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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 8, 2019)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 THE OBSERVER — 3A LOCAL L OCAL B RIEFING From staff reports Celebrate Veterans Day families, senior citizens on a 10 a.m. and again from 12:15 with breakfast, parade, fi xed income or single parents. p.m. to 2 p.m. spaghetti feed Some are veterans who fought LA GRANDE — Veterans, for our country. While Union KATU will not be their families and the commu- County has a strong network of transmitted tomorrow nity are invited to a breakfast served from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Nov. 11 at the La Grande Bap- tist Church, 1702 Sixth St. The breakfast is free and all are welcome. The annual Veterans Day parade in La Grande will be- gin at 11 a.m. and travel along Adams Avenue. This year, Fred Alexis will be honored as the grand marshal. Those participating in the parade will gather at 10 a.m. behind Globe Furniture. Following the parade, the La Grande American Legion Auxiliary will have a spaghet- ti feed at the Post 43 Legion Hall, 301 Fir St. The dinner is free to all veterans and $5 for non-veterans. The community is welcome. Boy Scouts conduct food drive before and after Veterans Day parade Monday LA GRANDE — Many food insecure families are working food bank distribution sites, a Friday Backpack program and harvest sharing sites, some- times there are gaps. Emergen- cy supplies make a difference when a parent has to escape domestic violence quickly or when a homebound elder has no food and no money until the next month. Sometimes, people need food they can prepare in their car or in a hotel room. To help fi ll these gaps, on Nov. 11 the Boy Scouts of America Troop 514 along with local cub scouts will be conducting a Scouting for Food drive before and after the parade in La Grande. All are encouraged to help local veterans and food insecure individuals and families by donating nonperishable food items for the emergency food pantries at the Department of Human Services and Shel- ter From the Storm. Scouts will be at Grocery Outlet in Island City and at Safeway in La Grande from 9 a.m. to the Ascension School. Cel- ebrating Thanksgiving early, the meal will feature turkey, stuffi ng, glazed carrots, cran- berry salad, green salad and LA GRANDE — The Blue rolls, with pumpkin pie for Mountain Translator District dessert. There is a $5 charge announced that viewers should per meal. Coffee and tea are anticipate an outage of KATU available at noon, and the buf- on Nov. 9. The current KATU fet meal begins at 12:15 p.m. transmitter will be replaced, To RSVP, call Imie Bristow at and transmission is expected to 541-568-4545 or Betsy Arnson resume by the evening. Viewers at 541-568-4902 by Nov. 14. can follow updates on BMTD’s LG Rural Fire Protection Facebook page. Board meets Tuesday Imbler School honors veterans on Tuesday ISLAND CITY — The La Grande Rural Fire Protec- IMBLER — The annual tion Board will meet at 6 p.m. Imbler School celebration of Nov. 12 at the La Grande Ru- veterans is planned for Nov. ral Fire Hall, 10200 S. McAli- 12. Veterans and their fami- ster Road. The La Grande lies are invited to a breakfast Rural Fire Protection District at 9 a.m. in the elementary Board oversees the operation school gym. At 10:15 a.m., an of the La Grande Rural Fire assembly honoring veterans Department. The depart- for their service to our country ment, based in Island City, is open to the community in provides emergency medical the high school gym. and fi re service throughout Union County. RSVP for next senior lunch in Cove COVE — The next senior lunch in Cove will be served Nov. 19 in Founders Hall at Joseph 1967-2019 Michelle Marie McCoy, 52, of Joseph and formerly of La Grande, died Oct. 28 at Wallowa Memo- rial Hospital in Enterprise. A memorial ser- vice will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 13 at Grace Lutheran Church (409 W. Main St.) in Enter- prise. Committal will follow at Prairie Creek Cemetery. Michelle was born Sept. 16, 1967, in La Grande, to Gerald “Gary” Ralph and Charlotte Vonne (Hought) McCoy. She was the youngest of four children. Michelle grew up in the fel- lowship of the Zion Lutheran Church congregation, La Grande, and was baptized and confi rmed into the Lutheran faith. She attended elementary school at the old Island City School and gradu- ated from Imbler High School in 1985. Michelle married Stuart J. Nichols on July 1, 1991, at Zion Lutheran Church in La Grande. She kept her maiden name, as she felt it connected her to her heritage. In 1993, Michelle gradu- ated from Oregon Health and Sciences University, La Grande campus, with a bachelor of science degree in nursing and was accepted into the OHSU Nursing Program. As a registered nurse, she began her career as a medical-surgical nurse and orthopedic nurse at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. Michelle was an advocate for her patients and respected by her health care peers. After more than 10 years working at Saint Alphonsus, Michelle began a career as a traveling nurse, and she and Stuart traveled to many cities across the U.S. Michelle and Stuart were avid football fans and loved to fi sh, especially on the Snake River. Michelle had a favorite pet at her side beginning at an early age, with her child- hood dog LuLu and her cats Princess and Blacky. Her recent companion and service dog was Chaser. Surviving relatives include her husband of 28 years, Stuart; parents, Gary and Charlotte; brothers, Todd and Eric; sister, Stephani; aunt, Darlene; cousins, Terri, Mar- sha, Clay and Monty; nieces, Mandy, Elizabeth and Sylvia; nephews, Austen and Gerald; brothers-in-law, Steven and John; and sisters-in-law, Laura and Linda. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Clair and Hellen Hought and Ralph and Margaret McCoy; uncle, Jim; nephew, Aaron; and father- and mother-in- law, Leon and Annabelle Nichols. In lieu of fl owers, memorial donations may be made to Wallowa County Humane So- ciety, P.O. Box 565, Enterprise 97828, or Grace Lutheran Church, 409 W. Main St., Enterprise 97828. Online condolences may be made to the family at www. lovelandfuneralchapel.com. Alta ‘Rose’ Moore Union Alta “Rose” Moore, 102, of Union, died Nov. 5 at Pioneer Place in Vale. An obituary is forthcoming. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels- Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center. Velma L. (Lewis) Johnson La Grande 1927-2019 Velma Lorene Johnson, 92, of La Grande, died Nov. 3 at her residence. There will be a private family service. Velma was born Oct. 7, 1927, in Stigler, Oklahoma, to Oliver and Florence (House) Lewis. She resided in Stigler and McAlester, Oklahoma. When she married, she lived in Ely, Nevada. Later Velma lived in Pendleton, Umatilla and Hermiston, and in 1961 she moved to La Grande. She attended schools in Shady Grove and McAlester, Oklahoma. Velma married Silas James Johnson on Feb. 15, 1945. She was employed as a nurse with hospitals in Tulsa, McAlester, St. Joseph, Hermiston and La Grande. Velma also owned her own business, Fashion Fabrics, for 13 years. She enjoyed sew- ing, crocheting, conducting Bible studies and spending time with her children. Surviving relatives include her children and their spouses, Carol Ann and Stephen Craig of Summer- ville, Paul Terry and Patsy Johnson of Elgin, Sandra Jean and Jon Crawford of La Grande, David Lee and Marta Johnson of Umatilla, and Thomas Wayne Johnson of La Grande; brother, Har- old Jean Lewis of Oklahoma; sister and brother-in-law, Geraldene and James Sims of Coolidge, Arizona; and 15 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Silas; sons, Jerry James Johnson and Robert Neal Johnson; parents, Oliver and Florence; stepmother, Bertie Lewis; daughter-in-law, Patricia Johnson; and brother, Jay Lewis. Online condolences may be made to the family at www. lovelandfuneralchapel.com. Brown Bag speaker recounts Mont Blanc hike JOSEPH — The next Brown Bag lunch event at the Josephy Center, 403 N. Main St., Joseph, will feature Mark Lacey, a local hiker and har- monica player who in Septem- ber hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc, which circles the Mont Blanc massif and is one of the most scenic and