John William Freels

John William Freels, 94, lifelong resident of Wallowa County, died April 20. Services will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Bollman Funeral Home in Enterprise.

Burial will be at Alder Slope Cemetery.

John was born April 12, 1917, when the family lived on the Swamp Creek homestead.

After a short time in the military, he remained an active resident of the county. He married Rena Terry and they raised three sons, Marshall, Ted and Harold, on the family farm on Hurricane Creek Road.

John and Rena celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with many family members and friends.

John was a lifelong farmer. He was active with the Wallowa Livestock Marketing Association where he started working in 1942 and served as president and manager.

He spent more than 50 years with the Hurricane Ditch Co. and served as manager and director.

With the organization of the Chief Joseph Pipe Line in 1963, John stepped forward as president.

He was involved for more than 50 years with the Hurricane Creek Grange while holding all offices at least once. He also held seventh-degree certificates to National Grange, the highest degree in Grange.

For 12 years, he was the director of the Wallowa Creamery Association. He served as a school director for the Hurricane Creek and Enterprise schools.

He is survived by one brother, three sons, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

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