COMMUNITY
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020
OBITUARIES
COMMUNITY
Meetings
• ISLAND CITY — The Island
City Budget Committee will
meet Monday, May 11, at
6 p.m. at Island City City Hall.
Draft budgets will be avail-
able at city hall on Friday,
May 8, for anyone inter-
ested. Following the com-
mittee meeting, Island City
City Council will hold a regular
meeting at 7 p.m. The public
may submit written com-
ments or attend via telephone
conference. For instructions,
contact Karen Howton, city
recorder, at 541-963-5017 or
karen@islandcityhall.com.
• LA GRANDE — The La
Grande Rural Fire Protection
District will have a budget
committee meeting Tuesday,
May 12, at 6 p.m. at the fi re
hall in Island City.
• LA GRANDE — The Board
of Directors of the La Grande
School District will convene
for a regular board meeting
on Wednesday, May 13, at
7 p.m. The board meeting will
be accessible by phone (call:
+1 732-400-5816; PIN: 517
843 779#) or at https://meet.
google.com/ixa-zhdn-dxj.
Meeting access information
and links are also available at
www.lagrandesd.org under
the “School Board” tab. The
board will also be meeting in
executive session, pursuant
to ORS192.660(2)(b), to hear a
complaint brought against a
public offi cer, employee, staff
member or agent.
• UNION — The Union Soil
and Water Conservation Dis-
trict will hold a board meeting
Wednesday, May 13 to dis-
cuss fi nancial statements,
staff reports and partner
agency reports. The call-
in-only meeting begins at
7 p.m. To join call 1-877-309-
2073 (Access Code: 840-782-
405). For instructions and
more information, click on
the “About Us” tab at www.
unionswcd.org.
Rescue team
reunites
family
The Observer
LA GRANDE — A
father and son who set
off on Monday to canoe
the Grande Ronde River
required some help to get
to safety. The 49-year-old
man and his 11-year-old
son were to arrive at
Hillgard State Park for
pickup but did not show,
according the Union
County Sheriff’s Offi ce.
The family contacted
police at 10:11 p.m.
The sheriff’s offi ce,
the county’s search and
rescue team and Oregon
State Police responded.
A state trooper heard
the pair calling from a
hillside across the river
from the highway near
Red Bridge State Park
at 11:49 p.m. The search
and rescue reached the
pair on foot to assist get-
ting back to the road, and
the pair reunited with
family around 1:55 a.m.
Tuesday morning.
THE OBSERVER — 3A
Joy Ann (McCullough)
Smith
Union • 1928-2020
Joy Ann Smith, 91, of
Union, died April 29 at her
home. A memorial service
will be held at a later date.
Joy Ann
was born Sept.
30, 1928, in
Boise City,
Oklahoma, to
Clifford and
Geneva (Cross)
McCullough. She lived in
Elgin during her elemen-
tary school years until the
family moved to Vancouver,
Washington. She gradu-
ated from Vancouver High
School and Clark Junior
College. After graduation
she moved back to Elgin,
where she worked for Dr.
Miller as a dental assistant
in both Elgin and Union.
Before Ken Smith had
even met Joy Ann, he said
“I am going to marry that
girl!” They were married
June 30, 1951, at the ranch
in Elgin. They built a home
in Union next to Ken’s dad
and resided in that home for
the remainder of their lives.
Together Joy Ann
and Ken raised four chil-
dren: Kenna, Mike, Sue
and Janice. Joy Ann was
involved in Home Exten-
sion, Cub/Boy Scouts and
4-H. Any activities the kids
were doing she was always
the fi rst to volunteer to help.
As with her own kids, she
had a huge part in helping
raise her grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
Joy Ann was civic
minded and helped the
community. Most recently
she had volunteered with
senior meals at the church
and was involved in the
Methodist Church pres-
ervation. She was also
involved in the ranger sta-
tion preservation and an
active member of the Union
County Museum. She was
a fi rm believer in “if you
don’t like the way some-
thing is, you should make
an effort to change it.”
Surviving relatives
include her children and
their spouses, Kenna
Jo and Rod Punches of
Boardman, Mike and Vir-
ginia Smith of Yuba City,
California, Sue Ann and
Charles Hill of The Dalles,
and Janice and Dave
Meheen of Pasco, Wash-
ington; sister, Kay Miller of
Bend; 10 grandchildren and
seven great-grandchildren;
and numerous nieces and
nephews.
She was preceded in
death by her husband, Ken
E. Smith.
Memorial contribu-
tions may be made to the
City of Union Ranger Sta-
tion Fund, P.O. Box 529,
Union 97883; Friends of
Historic Union Hall (Meth-
odist Church Preservation),
P.O. Box 184, Union; 97883;
Union County Museum; or
a charity of your choice.
