RECORDS AND MORE
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Obituaries
Community
Meetings
• LA GRANDE — The Board of
Commissioners for Northeast
Oregon Housing Authority will
hold an emergency meeting
Monday, March 1, at 9 a.m.
The public may attend via
conference call. Call 1-253-
215-8782 and use meeting ID
843 0753 3399.
Menus
Union County Senior
Center takeout lunch
menu
Pick up 11:30 a.m. to
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.
Public is welcome. Inquire
about family meals and
prepackaged sides.
MARCH 1-5
Monday: ravioli, Caesar
salad, fresh fruit, bread,
dessert.
Tuesday: Reuben sand-
wich, potato salad, fruit
garnish, dessert.
Wednesday: honey-glazed
ham, scalloped potatoes, ca-
shew-pea salad, roll, dessert.
Thursday: chicken Alfredo,
salad greens, bread, fresh
fruit, cookie.
Friday: pork fried rice, egg
rolls, oriental salad, fortune
cookie.
Children’s free takeout
breakfast and lunch
menu
Free breakfast and lunch
for anyone age 18 and
younger. Pick up 11:30 a.m.
to 1 p.m. at Central, Green-
wood or Island City elemen-
tary schools, La Grande.
Fresh vegetables, seasonal
fruit and 1% milk are offered
daily in addition to the menu
items. Served at La Grande
schools for on-campus
students.
MARCH 1-5
Central and Island City
Elementary schools
Monday: BREAKFAST:
bagel with cream cheese,
canned fruit; LUNCH: hot
dog, potato chips, green
beans.
Tuesday: BREAKFAST:
blueberry muffin, cheese
stick, orange juice; LUNCH:
popcorn chicken, roll, tator
tots.
Wednesday: BREAKFAST:
cocoa cereal bar, fresh fruit;
LUNCH: ham deli sandwich,
cherry tomatoes.
Thursday: BREAKFAST:
pancake on a stick, orange
juice; LUNCH: soft beef taco,
corn and black bean salsa.
Friday: BREAKFAST:
mini-cinnis, fresh fruit;
LUNCH: fish sticks, roll, cauli-
flower florets.
Greenwood Elementary
School
Monday: BREAKFAST:
blueberry muffin with cream
cheese, fruit or juice; LUNCH:
popcorn chiken, breadstick,
tator tots.
Tuesday: BREAKFAST:
mini-cinnis, fruit or juice;
LUNCH: turkey deli sand-
wich, goldfish crackers, baby
carrots.
Wednesday: BREAKFAST:
pancake on a stick, fruit or
juice; LUNCH: BBQ rib sand-
wich, cherry tomatoes.
Thursday: BREAKFAST:
sausage breakfast muffin,
fruit or juice; LUNCH: chees-
burger, potato chips, celery.
Friday: BREAKFAST:
yogurt pak with bagel, fruit
or juice; LUNCH: pizza parlor,
cauliflower florets.
La Grande middle
and high schools
Monday: BREAKFAST:
mini-cinnis, canned fruit;
LUNCH: BBQ rib sandwich,
green beans.
Tuesday: BREAKFAST:
oatmeal-chocolate chip bar,
cheese stick, orange juice;
LUNCH: hamburger, tator
tots.
Wednesday: BREAKFAST:
strawberry toaster pastry,
cheese stick, fresh fruit;
LUNCH: turkey deli sand-
wich, potato chips, carrots.
Thursday: BREAKFAST:
pancake on a stick, orange
juice; LUNCH: parmesan
chicken bites, bread stick, red
peppers.
Friday: BREAKFAST: long
John, fresh fruit; LUNCH: hot
dog, potato chips, corn.
Lottery
Megabucks: $2.3 million
8-11-14-23-37-39
Powerball: $90 million
4-33-43-53-65 — PB 21 x3
Mega Millions: $22 million
5-7-9-20-57 — MB 15 x3
Win for Life: Feb. 22
22-36-66-75
Pick 4: Feb. 25
• 1 p.m.: 8-4-5-5
• 4 p.m.: 4-5-1-3
• 7 p.m.: 3-0-9-8
• 10 p.m.: 8-8-2-7
Pick 4: Feb. 24
• 1 p.m.: 6-4-3-3
• 4 p.m.: 3-0-9-8
• 7 p.m.: 0-8-5-1
• 10 p.m.: 4-6-2-8
DELIVERY ISSUES?
