Richard "Dick" Bonney

Richard Donald "Dick" Bonney, age 91 of Union died, June 1, 2006. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Union. Interment will follow at the Union Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.



Richard Donald "Dick" Bonney was born to Richard Herman and Sara Louise (Brannian) Bonney in Bellingham, Washington on April 1, 1915. The family arrived in Union on January 5, 1920 via the short track railroad from Union Junction to Union. Dick's father built and ran the fish hatchery on Catherine Creek, and Dick grew up there, developing a keen interest in fishing, hunting and camping in his youth. He helped his dad in transporting trout fingerlings to the Minam, drove horses from Union to Halfway, and spent many days enjoying the outdoors.

He enlisted in the Navy during WW II and spent most of that time in the North Pacific along the Alutian Islands. While staying in Salem after the war, he met Gertrude "Trudy" Roberts, who he married on July 23, 1946. They moved to Union shortly thereafter and enjoyed the rest of their lives here. Dick had numerous interests including poetry, art and woodworking. Woodworking won out, and Dick became a carpenter and cabinet maker but never gave up the other ideas.



Survivors include many nieces, nephews and numerous other relatives, friends and the City of Union. All that is mortal of "good ol' Dick," who will be laid to rest next to Trudy in the Union Cemetery.



Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Richard "Dick" Bonney to the Union United Methodist Church care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.