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

Nancy Marie Kidwell passed away on Dec. 14, 2025, from age-related causes. She was 88 years old. Nancy was born in Roseburg, Ore., to Robert and Lois Gile on April 3, 1937. She married Charles McCowen in June 1957. He died in a logging accident in October 1966. Nancy married Richard

Raymond James Lawson, 80 years old, passed away on Jan. 1, 2026, quietly at his home with family by his side. He was born on Aug. 11, 1945 in Merced, Calif., to Arlin and Ruth Lawson. At home at the time, were two older sisters, Imogene and Leveda. A few years

Joel Zacarias, age 49, passed away at the University of Washington Medical Center surrounded by his children and loving family to comfort him to rest in peace. Joel was born on July 24, 1976, in Ontario, to Mike and Dorene Zacarias. Joel was the youngest of eleven siblings. He lived the majority

A Celebration of life service is planned for Gretchen Margaret Jones for Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m., at Burns Christian Church. A reception gathering will immediately follow.  Gretchen Margaret Jones passed away on Dec. 2, 2025. An obituary will be submitted at a later time.