RECORDS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2021
THE OBSERVER — A3
OBITUARIES
Marie (Allen) Hill Stock
Jerry Lou (Halsey) Gerber
Robert ‘Gene’ E. Fuller
1933-2021
1933-2021
1933-2021
Formerly of Union
“Jim” B. Hill, and they
Marie Hill Stock, 88,
had three daughters and
formerly of Union, died
Oct. 22, 2021. A celebra-
adopted two sons. Jim
preceded her in death in
tion of her life was held
2000. In 2014, she married
Nov. 1 in Mesa, Arizona,
Ted Stock of
and she was
Seattle, and they
buried at Par-
enjoyed seven
adise Memo-
years together.
rial Gardens
Survivors
in Scottsdale,
include her
Arizona.
Marie was
husband,
born July
Ted; daugh-
6, 1933, in
ters and their
Hinckley,
spouses, Crystal
Utah, to Fred-
and Lance
Stock
rick Allen and
Voss, Mer-
Thelma (Blake)
rily Verhagen,
Allen. Her mother died
and Lorie and James;
when she was 6, and she
numerous grandchil-
moved to Union when she dren and great-grandchil-
and her sisters, Josephine
dren; and sister, Blanche
and Blanche, were placed
Koehler.
as foster children in the
She was preceded in
home of Grant and Ezma
death by her parents and
Baxter Wilde. Marie was
foster parents; sister, Jose-
raised in Union and lived
phine Zaugg; fi rst hus-
there for many years. In
band, James Hill; sons,
her later years she lived in Jonathan and Lee Hill;
Arizona.
and son-in-law, Paul
Marie married James
Verhagen.
La Grande
Jerry Lou Gerber, 88,
of all, she loved to travel,
of La Grande,died Nov. 8,
the highlight being her trip
2021, at a local care facility. through the Panama Canal.
A funeral service will be
She was a member of the
held Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. at
United Methodist Church
Loveland Funeral Chapel,
and a charter member of
La Grande.
the Elks Emblem Club.
Jerry Lou, the only child She also was a member of
of Herschel M. Halsey and
Hope Chapter #13 Order
Areta L. (Titus) Halsey,
of the Eastern Star, Wes-
was born July 23, 1933, in
leyan Circle, Rebekah
Baker. They lived in Union
Lodge #96, Daughters of
until Jerry Lou was 2 years
the Nile, Eagles Auxil-
old, when they moved to
iary and American Legion
La Grande. She attended
Auxiliary.
Ackerman and Central ele-
Survivors include her
mentary schools and gradu- cousins, Ron and Dorothy
ated from La Grande High
Titus of Union, Norman
School in 1951.
and Carol Titus of Hawaii,
Jerry Lou took classes at Cindy Titus Peterson of
what is now Eastern Oregon Newburg, Sharon and Larry
University, then worked
Vermillion of La Grande,
for Evenson and Snyder
Jim and Teresa Smith of
CPAs as a bookkeeper for
Union, and Robin Restel
12 years until being injured and Sandra Vowels of
in a car crash. She then
Carson City, Nevada.
worked for the La Grande
She was preceded in
School District in the same
death by her husband,
capacity.
Glenn; daughter, Toni; par-
On April 21, 1951, Jerry
ents, Herschel and Areta;
Lou married Dale Niederer, uncle and aunt, Marvin and
and their daughter, Toni C.
Gertrude Titus; and many
Niederer, was born on April cousins.
21, 1954. Toni passed away
Memorial contribu-
at the age of 40. Dale and
tions may be made to
Jerry Lou divorced in 1955. Hope Chapter #13 Cancer
Jerry Lou and Glenn
Research Committee, or
A. Gerber were married
PAWS (dogs assisting vet-
on Nov. 26, 1976. They
erans) in care of Hope
enjoyed a wonderful life
Chapter #13 O.E.S at 1411
together until Glenn’s
X Ave., La Grande 97850.
passing on Jan. 23, 1995.
Online condolences
Jerry Lou enjoyed
may be made to the family
reading, crafting and doing
at www.lovelandfuneral-
crossword puzzles. Most
chapel.com.
