RECORDS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2021
OBITUARIES
THE OBSERVER — A3
MENU
Hubert ‘Herb’ M. Comfort
Fredrick ‘Fred’ N. Zachow
1935-2021
1926-2021
La Grande
Hubert Merle Com-
Among the family’s
fort, 86, of La Grande,
favorite memories are
died Nov. 12, 2021, at
road trips and camping.
Grande Ronde Hospital
Herb was a loving hus-
due to complications from
band and caring father.
pneumonia and
The house was
COVID-19. A
always open to
service cele-
the kids’ friends,
brating his life
and many have
will be held
commented that
April 9, 2022, at
they are better
the La Grande
husbands and
Nazarene
fathers them-
Church.
selves because of
Known in
Herb’s example.
his young life as
On any given
Comfort
Merle and later
Saturday, you
as Herb, he was
might fi nd him
born Nov. 12,
fi shing at Morgan
1935, to Ralph
Lake, and in
Comfort and
the evening you
Edith Comfort in
would fi nd him
Greenleaf, Idaho.
playing cards
After a time
or dominoes or
in Woodland,
working on a
Idaho, during the
puzzle.
Depression he
Herb and Cora
graduated from Greenleaf
were avid followers of La
Friends Academy in 1953
Grande High School and
and later moved to New-
Eastern Oregon Univer-
berg, where he worked as
sity sports, and he volun-
a school bus driver before
teered regularly as a clock
attending George Fox Col- operator. He was a long-
lege in 1956 and 1957.
time supporter of the Vet-
In Newberg, Herb met
erans of Foreign Wars and
his future wife, Cora Ann
a member of the Oregon
Pierce, and they were mar- Association of Dental Lab-
ried in October 1958. The
oratories, the National
year after they were mar-
Association of Dental
ried, Merle Eugene was
Laboratories, and the La
born in Newberg. Herb
Grande Nazarene Church.
was drafted into the U.S.
He was an NADL Certi-
Army in 1959. Sharon
fi ed Dental Technician and
Lynn was born in the
was honored by OADL in
early years of his military
the late 1990s as the Tech-
service at Fort Benning,
nician of the Year.
Survivors include his
Georgia. After a three-year
wife of 63 years, Cora;
tour of duty in Germany,
four children; six grand-
Herb and Cora welcomed
Eleanor Jean, in September children and one great-
1965, and David Allen fol- grandson; fi ve siblings;
several cousins; and dozens
lowed in July 1967 at Fort
of nieces and nephews.
Lee, Virginia.
Herb was honorably
He was preceded in
discharged after a distin-
death by his parents and
guished 20-year career in
siblings, Donald, Carroll
the Army Medical Corps
and Audrey.
Dental Detachment. In
In lieu of fl owers, dona-
June 1979, the family
tions may be made to the
moved to La Grande,
memorial fund at the Naz-
where he was the founder
arene Church, 109 18th St.,
of Comfort Dental Lab-
La Grande 97850.
oratory and was self-em-
Online condolences
ployed as a dental techni-
may be made to the family
cian until the time of his
at www.lovelandfuneral-
death.
chapel.com.
Island City
Fredrick Norman
Fred loved to hunt,
Zachow, 95, of Island
but fi shing was his pas-
City, died Nov. 16,
sion. Getting his boat
2021, at his home. As he
out on the water was his
requested, his ashes will
favorite way to relax.
be spread on
His best friend
Silver Crown
and neighbor,
Mountain at
Ken Simmons,
Northport,
helped him con-
Washington.
tinue fi shing
Known as
into his retire-
Fred, he was
ment years.
Fred also
born Oct. 24,
enjoyed rock
1926, in North-
hunting and
port, Wash-
had some made
ington, to Wil-
Zachow
into small
liam Edward
tables and
Zachow and
coff ee tables.
Frona Ellen
He and his wife,
(Tift) Zachow.
