Phyllis Jean De Long, Chess

Phyllis Jean De Long Chess, passed away on March 19 at her home in Island City at the age of 84.

Viewing will be available on Thursday March 29 from 2 to 4 at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street, La Grande.

A funeral will be held on Friday March 30 beginning at 11 a.m. at the La Grande First Christian Church, 901 Penn Avenue. Committal and interment will follow at the Hillcrest East Cemetery.

Phyllis was born on May 25, 1933 to Lois Conley De Long and Vernon De Long in La Grande. She was very proud of her heritage; which included Conleys, Goldens, Gekelers and De Longs; all pioneers, who settled in our valley. Her great, great grandfather, Ben Brown was the first man to build a permanent home and move his family to La Grande. Phyllis spent all her growing up years on a farm; which her brother and his wife still own and occupy. She always said she didn’t like living on a farm; but she treasured these years!
The first four years of her schooling she attended a one-room school; the Liberty School on Gekeler Lane where it now sits next to the Blue Mtn. Grange. The school was closed when she was ready for the fifth grade, and she and her brothers rode the bus to Willow School. She graduated from La Grande High School in 1951.

On Dec. 27, 1952 she and her high school sweetheart, John Chess were married. They had four children. He died on Oct. 23, 1982.
She married Adrion Rimbey, a former high school classmate on June 28, 1987. He was a barber in Hermiston, so she moved to Hermiston where she lived for twenty-six years. While living in Hermiston she attended the First Christian Church and was active in the Good Shepherd Hospital Auxiliary.

In Dec. of 2014 she and Adrion moved “back home” where they had purchased a home in Island City. Four months later Adrion was killed in an accident involving his ATV. She lived in the home until her death.
She was a life-long member of the La Grande First Christian Church and a member of the Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary.
She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Cheryl and Tom Van Handel of Redmond, Jack and Tammy Chess of La Grande, Roger Chess of La Grande, Larry and Sandy Chess of Boise; two brothers and their wives, Dale and Jackie De Long of Island City, Cecil and Linda De Long of La Grande; nine grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren and other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and two husbands.

Contributions in memory of Phyllis may be made to the La Grande First Christian Church Memorial Fund.

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Funeral Service

Friday, March 30, 2018
11:00 AM

First Christian Church
901 Penn Avenue
La Grande, Oregon 97850