Saturday, auguSt 8, 2020
Community
Meetings
Obituaries
Judith A. Blevins
1940-2020 • La Grande
• IMBLER — The Imbler
School District Board of Direc-
tors will meet for a regular
session Thursday, Aug. 13, at
7 p.m. in Room 1 of the high
school. The public is welcome
to attend all open sessions of
the Imbler School Board. This
meeting was originally sched-
uled for Aug. 11.
• ISLAND CITY — Island City’s
city council will be Monday,
Aug. 10, at 7 p.m. at Island
City City Hall. This regular
meeting will include a land
use hearing on Mike Beck-
er’s proposed land partition.
People who attend the hearing
and meeting are reminded
to wear face coverings and
follow social distancing
requirements. A number of
people in the room will be
limited according to the gov-
ernor’s executive orders.
Comments for topics to be
discussed may be dropped
off at city hall or emailed to
karen@islandcityhall.com
prior to the meeting.
Briefs
Union Baptist Church
announces schedule
change
UNION — The Union
Baptist Church has changed
the times of its weekly
Sunday service and classes.
Sunday school now begins
at 9:45 a.m., and the service
follows at 11 a.m.
Free lunches for children
still available
LA GRANDE — The free
summer lunch program for
ages 1-18 in La Grande will
continue through Aug. 21.
Free grab-and-go lunches are
available from 11:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. Monday through
Friday at the Riveria Activity
Center, 2609 Second St.
Meals for adults are $4.
The lunches are a federally
funded USDA program and
are provided by Community
Connection of Northeast Ore-
gon. The program is open to
everyone regardless of race,
color, income level, national
origin, religion or disability.
The summer lunch pro-
grams in Cove and Wallowa
County have ended. For
information on the schedule
for free meals in Elgin, con-
tact the Elgin School District.
Judith “Judy” Ann
Blevins, 80, of La Grande,
died July 23 due to com-
plications with Ste-
vens-Johnson syndrome at
Grande Ronde Hospital. A
celebration of her life will
be held some-
time in the
coming months
for family and
close friends.
Known as
Judy, she was
born in 1940 in what is
now Baker City. Growing
up she also lived in various
places including Hereford,
Unity and La Grande. After
marriage she lived in The
Dalles, Union, Mountain
Home and Boise, Idaho, and
her home — La Grande.
Judy and her husband,
Bill, enjoyed going on
adventures. They spent
many years traveling in
Bill’s camper and later
in their motorhome, tra-
versing all the western
states and Alberta and
British Columbia, Canada,
searching out great destina-
tion sites.
Judy took joy in quilting
and made quilts for all of
her grandchildren. She so
enjoyed her quilting club
in Brenda, Arizona. Most
of all, she loved reading
and spending time with her
family.
Surviving relatives
include her husband of 39
years, Bill; sister and broth-
er-in-law, Kay and Vernon
Nikada of Ontario; brothers
and sisters-in-law, Bill and
Tammy Dickerson of Star,
Idaho, Donny and Dort
Dickerson of Canada, Percy
and Leslie Dickerson of
Baker City, and Dan Wil-
liams of Boise, Idaho;
stepsisters, Nancy Endi-
cott and Mary Jo Cowling
and husband, Bob; step-
brothers and wives, Mike
and Donna Higgins and
Dick and Debbie Hig-
gins; daughter, Teresa Cur-
tiss of La Grande; sons,
Michael Curtiss of La
Grande, Jim Curtiss and
wife, Janice, of Vancouver,
Washington, and John Cur-
tiss of La Grande; and
nine grandchildren and 28
great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in
death by her parents, Jim
Dickerson of Baker City
and Joella Williams of
Boise, Idaho; brother,
Pat Dickerson; and sons,
Donald, Mark and Joseph
Curtiss.
Memorial donations may
be made to Blue Mountain
Humane Society in care of
Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral
Home, P.O. Box 543,
Halfway 97834.
Online condolences may
be shared at www.tamispi-
nevalleyfuneralhome.com.
Patrick E. Gekeler
1951-2020 • La Grande
Patrick Erwin Gekeler,
Menus
Union County
Senior Center takeout
lunch menu
Pickup 11:30 a.m.-
12:30 p.m. at 1504 N. Albany
St., La Grande. For delivery,
call 541-963-7532 before
10 a.m. Age 60+, $3 suggest-
ed donation; all others, $5.
AUG. 10-14
Monday: Swedish meat-
balls, salad greens, steamed
Italian blend vegetables,
garlic bread, fresh fruit.
