All Obituaries

Albert “Lee” Hoover, of Fossil, Oregon passed away on December 13, 2020, at the age of 91. Lee was born in Fossil on December 15, 1928 to the late Thomas Burton and Mary Esma (Gilliam) Hoover. The Hoover family has been part of the Fossil community for 150 years, arriving in Fossil six years before the establishment of the first post office in town in 1876. Lee spent most of his childhood living in, and later just over the hill from, the now abandoned mill town of Kinzua outside...

David Richard DeMayo of Heppner was born February 20, 1948, in Geneva, New York, the son of Clifford and Beverly (Clust) DeMayo. He went to be with his Lord on December 15, 2020 in Heppner at the age of 72, after injuries stemming from a Parkinson’s related fall. Dave spent his childhood in Painted Post, New York where he graduated from high school in 1966. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and saw the world, seeing action in Vietnam. His home base was in Hawaii, with many R & R...

Suzanne Lieuallen Jepsen, 92, peacefully entered the Lord’s presence on November 28, 2020. She was born on October 26, 1928, the second of two children to Cecil (Buck) and Violet (Hynd) Lieuallen. For over 65 years she was the loving and supportive wife of Bob Jepsen, who preceded her in death on July 19, 2016. Suzanne grew up in Pendleton, but spent many summers visiting cousin Doris at the Hynd Brothers’ Ranch at Cecil and summer pastures near Heppner and Ukiah. As a teen,...

Douglas John Gunderson, 65, of Heppner, died Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at Heppner. Due to COVID-19 a private family graveside was held at the Heppner Masonic Cemetery. He was born at Heppner on August 1, 1955, the son of Eddie and Beverly Yocom Gunderson. Doug was raised in and attended school in Heppner, graduating from Heppner High School. He went on to Blue Mountain Community College where he graduated with an Associate Degree. Doug was involved in sports both in high school and...

Joyce I. Grasser, 98, former longtime Heppner resident, died Sunday, August 9, 2020 at her nieces’ home in Junction City, Oregon. A graveside memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Heppner Masonic Cemetery. She was born April 6, 1922, at Priest River, Idaho, the daughter of Joseph and Lurena Stedman Peterson. Joyce spent parts of two years in Newburg, so she could go to church school. A few years later, Grand Ronde had grown, and both Joyce and her...

Lee H. Bouchard, Lt. Col. (Ret), 77, of Fossil died Saturday, August 8, 2020 at his home. A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 17, 2020 at 10 a.m. in the parking area of the Fossil First Baptist Church, 701 1st Street, Fossil, Oregon. Masks should be worn and safe distancing should be practiced. Following the service, a private family internment will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Fossil. He was born October 16, 1942 at Seattle, Washington, the son of Cecil and Martha Bowman...

Cecelia Drake came into this world on August 8th, 1946, a bundle of joy to her parents, Bob and Agnes Lovett. She had the pleasure of living in six different states before she was 18 months old as her father (Bob Lovett) pursued a career in sales. They eventually ended up in The New Orleans Garden District where Cecelia attended school until third grade. Along the journey, siblings Nancy, Rob, and twins John and Joe were added to the family. While working (and partying) in New Orleans, her...

Val Marton Bailey, 66, of Lexington, Oregon passed away at his home on July 12, 2020 from a yearlong battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held at his home on July 31, 2020 at 1 p.m. Val was born on July 16,1953 at San Francisco, California to Giles and Joan Bailey He moved to Weston, Oregon in 1966.  Val served in the United States Navy from 1971 to 1974. In April of 1975, he married Brenda Cheuvront, the couple had a daughter in 1976. They separated in 1977. In December...

WilmaLee Bothwell Marlatt took her last breath and was called home to him Monday, July 20, 2020 at the age of 78. When we are born into this life God gives us only so many breathes, when we take that last breath, we go home to him. WilmaLee was brought into this life on December 20, 1941 to parents Bruce and Vera Cowins Bothwell in Heppner Or. She was a wife to Wesley for 61 years and 13 days, mother of 7, grandmother of 10 and great grandmother of 6. Wes and Wilma were married July 7, 1959...

Michael g. Smith, 70, of Bend, passed away in Sisters, Oregon on July 8,2020 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident earlier in the day. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 1 p.m. at the Heppner Masonic Cemetery. Mike was born on April 20, 1950 at Baker City, Oregon to Lennadell and Glenn Smith. The family lived in Pondosa, Oregon where Glenn worked for the Collins Lumber co. While living in Pondosa, each summer the family would pack with horses into the...