Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

Ralph Edward Moore passed away on August 18, 2026 at 8:30 am in La Grande, Oregon; he was 90 years old. He was born in Salmon, Idaho on October 28, 1935 to Ruben McKay and Edna Mae Moore.

Ralph married a wonderful woman named Katherine Ann Flanagan(deceased) on January 19, 1954. They would go on to have a very large family; Ralph McKay Moore(Deceased) wife Nancy. Katherine Lynn Moore, Steven Roy Moore wife Tanna, David Kenneth Moore wife Helen, Donald Keith Moore(deceased) wife Elizabeth, Ruben Michael Moore, Larry Brian Moore wife Virginia.

He went to Germany after graduating from La Grande High School to serve in the military right around 1954-1955. Returning home, he came back and earned his Bachelor's Degree from Cal State Fullerton and a Master’s Degree from EOSC in Graphic Design. The family lived in California while he worked for Hughes Aircraft Company. They moved back to the La Grande, Oregon area around 1969. He worked for and eventually co-owned Grande Ronde Sign Co.

Ralph became a Master Mason in 1977 and was also a member of the Shriner's. He participated in many Shrine Football Games over the years as a manager. Ralph was an accomplished sign maker, pinstriper, and painter. A man of many talents, could play the guitar and the violin including other stringed instruments. was a great singer and was a lead square dance caller in Elgin and La Grande where his wife Kate would go with him and join in dancing.

Ralph is also survived by many grandchildren Lucas, Taylor, Jennefer, Gabe, Sheena, Sarah, Rachel, Kevin, Heather, Christopher, Chloe, Casey, Haley, Megan, Brian, Diana, and Angela; He also had 14 great grandchildren and a great great granddaughter; many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and his brothers Ted, Marvin, Harold, and his sister Nellie.

Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

09/11/2026

Ida Perkins, 71 of Baker City, Oregon, died on August 31, 2026 at her home surrounded by family. A graveside service will be held on September 19, 2026~11 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker City.

Ida Ramona Richards was born on June 12, 1955 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to parents Wallace and Hellen Richards. Ida enjoyed studying homeopathic medicine and was an avid book enthusiast with over 1,000 books in her collection. If you asked her which book was her favorite, she would tell you, “All of them”. She also had the best taste in music.

Ida married Errol Perkins on October 27, 1973 in St. Anthony, Idaho. Ida first met Errol while pumping gas at her father’s service station and was married less than a month later. After having their 4 children, Ida and Errol took their family back to Australia so the children could get to know their grandparents before relocating back to the states several years later. They were happily married for 50 years before the passing of Errol on March 16, 2024.

Ida devoted her life to her husband and children and her very spoiled chihuahua Auzzie. She had the most amazing, beautiful, kindest and loving soul. She gave her whole self to all she loved. Ida was the best of everything good in this world and will forever be missed. As Nolan once said, “Our mother was a saint. If one of her tears were to drop on solid concrete a flower would sprout up”.

Ida was preceded in death by her husband Errol Perkins; parents Wallace and Hellen Richards; sisters Nina Jacobson and Gwen Zachary.

She is survived by her brother Zehn Richards; daughters Tialene, Carolyn Perkins and Irene Mack; her darling son (Noodle) Nolan (Theresa) Perkins; 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

09/11/2026

William "Bill" Matthews, 73, of La Grande, died at his home, on September 3, 2026 with his family at his side.

William (Bill) Alan Matthews was born on January 29, 1953, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to (Papa) Bill and Carolee Matthews, where they were stationed while Papa Bill served in the Navy. Following his service, the family moved back to Roseburg, Oregon. Bill was the oldest of six siblings—two brothers, Jeff and Robert, and three sisters, Jean, Jody and Patti Jo.

