Ralph Melvin Roper

Ralph Melvin Roper, age 86, died Friday, May 26, 2006 at a local care center in La Grande. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the Summerville Cemetery in Summerville. A viewing will be held on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Ralph Melvin Roper was born on October 27, 1919, the son of James Purl and Anna Maude (Shoemaker) Roper in Mesa, Colorado. He lived in Colorado and Idaho until moving to Summerville in 1936. Ralph served in the U.S. Army Air force from 1943 until 1945 where he was a part of the air offensive against Japan in New Guinea, South Philippines, and Luzon. After his honorable discharge, Ralph worked as a farmer and a logger and was employed by Boise Cascade in Elgin at the Studmill from 1966 until his retirement in 1976.

Survivors include his brother and wife Curt and Twila Roper of La Grande, his nephew and his wife James and Ramona Roper of Cove, and their son Micheal Roper, numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. A niece, Tonya Roper preceded him in death.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Ralph Melvin Roper to the charity of choice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.