Tuesday: mac and cheese
with ham, garden salad, mel-
on slices, bread, ice cream.
Wednesday: fried chicken,
mashed potatoes and gravy,
spinach salad, rolls dessert.
Thursday: sausages
and sauerkraut or chicken
sandwiches, glazed onions,
potato salad, fresh fruit,
brownies.
Friday: almond-orange
chicken, rice pilaf, rolls, light
dessert.
Union County kids free
grab & go lunch menu
Pickup 11:30 a.m.-
12:30 p.m. at Riveria Activity
Center, 2609 Second St., La
Grande. Free for age 1-18; all
others, $4.
AUG. 10-14
Monday: meatballs over
rice, rolls, fruit.
Tuesday: mac and cheese,
salad greens, fruit, cookies.
Wednesday: fried chicken,
steak fries, salad greens,
fruit.
Thursday: sandwiches,
salad, fruit, cottage cheese.
Friday: orange chicken,
potato salad, coleslaw,
Jell-O, fruit.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 5
7:53 a.m. — The Union
County Sheriff’s Office received
a report of a theft from a cabin
about a mile past Pilcher Creek
Reservoir, North Powder. The
sheriff’s office agreed to provide
extra patrols.
10:29 a.m. — A caller in Island
City reported possible stalking.
The Union County Sheriff’s Of-
fice took down the information.
1:41 p.m. — An Elgin caller
reported possible child abuse. A
Union County sheriff’s dep-
uty talked to the person and
planned for follow up.
3 p.m. — A caller reported
malfunctioning railroad arms
at the crossing at Highway 203
and Pierce Road, La Grande.
8:05 p.m. — La Grande police
responded to the 1200 block of
Eighth Street on a report of an
assault. Officers determined the
circumstances did not warrant
an arrest.
Ronald A. Nantz
1948-2020 • La Grande
Ronald “Ron” Allen
Nantz, 71, of La Grande,
died July 13 at a local care
facility. At his request,
there will not be a service.
Known as Ron, he was
born Aug. 25, 1948, in
Baker City, to Allen and
Claudeen (Jones) Nantz.
He resided in North
Powder and La Grande
and graduated from North
10:13 p.m. — A caller
reported a vehicle crash at
Monroe Lane and Hunter Road,
La Grande. A Union County
sheriff’s deputy responded
and arrested Jessica Adreana
Duffy, 23, for driving under the
influence of intoxicants.
THURSDAY, AUG. 6
8:59 a.m. — A caller reported
finding drug paraphernalia on
the 600 block of 18th Street, La
Births
GRANDE RONDE HOSPITAL
ALDRICH: To Amy Christine
Aldrich, of La Grande, a son,
Axton Navarro Aldrich, Aug. 1 at
8:01 p.m. Grandparents are Ran-
dy Aldrich and Sally Aldrich.
ALLEN: To Kiana Rileigh Ray
Allen and Levi Kean Allen, of
Haines, a daughter, Tatum Ray
June Allen, July 7 at 11:23 p.m.
Grandparents are Brad and
June Allen and Gary and Lena
Wight.
AMY: To Samantha Dawn
Amy and Anthony Joseph Amy,
of Cove, a daughter, Karmyn
Dawn Amy, July 23 at 1:38 p.m.
BROUN: To Neki Sha Broun
and James Dougles Broun, of
La Grande, a son, Bailey Broun,
July 30 at 5:58 a.m. Grandpar-
ents are Gary Krantz Jr., Shontel
Krantz, Amber Krantz, Joyce
Broun, Kim Broun and James
“Jack” Broun.
GALINDO: To Sara Galin-
do and Brian Galindo, of La
Grande, a son, Cody Galindo,
July 31 at 6:22 p.m. Grandpar-
ents are Calvin and Melissa
Huitt.
HUFF: To Yvonne Jennifer
Stein and Jacob Thomas Huff,
of Halfway, a son, Weston
Powder High School.
Ron was employed at
La Grande Waste Man-
agement for many years.
He loved the outdoors,
his little dog “Punky,” his
many Corvettes, 60s music
and old Western movies.
Ron also enjoyed attending
his daughters’ and
grandaughter’s sporting
events. He was previously
active in the the Corvette
Club in the community
and enjoyed participating
in car shows.
Surviving relatives
include his daughters,
Tammy Speelman and
partner, Erin, of Herm-
iston and Deanna Chandler
of Weiser, Idaho; sister,
Kathy Boyd of Yakima,
Washington; brother and
sister-in-law, Russell and
Beth Nantz of Huntington;
and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in
death by his parents, Allen
and Claudeen.
