RECORDS AND MORE
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021
COMMUNITY
Briefs
Brown Bag features curator of
‘Motherhood’ exhibit
JOSEPH — The Tuesday, March
23, virtual Brown Bag hosted by the
Josephy Center will feature Aimee
Jungmann, the curator of the “Moth-
erhood” exhibit, which the center
described as a “beautiful and moving
display of how the many talented
women in Wallowa County under-
stand their own motherhood, that
of their ancestors, and the incredible
power of creation and loss.” The
discussion begins at noon Tuesday
via Zoom. The exhibit and the Zoom
gathering can be accessed at www.
josephy.org/event/motherhood.
“Motherhood” also may be
viewed in person through April 6
at the Josephy Center, 403 N. Main
St., Joseph. Gallery hours are noon
to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon
to 4 p.m. Saturday. Masks and social
distancing are required.
Dogs and their humans invited
to Easter egg hunt
LA GRANDE — La Grande Parks
and Recreation is partnering with
PetSense of La Grande to put on a
Doggy Easter Egg Hunt for canines
and their humans. The event will
take place at the Riverside Dog Park,
La Grande, Saturday, March 27, at
2 p.m. There will be dog-treat Easter
eggs and human treats too. Prizes
will be given to the best dressed
dog, as well as the dog performing
the best trick. Human masks and
social distancing are required.
Give blood, save lives
LA GRANDE — A blood drive will
be held March 30-31 at the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
1802 Gekeler Lane, La Grande. The
need for blood continues to outstrip
the supply. Tuesday, March 30, the
drive will run from noon to 6 p.m.;
on Wednesday it will be held from
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments
are encouraged, but walk-ins are
welcome. For more information or
to make an appointment, call Linda
Strand at 541-963-4261.
Help kids cope with divorce,
separation
LA GRANDE — Learn how
divorce or separation impacts your
children and what you can do to
help them at a virtual workshop
Wednesday, March 31, from 6-9 p.m.
The free workshop will be held via
Zoom, facilitated by Mary Lu Pierce
and sponsored by the Union County
Family Law Advisory Committee.
Class size is limited and pre-regis-
tration is required. To sign up, email
teala.sunderman@ojd.state.or.us
and include your name, phone
number and date of the class you are
attending. Call Teala at 541-962-
9500, ext. 42, for more information.
— The Observer
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 suggested
donation; all others, $5. Public is wel-
come. Inquire about family meals
and prepackaged sides.
MARCH 22-26
MONDAY: beef stew in a bread
bowl, salad, fresh fruit.
TUESDAY: chicken-cashew
casserole, salad greens, fruit, bread.
WEDNESDAY: BBQ pork sliders,
cabbage slaw, fries, fruit garnish,
cookie.
THURSDAY: Southwest tacos,
chips and salsa, salad greens, fl an.
FRIDAY: beef stroganoff , rice
pilaf, steamed vegetables, spinach
salad, fresh fruit.
Meri L. (Euston)
Olmstead
1946-2021 • La Grande
Meri Lucile Olmstead,
75, of La Grande, died
March 7 at her home. A cel-
ebration of her life will be
held June 26. Details will be
announced at a later date.
Meri was born Jan.
9, 1946, in
Yakima, Wash-
ington, to
Richard and
Mabel (Roy)
Euston. She
graduated from
high school in The Dalles in
1964. She attended Maryl-
hurst University and Ohio
State University and grad-
uated in 1979 from what is
now Eastern Oregon Uni-
versity. She went on to earn
a master’s degree in library
science and in education.
Meri taught at Camp
Riverbend Youth Transi-
tional Facility, La Grande
High School and Middle
School, Enterprise School
and Mission School. She
also worked as the media
specialist for La Grande
Middle and High schools
and Enterprise High School.
She was a cheer coach and
was a judge at many high
school cheer competitions.
Meri worked at the
La Grande Alternative
School and was the Title I
reading specialist for the
Imbler School District. She
believed everyone deserved
an opportunity for edu-
cation. She tutored high-
risk students who were no
longer allowed in the class-
room. Her goal was to help
students achieve their full
OBITUARIES
potential. She showed care
and concern with discipline
and expectations.
Meri had a thirst for
knowledge and loved
learning new things. In
1992 she visited Australia
for six weeks as part of an
Oregon Education Associ-
ation exchange program.
During summer breaks,
she worked a variety of
jobs including as Wallowa
County librarian, at Look-
ingglass Fish Hatchery near
Elgin and for La Grande
Parks and Recreation. In
her later years she worked
as a driver for Professional
Transportation Inc.
Meri was an active
member of the National
Education Associa-
tion, Oregon Educational
Media Association, La
Grande Education Associ-
ation and Oregon Cheer-
leading Coaches Associ-
ation. She served on the
Union County Juvenile Ser-
vices Commission and the
City of La Grande Library
Commission.
