Ernest R. Wells

Ernest R. Wells, 81, formerly of La Grande and Elgin, died Jan. 27 at Madeleine Villa Convalescent Center in Marysville, Wash., with family members present.

At his request there will be no service.

Ern was born Feb. 7, 1926, to Rudolph "Rudy" Paul and Hazel Frances Barnes Wells in La Grande. He attended school at Pine Grove in Elgin and also in the Salem area. He graduated in 1944. After graduation he joined the U.S. Army, served in the Transport Services, served in World War II and was sent to Okinawa. He was decorated for combat services.

He married Ruth Clark on July 3, 1946, in Sheridan. He owned the U.S. Cattle Guard Co. in Joseph before moving to Milton-Freewater where he was a lab technician for Lamb-Weston. They moved to Elgin in 1964 and he went to work shortly after for Boise Cascade as a glue mixer, retiring in 1988 as press operator.

Mining was a passion for Ern and he owned and operated several copper, uranium and gold mines in the Granite, Durkee, Joseph and Imnaha areas. Ernie and Ruth moved to La Grande in 1998 where he lived until a few months before his death.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Arlington, Wash.; children and their spouses, Randy and Delores Wells of Silverton, Tom and Sue Wells of Elgin, Marilyn Wells of Arlington and Zan and Preston Conger of Covington, Wash.; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Cameron Wells.