RECORDS AND MORE
SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021
COMMUNITY
Meetings
Bob W. Gregory
1929-2021 • La Grande
• UNION — The Union City Council
will meet Monday, May 10, for a work
session will start at 6 p.m. and a reg-
ular meeting at 7 p.m., both at Union
City Hall. The council will discuss the
city’s old ranger station buildings at
the work session and council meeting.
• LA GRANDE — The Union Soil and
Water Conservation District will
hold its monthly board meeting
Wednesday, May 12, at 7 p.m. via
phone. Go to www.unionswcd.org
for call-in details. The commission
will discuss fi nancial statements, staff
reports and partner agency reports.
• LA GRANDE — The La Grande City
Council and Urban Renewal Dis-
trict budget committees will hold
public meetings beginning at 6 p.m.
Monday, May 10. The public can view
the meeting on Charter Communica-
tions channel 180 or via the La Grande
Alive website.
The fi scal year 2021-22 budget meet-
ings will continue Tuesday and there-
after as needed. For access to the
agendas go to www.cityofl agrande.
org, call 541-962-1309 or email krock@
cityofl agrande.org.
• LA GRANDE — The Union County
chapter of Health Care for All Oregon
will meet virtually via Zoom at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, May 11. The agenda includes
questions for Rep. Bobby Levy and
Sen. Bill Hansell as well as continued
planning for upcoming events. Con-
tact unioncounty@hcao.org for access
information.
Births
GRANDE RONDE HOSPITAL
ESCAMILLA: Matias Escamilla,
April 28, 2021, son of Myra Marie
Escamilla Correa and Arturo B. Esca-
milla of La Grande. Grandparents are
Raul and Maria Correa.
FERGUSON: Latonia Ferguson,
April 27, 2021, daughter of Latarbria
Ferguson and Michael Ferguson of
La Grande.
GUTHRIE: Walker Ray Guthrie,
April 27, 2021, son of Mackenzie
Lynn Moore and Kaleb Shane Guth-
rie of La Grande. Grandparents are
Christine Moore and Ray Moore.
McNAIR: Clara Jean Enter
McNair, April 28, 2021, daughter
of Krystal Ann Enter and Michael
Robert McNair of La Grande. Grand-
father is Ron Hogue.
RASMUSSEN: Kaladin Michael
Rasmussen, April 28, 2021, son of
Tayllar Jade Rasmussen and Chad
Michael Rasmussen of La Grande.
Grandparents are Kevin Rasmussen,
Christine Rasmussen, Steve Jones
and Lani Jones.
RAY-GONZALEZ: Esperanza
Luna Ray-Gonzalez, April 27, 2021,
daughter of Kristina Gonzalez and
Jordan Ray of La Grande. Grandpar-
ents are Lisa Tucker, Gordon Ray,
Jeanette Thompson and Antonio
Gonzalez.
Bob W. Gregory, 92,
of La Grande, died May
1, 2021, at his residence.
A graveside service will
be held May 7 at 2 p.m. at
Grandview
Cemetery,
La Grande.
Attendees must
wear masks
and practice
social dis-
tancing to meet
COVID-19
guidelines.
The graveside
service will
be streamed
live for those who cannot
attend; go to www.love-
landfuneralchapel.com
and click on the “Funeral
Videos” button near the
bottom of the home page
just before 2 p.m.
Bob was born Jan. 19,
1929, in Marysville, Cal-
ifornia, to Thomas and
Sylvia (Lewis) Gregory. He
resided in San Diego and
San Francisco, California,
and in Corvallis, Molalla
and La Grande. He served
in the U.S. Navy on the
USS Bon Homme Richard
and the USS Ozbourn.
Bob attended what is
now Eastern Oregon Uni-
versity, Oregon State Uni-
versity and Washington
State University. He mar-
ried Helen Elizabeth
McDonald.
Bob was employed with
La Grande High School as a
math and computer teacher.
He later was a math pro-
fessor at Eastern Oregon
University. He is honored in
the La Grande High School
Hall of Fame and was a
two-time Elk of the Year.