In 2017 Meri married
Dale Alton, who described
her as the woman of his
dreams. She loved her
family above all else. She
took many vacations with
her children and grandchil-
dren, visiting the Steens
Mountains, Klamath Falls,
Crater Lake, Salt Lake
City, Yellowstone and New
Orleans plus many trips to
the coast.
A kind person who used
her knowledge and experi-
ence to help those in need,
Meri will be remembered as
a loving wife, mother and
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Michael
Coggins of La Grande has earned
a master of science degree in
nursing-education from Western
Governors University.
The online nonprofi t university
is designed to meet the needs of
working adults, according to a press
release.
— The Observer
Births
GRANDE RONDE HOSPITAL
LAROCQUE: Tayee Grace
LaRocque, daughter of Cassondra
Nicole Houle and William Joseph
LaRocque, of La Grande, March 4.
Grandparents are Lucinda LaRocque
and Bill LaRocque.
OUT OF TOWN BIRTHS
WEAVER: Layton Starr Weaver,
daughter of Layne Weaver and
Landon Weaver, of Meridian, Idaho,
and formerly of La Grande, Feb. 18.
Grandparents are Terry Fischer of
La Grande, Shanna Marks of Boise,
Idaho, and Jeff and Becky Weaver of
La Grande.
Lottery
Megabucks: $3.2 million
11-25-36-37-39-41
Powerball: $184 million
34-38-42-61-62— PB 19 x2
Mega Millions: $93 million
10-41-46-52-69 — MB 8 x2
Win for Life: March 17
26-28-35-68
Pick 4: March 18
• 1 p.m.: 6-0-2-8
• 4 p.m.: 2-4-6-1
• 7 p.m.: 9-8-6-4
• 10 p.m.: 0-0-3-9
Pick 4: March 17
• 1 p.m.: 6-8-7-7
• 4 p.m.: 1-8-2-9
• 7 p.m.: 0-9-0-2
• 10 p.m.: 4-0-1-1
DELIVERY ISSUES?
If you have any problems
receiving your Observer, call 541-
963-3161.
grandmother and a won-
derful friend, teacher and
coach.
Surviving relatives
include her husband, Dale;
sister, Sidney Bryant of The
Dalles; children, Jon Olm-
stead and Anastasia Olm-
stead, both of Boise, Idaho,
and Donnie Vidrio of
Salem; stepchildren, Dale
Alton III and Dawn Nelson,
both of La Grande; and
three grandchildren.
She was preceded in
death by her parents.
Online condolences
may be made to the family
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
Gary A. Gaston
1965-2021 • Cove
Gary Allan Gaston, 56,
of Cove, died March 13 at
Grande Ronde Hospital.
A funeral service will be
held March 23
at 2 p.m. To
view the lives-
tream, go to
www.loveland-
funeralchapel.
com and click
on the “Funeral Videos”
button near the bottom of
the home page just before
2 p.m. Interment will be at
the Cove Cemetery.
Gary was born Jan.
20, 1965, in Portland, to
George and Donna (Van
Maren) Gaston. He resided
in Damascus, Eagle Creek,
Madras, Irrigon and then
Cove the past 10 years. He
graduated from Gresham
High School, graduated
from IITR Truck School,
and attended BMCC. He
married Timur Parrett on
Upcoming local services
Please follow guide-
lines regarding face cov-
erings and social dis-
tancing at all services.
March 20 —
CHARITY HENRY:
11 a.m. memorial ser-
vice, La Grande Church
of Christ.
March 20 — MAX
MOFFIT: 11 a.m. grave-
side service and vault
July 15, 1995, in Sandy.
Gary was employed as
a truck driver for Fish Lib-
eration with Oregon Fish
and Wildlife and owned a
small business, High Valley
Metal Works. He received
the 2017 Director’s Pride
Award from ODFW for
Outstanding Dedication,
Problem Solving and Team
Accomplishments during
the Gorge Wildfi re, moving
all the hatchery fi sh from
the wildfi re zone.
Gary loved wood-
working, working on the
small farm and metal art.
He was a member of the
Boring Volunteer Rural Fire
Department 1983-1999 and
Madras Volunteer Rural
Fire Department 2000-2001.
Surviving relatives
include his wife, Timur;
daughter, Megan Gaston
of Rochester, New York;
son, Garret Gaston of La
Grande; parents, George
and Donna Gaston of Casa
interment, Lostine Ceme-
tery; reception follows at
Lostine Grange Hall.
March 23 — GARY
GASTON: 2 p.m. lives-
treamed funeral; view at
www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
March 24 —
TOMMY WEST: 2 p.m.
graveside service with
military honors, Mount
Hope Cemetery, Baker
City.
