Merle Edward Reid, 61, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026, surrounded by family. Merle was born in Eugene, on April 15, 1964, to Olin and Susanne Reid, joining two brothers and a sister as the baby of the family. He grew up in Eugene, where he graduated from high school

Javier Hilario Lete, 65, passed away at the residence of his brother, Jess, surrounded by family, on Feb. 20, 2026. Javier was born in Nampa, Idaho on Jan. 24, 1961, to Maria Altuna Lete and Domingo Lete. Throughout his life, Javier had many different jobs. He worked for the Forest Service

Turen Alfred Dunten was born to Turen “TJ” and Wilma (Miller) Dunten on April 17, 1934, in Drewsey, at the home of Emma Clark, a local RN who often served as midwife to area mothers. Alfred grew up on his parents’ ranch with his sister Helen, brother Ray, and sister Karen.

Carl Martin Harris, 83 years old, passed away on Feb. 3, 2026. Born Jan. 8, 1943, a lifetime resident of Harney County, who only recently moved to Sutherlin, Ore. for health care with his son, Scott and wife, Carol Harris. Carl attended school in Hines and Burns and graduated from BUHS

Thelma Geraldine “Geri” Oster passed away while traveling in Washington state on Dec. 26, 2025, joining her husband and two daughters. She was born at home on Oct. 20, 1932, to Thelma and Wiley Gordon in La Grande, and was raised in Elgin. At age twenty-three, while attending Eastern Oregon Normal

Nancy Cray, recently of Hines, long time Harney County resident, passed away at Willamette Manor assisted living facility in Lebanon, on Sunday 8 Feb. She was 84 years old. Nancy was born in Portland, on April  17, 1941. She was adopted by Bill and Delight Blake and passed her childhood in

John Fredrick Witzel was born on Feb. 15, 1937, in Hines, to Fred and Pearl Witzel. He passed away on Jan. 20, 2026. Fred grew up on the family ranch near Frenchglen. He had three older half-sisters – Marion, Betty and Daisy. He went to grade school in Frenchglen, and graduated

Joshua D. Petersen was born on Dec. 29, 1976, to Jon and Suzie Laurance-Petersen. With the exception of a brief time during his freshman year of high school, Josh spent his entire life in Harney County, a place that shaped him and that he, in turn, gave so much back

Earl Hofman passed away at his home in Roseburg, on Friday Jan. 2.  Earl was born in Hines. He was youngest of three children to Henry and Pauline Hofman. He worked for Edward Hines Lumber Company for over 25 years as a millwright. After leaving the mill he worked for the

John E. Howes 81 passed away peacefully on Dec. 28, 2025. A private service will be held in early March of this year under the direction of Hustad Funeral Home. Born in Burns, on March 3, 1944, John was the youngest of five children of Wayne and Hope Moyer Howes. They