Online condolences
may be made to the family
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
Janet R. (Hibbert) Buss
Formerly of La Grande • 1939-2020
Janet Rae Buss, 80, for-
merly of La Grande, died
April 22 due to complica-
tions of diabetes. A family
memorial service and inter-
ment was held at Hillcrest
Cemetery in La Grande.
Janet was
born Dec. 21,
1939, in La
Grande, to
Leo Eugene
and Gertie
(Nebeker) Hib-
bert. She was the third of
eight children. She lived in
La Grande; Provo, Utah;
Ames, Iowa; Walla Walla,
Washington; Dubuque,
Iowa; and Aurora, Illinois.
Janet attended La Grande
High School and what is
now Eastern Oregon Univer-
sity, where she played bas-
soon. She also played in the
Grande Ronde Symphony
Orchestra. She earned a
bachelor’s degree in dance
and physical education at
Brigham Young University.
On June 11, 1962, Janet
married Paul Adelbert Buss
Jr. in the Logan, Utah,
Temple of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. Paul was at her side
for almost 58 years. She was
the proud mother of 10 chil-
dren. Family and her faith
were the most important
things in Janet’s life. She
was active in church and
served in many capaci-
ties, including Roadshow
Director multiple times.
This was especially suited
to her many talents as she
would write, direct, cho-
reograph, design and paint
the sets, and even won best
show twice.
Janet loved serving and
talking to people. She was a
master storyteller, whether
it was family history or one
she made up on the spot.
Janet served as president
of the PTA and was active
in the Dubuque County
Republican Women’s Asso-
ciation in Iowa. She had
many interests including
dance, music, art, drama,
musicals, horseback riding
and softball. She sang bari-
tone in Sweet Adelines for
many years.
Surviving relatives
include her husband,
Paul; children and their
spouses, Kevin and Arlette
Thompson Buss of Virginia
Beach, Virginia, Vincent
and Heather Torrie Buss of
Woodridge, Illinois, Yolanda
and Kenneth Fisher of
Aurora, Illinois, Debbie and
Northeast Oregon
Housing Authority
receives $158,000 in
COVID-19 funding
Upcoming
local
services are
pending due
to efforts to
curb the
spread of the
coronavirus.
Umatilla County
housing agency
gets $45,000 in aid
EO Media Group
LA GRANDE — U.S.
Sens. Ron Wyden and
Jeff Merkley announced
Monday that 21 public
housing authorities
throughout Oregon will
receive more than $5.7
million in grants to
help with tenant-based
rental assistance needs
during the COVID-19
pandemic, including La
Grande-based North-
east Oregon Housing
Authority.
The local housing
assistance organiza-
tion received $158,000
in funding through the
Coronavirus Aid, Relief
and Economic Security
Act.
“Oregonians battling
the multiple economic
challenges triggered by
this public health crisis
need to know there’s
support available when
they’re staying at home
and fi ghting to keep a
roof over their heads,”
Wyden said in a press
release. “I am grati-
fi ed these local housing
authorities are receiving
this much-needed assis-
tance to help the renters
counting on them in
Clinton James of Woodridge,
Illinois, Tricia Buss of
Payson, Utah, Preston Buss
of Springfi eld, Utah, Nanette
and Todd Sparks of Las
Vegas, Nevada, and Alicia
and Rainer Ahlfors of Provo,
Utah; 34 grandchildren and
two great-grandchildren;
siblings and spouses, Larry
and Janet Hibbert, Dallas
and Cheri Hibbert, Karan
and Jim McDaniel, Ivan and
Lynette Hibbert, Milo and
Kathy Hibbert, and Dixie
and Leon Hendrickson; sis-
ter-in-law, Debbie Hibbert;
and numerous nieces and
nephews.
She was preceded in
death by her parents, Gene
and Gertie; infant sons,
Brent and Nathan Buss;
brother, Ritchie Hib-
bert; and daughter in-law,
Heather Adams Buss.
Janet made more than
1,000 quilts during her life-
time for friends and organi-
zations, so in lieu of fl owers
donations may be made
to Humanitarian Services
at https://philanthropies.
churchofjesuschrist.org/
humanitarian-services.
Oregon.”
Merkley agreed:
“Oregon’s housing
crisis is being made
all the more urgent by
a public health emer-
gency, during which
Oregonians are facing
economic uncertainty
and should stay home
as much as possible to
keep our communities
safe,” Merkley said. “I’m
glad we’re getting these
grants out to help renters
keep roofs over their
heads during this pan-
demic, but let’s make no
mistake — this problem
predates the pandemic
and will be with us until
we put in place bold
solutions that ensure
every Oregonian has a
decent place they can
afford to live.”
“These funds will be
greatly appreciated by
landlords, tenants and
all agencies working to
assist those who are dis-
placed or fi nancially
strapped because of this
public health crisis,”
NEOHA Executive
Director Dale Inslee said
in the press release.
The Umatilla County
Housing Authority,
which provides public
housing for Gilliam,
Morrow, Umatilla,
and Wheeler counties,
will receive more than
$45,000 in aid.