Formerly of La Grande
Robert “Gene” Eugene the United States. He was
Fuller, 88, of Hermiston
a man of God and always
made people feel
and formerly of
welcome and
La Grande, died
loved. He always
Nov. 2, 2021.
had a smile on
At his request,
his face and was
there will not be
an awesome
a service.
hugger.
Also known
Survivors
as Gene, he was
include his wife
born Feb. 17,
of 63 years,
1933, in Weiser,
Betty; children,
Idaho, to Robert
Fuller
Dennis Fuller
Fuller and Clara
of La Grande,
(Annsey) Fuller.
Roxie Myers
He served in the
and her husband,
U.S. Navy from
Steve, of Stan-
1951-1955. He
fi eld, and Jim
married Betty
Fuller of Herm-
Collins, and
iston; six grand-
together they
children; and 10
raised three
great-grandchil-
children.
dren.
Gene worked
Online condolences
for the Union Pacifi c Rail-
road as an engineer for 34 may be made to the family
at www.lovelandfuneral-
years. After retiring, he
and Betty traveled all over chapel.com.
Delta R. (Huff man) Phelps
1945-2021
Summerville
Delta R. Phelps, 75, of
baking them their favorite
Summerville, died Oct.
goodies and giving gifts.
30, 2021, in Spokane,
Delta enjoyed sewing,
Washington, due to com-
knitting and wood-
plications from a
working and
short battle with
always had a
cancer. A grave-
project going
side service will
on. She liked
be held Nov.
traveling and
26 at 1:30 p.m.
vacations at the
at the Sum-
Oregon Coast.
merville Cem-
She enjoyed out-
etery. A cele-
door activities
bration of her
including gar-
life and dinner
dening, snow-
will immedi-
mobiling, horse-
Phelps
ately follow
back riding,
at the Odd Fellows
mushroom hunting and
Hall on Main Street in
daily walks in the woods.
Summerville.
Survivors include her
Delta was born Dec.
husband, Roger Phelps
30, 1945, in Enterprise,
of Summerville; chil-
to Mary Lou (Lathrop)
dren and their spouses,
Huff man. She was the
Mike and Sheila Phelps
eldest of four children.
of Elgin, Nikki Phelps
She met her future hus-
of Spokane, Wash-
band, Roger Phelps, in
ington, and Tim and
Prineville. They were
Jenny Phelps of Sum-
married in 1964 and had
merville; nine grandchil-
three children: Mike,
dren and 10 great-grand-
Nikki and Tim. They
children; brothers and
lived in La Grande until
sisters-in-law, Steve
1972, when they moved
and Karen Huff man of
to their forever home
Sutherlin and Craig and
on 20 acres outside of
Kylene Huff man of La
Summerville.
Grande; nephew and
Delta worked for Boise wife, Bill and Tia Koops
Cascade in Elgin for 33
of Hermiston; and many
years until retiring in
other nieces and nephews.
2011. She loved spending
She was preceded
time with her chil-
in death by her mother,
dren, grandchildren,
Mary Lou; sister, Billie;
and great-grandchil-
and a granddaughter and
dren. She especially loved two great-grandsons.
DEATH AND SERVICE NOTICES
Richard ‘Dick’ Beedle
La Grande
Richard “Dick” Beedle, 93, of La Grande and Desert
Hot Springs, California, died Oct. 19, 2021. Arrangements
by All California Cremation, Palm Desert, California.
Coral M. Ward
La Grande
Coral Marie Ward, 85, of La Grande, died Nov. 9, 2019,
at Grande Ronde Retirement Residence. A memorial ser-
vice will be held Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. at the La Grande First
Presbyterian Church. Masks will be required. To join the
service virtually, go to www.facebook.com/groups/FPCLa-
Grande. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel,
La Grande.