Bob enjoyed reading,
traveling, puzzles, music
and spending time with
family. He was a member of
the La Grande Elks Lodge,
Lions and Phi Beta Kappa.
Surviving relatives
include his son, Michael
Gregory and wife, Sally,
of La Grande; daughter,
Cheryl Gregory-Miles
and husband, Ron, of La
OBITUARY
Grande; four grandchildren;
and one great-grandchild on
the way.
He was preceded in
death by his wife, Helen;
parents, Theo and Sylvia;
and brother, Lynn Gregory.
In lieu of fl owers, memo-
rial contributions may be
made to Make-a-Wish
Oregon, 5901 S. Macadam
Ave., Suite 200, Portland
97239 or the OHSU Casey
Eye Institute, 3181 SW Sam
Jackson Park Road, Port-
land 97239-3098.
Online condolences
may be made to the family
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
Cecil L. Smith
1929-2021 • Formerly of Union
Cecil Lyle Smith, 91, of
Florence and
formerly of
Union, died
Jan. 2, 2021.
A graveside
service will
be held May
15 at 10 a.m.
at the Union
Cemetery. The
family pre-
fers casual
dress attire.
Attendees must wear masks
and practice social dis-
tancing to meet COVID-19
guidelines.
Cecil was born May 2,
1929, in Baker, to Kenny
and Ella (Walker) Smith. He
had fi ve brothers — Glenn,
Nevil, Orley, Marvin and
Ken — and one sister,
Merle. Cecil graduated
from Union High School in
1947. He served in the U.S.
Army during the Korean
War as an infantryman.
On June 29, 1963, Cecil
married Adeline May
Huff man. She had three
children from her prior
marriage: Robert, Stanley
and Corena. Cecil and
Adeline had two children
together: Carrie and Glen.
Cecil worked for the
Oregon State Highway from
1949-1955, Valley Sau-
sage Co. from 1955-1972
and Eastern Oregon Meat
from 1972-1989. He also
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5
9:18 a.m. — An Elgin
resident asked to speak to
a Union County sheriff ’s
deputy about telephonic
harassment.
11:07 a.m. — La Grande
police received a report
about a dog bite on the 2500
block of Spruce Street.
11:53 a.m. — La Grande
police and medical services
responded to Seventh Street
and N Avenue for a traffi c
crash involving injuries.
4:19 p.m. — La Grande
police responded to Jakob
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 de-
livery, call 541-963-7532 before 10 a.m.
Age 60+, $3 suggested donation; all
others, $5. Public is welcome.
May 10-14
Monday: chicken Alfredo, bread-
sticks, Caesar salad, fresh fruit.
Tuesday: Reuben sandwich, potato
salad, fresh fruit, dessert.
Wednesday: fried chicken, mashed
potatoes and gravy, vegetables, salad
greens, cake.
Thursday: pizza, garden salads, fruit,
cookie.
Friday: chicken and mushroom
crepes, spinach salad, fruit, sherbet.
Children’s free takeout breakfast
and lunch menu
Free breakfast and lunch for anyone
age 18 and younger, available on days
school is in session. Pick up 11:30 a.m.
to 1 p.m. at any La Grande elementary
school. Fresh vegetables, seasonal fruit
and 1% milk are off ered daily. To-go
meals are handed out at La Grande
schools to on-campus students.
May 10-14
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Monday: BREAKFAST: bagel, fresh
fruit; LUNCH: crispy chicken sub,
veggies, fruit.
Tuesday: BREAKFAST: mini waffl es,
cheese stick, canned fruit; LUNCH:
La GRANDE
AUTO REPAIR
975-2000
www.lagrandeautorepair.com
MOST
ADVANCED
TECHNOLOGY
AVAILABLE
Joe Horst
ACDelcoTSS
Avenue on a report of inde-
cent exposure at a loud
party.
11:33 p.m. — A caller
reported an intoxicated
driver on the 200 block of
Depot Street, La Grande.
