Saturday, december 11, 2021
COMMUNITY
BULLETIN BOARD
MEETINGS
• LA GRANDE — The La Grande Community Land-
scape and Forestry Commission meets Tuesday, Dec. 14,
at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom videoconference. For the meeting
link or other information, contact Stu Spence, Parks and
Recreation director, at sspence@cityoflagrande.org or
541-962-1348.
• LA GRANDE — A regular session of the La Grande
Rural Fire District Board will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec.
14, at the fire hall. For more information, call Kim George
at 541-910-3114.
• PENDLETON — A regular meeting of the Board of
Directors of the InterMountain Education Service District
will begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, at the IMESD,
2001 SW Nye Ave., Pendleton.
BRIEFS
Library shows free movie for teens
LA GRANDE — Cook Memorial Library’s Teen Mid-
Week Movie takes place the third Wednesday of the month
at 4 p.m. in the Community Room. The next film is on Dec.
15. The free gathering is open to anyone in middle school or
high school. Call the library at 541-962-1339 or visit www.
cookmemoriallibrary.org for the movie title and other activ-
ities for teens. Masks are required for indoor events.
Union’s food pantry open Dec. 17
UNION — The Union community food bank will be
open from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 17, at the Catherine
Creek Community Center, 667 N. Main St. The food pantry
is open to all on the third Friday of each month.
Wednesdays are bingo night in Union County
UNION, ELGIN — The Veterans of Foreign Wars High
Valley Post 4060 in Union has resumed hosting weekly
bingo games Wednesday evenings. All are welcome to join
in at the VFW Hall, 518 Main St. Doors open at 5 p.m., with
early-bird games at 6 p.m. and regular bingo at 7 p.m. The
last game of the evening is the jackpot, and organizers say
players could win up to $500.
For those on the other end of the valley, bingo games are
offered at the Elgin Community Center, 260 N. 10th Ave.,
hosted by the Elgin Lions Club on Wednesdays. Doors open
at 6 p.m., and games begin at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome.
RECORDS
tHe ObSerVer — A3
OBITUARIES
Christopher L. Schwebke
Robert Graffi
1980-2021
La Grande
Formerly of Enterprise
Christopher Lavern
Tracy Schwebke and wife,
Schwebke, 41, of La
Valerie, of Pasco, Wash-
Grande, died Dec. 5, 2021, ington; sister, Maryann
Younger and husband,
at St. Luke’s Medical
Jeremy, of Springfield;
Center in Boise, Idaho. A
two nieces and
celebration of
four nephews;
his life will be
great-aunts and
held at a later
great-uncles, Jan
date.
and Larry Bay-
Christo-
liss and Duane
pher was born
and Gay Zander;
Sept. 16, 1980,
aunts and uncles,
in La Grande,
Cinda McClure of
to Marc
Kent, Washington,
Schwebke
Jimmie and Lynn
and Anna
Schwebke
McClure of La
(McClure)
Grande, and
Schwebke.
Karen and Greg Balmer
He resided in La Grande,
Hood River and Yakima,
of Portland; and many
Washington. He attended
cousins.
grade school in La Grande
He was preceded in
and middle and high
death by his grandfa-
ther, Jimmie O. McClure;
school in Hood River. He
aunt, Ruthie McClure;
married Crystal Dufour.
step-grandfather, Loydd
Christopher was a chef
German; grandmother,
and enjoyed cooking and
LaWanna Schwebke;
canning. He also enjoyed
and grandfather, Harold
woodworking, building
Schwebke.
things, helping neighbors,
In lieu of flowers,
picking huckleberries, gar-
dening and target shooting. memorial contributions
He was an avid Blazers
may be made to the family
and Oregon Ducks fan.
to help with expenses in
Survivors include his
care of Anna Schwebke,
wife, Crystal; children,
P.O. Box 1334, La Grande
Trenton Schwebke, Skyler
97850, or to the Salvation
Schwebke of La Grande
Army Angel Tree Program
and Brendan Schwebke
(www.salvationarmynca.
of North Carolina; par-
org/angeltree).
ents, Marc and Anna
Online condolences
Schwebke of La Grande;
may be made to the family
brothers, Kruz Schwebke
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
of Klamath Falls and
Robert Graffi, 94, for-
merly of Enterprise, died
Nov. 20, 2021. A funeral
was held Dec. 2 and he was
placed next to Darlene L.