popular hikes in Europe. Hiking through parts of Switzerland, Italy and France, Mark covered a distance of approximately 82 miles in nine days with nearly 4 miles of ascent/descent. He will talk about his journey be- ginning at noon Nov. 12 at the free gathering, which is open to the public. Bring a lunch or a snack if you like. Coffee and tea will be available. Forest Service waives fees in honor of Veterans Day PORTLAND — The USDA Forest Service will waive fees at day-use recreation sites in Or- egon and Washington on Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day. “This fee waiver is one small way of thanking and honoring our nation’s veter- ans,” said Glenn Casamassa, Pacifi c Northwest Regional Forester. “We hope this fee-free day will encourage veterans, their families and all Americans to visit their national forests and enjoy the many benefi ts these public lands provide.” UNION COUNTY SENIOR CENTER MENU Get tips on staying healthy this winter LA GRANDE — “Beat Back Sickness with Your Own O BITUARIES Michelle M. McCoy Defenses” is a conversation on staying healthy this winter, led by Dr. Winters beginning at 6 p.m. Nov. 11 at Nature’s Pantry, 1907 Fourth St., La Grande. The cost is $10 and includes organic juice. To reg- ister, stop by Nature’s Pantry or call 541-963-7955. Condolences may be made at www.hoffmanfh. com/obituaries/Verlo-L- Hocks?obId=8726128#/cel- ebrationWall. Rex Weems 1504 ALBANY ST., LA GRANDE Nov. 11-Nov. 15; lunch served 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. age 60+ $3 suggested donation; others $6 Monday: stuffed cabbage rolls, broiled tomatoes, cottage cheese, fruit, rolls, oatmeal raisin cookies. Tuesday: Mandarin chicken over rice pilaf, steamed broccoli medley with hollandaise sauce, spinach salad, rolls, fruit. Wednesday: fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, steamed California blend veggies, Jell-O, rolls, cake. Thursday: cheeseburgers, fries, sliced fruit, peanut butter cookies Friday: chicken Alfredo, steamed Italian vegetables, Italian bread with Parmesan cheese, sliced oranges, lemon sorbet. North Powder Verlo L. Hocks Formerly of La Grande 1955-2019 Verlo L. “Cowboy” Hocks, 64, of Boiling Springs, Penn- sylvania, and formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 2 at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Bal- timore, Mary- land. A memo- rial service will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 10 at the Hoffman Funeral Home and Crematory in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Verlo was born Aug. 3, 1955, in Walsenburg, Colorado, to Vernon and Lori (Vigil) Hocks. He attended grade school and high school in La Grande. Verlo served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1973 to 1977. He was a heavy equip- ment operator for 40-plus years and owned Cowboy’s Greenwood Tavern in Dela- ware. Verlo was an offi cer in the Milford Moose Lodge #2316 and was a member in various VFW and American Legion organizations. He loved riding his Harley- Davidson, but most of all he loved having a good time with his family and friends. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Angelia and Kyle Hardman of Boiling Springs, Pennsyl- vania; son, Bruce Hocks of Carlisle, Pennsylvania; four grandchildren and another on the way; sisters and broth- ers-in-law, Vickie and Ron Hill of Nampa, Idaho, Valerie and Michael Schenk of Palm Desert, California, and Ver- nalee Hocks of Salt Lake City, Utah; and dearly loved close friends whom he considered family, Bif Coyle and Annie and Randy Mountz. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Wesley C. Hocks; brother, V.L. Hocks; mother, Lori Hocks; and father, Vernon Hocks. Rex Weems, 60, of North Powder, died Nov. 4 at his UBLIC AFETY EPORT residence. An obituary is forth- coming. Loveland Funeral OREGON STATE POLICE Chapel & Crematory will be Arrested: John Donald Stroup, 42, Highland, California, was ar- handling the arrangements. P John Cummings La Grande John Cummings, 83, of La Grande, died Nov. 7 at his residence. An obituary is forthcoming. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crema- tory will be handling the arrangements. Donna L. Courtney- Dickenson Enterprise Donna L. Courtney- Dickenson, 61, of Enterprise, died Nov. 3 at Saint Alphon- sus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. An obituary is forthcoming. UPCOMING FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS Sponsored by Nov. 9 Wendy Cox Booth: 12:30-1:45 p.m. viewing, followed by 2 p.m. funeral, La Grande First Christian Church. Nov. 12 Phillip Mendiguren: 2 p.m. Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, La Grande. Nov. 13 Michelle McCoy: 11 a.m. memorial service, Grace Lutheran Church (409 W. Main St.), Enterprise; committal follows at Prairie Creek Cemetery. Words can’t express what I feel for my family, friends and community. You are what is helping my recovery. A sincere thank-you for all the cards, flowers, food and concerns. Thank you to all. Sincerely, Phyllis Bechtel S R rested on a charge of violation of a restraining order. Arrested: Macario Ricco Tovar, 28, Joseph, was arrested on a charge of driving while suspended or revoked, misdemeanor. Arrested: Cody Christopher Palmer, 27, unknown address, was arrested on charges of reckless driving and attempt to elude fl eeing (vehicle). LA GRANDE FIRE DEPARTMENT Firefi ghters responded to seven calls for medical assistance on Thursday and four on Wednesday. Ronald R. Rochna February 9, 1947 - November 6, 2019 Ronald R. Rochna, 72, of Cove, passed away on Wednesday, Novem- ber 6, 2019, at his residence from complications resulting from Alzhei- mer’s Disease. A Memorial will be set at a later date. Ron was born on February 9, 1947, in Glendale, California to Wal- ter and Nadine (Drake) Rochna. Ron grew up in California, graduating from Canoga Park High School in 1965. Ron began a career with the US Forest Service in Waldport, Oregon in 1969. Ron held many positions with the USFS, including Fuels Management Officer in charge of planning and overseeing the complex prescribed fire program for the Waldport Ranger district. Ron was also a high-level leader for wildfire teams and served on fires all around the Northwest region. In 1979, Ron became a GS-11 Manager at the Salem BLM until 1989. In 1984, Ron served the Marion Oregon Volunteer Fire Department, and in 1987, he was introduced to Foam, for which he did product testing, development and training for wildland and structure firefighters. Ron continued the focus on fighting fires with foam, writing magazine articles and speaking at conferences, when he transferred to the Boise Fire Center in 1989. Ron transitioned from government work to consulting in the mid 90’s, and travelled around the country, and included interna- tional travel, as a representative for Class A foam for use in structural and wildland fire applications. Following retirement, Ron moved to Cove, Oregon in 2001 and married his wife, Darlene in 2010. Ron made many friends during and after his career. Ron’s greatest passion was nature where he hiked and camped, along with mountain/road biking. He also enjoyed tree ring counting and rock collecting. He served as a Wallowa Whitman For- est Collaborative member and was involved in support of the Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway of Union County. Ron is survived by his wife, Darlene; daughters, Ronnette, Angelique, Marcia and step-son, Ben and brother, Gregg, sister-in-law Brenda and nephews, nieces, grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Those predeceased: Mother Nadine and Father Walter, and brothers, Michael and Bobby. Our sincerest appreciation to Heart-n-Home Hospice & Palliative Care, and all those that supported Ron’s home care needs, creating a comforting and peaceful environment. Ron, we will miss the generous way you shared your life with us all, and your wonderful, and witty spirit. His family requests that Tribute Gifts/Donations in his honor/memorial be sent to Save the Redwoods League, 111 Sutter Street, 11th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104 or to the Alzheimer’s Association Oregon Chapter, 1650 NW Naito Parkway, Suite 190, Portland, OR 97209. Online condolences may be made to the family at www. lovelandfuneralchapel.com.