Bill spent his childhood on “Half-Ass Acres,” where he developed a love for horses and had a natural gift for working with them, staying active in 4-H. Bill and his siblings had room to roam, hunting and fishing all over the hills on their family place and beyond. He and his brothers worked in the logging woods as choker setters, earning money to put themselves through college. Bill was also a competitive distance runner and wrestler, graduating from Roseburg High School and going on to wrestle for Southern Oregon University.

Bill eventually moved to Cove, Oregon, where he worked at Anthony Lakes, skied and continued his education, taking classes at Eastern Oregon University and earning a degree in math and science. He later took a packing job at Red’s Horse Ranch, taking guests on day rides and fishing trips on the Minam, as well as guiding hunters into the Wallowa Mountains.

In 1978, Bill prayed that if God wanted him to get married, He would send his wife into Red’s. God answered his prayer over Fourth of July weekend when Jackie Nash flew in with her mom to cook Dutch oven-style meals for ranch guests. Bill and Jackie quickly fell in love and were married June 16, 1979, in Enterprise, Oregon.

They spent their first winter caretaking Red’s Horse Ranch and came out in the spring without plans to go back because, by then, they were expecting their son, Buck. Bill took a cowboy job for Jeannie Lathrop, and they lived at the head of Joseph Creek, where their closest neighbors were Mack and Marian Birkmaier, who had a landline they could use to call into town.

From there, they worked on the Steen Ranch on Chesnimnus Creek, and by winter they welcomed a daughter, Mona Lee, taking her home to the winter range deep in Hells Canyon at Tully Creek. After that, they moved to the “big town” of Imnaha, where they raised Buck and Mona, spending summers at cow camps on Cayuse Flat, Monument and Sleepy Ridge, living and cowboying throughout the canyons. Their family created lifelong memories, including a winter on the Snake River grazing cattle from Pittsburg Landing to Dug Bar.

Bill trained exceptional working dogs and horses that navigated the canyons with ease and grit. Those included his best dog, Duke, and a gelding named Snip, who he passed down to Buck. He was also a gifted Western-style pen-and-ink artist whose pictures all told a cowboy story.

During their years of working on and managing ranches, Bill and Jackie were always active in their faith, hosting home Bible studies and helping build the church in Imnaha. They also became involved in putting on backcountry summer camps for at-risk youth, and wanting to stay in contact with the kids, they started a county-wide youth group. After passing that group on to a local pastor, they focused on working with the youth in Imnaha.

It was during his 15-plus years of youth ministry and home Bible studies that Bill felt called to become a pastor. That calling took a back burner for a while when they moved to Roseburg for a couple of years to be near family while Bill’s dad battled cancer. From there, they moved to Huntington, where Bill managed the Day Break Ranch. During that time, the door opened for him to begin earning his pastoral credentials through the Assemblies of God.

Bill accepted the pastor position at New Hope Assembly Church in Challis, Idaho, where he faithfully pastored his congregation for 21 years. As a member of the fire department, he also served as chaplain, loving and serving the small community of Challis.

From there, Bill and Jackie moved back to Eastern Oregon, where they spent Bill’s final months with family, watching their grandkids play sports in Cove—right back where Bill lived when he took the job at Red’s Horse Ranch and where, unbeknownst to him, the story of his own family would begin.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jackie; children, Buck (Chelsea) and Mona (Christopher); grandchildren, Lucy, Katelyn, Cooper and Austin; siblings, Jeff (Toni), Robert (Patti), Jean (Daniel) and Jody; as well as many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Carolee Matthews, and his sister, Patti Jo.

Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

08/19/2026

June Elinor Wood, affectionately known to her family as Grandmother, passed away peacefully at her home on August 3, 2026, at the age of 94.

June was born in Wilbur, Washington on July 7, 1932, to Bessie Merytle Flanagan (Scheibner) and Aaron Bramlet Flanagan. She was their oldest child and was soon joined by brothers Keith and Larry, and her beloved younger sister Kate. The family moved to La Grande when June was young to a homestead on Mount Glen Road, where she and her siblings attended a nearby one room schoolhouse for elementary school. June attended high school at La Grande High School, graduating in 1950.

