2nd – Emma Schwab

3rd – Kathryn J Rossman 

4th – Ruth Connell Simpson 

2nd – 31 Dec 1931 in Roseburg, Oregon (no record of divorce) 

3rd – 10 Feb 1938  in Portland, Oregon 

4th – 27 May 1961 in Portland, Oregon 

Hollie Ellsworth Bunn was born on 15 December 1899 in Washta, Iowa, to John Laurence Bunn and Alice Nell (Nellie) Whitney. His given name was spelled “Hollie” on his birth certificate, though other records sometimes used “Holly.” He was the second child, following an older sister, Bonnie.  

Shortly after his birth, the family relocated to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where John worked as a painter. By 1910, they had moved again – this time to Soap Lake, Washington – where John was a grain buyer and Nellie was raising five children under age eleven. Around 1915, the family settled in Oregon.  

Iin 1919, while living in Albany, John and Nellie divorced. Their eldest daughter had married and moved out, leaving 20-year-old Hollie to support his mother and younger siblings. He began working at the Thoms Kay Woolen Mill in Salem, listed as a weaver in the 1920 census. By 1921, he had relocated to Portland, where he was employed as a painter and married Bonnie Archer on March 20. The marriage ended in divorce the following year.  

By 1927, Holly was living in Southern California, working a variety of jobs in Long Beach, including service station attendant and chef. The 1930 census records him as married to Emma A. Bunn, a department store saleswoman, though an Oregon record indicates their marriage took place in Roseburg on 1 December 1931. Emma’s maiden name was Schwab.  

By 1935, the couple had returned to Southern Oregon, though they appear to have lived separately. Emma is listed in the Medford city directories for 1935 and 1937, while Hollie is not. He was employed by the U.S. Forest Service as a mechanic and may have been stationed in a remote location. They divorced in the spring of 1937.  

On February 10, 1938, Hollie married a third time, to schoolteacher Kathryn Jeanette Rossman in Portland. They had one child, Charles Eugene Bunn, born on May 22, 1939.  

Hollie advanced within the Forest Service to the role of regional Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor. By early 1942, he registered for the World War II draft while holding the title of Chief Inspector, CCC Motor Repair Division No. 5, based at 2750 State Street in Salem. Though he registered in Sandpoint, Idaho, he listed his work location as “anywhere in the United States.” His role appears to have exempted him from military service.  

After the war, he worked as a Supervising Salesman for the Federal War Assets Administration in Portland. On December 1, 1950, Hollie returned home from an appointment to find that his wife Kathryn had died by suicide after fatally wounding their son Charles, who died enroute to the hospital.  

In 1961, Hollie married a fourth time, to widow Ruth Connell Simpson, who worked for Tektronix in Portland. He was then living at 1405 SE 34th Avenue. The couple later retired to North Central Oregon.  

Hollie died of a heart attack in Culver, Oregon, on February 26, 1967. His ashes are interred at Riverview Abbey Mausoleum in Portland, near his mother and sister. 

1910  Holly E. Bunn. Age: 9. Birth: abt 1901 in Iowa. Single, son of HOH. Residence: Soap Lake, Grant County, Washington. Attending School. Household members: John L. Bunn, age 35 (HOH, grain buyer), Alice N. Bunn, age 36 (wife to HOH), Bonnie M. Bunn, age 11 (daughter to HOH), Holly E. Bunn, age 9 (son to HOH), Bernice L. Bunn, age 8 (daughter to HOH), Fay R. Bunn, age 3 (daughter to HOH), Lucile L. Bunn, age 1 (daughter to HOH).   

1920  Holly E. Bunn. Age: 21. Birth: abt 1899 in Iowa. Single, son to HOH. Residence: Water St. Salem, Oregon. Occupation: Weaver, Woolen Mill. Household members: Nellie Bunn, age 48 (HOH, divorced), Hollie Bunn, age 21 (son to HOH), Bernice Bunn, age 17 (daughter to HOH), Lucile Bunn, age 11 (daughter to HOH).  

1930  Holly E. Bunn. Age: 30. Birth: abt 1900 in Iowa. Married, HOH. Residence: rents home at 349H Colorado Pl, Long Beach, California. Age at first marriage, 21. Occupation: Service Station Attendant. Household members: Holley E. Bunn, age 30 (HOH), Emma A. Bunn, age 28 (wife, department store saleslady).  

1940  Holly E. Bunn. Age: 42. Birth: abt 1898 in Iowa. Married, HOH. Residence: rents 5734 N. Montana, Portland, Oregon. Highest grade completed: High School, 4th year. Occupation: Forestry Service, Mechanical Engineer. Household members: Hollie E. Bunn, age 42 (HOH), Kathlyn J. Bunn, age 35 (wife), Charles E. Bunn, age 10 months (son).   

1950  Holly E. Bunn. Age: 50. Birth: abt 1900 in Iowa. Married, HOH. Residence: 6820 NE 7th Pl, Portland, Oregon. Occupation: Supervising Salesman, Federal War Assets Administration. Household members: Hollie E. Bunn, age 50 (HOH), Katherine J. Bunn, age 45 (wife), Charles E. Bunn, age 10 (son).  

