Obituaries for June 16, 2010

Michael Rush

Michael James Rush, 53, died June 10, 2010, at Baker City from complications of a stroke.

His graveside service was at 10 a.m. today at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Lenny Spooner of the Baker City Church of the Nazarene officiated.

Mike was born on Dec. 31, 1956, at Baker City to Richard and Frances Rush. He loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, archery hunting and dirt bikes.

He married Linda Dima on Dec. 14, 1976. They had three children: Josh, Nick, and Chris. The couple divorced after 22 years.

Mike worked for the Baker City Public Works Department for several years and then for Marvin Wood Products up until his stroke.

Survivors include his three sons, Josh Rush, and daughter-in-law Jamie Dougherty, of Baker City, and grandchildren, Makaela Dougherty, Aiden Rush and Ashton Rush, and Nick Rush of Baker City and Chris Rush of Ontario; sister, Karen Castillo, and her husband, Enrique, of San Jose, Calif.; and nephews Enrique Jr., Adrian, and Gustavo Castillo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Morgan Rush and Frances Freda Polley Rush.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.

Michelle Hammond

Her graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Union Cemetery. There will be a reception afterward at the Union Stock Show Grounds.

Michelle was born on April 1, 1980, to Gary Bingham and Rayetta Thomas in Baker City. She grew up at Richland. When she was in the sixth grade the family moved to Union where she graduated from high school.

She worked as a flagger for ODOT for many years and it was her favorite job of any she’d ever held. She married Rick Hammond at Union 10 years ago. She was a dedicated wife and mother and was involved with the many activities her children were involved with.

Michelle loved anything and everything to do with the outdoors.  She enjoyed fishing and camping, but her passions were hunting and hunting for horns.

Survivors include her husband, Rick Hammond of Union; children, Ty Hammond, Levi Hammond and Hailey Hammond, all of Union; mother and stepfather, Rayetta Thomas and Gerald Lequerica of La Grande; father, Gary Bingham of Wallowa; father-in-law, Matt Hammond of La Grande; mother-in-law, Teri Doors of Oklahoma; sisters, Denise Forneigh of Wallowa, Dianna Bigham of Wallowa and Denelle Bingham of La Grande; uncles, John and David Thomas of Halfway; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the NRA or the Halfway Rodeo through Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, OR 97850.