Arnold E. Appleton

Arnold E. Appleton, 65, of Heppner and formerly of La Grande died Nov. 14 at his home. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the New Hope Community Church in Hermiston. A graveside memorial will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.


Mr. Appleton was born Sept. 9, 1941, to Howard and Ruth Arnold Appleton in Van Nuys, Calif. He was raised and attended school in Van Nuys, graduating from high school in 1959. In 1965 he married Pamela Passick. The couple later divorced.

He served with the Army during the Vietnam War and continued his military service with the Oregon National Guard until retireing as master sergeant. He served as mortar platoon sergeant and a 1st sergeant at Det 1, HHC, 3rd of the 116th, Pendleton.

Before moving to La Grande in 1973, he owned and operated Van Nuys Florist in Van Nuys. He operated a Christmas business, gathering greens and cones to make arrangements and wreaths for flower shops throughtout Northeast Oregon and Southeast Washington. In 1975 he married Wendy Bouchard in La Grande. The couple lived in La Grande for 25 years before moving to Heppner in 2000.

He enjoyed hunting, mushrooming, hiking in the mountains, gardening and playing cards with friends. He loved creating from things he found in nature and was well known for his dried arrangements and wreaths. He was a member of the New Hope Community Church in Hermiston.


Survivors include his wife, Wendy of Heppner; children and their spouses, Michael and Brenda Appleton of Hermiston, Phillip and Kari Appleton of Vancouver, Wash., John Appleton and Kendra Appelton, both of La Grande, and Penny Appleton of Denton, Texas; siblings, Thomas Appleton of Canoga Park, Calif., Doris Bond of Redding, Calif., and Elizabeth Brown of Tualatin; seven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pioneer Memorial Home Health or Hospice, P.O. Box 9, Heppner 97836; New Hope Community Church Building Fund, 1350 S. Highway 395, Hermiston 97838; or Willow Creek Baptist Church, P.O. Box 661, Heppner 97836.