RECORDS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
MONDAY, FEB. 7
7:29 a.m. — La Grande police received
a complaint about harassment involving a
person who may be mentally ill. An offi cer
made contact and explained options.
9:24 a.m. — A caller reported the theft
of a vehicle from the 65000 block of Booth
Lane, Cove. A Union County sheriff ’s dep-
uty made contact and took a report.
11:38 a.m. — The Union County Sher-
iff ’s Offi ce received a complaint about a
person violating a restraining order on the
600 block of North Dewey Street, Union.
Deputies responded and arrested James
Michael Fitzpatrick, 31, for a restraining
order violation.
3:22 p.m. — La Grande police issued a
correction about the Feb. 1 arrest of Caleb
Austin Walker. Police reported he was cited
for reckless driving and not hit-and-run.
Police did not change information about
the charge of driving under the infl uence
of intoxicants.
3:53 p.m. — An Imbler caller reported
suspicious circumstances. A Union County
sheriff ’s deputy responded and counseled
the subject.
5:27 p.m. — La Grande police responded
to the 2000 block of Fourth Street on a
report of a suspicious person and resolved
the situation.
11:21 p.m. — La Grande police during
a fi eld interrogation at Eighth Street and O
Avenue arrested Tierra Catherine Prince, 29,
on warrants for failure to appear and addi-
tional charges of initiating a false report
and misuse of 911.
TUESDAY, FEB. 8
3:45 a.m. — La Grande police responded
to the 2000 block of Gekeler Lane on a com-
plaint about people being loud. An offi cer
counseled the subject.
11:34 a.m. — A caller on the 1200 block
of Hill Street, Cove, reported a dog bit
someone. An animal enforcement offi cer
made contact and took a report.
1:27 p.m. — A caller at Grande Ronde
Hospital, 900 Sunset Drive, La Grande,
reported identity theft. An offi cer made
contact and took a report.
2:42 p.m. — La Grande police received
a complaint about a possible sex crime. An
offi cer made contact and took a report.
4:07 p.m. — A resident on the 1200
block of Jasper Street, Cove, reported juve-
niles were harassing dogs. A Union County
sheriff ’s deputy responded but did not fi nd
the juveniles.
6:21 p.m. — La Grande police arrested
Terry Allen Higgins Jr., 45, on a restraining
order violation.
8:42 p.m. — A Union County sheriff ’s
deputy responded to a residence on the
200 block of North Main Street, Union, on
a report of a disturbance between a father
and son. The deputy took a report.
9:58 p.m. — La Grande police responded
to the 1900 block of Cedar Street on a
report of a disturbance involving an adult
brother and sister. The siblings separated
for the night.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
MEETINGS
• UNION — The Union
Rural Fire Protection
District Board will meet
Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m.
at the fi re hall.
For more information,
call 541-910-3114 or
email union.rfpd@outlook.
com.
BRIEFS
Suggested meal prices
increase at senior
center
• LA GRANDE —
Due to rises in the price
of goods and services,
the Union County Senior
Center, La Grande, in Jan-
uary increased the prices
of its weekday meal pro-
gram. Suggested dona-
tions are now $4 for
seniors age 60 and older,
and $7 for everyone
younger than 60.
The meals are served in
person at the center, 1504
N. Albany St., Monday
through Friday from
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Those who wish to eat the
meal on-site are asked to
use the front entrance and
observe social distancing.
To-go lunches may be
picked up between noon
and 1 p.m. at the kitchen’s
back door.
DEATH NOTICES
Melvin Collier
Feb. 12 — TY HALLGARTH: 1 p.m. celebration
of life, Elgin Stampede Hall (casual dress preferred,
cowboy hats encouraged).
Feb. 19 — WANDA LOWE: 1 p.m. memorial cele-
bration, Mountain Life Church, La Grande.
March 26 — JUDY HUNT: 3 p.m. celebration of
life, La Grande Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Please follow guidelines regarding face coverings
and social distancing at gatherings. Calendar courtesy
of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande.
La Grande
Melvin Collier, 68, of La Grande, died Feb. 8, 2022,
at his home. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral
Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Gary W. Lilleston
La Grande
Gary Wayne Lilleston, 70, of La Grande, died Feb. 7,
2022, at Grande Ronde Hospital. Arrangements are by
Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Della Gradella Heutzenroeder
Join book
club’s Black
History
Month
discussion
March 12, 1931 – February 2, 2022
The Observer
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Michael Ray Garrard
June 14, 1952 - January 17, 2022
Mike Garrard passed away on
Jan. 17, 2022, unexpectedly of nat-
ural causes, while on a walk near
his home. Mike was born June
14, 1952, in La Grande, Oregon,
to Martin and Harriet Girrard of
Perry, Oregon. They moved to La
Grande where Mike attended Wil-
low Elementary School and La
Grande Junior and Senior High
School, graduating in 1970.
Mike went to the U.S. Military Academy at West
Point, graduating in 1975. He retired as a major after a
career in the U.S. Army and settled in Oregon. In Au-
gust 2020, he moved to Washington to be near his chil-
dren and grandchildren.
Growing up Mike enjoyed playing baseball, earn-
ing the MVP award for La Grande High School base-
ball. He also enjoyed skiing, racquetball, video games,
visiting the Oregon Coast and spending time with his
family. Mike married Jane (Marlieb) and they had three
children. They later divorced.