6:52 a.m. — The Union
County Sheriff ’s Offi ce
received a report of stalking
from the 73200 block of
Kingsbury Lane, Elgin
11:29 a.m. — An Elgin
resident on the 700 block of
North 14th Avenue asked
for assistance regarding
telephonic harassment.
3:26 p.m. — Union
County sheriff ’s deputies
responded to Buchanan
Lane and McAlister Road,
La Grande, on a report of a
domestic disturbance.
4:38 p.m. — La Grande
police and medical responded
to Jeff erson Avenue and
Chestnut Street for a pedes-
trian hit by a vehicle.
5:16 p.m. — La Grande
police responded to the area
of Third Street and Rapid
Run Loop for a trespasser.
chicken tacos, veggies, fruit.
Wednesday: BREAKFAST:
strawberry yogurt, graham crackers,
orange juice; LUNCH: BBQ rib sandwich,
veggies, fruit.
Thursday: BREAKFAST: strawberry
toaster pastry, cheese stick, fruit; LUNCH:
crispy chicken sandwich, veggies, fruit.
Friday: BREAKFAST: apple strudel,
orange juice; LUNCH: corn dog, chips,
veggies, fruit.
GREENWOOD ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
Monday: BREAKFAST: bagel, fruit;
LUNCH: BBQ rib sandwich, veggies, fruit.
Tuesday: BREAKFAST: mini waffl es,
cheese stick, canned fruit; LUNCH:
cheeseburger, chips, veggies, fruit.
Wednesday: BREAKFAST: cereal
bar, cheese stick, orange juice; LUNCH:
ham sub sandwich, goldfi sh crackers,
veggies, fruit.
Thursday: BREAKFAST: mini pan-
cakes, canned fruit; LUNCH: biscuits and
gravy, cheese stick, veggies, fruit.
Friday: BREAKFAST: oatmeal choc-
olate chip breakfast bar, orange juice;
LUNCH: pizza, veggies, fruit.
ISLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Monday: BREAKFAST: yogurt parfait
with fruit and granola, fresh fruit;
LUNCH: meatball sub, veggies, fruit.
Tuesday: BREAKFAST: cereal bar,
cheese stick, canned fruit; LUNCH: crispy
chicken sub, veggies, fruit.
Wednesday: BREAKFAST: apple
strrudel, orange juice; LUNCH: ravioli
with meat sauce, breadstick, veggies,
fruit.
Thursday: BREAKFAST: cocoa cereal
bar, canned fruit; LUNCH: taco, veggies,
fruit.
Friday: BREAKFAST: cinnamon roll,
orange juice; LUNCH: corn dog, tater
tots, veggies, fruit.
LA GRANDE HIGH AND MIDDLE
SCHOOLS
Monday: BREAKFAST: sausage
breakfast biscuit, fresh fruit; LUNCH:
ham deli sandwich, veggies, fruit.
Tuesday: BREAKFAST: bagel, canned
fruit; LUNCH: crispy chicken tenders,
whole-grain dinner roll, veggies, fruit.
Wednesday: BREAKFAST: mini
pancakes, orange juice; LUNCH: turkey
deli sandwich, chips, veggies, fruit.
Thursday: BREAKFAST: long john,
canned fruit; LUNCH: fi sh sandwich with
cheese, French fries, veggies, fruit.
Friday: BREAKFAST: mini French
toast, orange juice; LUNCH: ham deli
sandwich, kettle chips, veggies, fruit.
THURSDAY, MAY 6
MENUS
THE OBSERVER — 3A
2 out of 3 Americans
want Universal Healthcare
Why don't we have it? Follow the
Money. In 2018, the healthcare
industry “gave $225 million to
federal candidates, outside money
groups and parties...This industry
also spends big on lobbying. In
2018, $421 million has been spent
on lobbying efforts for health-
related issues.”
– Center for Responsive Politics
HealthCare for All Oregon – Union County
See UnionCountyHealth.org for info
Upcoming local services
had rental houses and ran a
small convenience store in
Union for many years. Cecil
lived the majority of his life
in Union, but after retire-
ment he lived for a number
of years in Clarkston,
Washington, in Twin Falls,
Idaho, and in Florence.
