of Chester A . Bennett, Sr. She stayed on to care for the children after their mother's death and two years later in 1940 married
Mr. Bennett. At that time he was assistant supervisor of the Malheur National Forest. They added one son of their own to a growing family. They had 55 years together before his death in 1994.
During their life with the Forest Service they moved to Enterprise, Okanagan, WA, and back to Enterprise after retirement. They enjoyed trail riding, fishing, hunting, and mushrooming. They were involved with the Elks, Masonic and Shrine activities for many years.
After retirement and building a lovely home on Hurricane Creek near Enterprise, they traveled to Europe, China, Canada and Mexico and enjoyed fishing and hunting in Alaska and Canada and wintering in Arizona. Ruby also embroidered many quilt squares for the Shrine Hospital.
Known as an extremely patient person, she taught most of her grandchildren to fish and never too busy to read or play the same games over and over with them. Her rhubarb and custard pies are fondly remembered.
She resided in assisted living facilities in Joseph and John Day prior to moving to Blue Mountain Nursing Home in March of 2000.
Ruby is survived by three sons and their wives, Chet and Joan Bennett of John Day; Bill and Martha Bennett of Cannon Beach, and Jim and Edna Bennett of Raleigh, N.C.; daughter-in-law Jean of Shelton, WA; sister and husband Eula and Quentin Beaman of Magalia, CA; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren (who often referred to her as their "little grandma") along with several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Chester on Nov. 1, 1994; son Bob on July 2, 1995; her parents; and one granddaughter.
Graveside services were held on Wednesday, April 19, at 2 p.m. at the Burns cemetery at Burns.
Also a memorial gathering will be held in her memory on Friday, May 19, at the United Methodist Church in John Day. Those who wish may make contributions to the Shriner's Hospital or the charity of one's choice through Diskill Memorial Chapel of John Day, which is in charge of the arrangements.
C. Gregory Johnson
C. Gregory Johnson passed away April 18, 2000, in Boise, Idaho, at the age 59. He was a former resident of Wallowa and a Wallowa High School graduate.
Graveside services are pending at Lower Valley cemetery in Wallowa. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society or Challis School District Trust Account Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 304, Challis, ID 83226
Maxine Harmon
Maxine E. Harmon, 80, of Wallowa Lake passed away Feb. 4, 2000, in Joseph.
She was born April 6, 1919 in a little house on Prairie Creek to W.W. and Susie Sprague McClain. Her Uncle Poley and Aunt Hattie McClain Beaudoin raised her on Upper Prairie Creek. She graduated from Joseph High School in 1937. Maxine married
H. Jack Harmon in 1941.
She was active in her church and the community. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and loyal friend.
Maxine is survived by her husband Jack and her four children, Joan Fager, Jean Talbott, Julie Hickerson and Bill Harmon and their families.
Her memorial service was held Feb. 4, 2000, at Enterprise Community Church.
Those who wish to make contributions may do so to Enterprise Community Church in care of Bollman Funeral Home.
Enid Edgmand
Enid A. Edgmand, 89, of Wallowa passed away Feb. 4, 2000, at the Wallowa Valley Care Center.
She married
John W. Edgmond Sr. May 8, 1938 at Asotin, Washington.
Enid graduated from Wallowa High School in 1928 and ran the Wallowa Hotel and restaurant.
She was proceeded in death by her husband John in 1976, her son John Jr. in 1977 and by her sisters Patricia Klitz and Dorothy Maxwell.
Enid is survived by her sister Mary Lee Running of Wallowa, three grandsons, several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held Feb. 7, 2000, at the Wallowa cemetery.
Those who wish to make contributions may do so to charity of choice in care of Bollman Funeral Home.
Roy C. Sparks Jr.
Roy C. Sparks Jr., 67, died Jan. 28, 2000, in Bend at St. Charles Medical Center of a heart attack.
Mr. Sparks was born in Alvin, Texas, to Roy C. and Amellis (Weilder) Sparks.
He graduated from Hood River High School in 1950, then worked at J.C. Penney's in Hood River before going to work for First National Bank, now First Interstate Bank. He served in the U.S. Army for four years during the Korean conflict.
He married
Cheryl Hepburn on Nov. 24, 1966, in Joseph and continued to work for the bank until his retirement in 1992.
He was a member of the Bend Elks Lodge. He enjoyed travel, hiking and photography.
Survivors included his wife, Cheryl Sparks of Bend; three sons: Steve, Ken and Jeff Sparks, all of Hood River; three brothers: Harlan Sparks of White Salmon, WA, and Ray and Melvin Sparks of Hood River; two sisters; Velma Hines of Waldport and Ealine Gilcher of Umatilla; and five grandchildren.
Services were held at the Niswonger, Reynolds and Tabor Funeral Home in Bend, with interment in Greenwood cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the American Heart Association, 1425 N.E. Irving #100, Portland, OR 97232.
Barton Phillips
Charles Barton "Bart" Phillips, 27, of Joseph died on Feb. 3, 2000, at home with his parents. A private burial was held at the Prairie Creek cemetery. A memorial service will be held on his birthday, May 4.
Survivors include his parents, Charley and Ramona Phillips of Joseph; brother, Shawn Phillips and wife Maria of San Clemente, CA; sister, Tammy Lauchland and husband Matt and children, Clayton, Cole and Halley of Lodi, CA; sister, Carrie Phillips of La Grande; grandparents, Doug and Jane Tippett and Lyman Nash all of Joseph and Jack and Charlene Phillips of Dixon, Calif.