Graffi, the mother of his
children, at
the Enter-
prise Ceme-
tery. Arrange-
ments were
by Bollman
Funeral
Home,
Enterprise.
Robert
grew up in the
Graffi
Los Angeles
area, enjoyed
fishing and
bird hunting
with extended
family. His
interests were
art and music.
He learned
to play the
trumpet, cutting a record in
the process.
Robert enlisted in the
U.S. Army. While serving
he was sent to the Philip-
pines to destroy parts and
equipment after the war so
they didn’t fall into enemy
hands.
Robert worked for the
Los Angeles Department
of Water and Power. He
UPCOMING LOCAL SERVICES
Union County Senior Center lunch menu
Takeout meals: On Dec. 13-14, pick up 11:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. at front door; beginning Dec. 15, pick up meals
from noon to 1 p.m. at kitchen’s back door. Dine-in meals:
begins Wednesday, Dec. 15. Age 60+, $3 suggested dona-
tion; all others, $5.
DEC. 13-17
Monday: cheeseburger, fries, fresh fruit, pudding.
Tuesday: teriyaki chicken over rice, steamed green
beans, fresh fruit, cookie.
Wednesday: fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy,
salad greens, fresh fruit, dessert. No charge for lunch today
in celebration of return of in-person dining.
Thursday: Cobb salad, potato chowder, baked bread,
fruit, dessert.
Friday: Salisbury steak over noodles, steamed vegeta-
bles, salad greens, fresh fruit, dessert.
— The Observer
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 8
8:35 a.m. — La Grande police received a complaint about a
sex crime. An officer responded and took a report.
8:52 a.m. — A caller reported vandalism to a vehicle on the
1400 block of Adams Avenue, La Grande. An officer made contact
and took a report.
9:16 a.m. — La Grande police responded to a report of a bur-
glary at Self Service Furniture Warehouse, 2216 Adams Ave., and
took a report.
2:50 p.m. — A caller reported vandalism on the 1000 block of
Second Street, La Grande. An officer responded and will follow
up.
4:01 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of child
neglect. An officer responded and took a report.
5:42 p.m. — A caller reported a person with a flashlight was
walking around in fenced area on the 900 block of X Avenue, La
Grande. The caller then reported the person had left.
8:51 p.m. — A La Grande resident reported the theft of a vehi-
cle. An officer made contact and later determined the vehicle had
been repossessed.
11:44 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1300 block of
O Avenue on a report of a car prowler. An officer found a person
was looking for cans.
Connie K. (Mitchell) Driskell
1944-2021
La Grande
Connie Kay Driskell,
Survivors include her
77, of La Grande, died
husband, James Driskell
Nov. 29, 2021, at her home. of La Grande; son, Billy
Per her request, there
Driskell of La Grande;
will not be a service. The
daughters and sons-
family will host
in-law, Liz and
a BBQ later in
Frank Kee of
the summer of
La Grande and
2022.
Becky and Rob
Connie was
Williamson of
born Feb. 14,
La Grande; step-
sons, Randy
1944, in Mid-
land, Mich-
Driskell of
igan, to Ora
Moscow, Idaho,
Mitchell and
and James Dris-
kell and wife,
Mildred (Flans-
Driskell
burg) Mitchell.