SHANE
ROLLINS
FOR
Sheriff
S trong , P roven L eaderShiP , S etting an examPLe through :
3 Integrity
3 Discipline
3 Teamwork
“i wiLL Protect and defend our conStitution , enSuring your
rightS are not infringed uPon ”
“i t ’ S time for a change and i’ m that change ”
L earn more about S hane r oLLinS quaLificationS and exPerience at
ShaneroLLinSforSheriff . com
Northeast Oregon Directory of Churches
Services
This Week
First Christian
Church
(Disciples of Christ)
901 Penn Avenue 963-2623
FIRST LANDMARK
MISSIONARY BAPTIST
CHURCH
1812 1st St. La Grande
Pastor Dave Tierce • 541-605-0215
lgdisciples@gmail.com
We use the King James Version Bible
Worship
10:00 a.m.
Sunday School - 10:00 am
Worship 11:00 am
Sunday Evening Bible Study - 3:00 pm (Effective June 10)
Wednesday Evening - 6:30 pm
“Where you can find TRUTH according to the scriptures”
~Join us at The Lord’s Table~
Zion Lutheran
Church
(an ELCA church)
902 Fourth Street,
La Grande, OR
(541) 963-5998
9:00 am - Worship
10:00 am - Fellowship & Refreshments
10:30 am - Classes
Pastor: Roberta Smythe
www.zionlagrande.org
First Baptist
Church
SIXTH &
SPRING,
LA GRANDE
541-963-3911
All services have been temporarily cancelled.
Live-streaming Sunday mornings at
10:00 am. People can watch at:
lagrandefbc.org
St. Katherine’s
Catholic Church
Fr. Thomas Puduppulliparamban
301 E Garfield Enterprise
Mass Schedule
Sundays:
St Pius X, Wallowa – 8:00 am
St Katherine of Siena, Enterprise – 10:30 am
Saturdays
St Katherine of Siena, Enterprise – 5:30 pm
Weekdays
St Katherine of Siena, Enterprise – 8:00 am
(Monday – Thursday and First Friday)
All are welcome
1531 S. Main
Street, Union
541-562-5531
1531 S. Main Street, Union
541-562-5531
www.UnionBaptistOregon.org
Sunday School 9:45 am
Worship Service 11:00 am
Thursday AWANA 6:30 pm
Birthing, Building and
Being the Body of Christ
www.UnionBaptistOregon.org
Sunday School
9:45 am
Morning Worship 11:00 am
Thursday AWANA 6:30 pm
Birthing, Building and Being
the Body of Christ
GRACE COMMUNITY
LUTHERAN CHURCH
The Place
62848 Philynda Loop in Island City
“We are called to Serve”
109 18th Street • 963-3402
Sunday School 9:15 a.m.
Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.
Sunday School for all ages - 9:00 am
Sunday Worship 10:00 am
Phone: 541-568-4230
grace.lutherancove@gmail.com
www.flmbclagrande.com
LA GRANDE UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
“OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS, OPEN DOORS”
1612 4th Street – 963-2498
Pastor Taylor Gould
lgumc@eoni.com
www.lagrandeumc.org
Office Hours: Mon-Thur 9am-Noon
Worship 10:00 am
Fellowship Coffee Hour 11:00 am
- Nursery provided -
Imbler
Christian
Church
440 Ruckman, Imbler 534-2201
www.imblerchristianchurch.org
Sunday Services
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
Sunday School
Worship Service
Amazing Grace
Fellowship
1316 T St., La Grande, OR
541-568-4567
Sunday 10:30 a.m.
2 Cor 12:9 My Grace is
sufficient for you.
IS 40:31
Cove United
Methodist Church
1708 Jasper St., Cove, OR
North Powder
United
Methodist Church
390 E. St., North Powder, OR
JOIN US... Catch the Spirit!
Worship: 9:00 a.m. Cove
Worship: 10:00 a.m. N. Powder
La Grande Seventh-day
SUMMERVILLE
BAPTIST CHURCH
Sunday Services:
Sunday School & Adult Bible Classes
9:45AM
Children’s Church & Worship Service
11:00AM
Family Worship Service
6:00PM
Wednesday:
Prayer Mtg, Children’s Bible Club, Youth
Group 7:00PM
A church for your whole family
Visit us at summervillebaptistchurch.org
Adventist Church
A Place where hope is found in Jesus
Join us in Fellowship & Worship Every
Saturday
9:30 a.m. - Bible Study/Fellowship
10:45 a.m. - Worship Service
2702 Adams Avenue, La Grande • 963-4018
Pastor: Mike Armayor
www.lagrandeor.adventistchurch.org
Learning for Today and Eternity
Little Friends
Christian Preschool/Childcare 963-6390
La Grande Adventist Christian School
Christian Education K-8th Grade 963-6203