La Grande, Oregon
Albert Isaac Bumgardner, 91, of La Grande died Sept. 3 at a local care center. A celebration of life will be from noon to 3 p.m. Friday at the home of his granddaughter, Sheri Benitez, 2706 E. L Ave.
Mr. Bumgardner was born April 28, 1915, to Isaac and Emma Davisson Bumgardner in Elgin. He graduated from Elgin High School in 1934, and during World War II worked at an airplane factory at San Diego, Calif. After returning to Union County he worked as a mechanic and carpenter, and in furnace and sheet-metal work.
On April 16, 1974, he married Bernice Waelty. The couple lived in La Grande. He was a past president of the La Grande Eagles Lodge, and was known as a jack of all trades. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and flying airplanes. It was said that he could build anything.
Survivors include his sister, Bernice Page of La Grande; step-children, Ken Waelty of Summerville, Pat Gutierrez of Heppner, Judy Ely of Oregon City, Laura VanDusen of Elgin and Larry Waelty of Nampa, Idaho; numerous grandchildren; and other relatives. His wife and a sister, Helen Manning, died earlier.
Memorials may be made to any charity in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.
The Observer Online, Obituaries for the week ending Sept. 9, 2006, Published: September 7, 2006
