Obituaries and Notices of Death

Patricia Mason
Patricia Griffis Waisanen Mason died on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, at her home in Albany, Ore. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 16 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Embarrass Town Hall.
 She is survived by four children, Candace Dale, George Curtis Waisanen (Jill), James Waisanen (Wendy) and Holly Waisanen; three brothers, Donald, Harold (Dick) and Curtis Griffis, all of Montana; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.  

Melia Shikonya
Melia Palo Shikonya, 78, of Ely, originally of Soudan, passed away on Friday, June 23, 2023, surrounded by her beloved family. Her life will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Thursday, July 13 with visitation at 10 a.m., Mass at 11 a.m., burial following Mass at the Ely Cemetery, and lunch following burial at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Funeral arrangements are by Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Anthony Shikonya; daughter, Lisa (Kevin) Skule; son, Bob (Rose) Shikonya; grandchildren, Dylan (Nicole) Skule, Jonathan Skule (Maddy Finlayson), Riley, Reece and Rachel Shikonya and Ryan (Emma) Janssen; sister, Helen Huovinen; sisters-in-law, Etta Palo and Gen Palo; brother-in-law, Wendall Wilson; and numerous nieces and nephews with whom she was in continuous contact.

William L. Purdy
William Lee “Bill” Purdy, 88, originally of Orr, passed away peacefully at his home in Apache Junction, Ariz., surrounded by family on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 29 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Orr. Visitation will be held one hour prior at 9 a.m. at the church. Lunch and fellowship will continue immediately after the service at the American Legion in Orr. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bill’s name to the American Cancer Society.
He is survived by his loving wife, Maxine Hall Purdy; daughter, Teresa DuMarce; son, Jeff (Wendy) Purdy; grandchildren, William Purdy and Tiffany (Jethro) Davis; great-grandsons, Jacob Davis and Logan Davis; and many special nieces and nephews.

Joan M. Lamppa
Joan “Joanie” Marie Engstrom Lamppa, 87, of Virginia, passed away at her home on Thursday, May 18, 2023. Services were held on Sunday, July 2 at Grand Ely Lodge. Family services were provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Harry; loving daughter, Renee and son-in-law Alan; precious grandchildren, Jonathan Fotopoulos (Sara), Katelyn Hogan (Daniel,) Olivia Johnson; and beloved great-grandchildren, Aurora, Tommy, Hayden, James and Mary; as well as many nieces and nephews.