Leon Mawhin, 99, of Enterprise, died Jan. 15, 2004, at Wallowa Memorial Hospital after a short illness. He was born Aug. 12, 1904, in Hoboken, N. J. to Mathew and Marietta (Brun) Mawhin.

After his family came west to homestead in Starbuck, Wash., they moved to Wallowa County in 1913, settling in the Hayden Canyon area. He started his ranching career by working for sheepmen at an early age before getting his own place on Alder Slope where he lived for 75 years. In 1924, he married Lora Francis, who preceded him in death in 1989 after almost 65 years of marriage. He was named Wallowa County Grassman of the Year in 1983 by the Stockgrowers Association, and enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and was known as a master of many trades.

Survivors include daughters Reta Bowcut of Fruitland, Idaho, and Marian Birkmaier of Joseph; five grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Funeral services will be held Sat., Jan. 24, at 1 p.m., at the Bollman Funeral Home, with private family interment to follow at the Enterprise Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Wallowa Memorial Hospital, care of the Bollman Funeral Home.