Leslie L. Paustian of Heppner passed away on Dec. 4, 2025 at the age of 86.
He was born on Dec. 7, 1938 in Baker City and was the first of eight children.
He graduated from Huntington High School. Later, he attended Central Washington College in Ellensburg, Wash. for a short time. Les was married to the love of his life, Janice, for 65 years. She survives him, as well as one daughter, Debbie and her husband, Jimmers Lankford; three grandsons and their families: Brandon Young, his wife Becky and great-granddaughters Emerly and Elliott; Matthew Young and his wife Jennifer and great-grandchildren Chloe, Juliette, Benjamin and Jonathan; and Luke Young and his wife Lauren and great-grandchildren Max and Vivian. He also had two step-granddaughters, Hayley Olson and great-grandson Abe, and Hannah Bellamy and her husband Travis and great-grandchildren Kate, Liza and Paul. They also had an exchange student from Japan that has been like a daughter to them, Miki Angelo and her husband Lew, as well as their two children, Emmi and Sarah.
Les liked to hunt and fish in his younger years and did some golfing, but dedicated most of his life to his work. Still, he was always up for a good joke and a laugh. During his time in Heppner, Les and his daughter Debbie coached T-ball teams. He had one little girl that kept trying to hit the ball off the tee and was having difficulty. After two weeks of practice, she finally said, “Mr. Paustian, I am left handed!” She turned around and hit the ball to center field.
Les was in the Army from 1961 to 1963 as a construction-combat engineer. In the service, Les operated dozers, graders, scrapers, cranes and compactors. He was involved in road maintenance as well as new construction, new bridge construction and maintenance.
From 1963 to 1965, Les worked for Oregon Portland Cement Co. in Lime, where he worked as a quarryman. He worked with all aspects of quarry operation such as powderman, drilling, crusher and screening.
Then, from 1965 to 1975, Les worked for Ellingson Lumber Co. in Baker City. He was the maintenance and construction superintendent in charge of plant maintenance as well as all new construction. He worked with engineers as well as laying out and supervising all aspects of construction of mill machinery, buildings and roads, as well as some bridges for the forest service.
Later, from 1975 to 1994, he worked for Kinzua Corporation in Heppner. He was purchasing agent from 1984 to 1994, responsible for all purchases, truck shop maintenance supervisor, clear all invoices for payment, set up yearly budget and monitor monthly spending. He worked with engineers and supervisors during all new construction. He also designed and laid out construction of a mulch plant, which saved the company approximately $175,000 per year.
During his time there, he was sawmill superintendent from 1981 to 1984 in charge of mill production maintenance and quality control and oversaw up to 54 employees and three supervisors. From 1975 to 1981, he was the maintenance and construction superintendent in charge of maintenance and new construction for the entire plant as modification of machinery to better production and quality.
Even after his long work career, Les still spent time working and serving. From 1994 to 1995 he worked for Bruce Young Logging. Then, from 1996 to 2004 he was the maintenance superintendent for Morrow County. He even was the mayor of Heppner from 2006 to 2012. Les had served as president of Willow Creek Country Club, was appointed to serve on city council for three years, and also served on the Columbia Basin Electric Board of Directors.
Les had also been active with the Ford Foundation and helped oversee building the picnic shelter at the fairgrounds. He also loved helping with the Mustang Mop-up.
Per Les’s wish, there will be no service. Instead, the family held a living celebration of life with him before he passed. All his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were able to spend some quality time with him during his last few weeks. Les had his great sense of humor until the very end.
Please leave your condolence messages for the family at https://www.sweeneypaytonmortuary.com/.
Sweeney Payton Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements.