Betty, of Crane;
She resided in
eight grandchil-
dren; and many nieces and
Michigan and in Tilla-
mook, Oceanside, Port-
nephews.
land and La Grande. She
She was preceded in
graduated from Tillamook death by her parents, Ora
High School in 1962 and
and Mildred Mitchell;
married James Driskell in
brother, Albert Mitchell;
1992.
and stepson, Craig
Connie owned Con-
Driskell.
nie’s Cafe from 1968-
In lieu of flowers,
1970 and later worked
memorial donations may
at White Stage, Winter
be made to the Blue Moun-
tain Humane Association,
Product and Grand Ronde
Knitt. She enjoyed sewing, 3212 Hwy 30, La Grande
97850, or the National
crocheting, fishing,
Multiple Sclerosis Society
camping, crafts, puz-
zles and games. She loved
at www.nationalmssociety.
animals, traveling and
org/donate.
going to Wildhorse. Her
Online condolences
favorite moments were
may be made to the family
spent playing with her
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
grandchildren.
THURSDAY, DEC. 9
12:14 a.m. — La Grande police received a complaint about
noise on the 1900 block of Second Street. An officer made contact
and explained options.
12:50 a.m. — A caller reported water coming up through the
cement on the 2100 block of Island Avenue, La Grande. Dispatch
contacted the city water department.
1:02 a.m. — Local emergency services responded to the area of
62200 Fruitdale Lane, La Grande, for a traffic crash involving inju-
ries. The Union County Sheriff’s Office took a report.
11:05 a.m. — La Grande police received a complaint about a sex
crime. An officer made contact and took a report.
1:42 p.m. — La Grande police received a complaint about a sex
crime. Police took a report for assault.
4 p.m. — A caller reported a stalking order violation on the
1700 block of Fourth Street, La Grande. An officer made contact
and will follow up.
10:35 p.m. — A resident on the 1600 block of M Avenue, La
Grande, reported a vehicle was blocking a driveway. An officer
responded and resolved the situation.
11:27 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 2900 block of
Depot Street on a report of a theft and trespassed one person from
the scene.
BIRTHS
GRANDE RONDE
HOSPITAL
BENNETT: Henry Glen Ben-
nett, born Nov. 23, 2021, to
Marie Christine Bennett and
Christian Glen Bennett, of Elgin.
Grandparents are Doug and
Diane Dalton and Larry and
Diana Bennett.
BRADEN: Madelyn Anne
Braden, born Nov. 23, 2021,
to Vanessa Renae Braden and
Landon Lee Braden, of La
Grande. Grandparents are Phyl-
lis and Wallace Johnson, Larry
Braden, and Lee and David
Manuel.
QUINN: Molly Quinn, born
Nov. 30, 2021, to Keri Ann Quinn
and Charles David Quinn, of La
Grande. Grandparents are Dale
and Susan Urbanski and David
and Joyce Quinn.
SPAIN: Weston King Spain,
born Nov. 16, 2021, to Karisa
Eve Marston and Frederick King
Spain, of La Grande. Grandpar-
ents are Pam and King Spain,
Michelle Watson, Douglas Wat-
son and George Marston.
DEATH NOTICES
Leroy V. Bushman
La Grande
Leroy V. Bushman, 95, of La Grande, died Dec. 9,
2021, at a local care facility. Arrangements are by Love-
land Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
June L. Miller
La Grande
June L. Miller, 70, of La Grande, died Nov. 29, 2021,
at Grande Ronde Hospital. A memorial service will be
held Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. at the Damascus Road Church,
La Grande. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral
Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Jimmy D. Runnels
North Powder
Jimmy D. Runnels, 67, of North Powder, died Dec. 9,
2021, at Grande Ronde Hospital. Arrangements are by
Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
retired after 33 years and
five months, following in
the footsteps of his father,
who worked there for 40
years. They both were chief
material procurement coor-
dinators providing
all materials for the
installation of trans-
mission lines in
the west part of the
country.
In 1949, Robert
married Darlene, and
they had two chil-
dren: Toni and Greg.
