Dusten Nichols

La Grande, 1984-2013

Dusten Edward Nichols, 28, of La Grande, died April 6, 2013, at his home.

There will be a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. Saturday at theVeterans Memorial Club, 2005 Valley Ave.

Dusten was born on Dec. 20, 1984, to Robert Edward Nichols Sr. and Jennifer Leigh Bunch Johnson in Boise. He received his education in Portland and moved to La Grande in 2006, graduating from La Grande High School in 2006.

He loved music of all kinds and being outside with friends and family.

Survivors include his father, Robert E. Nichols Sr. of Madras; his mother and stepfather, Jennifer and Russell Johnson of Baker City; siblings, Chantel Nichols, Robert E. Nichols Jr., and Angi Johnson, all of Baker City; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Margaret Nichols; and his maternal grandfather, Herbert Bunch.

Memorial contributions may be made to New Day Enterprises of La Grande through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

Michael O’Hara

Baker City, 1923-2013

Michael O’Hara, 89, of Baker City, died April 2, 2013, at Joseph Memorial Hospital in Enterprise.

There will be a celebration of his life at 3 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion, 2129 Second St. There will be a potluck meal. Those attending are asked to bring pictures and mementos to share in Mike’s memory.

A private family celebration of Michael’s life will be scheduled later.

Michael Joseph O’Hara Jr. was born on Nov. 29, 1923, at Butte, Mont., to Michael Sr. and Maryann Conely O’Hara. He was a 1941 graduate of Butte High School.

Mike then joined the U.S. Navy and served as a gunners mate on a Victory Ship. After his time in the service he went on to work as a copper miner in Montana.

He later left mining for the construction field. He was a part of the building the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) tunnel in the California Bay Area, working as a heavy equipment operator.

Michael and his first wife, Betty, had three children. He and Betty later divorced.

After retirement, Mike moved to Baker City. He met Barbara Yeske and they became close friends and companions for many years.

They especially enjoyed dancing, RVing, spending their summers at Richland and fishing. Mike also enjoyed working and doing stained glass.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother; four sisters; and his companion, Barbara Yeske, who died in 2012.

Survivors include his daughter, Elizabeth “BJ,” and her husband, Douglas Hickman, of Joseph; son, Michael Jr., and his wife, Nancy O’Hara, of Folsom, Calif.; son, Patrick, and his wife, Sandi O’Hara, of Austin, Texas; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and extended family, Jim and Penny Moore of La Grande.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heart ‘n’ Home Hospice through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.