Ruth Higby, 93, passed away in her sleep Feb. 27 in a care facility in Boise, Idaho. Ruth was born to Richard Balbach and Helen (Sniegon) Balbach July 12, 1923, in New Meadows, Idaho.  She was the eldest of four children. After graduating from Meadows Valley High School in 1943, Ruth married

  Vera Mackenzie Hotchkiss, 87, passed away March 1. Vera was born Aug. 26, 1929, to Dorothy Holmes and William Mackenzie. She was raised as the third-generation on her family’s ranch in Ukiah. Vera went to Oregon State College where she majored in home economics, with the goal of “obtaining her ‘MRS’ degree.”

Mary Louise Hill, or Mary Lou as she preferred to be called, passed away Jan. 8 in Klamath Falls. Mary Lou was born Nov. 9, 1922, in Burns. In 1943, Mary Lou married the love of her life, Jack Davidson. They had two beautiful daughters. Then, sadly, Jack died. In 1970, Mary

Cole Clemens, 32, passed away Feb. 11 from injuries suffered in a snowmobile accident near La Grande. Cole was born Oct. 19, 1984, in Bend to Tom and Candis Clemens. He lived most of his life growing up in Bend, but La Grande was his true home where he resided the

Theresa (Merkle) Ward passed away Feb. 21. Theresa was born Oct. 1, 1928, in Tacoma, Wash., to Henry Merkle and Lillian Anslow Merkle. Theresa met and later married Jim Ward. In 1957, Jim and Theresa and their four children moved to Burns and started the county’s first radio station, KRNS. They

A memorial service for former Harney County resident Conley Fitchett will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at Faith Baptist Church in Hines. A potluck will follow. Those attending are welcome to bring pictures of Conley to display on a picture board.

Valeria Eggleston passed away Feb. 16 in Golden, Colo. She was born Nov. 3, 1920, in Kilgore, Neb., to Paul G. and Olga A. Hirschler. Valeria grew up primarily in Des Moines, Iowa, and attended schools around the country, as her father was in the Civilian Conservation Corps. She met her