Cecil and Adeline
enjoyed traveling in their
RV and wintering in Ari-
zona in their retirement.
He also enjoyed gardening,
fi shing, woodcarving and
spending time with family.
Cecil had a big sense of
humor and a wonderful
laugh. He was a member
of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars, Post 4060, Union.
Online condolences
may be made to the family
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
Theresa M. Hansen
1962-2021 • La Grande
Theresa Marie Hansen,
58, of La Grande, died
April 7, 2021, at her res-
idence. A celebration of
her life will be held this
summer.
Theresa
was born Aug.
27, 1962 in
Portland, to
Howard and
Barbara
(Nielsen) Hansen. She
resided in Philomath,
Alaska and La Grande. Her
marriage to Lenny Weber
ended in divorce.
Theresa worked for
Grande Ronde Retirement
Residence, Dr. Holecek
and New Holland Equip-
ment. She enjoyed hiking,
hunting, fi shing and other
outdoor activities, and she
enjoyed her dogs. As her
family and longtime friend
Debra Keyser will attest,
Theresa had a big heart
and was willing to do any-
thing for the people she
loved.
Surviving relatives
include her brother, Mant
Hansen of Grants Pass.
She was preceded
in death by her par-
ents, Howard and Bar-
bara Hansen; brother,
Please follow guide-
lines regarding face cov-
erings and social dis-
tancing at all services.
May 8 — DONNA
DOUD: 11 a.m. grave-
side service, Summerville
Cemetery.
May 14 — CATH-
ERINE LINDSEY:
10 a.m. funeral ser-
vice, La Grande Calvary
Chapel.
May 14 — RITA
HALLGARTH: 2 p.m.
graveside service, Elgin
Cemetery.
May 15 — CECIL
SMITH: 10 a.m. grave-
side service, Union
Cemetery (casual dress
preferred).
May 15 — KAREN
BROOKS: 11 a.m.
memorial service, Riv-
erside Park Pavilion, La
Grande.
May 17 — JERRY
BROOKSHIRE: 2 p.m.
graveside service, Union
Historic Cemetery; recep-
tion follows at Cath-
erine Creek Community
Center, Union.
May 22 — BRUCE
HILDE: noon memorial
service, Skyview Ceme-
tery, between Pendleton
and Pilot Rock; cele-
bration of life lunch fol-
lows (RSVP by May 8 by
emailing BruceHildeMe-
morial@gmail.com).
May 23 — CECLE
DeFRIES: 2 p.m. cel-
ebration of life, Union
High School football fi eld
(casual dress preferred).
June 26 — DAVID
COUNCIL: 1 p.m. cel-
ebration of life, North
Powder City Park.
June 26 — SALLY
TOUCHE-MOSER:
1-3 p.m. celebration of
life open house, 404
Depot St., Enterprise.
June 27 — MERI
OLMSTEAD: 1 p.m.
memorial service, Riv-
erside Park Pavilion, La
Grande.
— calendar cour-
tesy of Loveland Funeral
Chapel, La Grande
Ray D. Stinnett, 87, of
La Grande, died May 5,
2021, at his home. Arrange-
ments are by Loveland
Funeral Chapel & Crema-
tory, La Grande.
73, of La Grande, died May
4, 2021, at her residence. A
funeral service will be held
May 14 at 10 a.m. at the La
Grande Calvary Chapel.
Attendees must wear masks
and practice social dis-
tancing to meet COVID-19
guidelines. Arrangements
are by Loveland Funeral
Chapel & Crematory, La
Grande.
Susan Cook
Rita M. Hallgarth
Formerly of La Grande
Elgin
Susan Cook, 68, of Mil-
ton-Freewater and for-
merly of La Grande, died
May 7, 2021, at Providence
St. Mary Medical Center,
Walla Walla, Washington.
Arrangements are by Mun-
selle-Rhodes Funeral
Home, Milton-Freewater.
Rita M. Hallgarth, 94, of
Elgin, died May 1, 2021, at
St. Luke’s Medical Center
in Boise, Idaho. A grave-
side service will be held
May 14 at 2 p.m. at the
Elgin Cemetery. Attendees
must wear masks and prac-
tice social distancing to
meet COVID-19 guidelines.
Arrangements are by Love-
land Funeral Chapel & Cre-
matory, La Grande.
Jerry Hansen; uncle, Frank
Nielson; and aunt, Maggie
Nielsen.
Ray D. Stinnett
La Grande
Catherine D. Lindsey
La Grande
Catherine D. Lindsey,
ONLINE: For more news and records, to go www.lagrandeobserver.com.
Melvin Beeson
August 30, 1937 - April 15, 2021
Melvin was born in Island City, Oregon
to Thomas and Mae Beeson. He and his
twin brother Marvin were the fifth and
sixth of seven siblings. Melvin and Mar-
vin were instant companions and often
referred to as simply “the twins.” Melvin
and his siblings were raised in a small rural
town by their mother who was widowed
while Melvin was still young. Although his
family rarely had much money, he never
complained of lacking in his childhood.
His mother left an indelible example of
honesty and hard work, which he carried
with him into fatherhood. The memories
he shared of his childhood were of adven-
tures with family pets, interesting neigh-
borhood characters, and playing jokes on
siblings. Regardless of its small size, their
family house was often full of family and
friends, leaving wonderful memories and
also building strong character traits such as
determination, loyalty, and humility.
After graduating from La Grande High
School in La Grande, Oregon, Melvin
attended the University of Oregon. College
was written into his future for as long as he
could remember, his mom always saying
“when you go to college…” He and his twin
brother both decided to study geology, an
interest spawned by their oldest brother
who left his geology books from college
laying around the house. It was while
in college that he met his wife Kay and
earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees
in Geology. Melvin and Kay married in
September of 1958 and remained married
for 62 years. A fact he was proud to share
with others. He and Kay moved around
while each continued to further their
education. He finally settled in California
where he obtained his PhD in Geology
from the University of California at Santa
Cruz and started working for the United
States Geological Survey in Menlo Park,
California – a position he loved and held
for approximately 30 years.
As a volcanologist, he made many trips
to the Hawaiian islands to remote places
that vacationers never see, including exten-
sive work on the island of Molokai. After
retirement from the USGS, he established
a new career in his second love: computers.
In his tongue and cheek way, his business
card read “I am IT.”
Melvin and Kay settled into Newark,
California in 1975 where they raised their
two children. He took pride in their home
and neighbors often commented on his
beautiful yard. He was an avid gardener,
which was a skill he learned in his youth
working in the family garden and various
local orchards. He often had an abundance
of fruit and vegetables which he donated to
co-workers, neighbors, and the local senior
center. Melvin is remembered as a hands-
on dad coaching soccer, leading Awana at
church, attending childhood performanc-
es, and encouraging his children in their
endeavors. If you were a friend to his child,
you were also treated as family. Melvin’s
family motto was “we do it together” even
under the protest of his children at times.
Melvin was a good listener and loved to
be quick with a witty comment, these traits
allowed him to get along with everyone. He
had a steel trap memory for childhood ra-
dio shows, songs, comic bits, and random
trivia he would use to entertain and bring
a smile to others. He loved singing silly
songs, using goofy puns and telling corny
jokes. In retirement he enjoyed swimming
and working with other retired geologists
through the USGS Emeritus program.
Once he “fully” retired, he worked diligent-
ly to organize and catalog his sample rocks
which are now housed at the Smithsonian.
But what he loved more than anything was
talking about and spending time with his
grandchildren. Before he passed, he was
beginning to share his love of gardening
with his grandchildren, who often ran out
to the garden first thing when arriving at
grandpa’s house.
He is survived by his wife Naomi Kay
Beeson of Modesto, California; his sister
Junella Johnson of Missoula, Montana;
his children Jared Beeson of Modesto,
California and Carrie Diamont of Mur-
phys, California; and his grandchildren
Alexander and Taylor Beeson of Modesto,
California and David and Luke Diamont of
Murphys, California.
He will be greatly missed.
Celebration of life TBA at Island City
Cemetery this summer.