RECORDS AND MORE
Thursday, december 9, 2021
The ObserVer — A3
OBITUARIES
Patricia E. Anderson
Margaret J. (Powell) Moss
1943-2021
La Grande
Patricia Ellen Anderson,
78, of La Grande, died Dec.
3, 2021, at Kadlec Regional
Medical Center, Richland,
Washington. A funeral will
be held Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.
at Faith Lutheran Church,
La Grande. A grave-
side service will begin at
2 p.m. Dec. 15 at the W.J.
Ward Memorial Cemetery,
Brookings.
Patricia was born Oct.
13, 1943, in Willits, Cal-
ifornia, to Marian (Ham-
ilton) Lamm. She resided
in Willits, California;
Canyonville; Eureka
and McMinnville, Cali-
fornia; and Brookings and
1939-2021
La Grande
La Grande. She attended
She loved her dachshunds
Canyonville Elemen-
and the beach. She enjoyed
tary School and gradu-
reading, square dancing,
ated from Brook-
embroidery,
ings Harbor High
cooking and
in 1961. She mar-
singing. She
ried Richard Van
never met a
Gordon in 1961
book she didn’t
and the marriage
like. She loved
ended in divorce in
meeting new
1964. She married
people and
Charles Anderson
talking.
in 1966, and they
Survivors
were married until
include her
Anderson
his passing in
children and
2018.
their spouses,
Patricia was a telephone Kathleen and Tony Boyd
operator for Bell Telephone of Cove and Ramona and
and several other phone
Chris Tuck of Island City,
companies for 20 years.
stepsons and spouses,
Eugene and Peggy
Anderson of Brookings
and Duane and Sherry
Anderson of Brookings;
sister and brother-in-law,
Janet and Terry Buness
of Wrangell, Alaska;
seven grandchildren and
five great-grandchildren;
and numerous nieces and
nephews.
She was preceded in
death by her husband
of more than 50 years,
Charles H. Anderson, and
mother, Marian Lamm.
Online condolences
may be made to the family
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
Vernon F. Valiant
1930-2021
Union
Vernon Fredrick Valiant,
91, of Union, died Nov. 24,
2021. A funeral service will
be held Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. at
the former Union Methodist
Church.
Vernon was born May
17, 1930, in Baker, to
Fred Valiant and Pauline
(Olbrich) Valiant. After
graduating from high
school he enlisted in the
U.S. Navy. He served in the
World War II Occupational
Forces in Japan, the Korean
War from 1950-1955 and
Vietnam from 1964-1972.
He retired as a lieutenant
commander in
1972.
Vernon was an
active member of
the Lions Club,
American Legion,
VFW, various
Masonic Orders
and the Eastern
Oregon Livestock Show.
He served as trustee of the
United Methodist Church
for many years.
Vernon was happiest out
at sea. He also enjoyed gar-
dening, roses,
fishing, hunting
and the moun-
tains. He was
blessed to have an
additional “family
by choice.”
Survivors
include his
wife, Martha of Union;
brother and sister-in-law,
Bob and Marie Valiant
of Kennewick, Wash-
ington; nephews; grand-
nieces and grandnephews;
and great-grandnieces and
great-grandnephews.
In lieu of flowers, memo-
rial donations may be made
to the Catherine Creek
Community Center Chapel
Roof Fund, P.O. Box 275,
Union 97883.
Online condolences
may be made to the family
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
Margaret Joan Moss, 82,
were always busy knitting
of La Grande, died Nov.
and crocheting beautiful
13, 2021. A graveside ser-
doilies and tablecloths. She
vice will be held
was very crafty,
Dec. 10 at 1 p.m.
making cher-
ished blankets
at the Summer-
ville Cemetery.
and afghans for
There will be a
many loved ones.
memorial ser-
She delighted in
vice in the spring
coloring bright
to celebrate her
beautiful pic-
tures, designs,
life and the lives
and enjoyed color
of her son, Tracy,
in every shade,
her nephew, Todd
Moss
combination and
Rachau, and her
blend.
sister, Marilyn
Survivors include her
(Powell) Rachau.
daughter-in-law, Kathy
Margaret was born
Moss; sister, Bonnie
March 28, 1939, in Baker,
(Powell) Lambert; and
to Earl Powell and Lucille
Powell. Her family moved to many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in
Union for her father to work
at the logging company. She death by her husband,
Harold “Tony” Moss in
attended school in Union
April 2003, and her son,
and graduated in 1957.
Tracy Moss in November
On July 21, 1958, Mar-
garet married Harold
2021.
“Tony” Norman Moss at the
In lieu of flowers memo-
First Christian Church in La rial donations may be
made to the Blue Moun-
Grande. Her greatest joy in
tain Humane Society in
life was her son, whom she
care of Tami’s Pine Valley
adored. She would say her
Funeral Home, P.O. Box
proudest accomplishment
543, Halfway 97834.
was being a mother.
Online condolences may
Margaret loved puz-
zles and challenges in word
be shared at www.tamispine-
valleyfuneralhome.com.
games. Her creative hands
UPCOMING LOCAL SERVICES
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
MONDAY, DEC. 6
7:55 a.m. — A caller
reported animal abuse on the
1600 block of Fifth Street, La
Grande. An animal enforce-
ment officer responded and
counseled a person.