Hubert M. Comfort
La Grande
Hubert M. Comfort, 86, of La Grande, died Nov. 12,
2021, at Grande Ronde Hospital. Arrangements are by
Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Marjorie Gorham
Formerly of Union County
Marjorie Gorham, 98, formerly of Union County, died
Oct. 13 at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Heppner. A recita-
tion of the Rosary and a funeral was held Nov. 12 at Hep-
pner’s St. Patrick Catholic Church. Arrangements are by
Sweeney Mortuary, Heppner.
Melvin L. Buffi ngion
Ryan ‘Jorgy’ C. Jorgensen
1980-2021
La Grande
Ryan “Jorgy” Chris-
Pacifi c Railroad. He
topher Jorgensen, 41, of
enjoyed skiing, riding
La Grande, died Oct. 24,
dirt bikes, fi shing,
2021, at St. Alphonsus
hunting, shooting and
Medical Center
off -road drives
in Boise. A cel-
in his prize
ebration of his
possession,
life will be
his Toyota
held Nov. 20 at
Landcruiser.
10 a.m. at the La
Jorgy loved
Grande Naza-
doing anything
rene Church.
and everything
Also known
with his family.
as Jorgy, he
He was a dedi-
was born Aug.
cated father and
Jorgensen
22, 1980, in
family man and
La Grande,
loved helping
to Jerry Jorgensen and
out and coaching his
Wendy (Lindsey) Jor-
boys’ sports teams. He
gensen. He was raised in
truly had a heart of gold
La Grande and attended
and would do whatever
Heidi-Ho preschool,
he could to help others.
Greenwood Elemen-
Survivors include his
tary School, La Grande
wife, Jacy; sons, Cole
Middle School and La
Jorgensen and Cain Jor-
Grande High School,
gensen of La Grande;
where he was on the
father, Jerry Jorgensen of
football team and wres-
La Grande; brother and
tling team and won the
sister-in-law, Eric and
Reno Tournament of
Brook Jorgensen of La
Champions.
Grande; six nieces and
He graduated from
nephews; and numerous
LHS in 1999 then
aunts, uncles and cousins.
attended two years at
He was preceded in
Oregon State Univer-
death by his mother,
sity, where he was on the Wendy Jorgensen; and
wrestling team. He mar-
grandparents, Elton and
ried Jacy Murrill in 2008. Pauline Lindsey, Flora
Jorgy worked for
Collingwood and Vern
Fleetwood, the USFS
Jorgensen.
La Grande District and
Online condolences
the USFS La Grande
may be made to the
Hot Shot Crew, then as
family at www.loveland-
funeralchapel.com.
an engineer for Union
La Grande
Melvin L. Buffi ngton, 84, of La Grande, died Nov. 8,
2021, at his residence. Arrangements are by Loveland
Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
MEETINGS
• LA GRANDE — The Grande Ronde Hospital Auxil-
iary will hold its November meeting on Monday, Nov. 15,
at Island City City Hall. Refreshments will be available at
9 a.m. with the meeting following at 9:30 a.m. All are wel-
come as the auxiliary resumes in-person meetings.
• IMBLER — The Imbler School Board of Directors
will meet for a regular Session on Tuesday, Nov. 16. The
meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Room 1 of the high school.
• UNION — The Union Rural Fire Protection Board
will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. at the fi re hall. For
more information, call 541-910-3114.
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UPCOMING LOCAL SERVICES
Please follow guide-
lines regarding face cov-
erings and social dis-
tancing at all gatherings.
Nov. 13 — FRED
ERICKSON SR.:
11 a.m. memorial service,
Elgin Nazarene Church.
Nov. 13 —
FLORIECE PAPEN-
FUHS: 2 p.m. celebration
of life, Daniels-Knopp
Funeral, Cremation &
Life Celebration Center,
La Grande.
Nov. 14 — CONNIE
CARTER: 2 p.m. cel-
ebration of life (casual
dress), Elgin High School
gym.
Nov. 14 — TOMMY
LITTLE: 2 p.m. celebra-
tion of life, Elgin Com-
munity Center.
Nov. 16 — JERRY
LOU GERBER: 10 a.m.
funeral, Loveland Funeral
Chapel, La Grande.