In 1951, June married Bernard Leeroy Swart. She and Bernard bought a home on Fourth Street in La Grande and went on to have 3 children, daughter Gayle and sons Kim and Kirk.
Bernard worked for Union Pacific Railroad and June was a homemaker. Bernard died in a tragic accident in 1976. After his passing, June held her first and only job outside the home at
Top Shop, a women’s clothing store, where she likely bought more clothes than she sold during her time working there.

In 1979, June married her second husband, James Earl Wood (Jim). She then moved to Jim’s farm on Hunter Road. Her grandsons have fond memories of spending time with her on Hunter Road; Jim also worked for Union Pacific, when he was working June frequently hosted them so she wouldn’t be at the farm alone. Jim passed away in 2002. June rented out her house on Fourth Street while living with Jim and later moved back there, where she remained for the rest of her life.

June loved her home and took pride in keeping a beautiful yard. She loved gardening, and spent many days of her life tending to her flowers and encouraging company to come look at
her backyard when in full bloom. The biggest gripe June had when old age decreased her mobility was not being able to tend to her yard herself. June was a spit fire. She lived by herself right up until the very end of her life. She was sharp as a whip and seemed to get a kick out of saying things that had shock value. She was a woman of many talents during her life, carving wood figurines, painting, embroidering, doing ceramics, and even participating in a bowling league at one time. She loved sweet treats and was not afraid to speak her mind, especially in a strongly worded letter. June’s mantra was “do unto others as you would want done unto you”.

June was preceded in death by her husbands, her sons, and her siblings. She is survived by her daughter Gayle Wheeler and daughter-in-law Jackie Swart; grandchildren Chad Sims
(Scottianne Rebmann), Ryan Wheeler (May Beltran), Bret Wheeler (Emily), Kayla Swart (Thomas Yukimaru), Casey Swart; great grandchildren Mariah Britton, Mason Muth, Aidan
Wheeler, Dominic Wheeler, Eliana Wheeler, Annabel Wheeler, Fox Yukimaru; and great-great grandchildren Andrew Rebmann, Caitlyn Britton, and Maliyah Muth.

08/19/2026

Luella “Susie” Michaels Marston, 75 of Haines, Oregon, died on August 15, 2026 at her home with her husband by her side.

Susie was born on August 16, 1950 in Valentine, Nebraska. She lived in Saint Maries, Idaho and then moved to Union, Oregon where she attended both grade school and High School.

Susie married Frank Michaels and together they had 3 children. They were married for 45 years when he passed away. She met George Marston at the North Powder Huckleberry Festival in 2015. They later married and have been together as a couple for exactly 11 years from their first date, to the day of her passing which was on the same day, in the same hour and within minutes from when she died. Their time spent together and married was wonderful and happy.

During her life, she was a housecleaner and worked odd jobs. She then attained her GED and CDL. She switched careers and drove semi-truck’s all the while being a mother and a wife.

She was involved in the Red Hats Club, the Methodist Church and enjoyed playing cards and Bunco.

Susie liked flower gardening, her favorite color was green and flower was the “Bleeding Heart”. She enjoyed gambling and adored her cats and Rottweiler dogs. She cherished going to the cabin, picking huckleberries, walking the forest trails, seeing deer and even bears. Susie especially loved traveling! Highlights of these trips included visiting many zoos in the Northwest and Canada. She drove on the loneliest Highway in the world to Ely, Nevada, traveled to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Crater Lake, Glacier National Parks, Bear World and explored up and down the Oregon Coast.

Susie had a handwritten post-it note that read, “Today is a good day, it is going to be a good day!” Which became her mantra. She was the first one at the church to open up the doors and helped at Senior meals, the food bank, Christmas Club and Tops. She will be remembered for always willing to help.