If you have any problems
receiving your Observer, call
541-963-3161.
tHe ObSerVer — 3A
Charles ‘Charlie’ L.
Ritter
1928-2021 • La Grande
Charles Lindy Ritter,
93, of La Grande, died
Feb. 21 at his residence.
A funeral service will be
held March 2 at 10 a.m.
The service will be lives-
treamed. To
view the ser-
vice, go to
www.love-
landfuneral-
chapel.com
and click on
the “Funeral
Videos”
button near
the bottom of
the page just
before 10 a.m. A grave-
side service will follow at
Island City Cemetery, and
a lunch will be provided
after the service at the
American Legion.
Known as Charlie, he
was born Feb. 2, 1928, in
La Grande, to George and
Bertha (Goble) Ritter. He
was raised in La Grande
Upcoming local services
Please follow guide-
lines regarding face cov-
erings and social dis-
tancing at all services.
March 2 —
CHARLIE RITTER:
10 a.m. livestreamed
funeral (to view the ser-
vice, go to www.love-
landfuneralchapel.com,
scroll to the bottom and
click on the “Funeral
and graduated from La
Grande High School. On
Jan. 8, 1949, in Boise,
Idaho, he married his life
partner, Dora Ellen Jones.
He served in the U.S.
Army and reached the rank
of master sergeant.
Charlie worked at Boise
Videos” button); grave-
side service follows at
Island City Cemetery,
then lunch at the Amer-
ican Legion.
March 20 —
CHARITY HENRY:
11 a.m. memorial ser-
vice, La Grande Church
of Christ.
April 24 — BECKY
ROBERSON: 2 p.m.
celebration of life, Elgin
Community Center.
— calendar cour-
tesy of Loveland Funeral
Chapel, La Grande
Cascade as summer help
in 1946 then was hired
permanently in 1947.
He mostly was a forklift
driver. He retired on Feb.
28, 1990, after 43 years of
service.
Charlie enjoyed hunting
and fishing in his early
March is Problem Gambling
Awareness Month
DEANNE
MANSVELD
UCSCC
T
he month of March is recognized
across the United States as Problem
Gambling Awareness Month. The
campaign theme “Awareness + Action” is
all about taking specific action and having
conversations about problem gambling
issues and directing people to the help they
may need.
For many people gambling is a form of
entertainment that doesn’t carry any sig-
nificant consequences. However, for some
people gambling can lead to problem gam-
bling or gambling addiction. Gambling is
also a popular activity for underage youth.
Research has shown that there is a correla-
tion between youth gambling and engaging
in other risky behaviors.
Gambling often is a form of entertain-
ment, but it also is an activity that car-
ries risk. For some people, it can become
such a problem that they continue to
gamble despite personal, social or finan-
cial consequences.
More than 84,000 Oregon adults are
estimated to meet the clinical diagnosis
for a gambling disorder. Gambling dis-
orders impact the lives of families and
friends and our society. Problem gam-
bling in Oregon results in more than $500
million in social costs impacting the
criminal justice, corrections and human
service systems as well as our economic
health.
Youth also are affected by these prob-
lems, and the teen rates for problem gam-
bling are often higher than the adult rates.
Gambling activates the reward system
of the brain in the same way a drug or
alcohol does. Since neural pathways are
still forming during the teenage years,
this activity can essentially prime the
brain for future addiction issues. Many
adults in treatment for problem gambling
WEDNESDAY,
FEB. 24
have reported they began gambling at an
early age.
Entertainment/fun was the No. 1 reason
youth reported they gambled. Smart-
phones, tablets and other electronic
devices have dramatically increased access
to internet gambling for those who are
underage. It’s not surprising a majority
of youth have gambled prior to their 18th
birthday. The internet is as close as any
public Wi-Fi. Although it is illegal for
teens to gamble online, the safeguards are
easy to overcome — many are as simple
as a check box or the insertion of a birth-
date. Youth who play free online gambling
games are more likely to later gamble.
Another concern is the relationship
between youth gambling and engaging in
other risky behaviors. The 2019 Oregon
Healthy Teens Survey stated that “research
indicates the frequency of gambling activity
among youth correlates with increased
alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use, with
some youth developing serious gambling
problems.” Oregon teens who gambled had
higher rates of problems at school, being in
a physical fight, experiencing sadness for
two or more weeks, and using alcohol, mari-
juana and other drugs. This can have devas-
tating impacts on youth and their families.