Nov. 19 — CORAL
WARD: 11 a.m. memo-
rial service, La Grande
First Presbyterian
Church.
Nov. 20 — RYAN
“JORGY” JOR-
GENSEN: 10 a.m. cele-
bration of life, La Grande
Nazarene Church.
Nov. 20 — CINDY
SHIPP: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
viewing, Bollman Funeral
Home, Enterprise; 4 p.m.
celebration of life, Hur-
ricane Creek Grange,
Joseph.
Nov. 20 — BETTY
TURLEY: 2 p.m. cel-
ebration of life, La
Grande First Presbyte-
rian Church; reception
follows.
Nov. 26 — DELTA
PHELPS: 1:30 p.m.
graveside service, Sum-
merville Cemetery; fol-
lowed by celebration of
life and dinner at Sum-
merville Odd Fellows
Hall on Main Street.
— calendar cour-
tesy of Loveland Funeral
Chapel, La Grande
Cindy Lee Shipp (Fine)
July 2, 1954 - October 30, 2021
Cindy Lee Shipp (Fine), known to many as Prairie Flower,
was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend.
She passed away on October 30th, 2021. Cindy was born to
Sonny and Darlene Fine in Dayton, Washington, on July 2nd,
1954, and raised in Wallowa County by her loving grandparents,
Mildred and Clint Johnson.
She spoke very fondly of living and working with her
grandparents on a ranch near Elk Mountain. They raised her to
be proud of her Wallowa County heritage which included the
Johnson, McFetridge, and Kinney families. She felt a deep con-
nection with her Wallowa County roots. She also forged many
friendships in her early years and treasured those relationships
throughout her life.
Cindy was caring and compassionate. She earned her nurs-
ing degree from Blue Mountain Community College in Pendle-
ton, Oregon, and worked as a registered nurse for many years. In
retirement, she used her nursing skills to give advice and support
to friends and family.
Cindy co-founded the first vegetarian restaurant in Corvallis,
Oregon, in 1975. The Vanburen Cafe was a place where Cindy
combined her love of cooking with her love of friends and fam-
ily. She gained many life-long friends and developed her famed
Sunburger recipe. She sold the restaurant in 1980 but continued
to cook for family and friends throughout her life. Anyone who
has tasted her sourdough bread knows the love that went into
every batch.
Although she was a great nurse and cook, she considered her
family to be her greatest accomplishment and loved spending as
much time as possible with her grandchildren, great-grandchil-
dren, nieces, and nephews.
Cindy loved dogs as well as people and was especially fond
of her Boston Terriers. Many lucky pups were spoiled by her, and
she loved to watch them play with her grandkids. She was very
good at fishing as well, and caught and fried up many Rainbow
Trout in her day. Cindy also enjoyed travel and adventure. She
lived in both California and Hawaii for a time, did a VW bus
road trip through Mexico, and was thrilled to travel to Europe
and Asia to visit her oldest son and his family.
Cindy was preceded in death by her devoted husband of
20 years, Norman Shipp. She is survived by her four children;
Heather Bowers (John), Sol Warnock (Kelly), Grace Fitz-
gerald (Jake), and Bill Warnock (Allie); 11 grandchildren; 8
great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews. Her
family will dearly miss their in-person visits and video chats with
her. She had a way of making each person she talked to feel like
the most treasured, important, and talented person on Earth.
Cindy was quick to make friends and held them close to her
heart. We, her surviving family, want to thank all her friends
who have enriched her life beyond measure and comforted
us with love and support in our time of mourning. We are so
grateful that she made it back to her home in Wallowa County
where she was able to spend her final days reconnecting with her
dear friends and family. This allowed her to leave this world with
peace, love, and happiness. Her heart of gold and an unparalleled
sense of humor will be greatly missed by so many.
To honor Cindy, a public viewing will be held at Bollman
Funeral Home in Enterprise on November 20th, 10:00 am -12:00
pm, followed by a family graveside service at Prairie Creek
Cemetery. We invite everyone who loved Cindy to join us for
a Celebration of Life ceremony that will be held at 4:00 pm at
Hurricane Creek Grange.