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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (April 30, 2020)
COMMUNITY Thursday, april 30, 2020 ThE OBsErVEr — 3A Obituaries Bernice M. (Hagey) Webster La Grande • 1934-2020 Bernice M. Webster, 85, of La Grande, died April 21 after a short battle with cancer. There will be a celebration of Bernice’s life when her friends and relatives are once again able to gather. Bernice was born Oct. 30, 1934, to James and Evelyn (Jones) Howard. After the death of her father when she was 2, she and her brother were raised by their mother and grandmother, Bernice (Comstock) Jones, whom she was named after. When Bernice was 8, her mother remarried, and she was raised by both her mother and her stepfather, Floyd Hagey. Bernice began elementary school in Huntington before moving to La Grande in 1942, where she attended Ackerman Grade School. She graduated from La Grande High School in 1952. She was married to Gary Webster for 55 years. Bernice was a farmer’s wife and worked part time at the Sew Chic (Linda’s and later Claud- son’s) for 30 years. But above all, she was a stay-at-home, full-time mother to her two daughters. Surviving relatives include her daughters, Vicky Bro- goitti and husband, Pat, of La Grande and Stacy Webster of La Grande; brother, Larry Howard of Woodburn; two grandsons and one granddaughter; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Webster; and her father, mother and stepfather. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.love- landfuneralchapel.com. Lenora was born April 4, 1929, in Monette, Arkansas, to Wil- liam Floyd and Myrtle (Clegg) Thornton. She resided in Monette as well as Baker City, Keating and Union. Lenora graduated from Baker High School. She married Vernon Wellington and they later divorced. In 1988, Lenora married Allan W. Rainsberry. Lenora worked at various jobs, including as a cook and a wait- ress. She enjoyed gardening, ceramics, painting, handmade cards and bingo. She was on a bowling league and was a member of the Eagles. Surviving relatives include her children and their spouses, Bev and Brian Gray of Herm- iston, Pam Pedro of La Grande, Janice Wellington of La Grande, Chuck Wellington of Union and April and John Leithner of La Grande; 12 grandchil- dren; and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Allan Rainsberry; daughter, Susan Peterson; parents, William and Myrtle; two grand- children; and two brothers and Benjamin L. Hays Elgin Benjamin L. Hays, 85, of Elgin, died April 27 at his res- idence. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory. Lenora L. (Thornton) Rainberry Union • 1929-2020 Lenora Louise Rainsberry, 91 of Union, died April 23 at a local care facility. A memorial service will be held at a later date. 300 participated in April 18 virtual tour of university By Sabrina Thompson The Observer LA GRANDE — While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the closure of Oregon’s public universities, little has changed for Eastern Oregon University when it comes to admissions. “Admissions requirements have only shifted to accept unofficial, rather than official, transcripts,” EOU’s director of admissions, Genesis Meaderds, said. “This small change will allow students to apply and be admitted even while their high schools or community colleges are closed and ensure they are not delayed admission if they cannot obtain their official transcripts.” The tests commonly used for the admission process, such as the SAT, have been canceled. But Eastern has been a test-optional insti- tution for years. Meaderds said making those test scores optional allows better access for a larger variety of students from different locations and circumstances. Advanced Placement exams still will occur, but the format has been changed for online testing. According to the Col- lege Board, which adminis- ters the test, 91% of students did not want the test canceled. By holding the tests, students can continue to receive college credit for the advanced level classes they took this year. “We really like to look at the whole student when it comes to admissions — their Ellis W. Mickey Summerville • 1934-2020 Ellis Warner Mickey, 85, of Summerville, died April 21 at a local care facility. A private ser- vice will be held at a later time. Ellis was born Oct. 23, 1934, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Homer and Henrietta (Burgess) Mickey. He resided in Mis- souri, Kentucky and Oregon. He gradu- ated from Bob Jones University and earned a Covenant Theo- logical Seminary Divinity master’s degree. Ellis served in the U.S. Air Force 1959-1963. He was married to Theora Witbeck for 25 years. Ellis was a pilot for Standard Oil and other companies. He also was a manager of a restaurant and was awarded Best Manager of Kentucky Fried Chicken in New Mexico. A pilot for 60 years, Ellis Upcoming local services are pending due to efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus. flew many passengers and also took children up for flights. He was a member of many pilot orga- nizations over the years, including Soaring Society of America and Symons Wave Memorial. Ellis was certified to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a true man of God. Surviving relatives include his wife, Theora; three children; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Henrietta. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.love- landfuneralchapel.com. Public Safety Report EOU admissions process remains steady J one sister. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.love- landfuneralchapel.com. coursework, involvement in the community and at school as well as their GPA,” Meaderds said. The application process oth- erwise remains the same, and Eastern’s admissions office is offering guidance remotely to help students and parents. The university also has virtual campus visits that gives a tour of the facilities. EOU held its first virtual preview day April 18, and 300 participants from all over the world spent a half day online with students and faculty, exploring and learning about the campus and opportunities at the college. “This was the most rewarding admissions event I’ve ever been a part of,” Mea- derds said. “It went really well, and the student engagement was incredible.” MONDAY TUESDAY 7:07 a.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 10200 block of North McAlister Road, Island City, on a report of a burglary. A deputy took a report for unauthorized entry into a vehicle and first-degree theft. 10:47 a.m. — La Grande police re- sponded to a report of a disturbance on the 1600 block of Adams Avenue. Police gave directions to the subject along with a warning for riding a bicycle on the sidewalk. 10:53 a.m. — La Grande police received a report of juveniles lighting explosives on the 1200 block of Hall Street. 12 p.m. — A dog on the 1300 block of Y Avenue, La Grande, bit a police officer. 2:23 p.m. — A caller reported an injured antelope near Highway 82 and Booth Lane, La Grande. Oregon State Police responded, dispatched the animal and removed the carcass. 7:32 p.m. — A La Grande caller on the 200 block of Sixth Street reported harass- ment. Police responded and resolved the situation. 11:19 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of a stolen vehicle on the 2100 block of First Street. An officer took a report. 9:39 a.m. — The La Grande Fire Depart- ment and La Grande Rural Fire Depart- ment responded to 1808 Y Ave. for a fire in a garage. Firefighters found a pickup on fire in the structure. There we no injuries. 12:00 p.m. — Local law enforcement responded to a report of a woman causing a disturbance on the 2700 block of Island Avenue. Officers gave her a warning for disorderly conduct. 3:45 p.m. — A caller complained about loose horses along Strickland Road, La Grande. The animal enforcement officer arrived to find the owner collecting the horses. 6:19 p.m. — A caller reported a careless driver on an all-terrain vehicle on the 2100 block of X Avenue, La Grande. A Union County sheriff’s deputy checked the area but did not find the rider. 9:40 p.m. — Law enforcement received a report of a woman causing a disturbance on the 10500 block of West First Street, Island City. The Union County Sheriff’s Office responded and arrested a woman for second-degree trespass. 11:01 p.m. — La Grande police respond- ed to the 2000 block of Gekeler Lane for juveniles causing a disturbance. Officers resolved the situation. Who is at elevated risk for COVID-19? vulnerable to sickness from COVID- 19. How people in at-risk groups can reduce their risk of getting sick It’s important that elderly people and people with chronic medical conditions take their risk for getting sick from COVID-19 seriously, as the virus had already contributed to thousands of deaths by early March 2020. The CDC notes that it is especially important that people at elevated risk take actions to reduce their risk of getting sick with the disease. The following strategies can be part of a proactive approach that may help at-risk people lower their risk of getting sick from COVID-19. • Stock up on health supplies. Contact your physician and arrange to obtain extra necessary medications so you do not have to leave your home should an outbreak occur in your area. If that’s not plausible, the CDC recommends signing up for mail- order medications. Stock up on over-the-counter medications and medical supplies, including everyday CONFUSED? F CALL Y TODA About Medicare? B D C WE CAN HELP items like tissues, so you don’t have to leave the house if an outbreak occurs. • Stock up on groceries. Make sure you have enough groceries on hand so you can stay at home if restrictions on leaving home are put in place during an outbreak. • Embrace the basics. Basic strategies like avoiding people who are sick; washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing or spending time in public; avoiding touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.; and avoiding crowds can help to reduce your risk of getting sick from COVID-19. Since the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in China in late- December 2019, doctors have learned that certain people are especially vulnerable to getting sick from the virus. Such people can take certain steps that may reduce their risk of getting sick. More information about COVID-19 is available at www.cdc. gov. 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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, early information out of China revealed that some groups are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 than others. Older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions are at the greatest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. Heart disease, diabetes and lung disease are the chronic medical conditions that appear to make people especially Call Loveland Funeral Chapel today, and let us take care of the details for you. and Union County’s Crematory 1508 Fourth St. 541-963-5022
