Joann Wilson

Janice ‘Nadine’ Bradley

Oct. 18, 1946 – March 23, 2018

Janice “Nadine” Bradley, 71, of Kingman, Arizona, died on March 23 in her home. A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 14, at the Long Creek School gymnasium, followed by a graveside service in Fox Valley Cemetery officiated by Ed Studtmann. A lunch will be held at the Seventh-day Adventist Hall in Long Creek following the service. Nadine was born Oct. 18, 1946, in Goldendale, Washington, to Clarence and Berenice Austin. She married Thomas Bradley on June 25, 1966, in Goldendale.

They lived in the Seattle area for five years before settling down in Long Creek in 1977. She took on cleaning houses until the children were almost grown. Then she worked at the Long Creek School as the chef.

She loved to bake pies, cobblers and cookies. She would play Bunco and card games such as shanghai or pinochle with friends. She loved eating at Monument Senior Center, John Day Senior Center and Prairie City Senior Center while visiting with friends. She had a smile for everyone with a boisterous laugh. Her other favorite was to yell out “stop!” and back up then laugh when you would jump in the driver seat because she saw huckleberries alongside the road.

She is survived by her sister Patricia Griffin; children Sheila (Reggie) McDonald of Snohomish, Washington, Thomas Bradley of Mercer Island, Washington, Treva Bradley of Phoenix, Arizona, Tucker Bradley of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Heather (Rommel) Velasco-Bradley of Kingman, Arizona; and seven grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Bradley; and brother Mike Austin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Low Cost Spay Neuter Foundation for cats, 928-692-5226, Gideons.org or local church missionaries to spread God’s word throughout the world. Donations to help with funeral costs may be made to Driskill Memorial Chapel in John Day, 541-575-0529.

Donna Maxine Blackwell

Oct. 14, 1923 – April 3, 2018

Donna Maxine Blackwell, 94, of Long Creek passed away April 3 at Blue Mountain Care Center in Prairie City.

She was born Oct. 14, 1923, to Gilman and Dalla Shaw in Long Creek. She went to school and graduated from Long Creek High School and during that time was princess on the Grant County Fair and Rodeo Court. She then attended one year of college in Walla Walla, Washington.

On April 3, 1943, she married Harvey Blackwell of Long Creek and was married for 54 years. They lived in Long Creek and raised cattle on their ranch for many years.

She was a homemaker and also in her early years worked as a cook at the local café and then was a cafeteria cook for the Long Creek School for 26 years before retiring. She was known for her homemade maple bars, doughnuts and cinnamon rolls she served to the students.

She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, fishing, camping and cooking for family gatherings. She also enjoyed playing the piano in the family band in the earlier years. She sang for many weddings and funerals through the years.

She had a love for dogs, and her last companion for several years was a little white dog named Fred.

She is survived by her children Gail and husband, Tebeau Piquest, of Winnemucca, Nevada; Harvey and wife, Nicky Blackwell, of Long Creek; and Sherri and husband, Mike Hueckman, of Long Creek. She is also survived by six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren of which two sets are twins.

She was preceded in death by her sister Baby Shaw and her husband.

The funeral service was held at the Long Creek Community Church April 9, with interment following the service at the Long Creek Cemetery. A dinner was held afterward at the Friendship Hall in Long Creek.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Long Creek Ambulance through Driskill Memorial Chapel.

Holly M. Ford

Dec. 23, 1960 – April 3, 2018

Holly M. Ford, 57, of Prairie City passed away April 3 at home. She was born Dec. 23, 1960, in Warwick, Rhode Island. She earned her nursing degree from the University of Rhode Island and continued to serve the community as a registered nurse for 25 years. To know her was to love her. She is survived by her four children, Amber, Tyson, Jedadiah and George; and five grandchildren. To leave condolences, visit driskillmemorialchapel.com.

