Elroy Howard Stewart

Elroy Howard Stewart, age 78, of La Grande, died May 13, 2015 at his home. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 22, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. at the New Life Center in La Grande. Committal and interment will follow at the Island City Cemetery.

Elroy was born on August 29, 1936, the son of Ray Howard and Lola Pauline (Thornhill) Stewart, in Redmond, Oregon. The family later moved to Stanfield where he graduated from high school. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for a short time before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He served for three years and was honorably discharged as a Sgt. He returned to Oregon and went back to work for the railroad in Hermiston and then to La Grande in the early 1970's. On November 24, 1978 he married Susan Grabau Fulfer in Nampa, Idaho. He retired from the railroad in 1999. He was a member of the UPRR Oldtimers and the NRA. He enjoyed collecting guns, participating in cowboy shoots, was a major archer and enjoyed hunting.

Survivors include his wife, Susan Stewart of La Grande; children, Brian Howard Stewart of La Grande, Deborah Harmon of Spokane, Tammy Bailey of Bremerton, Darren Fulfer of Baker City, Kelly Fulfer of Redmond and Chuck Fulfer of Virginia; sisters, Lois Harris and Stacy Stewart, both of The Dalles; sixteen grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ronald 'Gail' Stewart.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the New Life Center in care of Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street in La Grande.

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