Online condolences
may be made to the family
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
Upcoming
local
services
Aug. 15 — PAUL
WAGONER: 11 a.m.
celebration of life, Indian
Rock; casual dress pre-
ferred.
Aug. 15 — ALIDEAN
McMASTER: 2 p.m.
graveside service,
Hillcrest Cemetery, La
Grande; face coverings
required for age 2 and
older.
Aug. 22 — STAN CASE:
10 a.m. celebration of
life, Case arena at 64066
Booth Lane, La Grande;
masks and social distanc-
ing required; watch the
livestream at www.love-
landfuneralchapel.com
(click on “Funeral Videos”
near bottom of page).
Aug. 29 — MIKE MAY:
4 p.m. memorial service,
Riverside Park Pavilion,
La Grande; please wear
masks and respect social
distancing.d respect
social distancing.
Alidean McMaster
Formerly of La Grande
Alidean McMaster, 97,
of Taylorsville, Utah, and
formerly of La Grande,
died Dec. 29, 2019. A
graveside service will be
held Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. at
Hillcrest Cemetery. Face
coverings for age 2 and
older are required.
— Calendar
courtesy of Loveland
Funeral Chapel,
La Grande
The Observer
UNION COUNTY —
The U.S. Census Bureau
announced Wednesday,
Aug. 5, it will end field
data collection efforts a
month early on Sept. 30.
This deadline includes
ending in-person inter-
views and self-reporting
collection.
“The Census Bureau’s
new plan reflects our con-
tinued commitment to con-
duct a complete count,
provide accurate appor-
tionment data, and pro-
tect the health and safety
of the public and our
workforce,” U.S. Census
Bureau Director Steven
Dillingham said in a press
release.
The Census Bureau
originally planned to stop
data collection efforts at
the end of October but
is dealing with concerns
about safety during the
pandemic and pressure
to meet the Dec. 31 dead-
line for data collection and
apportionment counts.
At this time, 93 million
households — 63% of all
households in the nation —
have responded to the 2020
Census, according to the
press release. Oregon has a
64.5% response rate.
Census takers will start
visiting homes of those
who did not complete the
census. Union County has
23 census takers who will
conduct interviews using
proper social distancing
and sanitation protocol
according to Misty Slater,
media specialist for the
U.S. Census Bureau.
SNAP benefits increase continues, for now
The Observer
SALEM — Oregonians
will continue to receive
increased food benefits in
August.
The Oregon Depart-
ment of Human Services
has received approval
by the federal Food and
Nutrition Service to con-
tinue in August to provide
increased food benefits
and waive the interview
requirement for new appli-
cants — making it faster
and easier for Oregonians
to access benefits.
This will result in an
additional $30 million
to eligible Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Pro-
gram (SNAP) recipients in
August 2020.
“As the pandemic con-
tinues, access to food has
worsened greatly,” said
Self-Sufficiency Programs
Deputy Director Claire
Seguin. “Providing another
month of emergency assis-
tance will help ease the
threat of chronic hunger in
Oregon.”
Oregonians already
enrolled in SNAP do not
need to take additional
action. Eligible SNAP
households will automati-
10106 N. ‘C’ • Island City
cally receive the additional
allotment in the same way
they receive their current
benefits.
For most recipients this
is an EBT card.
The increase brings all
households to the max-
imum SNAP benefit.
Households that already
receive the maximum ben-
efit will not receive any
additional benefits. For
more information, call the
Union County DHS office
at 541-963-4113.
Find other food
resources at https://oregon-
hunger.org/covid-19.
An Independent
Insurance Agency
541-975-1364
Grande. An officer arrived and
removed the paraphernalia.
10:06 a.m. — A person
refused to wear a mask at
Bi-Mart, 2510 Adams Ave., La
Grande. The business called for
police, but the person left even
before dispatchers could tell an
officer.
1:12 p.m. — A La Grande
caller reported a burglary at a
shed on the 2100 block of Cove
Avenue.
2:47 p.m. — The Union Coun-
ty Sheriff’s Office responded
to a report of a burglary on the
1000 block of Galveston Street,
Elgin.
7:31 p.m. — The Union Coun-
ty Sheriff’s Office responded
to a traffic crash on the 63600
block of Standley Lane, La
Grande, and arrested Melissa
Sue Jones, 42, for DUII.
7:38 p.m. — A caller report-
ed possible dog neglect on the
600 block of 18th Street, La
Grande.