Marilyn, were
He grew up and
snowmobilers,
attended school
and for many
in Northport.
years he drove
Fred served
the grooming
in the U.S. Navy
plow, making
and was on a
the trails safe.
carrier during
Fred was a quiet man,
World War II. For the
but he loved to meet one-
rest of his life, he was
on-one and tell great sto-
fascinated with aircraft
ries of his life experi-
and could tell you pre-
ences. He gave his life
cisely how planes took
to the Lord as a child
off and landed on that
and renewed that rela-
ship. He liked to drive
tionship when he was
to Pendleton and watch
older, having many
military trainings at the
conversations with his
airport.
sister Clara and her
For many years Fred
pastor, Ralph Trask, who
and his brother, Bill,
became a good friend.
worked together driving
Survivors include his
car transport carriers.
sister, Retta Hoxie of
One would sleep as the
other drove so they could La Grande; niece, Ruth
Lester and husband,
make more trips. His
Lonnie, of La Grande;
favorite story was when
he lost his brakes and ran nephew, Ron Zachow and
into the front of a restau- wife, Phyllis, of Redding,
California; niece, Joyce
rant and calmly ordered
Hockett of Rathdrum,
a hamburger. Luckily no
one was hurt in this acci- Idaho; and great-nieces,
Becky Lester, Lisa Kelly,
dent, but it was a long
Brenda Bonney and
time before they could
Marci Pokorney.
laugh about it.
He was preceded in
Later Fred moved to
La Grande to be near his death by his wife, Mar-
ilyn; son, Brice; and sib-
mother and sisters and
lings, Martha Cameron,
started an upholstery
Bill Zachow and Clara
business in his mother’s
garage. He was a perfec- Wiscarson.
Memorial donations
tionist and soon word of
may be made to the Vet-
the quality of his work-
manship spread. He then erans of Foreign Wars.
Online condolences
built the Custom Trim
may be made to the
Shop in Island City,
family at www.loveland-
where he worked well
funeralchapel.com.
into his 80s.
UNION COUNTY SENIOR CENTER TAKEOUT LUNCHES
Pick up between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at 1504 N. Albany St., La Grande. Age
60+, $3 suggested donation; all others, $5. All are welcome.
Nov. 22-24
Monday: Salisbury steak, whipped potatoes, gravy, vegetables, roll, salad, fruit.
Tuesday: manicotti, Caesar salad, garlic bread, dessert.
Wednesday: honey-glazed ham, scalloped potatoes, vegetables, salad greens,
fruit, dessert.
Thursday & Friday: senior center closed for Thanksgiving holiday.
DEATH & SERVICE NOTICES
Samuel G. Polkinghorne
Summerville
Samuel G. Polkinghorne, 89, of Summerville, died
Nov. 17, 2021, at his home. Arrangements are by Loveland
Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Ronald A. Hayward Jr.
Island City
Ronald A. Hayward Jr., 59, of Island City, died Nov.
18, 2021, at Grande Ronde Hospital. Arrangements are by
Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Julia Luse
Formerly of Elgin
Julia Luse, 95, formerly of Elgin, died Nov. 17, 2021.
Arrangements are by Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home
and Cremation Services, Halfway.
Gene McKinney
Island City
Gene McKinney, 83, of Island City, died Nov. 16, 2021,
at his residence. A funeral will be held Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. at
the Island City Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crema-
tory, La Grande.
Lee T. Insko
La Grande
Lee T. Insko, 86, of La Grande, died Nov. 16, 2021, at
Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of his life will be
held Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. at Quinn Coliseum on the Eastern
Oregon University campus, La Grande. Arrangements are
by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
UPCOMING LOCAL SERVICES
Nov. 20 — RYAN
“JORGY” JORGENSEN:
10 a.m. celebration 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, Hurri-
cane Creek Grange, Joseph.
Nov. 20 — MARLENE
TURNER: 11 a.m. celebra-
tion of life, Daniels-Knopp
Funeral Center, La Grande;
committal and inter-
ment follows at Hillcrest
Cemetery.
Nov. 20 — BETTY
TURLEY: 2 p.m. cele-
bration of life, La Grande
First Presbyterian Church;
reception follows.
Nov. 20 — MIKE &
DON MILLER: 3 p.m.
graveside services, Enter-
prise Cemetery; celebra-
tion of their lives follows at
Enterprise VFW.
Wayne G. Williams
Beverly J. (Graybeal) Bushman
1930-2021
La Grande
mother. She enjoyed making beaded jew-
Beverly Joan Bushman, 91, of La
Grande, died Nov. 17, 2021, at a local care elry, scrapbooking and arranging fl owers
facility.
for weddings. She loved gardening and
A graveside service will be held Nov.
cross-pollinating irises to develop new
22 at 2 p.m. at Hillcrest Ceme-
color variations.
tery. Casual dress is preferred
Survivors include her hus-
by the family. A celebration of
band, Leroy; children and their
her life will be announced at a
spouses, Julie and Dale Alex-
later date.
ander of Pendleton, Jeff rey and
Nicknamed Bev, Beverly was
Lisa Bushman of Summer-
born Sept. 22, 1930, in Weiser,
ville, and Steven and Brandy
Idaho, to Ira Graybeal and
Bushman of La Grande; sister,
Iola (Anderson) Graybeal. She
Karen MacWilliams of Hills-
attended school in Elgin, where
boro; sister and brother-in-law,
Bushman
she was the captain of the vol-
Kathy and Lee “Bud” Smith of
leyball team.
