Dennis Wolf

Cove

Dennis Wolf, 68, of Cove, died Aug. 12 at his residence. An obituary is forthcoming. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory will be handling the arrangements.

Donald P. Donkers

North Powder 1942-2019

Donald Paddock “Midnight” Donkers, 77, of North Powder, died Aug. 2 at his residence. At his request, there will not be a service.

Donald was born June 8, 1942, in Portland, to Ted and Betty Belle (Paddock) Donkers. He resided in Portland and North Powder and graduated from Washington High School. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard for six years.

Donald worked as a brewmaster and truck driver for Blitz Weinhard Company. He loved the outdoors and was an avid motorcycle rider.

Surviving relatives include his sister, Gail Donkers of Portland, and nephew, William Hunter of North Powder.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.

Peter T. Cuthbert

La Grande 1962-2019

Peter “Pete” Thomas Cuthbert, 56, of La Grande, died Aug. 9 at his residence. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 17 at Homestead Church, 60588 McAlister Road, followed by a reception.

Peter was born Nov. 21, 1962, in La Grande, to John and Marita (Bell) Cuthbert. He resided in La Grande and Portland. Peter graduated from La Grande High School, where he was on the basketball team. He later attended Portland Community College and earned an aviation mechanic degree.

Peter worked for Boeing building aircraft wings and Continental Airlines before returning to La Grande to farm with his dad. He loved the mountains, skiing, riding his motorcycle and flying his ultralight plane.

In 1995, Peter was in a serious car accident. He was in a coma for three months and had to relearn everything. He was legally quadriplegic but did have limited use of his limbs. Peter was determined that he would walk again and spent hours exercising and reaching and praying for his goals. He loved to play board games and his sense of humor often came through.

Although Peter didn’t accomplish his goal to walk again, his faith, determination, effort and positive outlook were an inspiration to many who knew him.

Surviving relatives include his father, John Cuthbert of La Grande; sister and brother-in-law, Jeri and Jay Mackley of La Grande; brother, Fred Cuthbert of Talent; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marita Cuthbert.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.

Mary G. (Harris) Averill

La Grande 1938-2019

Mary Gwen Averill, 80, of La Grande, died Aug. 5 at her residence. At her request, there will not be a service.

Mary was born Aug. 25, 1938, in Wetumka, Oklahoma, to Wayland and Juanita (Cadwallader) Harris. She resided in La Grande, Tarpon Springs, Florida, and Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Oklahoma, Missouri and California. She graduated from Wichita High School West in 1956.

Mary attended the University of North Dakota and received a bachelor of science degree in occupational therapy in 1994. She loved her work as an OT and was very proud of returning to school as a non-traditional student and earning her degree after the age of 50. Mary believed it was never too late to chase a dream. She worked up until her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2016.

Mary baked delicious pies and was excited to share them with her loved ones. She was an avid reader and accomplished seamstress and loved to dance. Mary treasured her time living in Florida and was especially fond of the flamingos. When she moved to Oregon, she decorated her home and “Florida Porch” with pink flamingos.

Eating sweets was one of Mary’s favorite things. You could always count on a sweet treat if she was invited to the party. She told the best stories and could always make people laugh.

Surviving relatives include her children and their spouses, Brad and Sharie Nelson of Fort Pierre, South Dakota, Wayla Chadwick of La Grande, James and Sean Nelson of Topeka, Kansas, Wende and Don Mai of Nampa, Idaho, and Stephen and Carissa Schnell of Oxford, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wayland and Juanita Harris, and husband, Charles Averill.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.

James Dean (Jim) Shanks

Union1953-2019

James Dean (Jim) Shanks, 66, died August 1, 2019 in Walla Walla, WA. He was born and raised in Union and graduated from Union High School in 1970. Jim was preceded in death by his father, sister, nephew, and step-son. He’s survived by his wife Cindy, mother Shirley, brother David, step-son Coby, and sister-in-law Kim. Jim served in the US Navy and worked his entire adult life as a heavy equipment diesel mechanic, but could basically fix anything with a motor. He was especially adept with large and complex farm machinery. Jim’s lifelong passions always involved the outdoors, including wind surfing, dirt bikes, and riding his ATV in the mountains. No services are planned, but his family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks for all the comfort and support provided by friends and family during this most difficult time.