Other survivors include great-grandparents, Bill and Blanche Frenaye of Auburn, CA; and many uncles and aunts: Ken and Annie Nash, Todd and Angie Nash of Enterprise, Bill and Jackie Matthews of Roseburg, Linda Tippett of Salem, Tom and Lori Seely of Pendleton, Steve Tippett of Arizona, John and Anita Phillips of Ely, Nev., Pete and Melissa Glide of Dixon, Calif., and Larry and Sue Shoemaker of Comanche Lake, Calif.
Contributions maybe made to the Wallowa County Hospice Program or the Wallowa Memorial Hospital in Enterprise, where Bart was born on May 4, 1972.
Thomas Cowgill
Thomas J. Cowgill, 75, of Milton-Freewater, passed away Aug. 20, 2000, at his home.
Funeral services will be held Aug. 24 (today) at 11 a.m. at the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home Chapel in Milton-Freewater, with Rev. Richard Davidson officiating. Concluding services and vault interment will be in the Milton-Freewater cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wallowa Walla Community Hospice through the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home, 902 S. Main, Milton-Freewater, OR 97862.
Mr. Cowgill was born Sept. 6, 1924, in Paradise, Ore., the son of Thomas and Flora Haworth Cowgill. He was raised and educated in Enterprise. After his high school graduation in 1942 he worked for Jay Dobbin, a local rancher, and he also worked in the shipyards in Portland.
In October, 1943, he joined the U.S. Army, serving during WWII. He served as a radio operator in Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. During the war years, his family moved to Milton-Freewater. Following his discharge from the service in 1946, he joined them there.
Shortly after moving to Milton-Freewater, he met Mary Ruth Bayles and the couple was married
in Lewiston, Idaho, on Aug. 12, 1946. The couple was married
for 54 years.
Mr. Cowgill began working for Rogers Canning Company on Aug. 23, 1948. He continued working there for 34 years, retiring on Dec. 31, 1982.
After his retirement, he and his wife took the opportunity to fish, garden and travel. He was an avid reader and enjoyed watching all types of sporting events. He was a very hard worker and many hours were spent helping neighbors. Every job he applied himself to was done to perfection. Mr. Cowgill was a member of the Teamsters Union Local 556.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ruth Cowgill; a son and daughter-in-law, David and Velda Cowgill of Grants Pass; three daughters and their husbands, Beverly and Daniel Kinsley of Pendleton and Anita and Leslie Humphrey and Carolyn Norton of Yakima, WA; a brother and his wife, Darrell and Floy Cowgill of Bend; a sister, Jessie Gray of Milton-Freewater; eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers Forrest in 1975, Russell in 1987 and Malon in 1999.
Herman ‘Bud' Provost
Herman L. Provost, 77, of Joseph passed away Aug. 18, 2000, at Evergreen Rehab in La Grande.
He was born Nov. 15, 1922 in Woburn, Mass. to Louis and Ruth (Watson) Provost.
Bud serviced in the U.S. Marines during WWII, and married
Dorothy April 26, 1946 at Hawthorne, Nev.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy; a daughter Connie Black of Joseph; two sons, Ronald of Grays Court, S.C., and Randy of Lake Wylie, S.C.; sisters, Erma Dunway of Jacksonville, Fla., and Teresa Mick of Del Ray Beach, Fla.; six grandchildren and eight great-grand children.
Donation may be made to Disabled American Veterans, in care of Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W Main St, Enterprise, OR 97828.
Leonard Cornwell
Leonard Cornwell of Enterprise, passed away Aug. 22, 2000. There will be no services at his request.
NADINE HEATHERINGTON
Nadine Flora Heatherington, 73, died at the Wallowa Valley Care Center in Enterprise on Jan. 24, 2001.
Nadine was born Nov. 9, 1927, in Gregory, Ark., to William Earnest Swan and Flora Ann (Ridenour) Swan. She was married
in 1945 to Manford M. Heatherington, who preceded her in death in January of 2000. She spent her life as a homemaker.
Survivors include daughter Beverly, wife of Tom Farrar, Joseph; sons Marvin Heatherington of Reno, Nev., and Merle Heatherington, Ark.; sister Naomi Quinn, Roseburg; brothers Joseph E. Swan, Tacoma, WA, Norman Swan, Minn., Leo Swan, Jonesboro, Ark., and Ecil Swan, Conway, Ark.; grandson Thomas Farrar; and granddaughter Rebecca Heatherington.
Nadine was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and one brother.
A private family service was held. Donations in her memory are suggested to the Wallowa Valley Care Center for large print books, c/o Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main St., Enterprise OR 97828.
SAM SIDOTI
Salvatore (Sam) C. Sidoti, 74, passed away Sept. 23, 2000, at his Joseph home, with his family by his side.
Sam was born Nov. 8, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the eighth child of 10 born to Frank and Concetta Sidoti, who immigrated from Sicily. Sam worked for several years in the family bakery in Cleveland. He eventually moved to southern California and owned and operated several restaurants. His specialty was pizza and spaghetti sauce. He also worked for Shell Oil Company before retiring and moving to Joseph.
Sam and his family moved to Oregon in 1980. After living in Joseph for a couple of years he took over the Gold Room Restaurant and Cowboy Bar. Sam enjoyed fishing, playing bingo and cribbage. He was a member of the Lions Club and Moose Lodge.
He is survived by his wife Jean; his brother Frank Sidoti of California; four sisters, Rose and Mary of Ohio and Clara and Jean of California; five sons, Robert, Sam, and Anthony Sidoti of California, Cace Sidoti of Enterprise, Geno Sidoti of Redmond; daughter Hollee Little of Azores, Portugal; stepchildren Shannon, Robin, and Martin Hamilton of Oregon and Laurie Hamilton of California; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews; and many friends.
Memorial services will be held Oct. 8, 2000, at the Joseph Methodist Church, at 2 p.m. A gathering of family and friends will follow at the VFW Hall in Enterprise. Contributions can be made to Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main St., Enterprise, OR 97828.