Hillsboro; 11 grandchildren and
Beverly worked at the Liberty Theatre
20 great-grandchildren; and numerous
in La Grande, where she met her future
nieces and nephews.
husband, Leroy V. Bushman. They were
She was preceded in death by her
married on June 24, 1947. They traveled
infant daughter, Lora Anne; daughter,
with Leroy’s employer, Union Pacifi c
Diana Malone; brother, Melvin Kerr; and
Railroad, all over the Pacifi c Northwest
stepfather, John Kerr.
early in their marriage and resided several
Online condolences may be made to
years in Gibbon before settling in Perry.
the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.
Beverly was a devoted wife and
com.
st
Adopted
or
Rescue
Pet
e
t
u
C photo contest
Submit your photos and be entered for your chance
to win a $30 gift certificate to a local
restaurant of your choice
View Rules and Prize information at
lagrandeobserver.com/pet_contest
April 4, 1938 - November 9, 2021
Wayne G. Williams, of Montrose, Col-
orado, formerly of Cove, Oregon, passed
away on November 9, 2021, at his daugh-
ter’s home in Montrose, with his loving
family by his side.
Wayne Griffith Williams was born April
4, 1938, in Utica, New York, to Griffith
Morris and Margaret (Davies) Williams.
Wayne grew up in the Utica area and grad-
uated from Utica Free Academy in 1955.
Wayne and his family enjoyed the outdoors
of the Adirondacks, often spending weeks
with family and friends camping. After
high school Wayne headed west, to take
his love of the outdoors and study Forestry.
This led him to different jobs within the
United States Forest Service.
When in Washington State he met the
love of his life, Rosemary Ellen Warfield,
and they were married December 21,
1963, in Quilcene, Washington, where in
September 1965 their daughter, Carla Jean,
was born. Then in October 1969 their son,
Griffith Ewan, was born in Corvallis, Ore-
gon. Early in 1970 the family moved to La
Grande, Oregon, where Wayne took a job
with the U.S. Forest Service, at the Range
& Wildlife Lab, where he was a Research
Technician. He helped to gather research
for many different papers, within the
Range & Wildlife Lab. Wayne was instru-
mental in the construction of the Starkey
Experimental Forest and Range facility.
Wayne and Rosemary resided in La
Grande until the time of his retirement.
In 1997, they moved just outside of La
Grande, to Cove, Oregon, where they had
their little farm, which they both loved.
Between fruit trees and a large garden, and
many friends, they enjoyed sharing their
crops of raspberries, peaches, apples and
vegetables. Wayne was also very active with
the Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol. He spent
over 45 years as a member of the National
Ski Patrol, earning many awards and com-
mendations. He was also a past member of
the La Grande Volunteer Fire Department
as well as Grande Ronde Hospital Ambu-
lance Service.
He will always be remembered for his
fun demeanor, his love of western clothes,
his dance shuffle in his cowboy boots and
his love for helping people and his com-
forting smile. He enjoyed spending time
with his family whenever he could.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Rose-
mary of Montrose, Colorado; his daughter,
Carla (Kelly) Crippin of Montrose; his son,
Griffith (Yvonne Santiago) Williams, of La
Grande, Oregon; sister, Margaret “Penny”
Moody of Portland, Oregon; granddaugh-
ters, Lindzey (Drew) Ruderman of Mon-
trose, Nicole (Nicholas Parks) Santiago
of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Monique
Williams Santiago of La Grande, Oregon;
his great-grandson, Henley J. Ruderman of
Montrose; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made
to Hopewest, 725 S 4th St., Montrose,
CO, 81401 (https://www.hopewestco.org/
donate/) or to Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol
in care of amy@anthonylakes.com for the
purchase of rescue equipment.
A celebration of life will be held at a lat-
er date in Montrose as well as La Grande,
Oregon. A ‘Last Sweep’ to honor Wayne
will be held at Anthony Lakes, Oregon.
Arrangements are under the direction
of Crippin Funeral Home, Montrose.