1917 J.L. Bunn (Nellie), res 648 Union 

           Bonnie M. Bunn, clerk J.L. Stockton Co, rms 648 Union  

Portland, OR 

1921 Hollie E. Bunn (Bonnie) pnto h 515-469 Salmon.  

Long Beach, CA 

1927 Hollie E. Bunn 1316 Appleton, Long Beach, CA. Chef.   

1930 Holly E. Bunn (Emma) emp T.A. Winter Co. h 349 a Colorado Pl.    

Medford, OR 

1935  Emma Bunn slswn Adrienne’s h 29 N Fir apt 4. 

1937  Emily A. Bunn, cashier Adrienne’s 

Capital Journal 26 Mar 1921, p. 9 – Word received of the marriage of Holly E. Bunn to Bonnie Archer of Portland. The wedding was 20 March.  Couple will reside in Portland at the Almira Apartments.  

Oregon Daily Journal 25 Mar 1922, p. 11 – Classified ad “I will not be responsible for any debts contracted by my wife, Mrs. Bonnie Bunn.  H.E. Bunn.”  

Oregon Daily Journal 19 Jul 1922, p. 17 – Divorces filed. H.E. against Bonnie Bunn. 

Long Beach Sun 18 Nov 1929, p. 2 – Holly Bunn of 349A Colorado Pl, was struck in the head during a robbery at a service station where he worked.  

Oregon Daily Journal 13 Feb 1938, p. 29 – Hollie Elsworth Bunn, son of Nellie Bunn, married Miss Kathryn Jeanette Rossman on 10 Feb 1938 in Portland.    

Oregon Daily Journal 2 Dec 1950, p. 2 – Article detailing the murder suicide of Kathryn 45 and her son Charles, 11. Husband and father Holly E Bunn found the bodies when he returned from a downtown appointment.  Charles was still alive when found but died on the way to the hospital.   

WW1 Draft Registration. Hollie Elsworth Bunn 18, b 15 Dec 1899. Res 1073 Oak St, Salem, OR. Laborer at E Smith, Pilot Rock, Umatilla Co, OR. Build and height medium. Hair light. Eyes blue. NOK Alice Nell Bunn same address (mother). Signed 10 Sep 1918.  

1921 Oregon Marriage Record. Hollie E Bunn, 21, b abt 1900 in Iowa, married on 20 Mar 1921 in Portland, OR to Bonnie Archer.  

1931 Oregon Marriage Record. Hollie E Bunn 31 of Long Beach, CA.  F and M b in IA. Salesman. Second marriage. Married in Roseburg, OR on 1 Dec 1931 to Emma Schwab 31 in MN, of Portland, OR. Housewife.  Second marriage.    

1938 Oregon Marriage Record. Hollie E Bunn b 15 Dec 1899 in Iowa, Married Kathryn J Rossman b 17 Jun 1905 in OR. Married on 10 Feb 1938. Second marriage for him, first for her.    

WW2 Draft Registration. Holly Elsworth Bunn 42 b 15 Dec 1899 in Iowa. Residence: 6111 N Minnesota Av, Portland, OR. Mailing address Box 665 Sandpoint, ID. Chief Inspector, CCC Motor Repair Div, #5, 2750 State St, Salem, OR. Federal Works Agency, CCC Office of the Director, Washington CD.  Place of employment Any Place in USA.  5’10”, 165 lbs. No NOK shown. Signed 16 February 1942.  

1950 Oregon Death Record. On 1 Dec 1950, Kathryn Jeanette Bunn 45 died by gunshot, suicide. Married to Holly E Bunn of 6820 NE 7th, Portland, OR.  Cremation, Lincoln Memorial Park, Portland, OR. On 1 Dec 1950, Charles Eugene Bunn 11 died by gunshot, homicide, on 1 Dec 1950.  Shot by mother, Kathryn Bunn.  F Holly E Bunn or 6820 NE 7th, Portland, OR.  Cremation, Lincoln Memorial Park, Portland, OR.     

1961 Multnomah Co Marriage Record. Hollie E Bunn. B 15 Dec 1899 in Wahta, IA. Divorced. F Lawrence Bunn. M Alice N Whitney. Res 1405 SE 34th Av, Portland, OR.  Married in Portland on 27 May 1961. Ruth Connell Simpson. B 8 Feb 1899 in Portland, OR. Unit wiring, Tektronix.  Widowed. F Samuel Connell. M Adah McKenney. Res 236 SE 32 Ave, Portland, OR.   

1967 OR Death Record. Holly E Bunn b 15 Dec 1899 in Iowa. Died in Portland on 26 Feb 1967. Heart attack. DOA at St Vincents Hospital.  Res Rt 1, Box 143V, Culver, Jefferson Co, OR. Administrator, War Assets Dept. F John Bunn. M Nell Whitney. Wife and Informant Ruth C Bunn.