She was preceded in death by her first husband Frank Michaels; daughter Dee Dee Wise; grandson Jordan Wilson; parents Harold and Lois Luella Soles.

Susie is survived by her husband George Marston of Haines, OR; daughter Jessie Wilson and son Louie Michaels; brothers Jesse and Bill Soles; 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Susie the family suggests either the North Powder Community Church or the North Powder food bank through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PO Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

08/13/2026

Florence Higbie, of Baker City, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2026 at the age of 94 at Meadowbrook Place. A memorial service will be held on August 22, 2026 ~ 1:00pm at the Blue Mountain Baptist Church 2998 8th Street in Baker City. Friends are welcome to share their memories of Florence during the service

Florence was born in Flint, Michigan on March 1, 1932 to father Alfred Eggli and mother Nina Eggli. The younger of two, Florence graduated from Flint Technical High School in 1950.

After following her parents to Arizona in the 50s, she spent her life living in various places throughout the west making new friends along the way before settling in Baker City more than 20 years ago.

She is preceded in death by her parents Alfred and Nina Eggli, and her brother Fred.

Florence is survived by her son Ed (Diane) Higbie, grandson John D Higbie, and extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Heart n Home Hospice through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 978343. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.

08/13/2026

Evelyn Lovelien, 83, of Baker City, passed away at her residence on August 5, 2026.

Evelyn was born on October 26, 1942 in Salem, Oregon. She moved to Lovelock, Nevada when she around 14 years old and attended school there until Jr. High.

She married Doug Saunders and together they had two daughters, Loretta & Carol. They later divorced. She then married Richard Lovelien and they had two daughters, Toni & Diana.

Evelyn worked as a waitress into her 40’s. She then began traveling working antique shows until she retired in her 60’s. During her working career she lived in Glide, Sutherlin, and Brookings, Oregon. She said she would have stayed in Brookings forever if she could have.

Evelyn enjoyed dealing in antiques, quilting, reading, listening to Elvis Presley, belly dancing and was very good at drawing and singing. She loved the color red, spider plants, her dogs and the San Fransico 49’s football team.

She was also a very spiritual person who embraced her Indian Roots. She wrote the Journal of Gospel of the Red man.

Evelyn was a devoted Elvis fan. She was fortunate enough to have seen Elvis Presley 3 times in the 70’s.

A memorable adventure she would do monthly with her girls was to take them to the ocean and a nice dinner. They would then spend a couple days enjoying and playing in the ocean.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Richard Lovelien; daughters Loretta and Carol; parents Vance and Nona Gordon.

She is survived by her daughters Toni Miller and Diana Lovelien; brothers Pat, Larry, Bruce, Kevin, Mike, and James Gordon; sisters Linda and Suzie Gordon; 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Evelyn the family suggests the “Shop with a Hero” program, through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PO Box 543 Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

08/07/2026

Sandra Louise Emery, 59, passed away at home surrounded by family on August 1, 2026 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. A Memorial Service/Celebration of Sandra’s Life will be held on August 11, 2026 at 11 a.m. at the Baker City Christian Church with John Roberts, pastor of Moses Lake Christian Church officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Following the interment friends are invited to join the family for a potluck reception to be held at the Baker City Christian Church.

Sandra (Sandy) was born January 28, 1967 in Ontario, Oregon to Boyd and Francise Perry, the eldest of four children. She attended elementary school in Vale and Willowcreek, then graduated from Vale Union High School in 1985. After graduation she went to beauty school and got her beautician license. She also worked for Student Loan in Fruitland for a time, and had several part-time jobs as a waitress and in elder care.

On September 19, 1992 she married Michael E. Zeigler and they had a daughter, Makayla, before divorcing in 1995. She was living in Baker City when her daughter was born and after the divorce, she was able to purchase a home through the FHA low income program. She operated a day care in her home for several years while her daughter was small. Then she went to work for Blue Mountain Community College for nearly 20 years until health issues forced her into early retirement.