Robert and Darlene
lived in Enterprise,
where he owned a
60-acre ranch and
some horses and
cows. They became
snowbirds and
enjoyed the change
and traveling back
and forth. After Dar-
lene’s death, he mar-
ried Cecille, with whom he
continued the snowbird life.
Survivors include
his children, Toni Van
Slyke and Greg Graffi;
four grandchildren and
five great-grandchildren;
and second wife, Cecille
Sanders Graffi.
Memorial donations
may be made to Parkinson’s
research.
Please follow guidelines
regarding face coverings
and social distancing at all
gatherings.
Dec. 11 —
MARYANN STAHL:
1 p.m. celebration of life,
La Grande Nazarene
Church.
Dec. 11 — JIM
TOOKE: 1 p.m. memo-
rial service, Amer-
ican Legion Post 43, La
Grande.
Dec. 12 — PHIL
MILLER: 3 p.m.
memorial service, Dan-
iels-Knopp Life Celebra-
tion Center, La Grande.
Dec. 13 — VERNON
VALIANT: 11 a.m.
funeral, former Union
Methodist Church.
Dec. 18 — JUNE
MILLER: 10 a.m.
memorial service,
Damascus Road Church,
La Grande.
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
Patricia (Pat) Anne Lewis
November 27, 1930 - December 2, 2021
Patricia (Pat) Anne Lewis,
91, a long time North Powder
resident, passed away Thurs-
day, December 2, 2021 at Val-
ley View Nursing and Rehab
in Boise, Idaho. Pat was born
November 27, 1930 in North
Powder, Oregon, the daughter
of John Alexander Shaw and
Pearl Laurel (Wicks) Shaw.
Pat’s early years were spent
on the family ranch helping
her parents with livestock,
wheat harvest and haying. She
attended a one-room school house and went to school ei-
ther on horseback or riding in a sleigh during the winter.
Pat graduated from North Powder High School in 1949,
and attended Oregon State University in Corvallis until
December, 1950. That December, she married her high
school sweetheart, William (Bill) Lewis in North Powder,
OR. She joined him in running a family dairy with 220
Holstein cows until the 1970’s when they sold the cows
and focused on farming.
In addition to being the mother of five children and
helping with the farm, Pat became a talented artist focus-
ing on oil and watercolor painting. In 1969 and 1970, she
took classes from Treasure Valley Community College
and eventually enrolled at Eastern Oregon University in
the spring of 1980. Pat completed her degree in August,
1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Art. She exhibited her
work at various galleries around the state and continued
to paint and draw into her 90’s. During those years she
was active in Crossroads Art Center and chaired “Art-In-
The-Park” one year at the Miner’s Jubilee in Baker City,
OR.
Pat loved gardening and spent her summers growing
fruits and vegetables and abundant flowers. She started
her plants in a greenhouse attached to their home and
designed and created a beautiful yard. In the mid 1990’s,
she began growing mint plants in a commercial green-
house behind their home for transplant on the farm.
As a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother,
Pat delighted in the lives of her children and was known
to paint lovely cards for their birthdays. She was a hub for
the children and their children living around the country.
Grandchildren include; Alaina Lewis, Anya Lewis,
Ava Lewis, Jason Lewis, Stephen Lewis (Julie), Ash-
ley Lawson, Kristine Lawson, Alex Brown and Megan
Brown. Great-Grandchildren include; Everly Lewis and
Carson Lewis. Pat is preceded in death by her husband,
Bill in 2010 and her son, Stephen in 1958; and her sisters,
Margaret S. Rayburn and Jane S. Walch. She is survived
by her children; Greg Lewis, Douglas Lewis (Mary), Lisa
Lawson (Kerry), and Angela Brown (Don); and her sister,
Merrie Jacqueline Zimmerman.
A memorial service will be held in the spring at the
North Powder Cemetery with a celebration of life at
the North Powder Methodist Church. The date will be
announced at a later time.
Online condolences may be made to the family at
www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.