Marlene Faye Whale

Marlene Faye Whale, 78, of Prineville passed away Monday, April 2. She was born July 11, 1939, in Oregon City. No public services will be held. To offer condolences, visit whisperingpinesfuneralhome.com.

Ella Blanche Maxwell

Nov. 8, 1927 – Dec. 3, 2017

Ella Blanche Maxwell, a longtime resident of Lostine, Oregon passed away December 3rd 2017 in the comfort of her home with loved ones. She was 90 years old.

Blanche was born November 8th 1927 in Hettinger, ND to Camille & Katherine Lermeny. The family moved to Wallowa County in the early 1930’s. Blanche and her brother, Robert Le Roy Lermeny, enjoyed their childhood on a ranch east of Joseph, where Blanche spent most of her time on horseback.

Blanche met Marvin Maxwell at Enterprise High School where they soon became sweethearts. Marvin served in Japan in the U.S. Army. Returning from service, he and Blanche were married on March 13th 1949. Blanche and Marvin had three boys: James Bailey, Donald Lee and Gregory Dale.

Blanche was a terrific mother and a very hard working woman. Due to Marvin’s work with First Interstate Bank, the family often relocated. Blanche not only took care of the children during these moves, but also often had side jobs in each new city. Her favorite employment was when she worked for the Forest Service in Wallowa County. This job spoke both to her love of nature and her love of service.

Blanche was very well known in the local community for her love of horses. She was a Princess on the 1946 Wallowa County Court, a 1947 Chief Joseph Days Princess, a 1947 Elgin Stampede Princess, and a 1948 Princess of the Lewiston Roundup Court. In her golden years, she often rode in the Chief Joseph Days parade with other former Queens and Princesses; with her granddaughter Bailey usually riding by her side. Blanche was also the Grand Marshall of Mule Days in 2007. The joke was always that she was always a princess and never a Queen. That streak finally ended when she was named Queen of the Redneck Rodeo in 2000.

In 2006 Marvin Maxwell, Blanche’s husband and love of her life passed away. She found solace in her two dogs, Brisco and Tippy. As Blanche would say, “When you have pets, you are never alone.” She spent many years enjoying the company of her dogs and the beautiful view of the Wallowa Mountains. She called it “the perfect view a person can have.”

The family would like to thank the community of Wallowa County for all of the love and support they have shown Blanche and her family throughout the years. A public service will be held at Wallowa Cemetery on May 19th at 1pm to celebrate a life well lived. A gathering to share memories and enjoy food will be at the Wallowa County Senior Center following the service.

She was preceded in death by parents Camille and Katherine Lermeny; step-father Marvin Bork; husband Marvin Maxwell; brother Robert Lermeny and son Donald Maxwell.

Blanche is survived by her sons James Bailey and Gregory Dale Maxwell; sister in-law Thelma Maxwell; daughter in-law Kathy Maxwell; grandchildren Bailey Anne Maxwell, Jason B. Maxwell and Sherry Lynn Ledgerwood; Niece Marcia Wood and husband Monte; Nephew Bill Maxwell; 5 great-grand children and many other extended family members and friends.

Remembrances can be made by donating to Back Country Horsemen or the Oregon Humane Society Enterprise branch.

Paid for by the family Blanche Maxwell

Joann Wilson

July 1, 1937 – March 31, 2018

Joann Wilson, 80, of John Day passed away on March 31 at her residence. A graveside service was held Friday, April 6, at the Prairie City Cemetery, officiated by Pastor Mike Harvey of Grace Chapel in Prairie City.

She was born July 1, 1937, to Oakley H. Cox and Enola E. Derrick in Halfway. She attended high school in Baker, and following school, she proudly became a homemaker taking care of her family.

In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting, reading, embroidery, sewing and painting. She also enjoyed baking, making cinnamon rolls and goodies for her friends and family.

She is survived by her daughter and son in-law, Vonna and Jim Anderson, of Prairie City; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, W. Ralph Wilson; and son Jonathan B. Wilson.

To leave condolences, visit driskillmemorialchapel.com.