Feb. 22, 1939 –– Nov. 17, 2018

Maurice E. Bales, 79, died in Enterprise. Funeral services were held graveside Saturday, Nov. 24, at Prairie Creek Cemetery surrounded by family and friends. There will be a Celebration of Life Saturday, June 22, 2019.

Maurice was born in Joseph at the very residence that he stilled called home to Robert M. and Marstella L. Bales. He was a self-employed business owner his entire life; both in retail and as a paint contractor.

He was also a farmer/rancher and a dedicated public servant, but his most proud titles were father, grandfather and great-grandfather. As a young man, he was baptized at Joseph Methodist Church and was a proud graduate of Joseph High School.

Maurice married his high school sweetheart Lynne Anderson in 1956 and together they had six children that they began raising in Idaho while he became the youngest manager of Blocks Clothing Stores.

He then became owner of Double AA Western Wear in Salmon, Idaho. He sold Double AA when he and Lynne decided to move back to Wallowa County from Idaho in 1973 to buy Lynne’s family acreage at the base of Mt. Howard.

In 1985, he went back into the retail business becoming the owner of Wagner’s Men Store in Enterprise until he sold the business and returned to the family contracting business in the ‘90s.

In 1991 he married Judi Moore and added three step sons to his endearing title of father. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, which is why he loved living in rugged Idaho for many years, but his heart was always in his hometown of Joseph.

Maurice is survived by his wife Judi; five of his children, Kristopher M. Bales of Bend, Ore., Marc A. Bales of Bend, Lori L. Butterfield of Joseph, Gregory W. Bales of Enterprise and Jill E. Ledbetter of Stanfield, Ore.; three step-sons Darin M. Biggs of Burns, Ore., Landon L. Moore of Missoula, Mont. and Deven E. Moore of Pensacola, Fla.

He is also, survived by his three siblings, Robert E. Bales of Joseph, Judith A. Bales of Mollala, Ore. and Janice S. Liddiard of Lewiston, Idaho. He was called papa by 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Amy A. Graning of Craigmont, Idaho, and his parents Robert and Marstella Bales. Maurice was also proud to be called uncle by many nieces and nephews, and called friend by many from the Wallowa County community he dearly loved being a part of.