Eldon Clapp, Paul Bostwick

Eldon Clapp

Eldon Charles Clapp, 88, of Baker City, died May 3, 2010, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.

His memorial service was today at Coles Tribute Center.His cremated remains will be scattered later in the Elkhorn Mountains. Pastor Monte Holt of Church of God of Prophecy in Nampa, Idaho, officiated.The U.S. Army National Guard provided military honors. Friends joined the family for a reception luncheon at the Geiser Grand.

Eldon Charles Clapp was born on Oct. 2, 1921, at Haines to Milton C. and Elva L. White Clapp. He was joined by a younger brother, Howard, two years later and a sister, Shirley, four years later.

He was raised and educated at Haines, graduating from high school in 1940.

Eldon joined F Company, 186th 141st Division Infantry, at Baker when he was 18.Progressing through 5? years of military service during World War II, he was overseas with the 9th Bomb Group, 5th Squadron B29s on Tinion Island as crew chief on the aircraft called Purple Heartless. (See history book 9th Bomb Group at the Baker Library for details).

Eldon married Frances Shyrack on April 2, 1946, and he continued his Air Force career until 1961. He and Frances lived at Rapid City Air Force Base in South Dakota, Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., March Air Force Base in Riverside, Calif., Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska, McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, Calif., and Paine Air Force Base at Everett, Wash., before retiring at age 39 after 21 years of active service.

Eldon spent one year with Alaska Airlines while in Everett, Wash., and one year with Snap-On-Tools before becoming the maintenance supervisor mechanic for the City of Lynnwood, Wash., for the next 20 years.He retired in 1984.

They couple returned to Baker City in 1992 to be with family. Frances died in 2002.

Eldon married Norma Baker on Nov. 26, 2003, at Nampa, Idaho, and they made their home at Baker City.

Survivors include his wife, Norma of Baker City; brother-in-law, Jack Shryack, and his wife, Betty, of Spokane, Wash.; nieces and nephews, Linda Rosenberg and her husband, Elliott, and Terri Sternfield and her husband, Bob, Stephen Clapp and his wife, Tracy, all of Chicago, Barbara Melville and her husband, Michael, Jan Shryack and his wife, Tina, all of Spokane, Wash.; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister; a brother; and his first wife.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Haines Eastern Oregon Museum through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

Paul Bostwick

Paul C. Bostwick, 93, of Leisure World at Seal Beach, Calif., a former Baker City resident, died April 18, 2010.

His funeral was Monday at the Leisure World Community Church.

Mr. Bostwick was born on Dec. 2, 1916, at Baker City to Ray and Marian Bostwick. He married his wife, Harriet, on April 18, 1940, at Long Beach, Calif.

He was a U.S. Post Office supervisor.

He moved to Leisure World from Long Beach in 2005 and was a member of the American Legion and the Y’s Men’s Club. He also enjoyed swimming and playing golf.

Survivors include his son, Paul N. “Rusty” Bostwick, and his wife, Linda; daughter Patricia Seiver and her husband, John; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandsons.