Mahlon Bruce Beels

Mahlon Bruce Beels, age 94, of La Grande, died Monday, April 30, 2007 in La Grande. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 4, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mahlon was born on March 30, 1913 in Witten, South Dakota to William and Alice (Albert) Beels. He married Irene Skibinski on August 2, 1936 in Winner. He worked in the county clerk's office in Winner until he and his wife and five month old daughter, Judy, moved to Portland, Oregon. During World War II he was a welder, building ships in the Portland shipyard. In the 1950's he moved his family to Elgin, Oregon to go into business with his brother. In the 1960's he started a cabinet-making business in La Grande with his son-in-law.

After retiring from business he volunteered in the Union County Senior Lunch Program when it started in the basement of the old Salvation Army Church. His years of service included fund-raising to help build the present Union County Senior Center, serving on various county-wide advisory committees, traveling to Washington D.C. at the request of Senator Bob Packwood for senior advocacy, providing many hours of labor in maintaining and building cabinets and recipient of Union County Volunteer of the year for his efforts.

One of his great joys in life was his family and the occasions that brought them together.

His survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Wavel Hunt of Summerville, Oregon; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren and one niece. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene, brother, William, sister, Alice and other relatives.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mahlon to the Union County Senior Center in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.