1:05 p.m. — La Grande
police received a report of a
juveAnile involved in a distur-
bance at a residence at Grande
Woods Apartments, 2005
Gekeler Lane. The parties sep-
arated prior to officer involve-
ment. The officer made con-
tact and logged information.
3:23 p.m. — A caller com-
plained about an animal on
the 1100 block of O Avenue,
La Grande. An animal enforce-
ment officer responded and
COMMUNITY
BULLETIN
BOARD
counseled the owner.
4:13 p.m. — La Grande
police received a report of a
resident in mental or emo-
tional duress. An officer
responded, and the Center for
Human Development Inc. put
a safety plan in place.
4:41 p.m. — La Grande
police responded to the 1300
block of Seventh Street on a
report of harassment and tres-
passed six juveniles.
7:38 p.m. — A Union
County
sheriff’s
office
responded to the 200 block of
North Main Street on a report
of a juvenile involved in a dis-
turbance and separated the
parties involved.
9:54 p.m. — La Grande
police responded to the 2100
block of Maple Street on a
report of a domestic distur-
bance. The parties agreed to
separate and the problem did
not rise to the level of an arrest.
TUESDAY, DEC. 7
9:54 a.m. — La Grande
police received a report of
theft of services at Riverside
Park. An officer made contact
and will follow up.
10:09 a.m. — Local law
enforcement arrested Diana
Lynn Ricker, 61, on a Union
County secret indictment war-
rant charging driving under
the influence of intoxicants,
reckless driving, recklessly
endangering another person
and third-degree assault.
2:15 p.m. — A caller
Vaccine and
self-sufficiency
event open to all
LA GRANDE —
The Marshallese Amer-
ican Network for Inter-
acting Together is hosting
a COVID-19 vaccine and
self-sufficiency event from
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat-
urday, Dec. 11, at the Union
County Senior Center, 1504
N. Albany St., La Grande.
It is open to the public. To
sign up call 503-208-4142.
More information is avail-
able at www.manit.org.
— The Observer
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Please follow guidelines
regarding face coverings
and social distancing at all
gatherings.
Dec. 10 — MAR-
GARET MOSS: 1 p.m.
graveside service, Sum-
merville Cemetery.
Dec. 10 — PATRICIA
ANDERSON: 2 p.m.
funeral, Faith Lutheran
Church, La Grande.
Dec. 11 — MARYANN
STAHL: 1 p.m. celebration
of life, La Grande Naza-
rene Church.
Dec. 11 — JIM
Phillip Camron Miller
Margaret Mary Rimbey
August 25, 1939 - November 13, 2021
July 27, 1921 - December 2, 2021
Holiday bazaar
supports Grande
Ronde Academy
LA GRANDE — Hand-
made with a Heart, a
“Christmas craft bazaar,”
takes place Saturday, Dec.
11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at
Grande Ronde Academy,
507 Palmer Ave., La
Grande. All proceeds go to
support GRA, a nonprofit,
nondenominational Chris-
tian private school.
reported criminal mischief on
the 1100 block of Washington
Avenue. Officers responded
and counseled two people.
5:26 p.m. — La Grande
police received a report of
an abandoned vehicle at Jef-
ferson Avenue and Fir Street.
An officer responded, found
the car was out of gas and
resolved the situation.
6:54 p.m. — A caller
reported the theft of a vehicle
from a residence on the 1300
block of O Avenue, La Grande.
Officers
responded
and
attempted to find the vehicle.
7:59 p.m. — La Grande
police responded to the 600
block of 20th Street on a report
of a suspicious person. An offi-
cer counseled one person.
TOOKE: 1 p.m. memorial
service, American Legion
Post 43, La Grande.
Dec. 12 — PHIL
MILLER: 3 p.m. memo-
rial service, Daniels-Knopp
Life Celebration Center, La
Grande.
Dec. 13 — VERNON
VALIANT: 11 a.m.
funeral, former Union
Methodist Church.
Dec. 19 — MARY
REEDER: 1 p.m. cele-
bration of life, La Grande
Nazarene Church.
Jan. 15, 2022 — JIM
LUNDY: 2 p.m. memo-
rial service, Gilbert Center,
Eastern Oregon University,
La Grande.
— calendar courtesy of
Loveland Funeral Chapel
Phillip Camron Miller, 82, of La Grande, died No-
vember 13, 2021, at Grande Ronde Hospital. A memo-
rial service will be held on Sunday, December 12, 2021
at 3:00 p.m. at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation &
Life Celebration Center.