In 2002 she met Joseph H. Emery and they married on Christmas Eve of that year. With this marriage came Joe’s five children, two who were still at home. Sandy loved them all as she had always hoped for a large family. She officially adopted Joe’s two youngest boys (Luke and Austin) and Joe adopted her daughter, Makayla.

They sold her house in Baker City and moved to a larger home in North Powder with more room for their family. Sandy had grown up on a farm and loved animals, so this move gave them more room for animals too. Through the years she had rabbits, goats, chickens, cats and dogs.

When their children were young, Sandy and Joe would take them hiking and camping whenever they could. Many of these trips furnished them with memorable adventure stories. She enjoyed motorcycling with Joe when they could get away and these times also added to their collection of memorable adventures. As the kids grew and were more active in events outside the home, there was not time to go home to North Powder for supper. Sandy earned the title of “Crock Pot Queen” during these years, as she would prepare the evening meal in a crock pot to cook all day at work and their family could eat together every evening no matter where they were.

Sandra was a social person who loved and cared for people and was always willing to help anyone any way she could. She was always ready to share her faith with everyone. When raising their children, she did home Bible studies with them, took them to the church youth groups and Vacation Bible School. As grandchildren came along she encouraged their faith also. During her illness, she continued to encourage and share with those around her.

When they became empty nesters, Sandy and Joe decided to sell their home in North Powder and move closer to their jobs. In the spring of 2020 she was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent surgery. Their house in North Powder unexpectedly sold while she was recovering and they had not found anything else to buy yet. So they moved into their camper at her parents house until they could purchase a new home. She enjoyed living in the country, pinochle games with Mom and Dad, and shared meals. While they were still there she learned that the cancer had metastasized.

She and Joe found a house in Baker City that needed some remodeling. With her Dad’s help they were able to move in and she began the long journey of treatments. Although she was unable to continue working, she stayed busy with her hobbies of knitting, crocheting, reading, genealogy, and pinochle games with family. Bible study was important to Sandy and she had a large library of Bibles and reference books.

Sandy loved all her grandchildren dearly and attended as many of their activities as she was able to. She crocheted or knitted afghans for all her grandchildren. She decided to learn to sew and reconnected with a special friend, Sylvia Bowers, and together they made many rag quilts for all her brothers, sister, parents, nieces and nephews, children and grandchildren. Her most cherished times were when she could spend time with her grandchildren and her dogs, R***r, Gage, Paxton and Payton.

She said that she preferred pastel colors, mostly green, but those of us who knew her noted that her wardrobe contained some pretty colorful items. She loved shoes and most new outfits required new shoes to match.

Family was especially important to her, and she loved the yearly holiday get-togethers with family and friends. She really enjoyed family reunions and recently attended a Perry reunion where she was able to visit with many of her cousins that she had grown up with.

Sandra will be greatly missed by all her friends and family but we look forward to the time when we will all be together again with our lord and savior in heaven.

The family is grateful to Dr. Morgan and his staff at the Fruitland Cancer Center for the excellent care and support they provided for Sandra these last five years. Thanks also to Heart n’ Home Hospice staff for great care and support during her last days.

Sandra is survived by her husband, Joe; sons Luke (Danika) Emery, Austin Emery (Desi); daughter Makayla (Jake) Hobbs; step-daughters Lisa Lish (Michael), Sherryce Emery; step-son Jamie Emery (Rachael); grandchildren Ginny and LJ Emery, Noah Lish, Calvin and Claire Hobbs, Olin and Noa Emery, Alina Emery-Koch, Tae Emery; her parents Boyd and Francise Perry; sister Teresa Widby (Joe);brothers Steve Perry (Shannon), Dave Perry (Jacqui); nieces Morgan Perry, Haley Perry, Mandi Widby; nephews Scott Perry, Chance Widby. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Cecil and Nellie Perry and Merle and Donna Cummings.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Sandra the family suggest the Baker Christian Church through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com