— calendar cour-
tesy of Loveland Funeral
Chapel, La Grande
Grande, Arizona; and sister,
Lori Gaston of Damascus.
Online condolences
may be made to the family
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
Tommy G. West
Formerly of La Grande
Tommy Gerald West,
85, formerly of La Grande,
died Nov. 10, 2020 at his
residence in Albuquerque,
New Mexico. A grave-
side service with military
honors will be held March
24 at 2 p.m. at Mount Hope
Cemetery, Baker City. To
light a candle in memory
of Tommy, go to www.
colestributecenter.com.
Jimmie L. Ruth
Formerly of Perry and La Grande
Jimmie LeRoy Ruth, 80,
formerly of Perry and La
Grande, died March 14. His
ashes will be spread at sea
by immediate family at a
later date.
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17
8:13 a.m. — A caller
reported horses on the loose
in the area of North Cove
and East Bryan streets,
Union. An animal enforce-
ment offi cer returned the
horses to their owner.
12:38 p.m. — The Union
County Sheriff ’s Offi ce
received a report of possible
animal neglect on the 70500
block of Summerville Road
north of Summerville. An
animal enforcement offi cer
will follow up.
12:54 p.m. — La Grande
police arrested Amanda
Pauline McCarthy, 30,
for felony driving while
suspended.
6:26 p.m. — La Grande
police received a third-party
report of possible child
abuse. An offi cer made con-
tact and will follow up.
10:18 p.m. — A caller
complained about loud
music that was going since
the afternoon at a resi-
dence on the 1900 block of
First Street, La Grande. An
offi cer responded, and the
resident said he would turn
down the music.
THURSDAY, MARCH 18
5:58 a.m. — La Grande
police responded to the
1100 block of D Avenue on
a report of a disturbance
and warned one person for
disorderly conduct.
9:26 a.m. — La Grande
police responded to a
request for a welfare check
of a person threatening self-
harm. The subject was fi ne.
9:43 a.m. — La Grande
police responded to another
request for a welfare check.
This was at a diff erent loca-
tion than the previous call,
and the situation was fi ne.
12:29 p.m. — La Grande
police responded to the
1500 block of Sixth Street
on a report of disorderly
conduct. Police arrested
Cory Lee Hamilton, 36, for
two counts of menacing and
one count each of animal
abuse, criminal mischief,
second-degree disorderly
conduct, unlawful use of a
weapon and resisting arrest.
10:18 p.m. — Local law
enforcement responded to
the 2100 block of Adams
Avenue, La Grande, on a
report of an assault. Police
cited Devon Thomas
Hall, 21, for harassment
and unauthorized use
of a motor vehicle.
William Fred “Bill” Davis
February 6, 1939 - February 26, 2021
Honors
La Grande resident earns
degree from WGU
THE OBSERVER — 3A
Walla Walla VA/Contributed Graphic
The Walla Walla Veterans Aff airs is moving into the next phase of
COVID-19 vaccinations.
COVID-19 vaccines
now available to area
veterans of all ages
The Observer
WALLA WALLA,
Wash. — The Walla
Walla Veterans Aff airs
now is moving into its
next phase of off ering
COVID-19 vaccinations
to all eligible veterans in
all age groups and at all
clinic locations (Walla
Walla, Richland and
Yakima in Washington,
Lewiston, Idaho, and La
Grande).
The Walla Walla VA,
which serves Northeast
Oregon, in a press release
recently announced vac-
cine clinics are being
scheduled throughout
the week and on some
weekends at all sites of
care for Walla Walla VA
enrolled/health care eli-
gible veterans.
An appointment is
required at all care sites.
Veterans may make an
appointment at any of
the clinic locations to get
vaccinated.
All clinic sites con-
tinue to off er vaccinations
during the weekdays and
are scheduling Saturday
clinics based on vaccine
supply and staff avail-
ability. Saturday clinics
are planned on:
• Richland VA Clinic:
March 20, April 3 and
April 17
• La Grande VA Clinic:
March 20
• Lewiston VA Clinic:
March 20
• Yakima VA Clinic:
March 27, April 10
• Walla Walla VA main
campus: April 10
The Walla Walla VA in
the release urged eligible
veterans to call 509-525-
5200 (after the automated
message, choose option
2, and option 2 again) as
soon as possible to make
an appointment and get
more information on any
schedule changes.
Additional informa-
tion is available on the
Walla Walla VA’s social
media pages and on its
main website, www.wal-
lawalla.va.gov, and also
by calling Linda Wondra,
the Walla Walla VA Med-
ical Center public aff airs
offi cer, at 509-386-1117.
