Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (June 30, 2020)
COMMUNITY TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2020 COMMUNITY OBITUARIES Gloria C. (Cirilo) Haasl 1940-2020 • Enterprise Briefs Community briefi ng on COVID-19 livestreamed Tuesday LA GRANDE — The Union County Incident Manage- ment Team is hosting a community briefi ng on Tues- day at 6 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to give the public an opportunity to ask key questions regard- ing COVID-19, the recent outbreak, and the current situation. Due to physical distancing requirements, the briefi ng will be provided virtually and livestreamed on the NE Oregon Joint Information Center Facebook page. The briefi ng also will be available for later viewing at www. neojic.union-county.org. Meals on Wheels drivers needed LA GRANDE — Commu- nity Connection is in urgent need of volunteers to be Meals on Wheels drivers. For more information, call Syd- ney Gleeson at 541-963-7532, ext. 1104, or stop by 1504 N. Albany St., La Grande. Wraparound services avail- able for isolated residents LA GRANDE — Multiple resources are available through wraparound services for individuals who have been instructed to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19. Resources include fi nan- cial assistance, food bank information, grocery pickup/ delivery, health insurance, veterans services and more. Information is available from the Northeast Oregon Joint Information Center at http://neojic.union-county. org/2020/06/23/wrap-resourc- es/. Gloria C. Haasl, 80, of Enterprise, died June 22. Visitation will be held June 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at Bollman Funeral Home, limited to fi ve people at a time. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held July 1 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Kath- erine of Siena Catholic Church with vault interment at the Enterprise Cemetery. Arrangements are by Bollman Funeral Home. Gloria was born March 31, 1940, at Tanjay on the Island of Negros in the Phil- ippines, to Ana and David Cirilo. The family moved to Sibulan in her early years, where she attended a public grade school and a Cath- olic high school. Later she received training in dress- making and did work as a seamstress. She studied at St. Paul University in nearby Dumaguete and earned a bachelor’s degree in education with a major in home economics in 1968. In 1971 in Sibulan, Gloria married Vincent “Doc” Nitzke, a chiro- practor of Enterprise, and came to the United States. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen three years later. Dr. Nitzke died in 1990, and in 1992 Gloria married Gerald Haasl in Enterprise. Gloria was employed as a nurse’s aide at the Wal- Local artist releases his third album By Sabrina Thompson The Observer LA GRANDE — The community of La Grande continues to inspire the music of Tyler Brooks. The singer-songwriter released his third album of Americana-style music in May, titled “The New American Dream,” and he is working on a fourth. “My surroundings, what is going on in the world and what is going on in my world and what I am lis- tening to at the time have a big part in the music,” Brooks said. “I try to keep my songwriting realistic and topics that people deal with each day — not cheesy (or) writing a song just to write a song.” Brooks said his infl u- ences in music vary, ranging from punk rock to pop and even some hip-hop. He said he draws inspi- ration from personal experiences, his observa- tions and social issues he believes to be important. The title song of his most recent album is some- what of a protest song, Brooks said, addressing social issues including greed and misinformation campaigns. “It’s not about what you believe/ It’s about what they see/ It’s not about who you are/ It’s all about the New American Dream” are some of the lyrics for the titular song. He explained he writes songs about a wide range of subjects and focuses on writing about “real issues” and experiences, even when they are sad or diffi - cult to talk about. “I try and align my music with real life, rather than a dream,” Brooks said. “I feel like maybe our whole society is get- ting detached from the real world sometimes. We gloss over the bad stuff that is happening and act like it doesn’t happen. Whether it is in a small town like La Grande, Oregon, or in a metropolitan area, or even globally.” Photo contributed by Tyler Brooks Musician Tyler Brooks of La Grande has released his third album. Though he wouldn’t consider himself an activist, he said growing up listening to punk rock has played a role in his life. “It was about not just keeping your head down and actually doing some- thing,” Brooks said. Growing up in La Grande also had an infl uence on Brooks. He said having a close com- munity and the support around him gives him inspiration to create and develop music. He has lived in other parts of Oregon but returned to his hometown recently and still feels that support. Brooks writes, per- forms and produces his music independently, though he often brings in friends to help on instru- ments or backup vocals. “I am a big believer in collaboration,” Brooks said. “Best outcomes have been with multiple people involved in the writing process.” While Brooks said he would like to perform live soon, he is holding off due to the pandemic. Until he can get back on stage, he said, he is creating another album he hopes to release next summer. lowa County Nursing Home and Wallowa Memorial Hospital for more than a decade, then later in the Health Department. Gloria was active in St. Katherine’s Catholic Church and very much enjoyed children. She had an extended family, the Mathews of Joseph, who called her “Lola” (“grandma” in Filipino). She loved those kids. Gloria was blessed with a beautiful voice and sang at many weddings and funerals. She enjoyed gar- dening, and in the summer- time her yard was a show- case of beautiful fl owers. She loved RV traveling to Arizona and Alaska, fi shing and camping. Surviving relatives include her husband, Gerald of Enterprise, and one niece and one nephew in the Philippines. