William Russell Droschkey

William Russell Droschkey, age 82, of Cove, died Friday at a local care facility. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cove Cemetery.

Mr. Droschkey was born on October 3, 1923, the son of William and Mary Alice (Bill) Droschkey in Spokane, Washington. He was raised in Idaho and graduated from high school in Orofino, Idaho. At the age of 14 went to work in the woods. When he was 19 years of age he enlisted in the Army Air Corp. On September 18, 1948 he married Shirley Brazil in Cove. In 1951 he graduated from the University of Utah as a Pharmacist. He worked in Pendleton, Burn, John Day and Walla Walla before returning to the Grande Ronde Valley. In 1965 they moved to Cove and he continued to work in La Grande until retiring in 1984. He was a member of the Ontario Elks Lodge, the VFW and the DAV. He and Shirley raised horses and mules for recreation in the wilderness and they raced horses for seven years in five different states.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Droschkey of Cove; brother, Dave Best of Lewiston, Idaho; sister, Myrna Henry of Tacoma, Washington and other relatives and friends.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mr. Droschkey to the Cove Library Fund in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.