William Fred “Bill” Davis, 82,
of Nampa and formerly of North
Powder and La Grande, passed away
February 26, 2021 at home with his
wife, Marilee, by his side.
Bill, the youngest of five children,
was born February 6, 1939 in Baker,
Oregon, to William Ernest and Vivi-
an Clare McGrath Davis. He grew up
in North Powder on the family ranch
that was purchased by his father and
grandfather, John William Davis, in
1937.
Bill is the descendant of three
early pioneer families in Union and
Baker counties: his great-grandpar-
ents, John Samuel and Susan Dealy
Davis, who homesteaded the family
ranch in North Powder in 1872;
Patrick and Mary McGrath of Union;
and Alfred and Ida Sisley Gardner of
Sumpter and Baker. His grandfather,
Walter McGrath, a coal dealer, served as mayor
in North Powder for more than 35 years.
Bill attended Powder Valley High School
where he was active in basketball, football, 4-H,
FFA and orchestra, where he played the trom-
bone. After graduating in 1957, Bill began his
college education at Oregon State College. He
had a very close relationship with his grand-
parents, Walter and Leila McGrath and visited
them in their home often. Walter also played the
trombone and offered to give Bill the trombone
he played at dances throughout Union and
Baker counties if he made the Oregon State
marching band, which Bill accomplished.
In 1958 Bill transferred to Eastern Oregon
College in La Grande, and in the fall of 1959,
he transferred to Oregon Technical Institute in
Klamath Falls. There he met his first wife, San-
dra Lare, at the new student dance at the Student
Union and their first date was a drive-in movie
and spilt coffee. The summer of 1960, Bill re-
turned to North Powder to help his parents run
the family ranch. He loved working on the ranch
and had a special talent in knowing everything
about individual cows. Bill and Sandra were
married August 6, 1960 in Baker, Oregon and
had two children; son, Jeff and daughter, Debbie.
Bill was a hands-on dad who assisted with feed-
ing, changing diapers and bath time and loved
his children very much. After the death of his
father, Bill and his mother, Vivian, continued to
run the ranch and shared the daily duties.
Bill was active in his community. In 1960
he joined the Elks Lodge in Baker, where he re-
mained a member until transferring to the Elks
Lodge in Nampa, Idaho. He was also a member
of the North Powder Order of Masonic Lodge
from 1967 to 1988. He attained the E. A. De-
gree, the Fellow Craft degree and became Master
of Lodge in 1971. He was a past
member of the Oregon Cattleman’s
Association in Baker and later joined
the Scottish Rite and Shriners.
Bill moved with his family to
La Grande in May of 1980 after the
sale of the North Powder ranch. He
joined Cornett Real Estate in La
Grande as a sales associate in 1981.
Here he met his future wife, Marilee
Clara Bradley and they married on
February 18, 1984, in Boise, Idaho.
Together they worked on a dairy
farm in Marsing, Idaho, for a short
time and eventually made their
home in Nampa. Bill began working
for the University of Idaho Caine
Veterinarian Teaching Facility in
Caldwell, Idaho, in 1984. He enjoyed
working with the animals until his
retirement in June 2002. Bill and
Marilee enjoyed woodworking crafts
and attending craft shows to sell their products.
They also enjoyed spending time with friends
at the Eagles Lodge and were known to kick
up their heels on the dance floor. They shared
a love for the outdoors, camping, traveling and
visiting family and they made many trips to
visit their children, granddaughter, Breanna and
great-grandson, Ayden.
In 2018 Bill was diagnosed with kidney
failure and their traveling slowed down, but
never his love for his family. Marilee was by
his side every step of the way and she stated he
was a great patient. He never complained about
anything and always tried to stay upbeat and
positive, even during hospitalizations and trying
times. He will be missed by his family, friends
and others who had the pleasure of knowing
him.
Survivors include his wife of 37 years,
Marilee of Nampa; son, Jeffrey Davis of La
Grande; granddaughter and great-grandson,
Breanna and Ayden William Davis, both of Is-
land City; former wife and friend, Sandra Davis
of La Grande; sister, Jessie Lou Cox of Spokane;
and nieces and nephews and their spouses
Carol and Roger Hildebrandt, Scott and Tamara
Myers, Michelle and Bruce Vinson, Kimber and
Michael Haley and Kelly and Andrew Beavor.
He was preceded in death by his daughter,
Debra Kay Davis; parents, William and Vivian
Davis; infant brother, Walter John Davis; sisters
and their spouses Betty and Kenneth Myers and
Jeannette and Robert Kellar; brother-in-law,
Edward Lee Cox; nieces Cathy Peplinski and Lu-
cinda Higley; and nephew, Martin Davis Myers.
Memorial contributions may be made to
DaVita Nampa Dialysis Center, 846 Park Centre,
Nampa, ID 83651.