Phil was born August 25, 1939 in Ontario, Oregon,
to Elizabeth (Bessie) McCabe Miller and Robert (Bob)
Miller. He was preceded in the family line-up by two
older sisters; Mary Kay Miller (Raftery) and Rober-
ta Miller (Borgonovo), and followed by a younger
brother; Francis (Frank) Xavier Miller. In 1979 Phil
met Edda Schiller in La Grande. They got married and
spent 42 years together. He has 3 step-children; Dawn
Schiller, Terry Curtiss and Wayne Schiller. Phil was a
family man and deeply devoted to his wife, children,
and great-grandchildren. His grandchildren; Jeremy
and Christopher Smith, Chelsie and Matthew Schil-
ler-Curtiss were like his own children and he helped
raise them in every aspect of their life. Phil loved all his
grandchildren; Jade Bristol, Selina Carolson and Nicole
Schiller; and many great-grandchildren. His sisters,
many nieces and nephews have many fond memories
and will miss him very much.
Phil moved to La Grande from Ontario when he was
four years old. He graduated from La Grande High
School in 1957. He was recruited to play football for
Coalinga junior college in Coalinga, California. After
two years he returned to La Grande to attend Eastern
Oregon University where he also played football and
graduated in 1961 with a bachelor’s in business. During
the Vietnam War, Phil, enlisted in the Marine Corps,
and attended officer candidate school in Quantico,
Virginia. After receiving his commission, he was sent to
Okinawa for his tour of duty. After leaving the Marine
Corps, he attended the University of Oregon earning
his master’s degree. He returned to La Grande, a city he
loved and never wanted to leave. Phil worked for Union
Pacific railroad for a short period. He ran Cass’s Bar
and Grill on Island Avenue for several years. Phil then
worked for Terry Trailers for over 30 years where he
eventually retired. His love for kids and sports led him
to volunteer to coach Optimist football and softball for
many years. Phil was always willing to go above and
beyond for his family and friends. He was a very hum-
ble man, never talking about himself, instead always
pointing out others strengths.
Margaret Mary Rimbey died Thursday,
December 2, 2021 in her own home, sur-
rounded by her family. She was born Mar-
garet (Margy) Mary McGinty on July 27,
1921, in Wallasey, England, to Peter and
Charolette (Welch) McGinty. At 100 years
of age, she amazingly still had her natural
dark hair as well as her British citizenship.
She was active enough to enjoy celebrating
her 100th birthday at her daughter Pam’s
house in La Grande, which included all
her family, many coming from hundreds of
miles away and receiving a beautiful letter
from Queen Elizabeth II commemorating
the date.
Margaret grew up the only girl in a
house with 5 brothers and enjoyed an idyl-
lic prewar childhood until losing her father
at age 15. During the war, she worked
at the telephone exchange in Liverpool,
which carried great responsibilities due to
the harrowing times. She survived bomb-
ings, endured rationing, and blackouts.
Bravery was forced upon the citizenship
and she often told the story that when the
air raid sirens went off while she and her
young girlfriends were enjoying a night
at the cinema, they refused to let that
“damn Hitler” take away a fun night out,
but instead chose not to go to the nearest
underground shelter for safety but to stay,
watching the film to its end.
During this time, she met Raymond
Rimbey, a handsome young US soldier
from La Grande, who made one of their
dates more memorable by accidentally
following her like a lovesick pup into
the women’s loo. They were married in
England at the end of the war in 1945 and
Margaret came to live the rest of her life in
La Grande with Raymond until his death
in 2011.
Margaret was only able to return to visit
her English family once in 1949. Decades
of homesickness was tempered with her
appreciation for the endless days of beauti-
ful blue skies that frame the Grande Ronde
Valley of Eastern Oregon.
Margaret loved being a homemaker and
a mother and grandmother. She shared
her British love of tea, eggcups, and British
X-mas pudding (really cake) and Cadbury
biscuits (really cookies).
Her three children and her six grand-
children, each in tum, enjoyed their time
curled up with a book near her as she filled
their ears and hearts with her beautiful
north England accent. A hearty English
breakfast and a house filled with the aroma
of fresh baked rolls was the norm and the
expected.
Margaret gave birth to three Yankee
children who murdered the kings English
on many an occasion. She was a generous
mother. She gave the oldest, Peter, while in
grade school, a microscope and a chemis-
try set (much to the dismay of his sister);
she gave her middle child, Patricia, her gift
of gab (much to the dismay of her brother);
and she gave her youngest, Pamela, a love
of X-mas, filling her house with light and
beauty and sometimes two trees.
Margaret displayed unconditional
love for all six of her perfectly wonderful
grandchildren who filled her with warm
memories that followed her into old age. A
bit of grandma will live on in each of them:
Elizabeth’s dedication; Christopher’s sense
of humor; Colette’s compassionate spirit;
Blake’s easy laugh; Max’s broad smile; and
Juliana’s love of animals.
Margaret is survived by her three chil-
dren; her son, Peter Rimbey of Seattle; her
daughter and son-in law, Patricia and Mal-
colm Gordon of Eugene; her daughter and
son-in-law, Pamela and David Henderson
of La Grande. She is also survived by six
grandchildren; Elizabeth Henderson Her-
man of Portland, Christopher Henderson
of La Grande, Colette Gordon of Portland,
Blake Gordon of Corvallis, Max Gordon of
Eugene, and Juliana Joy of Seattle.
She was deeply loved. She will be forev-
er missed.
Online condolences may be made to
the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.
com.