Obituaries for the week of July 3 to July 7, 2006

Robert Oesterling

Robert Alan Oesterling, 57, of Glide, died July 2, 2006, at his mother's home in Baker City.

His graveside memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Grandview Cemetery in La Grande.

Robert Alan was born on Dec. 26, 1948, at La Grande to Robert Grandy and Winnifred Eloise Moore Oesterling.

Rob was a champion swimmer in his teens and an avid hunter, the only one in the family. His passion for the outdoors was instilled in him at an early age and carried throughout his entire life.

Rob loved exploring and learning. He could never pass a historic landmark without stopping to read it. Rob loved to ski, cook, fish and listen to classical music. He also enjoyed photography, cats, intellectually challenging conversation, computers and the ocean.

His most recent joys in his life included being a grandfather to his four grandchildren and the life he had made at Glide with his soul mate and life partner, Faye Rodriguez.

Survivors include his mother, Winnifred Oesterling; his partner, Faye; a brother, Richard; a sister, Judith; daughters, Michelle and Jennifer; four granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.

Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

John Chandler

John E. Chandler, 77, of Richland, died June 30, 2006, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.

His graveside service was at 11 a.m. today at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. Pastor Gordon Bond of the Richland Christian Church officiated. There was a reception afterward at the Eagle Valley Grange Hall in Richland.

John was born on Sept. 1, 1928, at Richland to Lloyd Estes and Mabel Rose Brown Chandler. He lived his entire life at Richland. He participated in all sports and was an outstanding athlete.

John worked as a rancher and dairyman, helped build the Brownlee and Oxbow dams, was a delivery man for Standard Oil and finished his working career with the Baker County Road Department.

John was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He loved fishing, trapping, prospecting, camping and getting wood. For John, there was no place on Earth like "the mountains." There was nothing better than picking huckleberries, finding mushrooms or looking for wildlife. And, of course, there was always that "perfect tree" for the next woodcutting adventure.

Gardening also was one of his favorite activities, and if you wanted to do a mean two-step, he was the perfect partner.

"We have truly lost a wonderful man, and he will be greatly missed," his family said.

Survivors include his wife, Lorene; seven children and their spouses, John and Linda Chandler, Sarita and Mike Raney, Bill Chandler, Terry and Janie Chandler, Carol and Fred Gehring, Mike and Thelma Chandler and Tod and Cindy Chandler; four stepchildren and their spouses, Sandy and Bill Crampton, Bob Hewitt, Lorri and Steve Platt and Walt and Darla Hewitt; nine grandchildren; 18 stepgrandchildren; and 19 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by both parents; sisters, Imogene Rawls, Bonnie Wilson and Odetta Morrison; and a grandson, David John.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Eagle Valley Ambulance Fund or the Alzheimer's Association through Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.