While many concerns exist, there is
hope. Problem gambling can be prevented,
and free treatment is available for adults
and teens if problems do develop. The
Oregon Problem Gambling Resource web-
site, www.OPGR.org, provides informa-
tion, resources and a helpline.
In Union County, the Center for Human
Development provides free, confidential
treatment for those with gambling prob-
lems and support services for families. Call
CHD at 541-962-8800 or visit www.chdinc.
org for more information.
———
DeAnne Mansveld is the prevention
programs coordinator for the Center for
Human Development Inc., La Grande,
and a member of the Union County
Safe Communities Coalition.
Public Safety Report
7:53 a.m. — Union
County sheriff’s deputies
responded to the 700 block
of Main Street, Union, on
a report of a disturbance.
Deputies took one juvenile
into custody.
9:04 a.m. — La Grande
police responded to the
1400 block of Hall Street
for a disturbance. Offi-
cers determined there was
an argument concerning
property.
9:48 a.m. — Emer-
gency services responded
to the 1100 block of Adams
Avenue, La Grande, for a
vehicle that wrecked into
a building. Police took a
report.
11:32 a.m. — A La
Grande resident reported
possible fraud. An officer
made contact and will
follow up.
4:36 p.m. — Local law
enforcement responded
to the 1200 block of U
Avenue, La Grande, on a
report of a domestic distur-
bance. Police arrested one
person.
9:52 p.m. — La Grande
police returned to the same
address on the 1200 block
of U Avenue on a call about
a no-contact order violation.
Police took a report.
10:19 p.m. — A caller
complained about noise
from a residence on the
1200 block of Adams
Avenue, La Grande. An
officer responded and con-
tacted the subject, who
agreed to quiet down.
loose at Hu-Na-Ha RV
Park, 255 Cedar St., Elgin.
A Union County sheriff’s
deputy contacted the cat-
tle’s owners, who moved
the animals.
THURSDAY, FEB. 25
12:12 a.m. — A caller
reported the theft of a
vehicle from the 2000
block of H Avenue, La
Grande. Police responded
and took a report.
7:09 a.m. — A Union
County sheriff’s deputy
removed debris from the
road on the 3100 block of
Island Avenue, La Grande.
8:45 a.m. — A caller
reported a possible
restraining order viola-
tion on the 64100 block of
Hunter Road, La Grande.
A Union County sheriff’s
deputy made contact.
11:59 a.m. — A La
Grande resident reported
possible identity theft. An
officer made contact and
took information.
3:09 p.m. — The Union
County Sheriff’s Office
received a report of a pos-
sible sex crime outside La
Grande. A deputy made
contact and will follow up
on the matter.
3:24 p.m. — La Grande
police cited Orlan Gerald
Dudek, 77, for two counts
of felon in possession of a
weapon.
8:21 p.m. — A caller
reported livestock on the
FRIDAY, FEB. 26
years, some gardening,
camping, four-wheeling,
snowmobiling, and playing
bingo the last 10 years. He
also enjoyed spending time
with his grandchildren and
family, and Sunday lunch
was always at his house
for the last several years.
He enjoyed playing base-
ball in his younger years
and later played slow pitch
on the city league. He was
a member of the Amer-
ican Legion and the Eagles
Lodge and was a trustee in
his early days.
Surviving relatives
include his children, Craig
Ritter of Milton-Free-
water, Jana Shenfield and
husband, Randy, of La
Grande, and Bob Dalton
of Island City; six grand-
children; 12 great-grand-
children; two great-great
grandchildren with another
on the way; and two nieces
and nephews.
He was preceded in
death by his wife of 61
years, Dora; parents,
George and Bertha; sister,
Ella Marie Packard;
brothers, Don D. “Bud”
Ritter, and George E.
Ritter; and grandson, John
Shenfield.
In lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions
may be made to the Amer-
ican Legion Post 43, P.O.
Box 55, La Grande 97850.
Online condolences
may be made to the family
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
Steve A. Craig
La Grande
Steve Alan Craig, 65, of
La Grande and Albany, died
Feb. 23. Arrangements are
by AAsum-Dufour Funeral
Home, Albany.
Agnes Sudway
Elgin
Agnes Sudway, 87, of
Elgin, died Feb. 26 at a
local care facility. Arrange-
ments are by Loveland
Funeral Chapel & Crema-
tory, La Grande.
