Sylvan Star Hewitt

Sylvan Star Hewitt, 88, of Union and formerly of Richland, Oregon passed away on Friday, November 25 in a La Grande care center. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, December 2, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley in La Grande. Interment will follow at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland, Oregon. A viewing will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2005 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon.

Sylvan Hewitt was born May 13, 1917 in Richland, Oregon to Elvira and Icey Hewitt and received his education in Richland and Baker schools. In 1939 Sylvan was married to La Nore Wilson. He was drafted into the Army in 1941 and saw active duty in France, Italy and Germany. After the war he built and operated a sawmill in Summerville. In 1957 he sold the mill to Val Setz Lumber Co. and moved to La Grande. Sylvan pursued some other interests at that time including the purchase of several commercial and residential properties. He spent a short time in the cattle business, purchased an airplane to do some aerial crop spraying and to fly sportsmen into Red's Horse Ranch. He also spent a few years hauling logs.

Sylvan became divorced after 27 years of marriage and in 1973 he moved back to Richland. He had an undying love for gold mining. He built and collected a lot of mining equipment and followed his hobby, which took him to the Snake River, Cornucopia, Sumpter, Granite and finally to Alaska.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and fixing mechanical things and he loved helping people. He enjoyed traveling and took trips to visit his son while he was in Iran and England. His son was training Iranians to fly helicopters.

Sylvan had his share of tragedies. His first-born son was run over and killed at age seven by a car driven by a close family friend. His second son was killed in a helicopter crash while logging in Montana after his tour of duty in Iran was completed. Sylvan has survived many illnesses and spent the last three years on dialysis. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and of the American Legion.

Sylvan is survived by two grandsons, Zachary Stockton Hewitt of Palm Springs, California and Gabriel Stockton Hewitt of Austin, Texas; two brothers, Richard and Bob Hewitt, both of La Grande, and long-time close friend Etta Ruberg of Union.

His two sons, Duane and Tom and two sisters, Rita and Arvilla, preceded him in death. He had many close friends and will be truly missed.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Sylvan Hewitt to the VFW in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.