George L. Bryant

1923-2019 Elgin

George Leon Bryant, 96, of Elgin, died Sept. 3 at his home. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 7 at the Elgin Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Bryant Center at the Elgin Harvester’s Church of the Nazarene.

George was born May 25, 1923, in Springfield, Illinois, one of six sons of Grover and Gladys (Fry) Bryant. He served as a corporal in an artillery unit in the Korean War. In his younger years, he held various jobs, including working on a tunnel construction project in Alaska, driving truck on the Oregon Coast and serving as a firefighter in Las Vegas.

George met Millie Ruth Bicket at a New Year’s Eve party in Beavercreek in 1952. They were married on May 29, 1953, and had four children. George and Millie made their home in Beavercreek, where they owned and operated the only Grade A goat dairy in Oregon for 12 years.

In 1975, George and Millie bought a cattle ranch on Clark Creek in Elgin and worked side by side for many happy years. George was a very devoted family man and loved being surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved animals and had a very compassionate and kind heart.

George was chosen Cattleman of the Year in 1989. He was a co-recipient with Millie of the Outstanding Cooperator of the Year from the Union Soil and Water Conservation District in 2001. George and Millie were very active in their church.

Surviving relatives include his children and their spouses, Michael and Vicki Bryant of Beavercreek, Joni and Mark Simmons of Elgin, Melanie and Todd McClure of Elgin, and Lori and Brian Herron of Elgin; 10 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, and his wife, Millie.

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

Joe W. Herr

1966-2019 Enterprise

Joe Willis Herr, 53, of Enterprise, died Aug. 20 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital. Friends are welcome to share their memories and stories of Joe at an informal celebration of life and potluck beginning at 2 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Hurricane Creek Grange Hall in Joseph. Those who would like to bring a dish to share are asked to call Nancy Parmenter at 480-323-6002.

Joe was born Jan. 24, 1966, in Yakima, Washington, to Joe Willys and Gladys Grace (Klein) Herr. He attended A.C. Davis High School in Yakima. Joe resided in Denver, Colorado; Marysville, Granite Falls and Arlington, Washington; and in Enterprise. He studied at the Denver Automotive and Diesel College in Colorado and Edmonds Community College in Washington.

Joe was married to Lisa Renee Herr for 31 years and had one daughter and one son. Joe worked as a boat builder, an aviation machinist, a landscaper and horticulturist, in property maintenance and as an architect and contractor. He collected knives, models, stones and rocks, and antique and vintage tools. He loved woodworking, camping and fishing and enjoyed baseball, football and track.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Lisa Herr of Enterprise; daughter and son-in-law, Amanda and John Grunalt of Marysville, Washington; son, Zakary Herr of Enterprise; sisters, Sheila Eastwood and husband, John, of Port Angeles, Washington, Linda Bryant of Westminster, Colorado, and Mary Herr of Haleiwa, Hawaii; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Emily L. (Lopez) Cheevers

La Grande 1933-2019

Emily Louise Cheevers, 86, of La Grande, died Aug. 30 at her home. There are no services planned at this time. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center.

Emily was born June 15, 1933, in Ventura, California, to Louis and Elvira (Sarabia) Lopez. On Jan. 21, 1956, she married John Alan Cheevers.

Emily worked as an operator and dispatcher for Bell Telephone in Los Angeles, California, and later for General Telephone in Gresham. In 1972, she and John moved to Sandy. After John passed away in 1998, Emily moved to Portland. In 2013, she moved to La Grande.

Emily was a member of the Catholic Church and the Eagles Auxiliary. She enjoyed dancing, sewing and crocheting. Her greatest joy was being surrounded by her grandchildren.

Surviving relatives include her children and their spouses, Jeri Ward of Sandy, John Jr. and Brenda Cheevers of Union, Lou and Dawn Cheevers of Leander, Texas, and Lorena and Brad Emerson of Kansas City, Missouri; 14 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John, and siblings, Louis Lopez and Raymond Galarza.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grande Ronde Hospital Hospice.

Glenn E. Standley

Formerly of La Grande

Glenn E. Standley, 77, formerly of La Grande, died Sept. 3 at his residence in Salem. A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Elgin Cemetery. An obituary is forthcoming. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory is handling the arrangements.