Daniel Corey Aldrich
Gene Huff, July 30 at 2:14 p.m.
Grandparents are David and
Nancy Stein and Tom and
Melody Huff.
SIMMONS: To Jessie Sim-
mons and Chance Simmons, of
La Grande, a daughter, Delaney
Ann Simmons, July 29 at
8:23 a.m.
WEBER-GIESE: To Elizabeth
Andrea Weber and Shane
Darrell Giese, of La Grande, a
daughter, Kambri Estelle We-
ber-Giese, July 22 at 8:56 p.m.
Grandparents are David and
Chris Giese and Donald and
Margaret Weber.
Census Bureau ends count early
Reed & Associates for
excellent service LOCALLY!
Nicole Cathey
68, of La Grande, died Aug.
4 at his residence. A service
will be held at a later time.
Patrick was born Aug.
18, 1951, in Elgin, to Wen-
dell and Doris (Blanchard)
Gekeler. He resided in
Elgin, Cove and La Grande.
Patrick was a book-
keeper for several local log-
ging companies. He enjoyed
trapshooting and was a
member of the La Grande
Gun Club.
Surviving relatives
include his brothers and
sisters-in-law, Bruce and
Jeanine Gekeler of Sum-
merville and Gary and
Rebecca Gekeler of La
Grande; aunts, Audrey
Hienlein and Glenda
McDaniel; and four nieces
and nephews.
He was preceded in
death by his parents, Wen-
dell and Doris.
Online condolences
may be made to the family
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
Public Safety Report
Art Center East launches
benefit exhibit
LA GRANDE — Art Center
East’s newest exhibit fea-
tures work donated by local
artists. The show celebrities
the scope and talent of the
regional arts scene and aims
to raise money for the art
center as it works toward
reopening. The exhibit will
launch online this week,
in partnership with John
J. Howard Real Estate,
offering a 3-D rendering
that allows virtual visitors
to walk through the exhibit
and zoom in on pieces for a
closer look. In-person view-
ing will be possible when
ACE reopens in September.
To view the exhibit and for
more information, go to
www.artcentereast.org.
tHE OBSErVEr — 3A
RECORDS AND MORE
Toll Free 1-866-282-1925
June 28, 1984 - August 2, 2020
Daniel Corey Aldrich
was born to proud par-
ents, Danny and Marlas
(Freeman) Aldrich in
Kennewick, WA, on
June 28, 1984. He was
welcomed home by
his sister Tomi (1981).
Corey was always full
of life and love for his
family. In 1988, his
parents separated and
Corey stayed in Union,
OR, where he was
collectively cared for
by his father, Grandma
Urcie and Grandpa Kenny, who all loved him dearly. Corey
always loved the outdoors and immensely enjoyed hunting
in the surrounding mountains with his dad, great-uncles,
cousins, and Grandpa. Young Corey spent his summers
fishing, boating, and knee boarding at Phillips Reservoir
with grandparents and cousins. In Junior High, Corey played
the Saxophone and was very good at it; he loved music.
When he reached high school, he turned his full attention to
football, a sport he loved and was extremely good at. Corey
started on the varsity football team as a freshman, and put
everything he had into football. He was a starter for the first
three years of high school as a Union Bobcat. He was his
dad’s football star. After high school, Corey was able to turn
his passion and experience regarding the outdoors into a job
horse-packing and guiding trips from the Minam Lodge in
the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Corey had found his niche, and
he was content to ride horseback in the mountain air, help-
ing others pack into God’s Country. Corey never shied away
from hard work, and he never met a stranger, which was
the perfect skill set for the job. Corey and his father shared
a wonderful opportunity to spend three seasons packing
folks into the high country together. After that job ended,
Corey lived and worked in Union and Umatilla counties
for a while, then headed to Southern Oregon. Most recent-
ly, Corey has been working for the last several years near
Grants Pass as an Organic Farmer, where he seemed to enjoy
his work and his co-workers. Corey conversed with his dad,
grandma Urcie, and his sister Tomi regularly. There was no
indication that Corey would take his own life on August 2,
2020. On that day, a wonderful life was cut short for reasons
we may never know.
Corey has left a loving family behind: Danny and Heidi
Aldrich, father and step mom, Tomi Aldrich, sister, Grand-
ma Urcie, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
There will be no public service for Corey; however, his
ashes will be spread in the Eagle Cap Wilderness by his
family. The family encourages people to donate to a suicide
prevention organization of their choosing in Corey’s name.
Medicare, Auto, Home
insurance and Annuities
www.reed-insurance.net
Kevin Reed