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Estrella Bautista; and brothers, Exupero, Antonio and David Jr. Charles F. White Elgin Charles F. White, 52, of Elgin, died June 27. Arrangements are by Love- land Funeral Chapel & Crematory. Sheila Olney La Grande Sheila Olney, 62, of La Grande, died June 26 at her residence. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory. Kenneth A. Skillings 1938-2020 • Wallowa Kenneth Allen Skillings, 82, died Feb. 12 in Wallowa. He was interred at Wallowa Bramlett Cemetery. No formal services are planned. Kenneth was born Jan. 18, 1938, at home in Wal- lowa, to Amos Benjamin and Cora Ellen (Boyd) Skillings. He attended Wallowa Elemen- tary and La Grande High School. Kenneth served in the U.S. Army from 1961- 1963 and was deployed in Germany. He thoroughly enjoyed his time in Ger- many and always wished to return to see more of the country. Kenneth worked for Boise Cascade at the saw- mill in La Grande for 30 years. He retired in Wal- lowa, purchasing an acre in Lower Wallowa Valley that was once the property of his great-grandfather William H. Boyd. He lived there until his death. Kenneth enjoyed hunting, fi shing, reading Westerns, and spending time with family. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents and sib- lings, Mina Shuman, Ray- mond, Winifred English, Vern, Neal, Darrell, and Myrna Sabey. Surviving relatives include his brother, Johnny, and sister, Carolyn Pfeaster. Memorial donations may PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FRIDAY 8:50 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the 2300 block of Q Avenue on a report of harassment. Offi cers talked to the people involved and provided options on returning property. 3:53 p.m. — A La Grande caller reported the theft of a vehicle. Offi cers contacted the person who reported the theft, who subsequently called back and said there was no theft, it was all a misunderstanding. 5:21 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of a sexual crime. 6:15 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of a vehicle theft. Offi cers respond- ed and determined there was no theft and this was a civil matter. 11:34 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce received a report of underage drinking at a residence in Cove at Caddie and Bryan streets. A deputy responded and coun- seled the homeowner. SATURDAY 8:35 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1600 block of Second Street on a complaint about vandalism. 8:44 a.m. — La Grande police and fi re responded to 1205 25th St. on a report of a fi re. 5:11 p.m. — La Grande po- lice responded to a hit-and-run on the 2000 block of Jupiter Way and arrested Gerard Alan Duberow, 71, on accusations of driving under the infl uence of intoxicants. 5:54 p.m. — La Grade police responded to the 500 block of Adams Avenue on a report of a fi ght. SUNDAY 10:41 a.m. — A Union Coun- ty sheriff’s deputy responded to the 200 block of Union on a report of a careless all-terrain vehicle driver. The deputy counseled the driver. 3:52 p.m. — Yet again, La Grande police responded to a report of a vehicle theft, and again this was a civil matter. 7:09 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1300 block of Z Avenue on a report of a domestic disturbance. Upcoming local services be made to the Wallowa Senior Center Advisory Group, P.O. Box 6, Wal- lowa, or the Wallowa His- tory Center, P.O. Box 481, Wallowa. Amanda N. Smith 1983-2020 • La Grande Amanda Nicole Smith, 36, of La Grande, died June 23 at her residence. No ser- vice is planned at this time. Amanda was born Nov. 17, 1983, in Sherman, Texas, to David R. and Peggy L. (Brewer) Smith. She attended Crook County Ele- mentary School and Crook County High School and graduated from Union County High School. Amanda worked in the offi ce at the Union County High School as a volunteer. She enjoyed books, coloring and playing games. She was a member of the Special Olympics and won a silver medal, in the fast walk, and a gold medal. Surviving relatives include her mother, Peggy Smith of La Grande, and sister, Kimberly Witten- burg, of Juliaetta, Idaho. She was preceded in death by her father, David R. Smith. Online condo- lences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfu- neralchapel.com. Norma S. Mullins La Grande Norma S. Mullins, 100, of La Grande, died June 28 at her residence. Arrangements are by Love- land Funeral Chapel & June 30 & July 1 — GLORIA HAASL: 9 a.m.-noon visitation, June 30, Bollman Funeral Home; 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, July 1, St. Katherine Cath- olic Church, with vault interment at Enterprise Cemetery. July 2 & 3 — ELNA HENDRICKS: 6-7:30 p.m. viewing, July 2, Love- land Funeral Chapel, La Grande; 10 a.m. graveside service, July 3, Summerville Cemetery. — Calendar courtesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande Crematory. Anban Libokmeto La Grande Anban Libokmeto, 90, of La Grande, died June 25 at Grande Ronde Hos- pital. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory. Michael D. Copeland Union Michael D. Copeland, 75, of Union, died June 28 at a local care facility. Arrangements are by Love- land Funeral Chapel & Crematory. Try CBD! Reported to help relieve: Attacks Social Anxiety Got Panic OCD Mild-Moderate Depression Anxiety? PTSD www.facebook.com/lagrandecbd | 541-304-9119 2108 Island Ave. La Grande, OR FAMILY OWNED 215 Elm Street La Grande (541) 963-5440 northwestfurnitureandmattress.com LESS STRESS MORE FUN! PROTECTING our Residents during this Pandemic 1809 Gekeler Ln. La Grande 541-963-4700 We are very grateful for the love, compassion and condolences extended to us by so many caring individuals during our time of loss. We appreciate all the staff at GRH, especially Dr. Baynes in the ER. We were treated with great respect and gentleness by Lowell Knopp. All of the cards, gifts and delicious food have lifted our spirits and blessed us tremendously during this time of sorrow. With love & appreciation, The Family of Betty Morse The Observer apologizes for misspelling Dr. Baynes name. An Independent Insurance Agency Reed & Associates for excellent service LOCALLY! Nicole Cathey THE OBSERVER — 3A 10106 N. ‘C’ • Island City 541-975-1364 Toll Free 1-866-282-1925 Medicare, Auto, Home insurance and Annuities www.reed-insurance.net Kevin Reed