EOU announces fall
term dean’s list
The Observer
LA GRANDE — Eastern Oregon University, La
Grande, named 564 students to its dean’s list for the
2020 fall term. Qualifying students maintain a grade
point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale while com-
pleting a minimum of 12 hours of graded coursework.
This is a partial list of students from Union and Wal-
lowa counties who earned this distinction. The Observer
will run the rest of the names Tuesday, March 2.
UNION
COUNTY
COVE
Colten Alldredge
Allie Best
Kendall Hettinga
Maggie Ledbetter
Cassie Nelson
Jill Pedro
Eric Stone
ELGIN
Ryan Chandler
Cynthia Cramlet
Jessica Sorensen
Zeke Wright
IMBLER
Gary Combe
Benjamin Wagner
ISLAND CITY
Morgan Correa
LA GRANDE
Aisha Abimbola
James AhHee
Sophia Aimone
Makayla Akers
Joseph Aliff
Emily Andrews
Brandon Anger
Katie Arnold
Roland Victor
Balajadia
Anjelynn Baron
Madison Bazer
Jordan Beachy
Joseph Bell
Kayla Berg
Joaquin Bermejillo
Koedi Birmingham
Samantha Blaine
Britney Blaluk
Brenda Boles
Kelsi Bourasa
Carolyn Brandt
Sarah Buddingh
Kellen Burke
Mannelyn Cabrera
Andrea Camacho
Erin Campbell
Lai-Na Chen
Diana Cobian
Ella Coughlan
Lisa Culley
Tyler Dabritz
Bonny Daggett
Chealsey Daniel
Hailey Davis
J. Cameron Davis
David Dill
Zakery Donato
Taylor Dow
Patience Dudley
Tori Eaton
A.J. Enos
Cheyenne Evans
Robert Fitzpatrick
Olivia Fleming
Johnny Fogle
Dustin Follett
Haley Fonceca
Taylor Friederichs
Jaycen
Friedrichsen
Dmitry Gadashev
Landrey Gaertner
Megan Garoutte
Kaitlyn Gekeler
Anthony Given
Ambrose Greif
Alexia Guhlke
Sydney Hacker
Brittney Hamilton
Annalise Han Khorn
Elizabeth Hanson
Devon Harrington
Adyson Harris
Ciara Haruo
Kayla Harvey
Captain Milburn J. (Mel) Holmes
October 12, 1939 - February 9, 2021
Captain Milburn J. (Mel) Holmes passed away peacefully
at home in Escondido, California, on February 9th, 2021.
Mel was born in La Grande, Oregon, to Betty Mae and
Milburn Jay Holmes on October 12, 1939. He attended
La Grande High School, lettering in both basketball and
baseball. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree
from Eastern Oregon University in 1961. In 2006, Mel was
the first recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from
EOU.
Mel entered the Navy Flight Training Program in Pensacola, Florida, in
1961. After completing the Jet Fighter Course, he was designated a Naval
Aviator in 1963.
During his career, Mel flew various fighters including the F-4 “Phantom”
and participated in three cruises in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.
He received 18 medals and commendations throughout his service.
Mel was one of the original founders of the legendary Navy Fighter Weap-
ons School, better known as “TOPGUN”, based at Naval Air Station Miramar.
He completed his naval career as the Commanding Officer of VF-301, a reserve
F-4 Fighter Squadron. After his retirement as a 747 Captain from Northwest/
Delta Airlines, he established a premier flight school in Carlsbad, California.
Mel is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jeannie; his four sons; John, Brad
(Sarah), Doug (Melissa) and Craig. In addition, he is survived by four grand-
children; Tyler, Alec, Jacqueline and Maddie Holmes.
A heartfelt thanks to the medical professionals, Lori Saunders and Shari Ca-
tozzi, whose compassion and care for Mel during this past year was exemplary.
A memorial service will be planned at a later date due to COVID restric-
tions. Memorials can be made in Mel’s honor to Warrior Foundation Freedom
Station, 1223 1/2 28th St. Suite A, San Diego, CA, 92102 or https://warriorfoun-
dation.org
Many people have been asking us??
Can we move our pre-arranged funeral plan to your funeral home?
YOU CAN! And it is easy. Loveland Funeral Chapel
accepts and honors almost all pre-arranged funeral plans from other
funeral chapels. We understand that changes occur and you can easily
transfer your plan to Loveland Funeral Chapel. Theses transfers can
take place ahead of time or even when someone passes away.
1508 Fourth Street
La Grande
Union County's Only Crematory
Call 541-963-5022