Mike is survived by his daughter, Katherine (Brad)
Wright of Gig Harbor, Washington; son, Dr. Robert
(Tara) Garrard of Lake Tapps, Washington; and son,
James (Tamika) Garrard of Portland, Oregon; brother,
Rod (Patti) of La Grande; four grandchildren, Jessica,
Mathew, Ellie and Noah Wright; nephew, Logan Gir-
rard; and niece, Hilary (Brian) Dibble.
Mike was preceded in death by his brother, Gary,
and parents, Harriet and Martin.
At Mike’s request, there will be no services. Crema-
tion arrangements were under the direction of Hill Fu-
neral Home, Puyallup, Washington.
Annette Gracie Leckenby
UPCOMING
LOCAL
SERVICES
JOSEPH — The Josephy
Library’s book group will
meet virtually on Thursday,
Feb. 24, at noon to dis-
cuss “Kindred,” by Octavia
Butler.
The book — a Good
Morning America 2021 Top
Summer Read Pick — was
chosen in honor of Black
History Month.
According to the
Josephy Center’s website,
“The visionary author’s
masterpiece pulls us —
along with her Black female
hero — through time to
face the horrors of slavery
and explore the impacts of
racism, sexism and white
supremacy then and now.”
Here’s a synopsis: Dana,
a modern black woman, is
celebrating her twenty-sixth
birthday with her new hus-
band when she is snatched
abruptly from her home
in California and trans-
ported to the antebellum
South. Rufus, the white
son of a plantation owner,
is drowning, and Dana has
been summoned to save
him. Dana is drawn back
repeatedly through time to
the slave quarters, and each
time the stay grows longer,
more arduous, and more
dangerous until it is uncer-
tain whether or not Dana’s
life will end, long before it
has a chance to begin.
The livestream discus-
sion begins at noon. To
join the book group, go to
www.library.josephy.org/
book-group/ for the link and
passcode.
THE OBSERVER — A3
Josephy Center/Contributed Photo
The Josephy Library’s book
club will discuss “Kindred” by
Octavia Butler, at its February
meeting.
Della Gradella Heutzenroed-
er, 90, of La Grande, passed away
on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, at
Grande Ronde Hospital. At her re-
quest, there will be no service.
Della was born on March 12,
1931, in Boise, Idaho, to Aarel and
Bessie (Norton) Sexton. She mar-
ried Maurice Heutzenroeder.
Della is survived by her chil-
dren, Phyllis Dickerson, of Portland, Oregon, Sandra
Meyrick, of Spokane, Washington, Maurice Heutzen-
roeder, of La Pine, Oregon, Pamela Delarosa, of Hood
River, Oregon, and Debbie Hessard, of Gresham, Or-
egon; grandchildren, Nina Neely, Winter, Shannon,
Casey, Shawnie, Jason, Jesse, Allen, Susie, Alisa and
many more great- and great-great grandchildren.
Online condolences may be made to the family at
www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.
January 27, 1958 - February 2, 2022
Annette Gracie Leckenby, age
64, of La Grande, died Feb. 2,
2022, at Grande Ronde Hospital.
A celebration of life will be an-
nounced later by Daniels~Knopp
Funeral, Cremation & Life Cele-
bration Center. Those who wish
may make contributions in her
memory to St. Jude’s Hospital.
Annette was born on Jan. 27,
1958, the daughter of Earl and
Georgia (Crawford) Winer in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.
The family later moved to Lakeview, Oregon, where
she graduated from high school with the class of 1976.
She attended classes at Southern Oregon University to-
wards a music major and moved to La Grande in 1978
after she married Lloyd “Kevin” Leckenby in Reno,
Nevada. She was a mother of six, vice principal at the
Lighthouse School for many years and caregiver to her
mother. She loved gardening, football, especially the
Seahawks, cooking shows and cooking, especially en-
joying halibut, playing the slots and spending time with
children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Lloyd “Kevin”
Leckenby, of La Grande; children, Jason and Rosedy
Leckenby, of La Grande, Nathan and Mina Lecken-
by, of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Matthew and Brittany
Leckenby, of La Grande, Sarah and Tim Forsythe, of La
Grande, Amos and Ashley Leckenby, of La Grande, and
Dustin and Brandie Leckenby, of La Grande; 18 grand-
children; two great-grandchildren; sisters, Virginia
Wakem of Locksberg, Arkansasm and Penny Zaratem
of Island City; and other relatives and friends. She was
preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Linda
Miller, Larry Winer and Dewayne Winer.
Ty Yohn Hallgarth
August 20, 1968 - January 31, 2022
Arlan “AW” or “A-Dub” Wesley Taal
October 16, 1936 - February 1, 2022
Arlan Wesley “AW or A-Dub” Taal, age
85, of La Grande, passed peacefully Feb. 1
from natural causes.
Arlan was born October 16, 1936, to
Lester Lynn and Gertrude
Isabel (Swart) Taal in La
Grande. At the age of 3, he
moved briefly with his par-
ents to North Powder. They
eventually moved back to
La Grande, where he ended
up graduating at La Grande
High School with the class
of 1955. After graduation,
he briefly went to work for
Goss Motors in its parts de-
partment. He then hired on
at Union Pacific Rail Road
(UPRR) in water service.
In 1957, he was drafted into the U.S.
Army, where he was stationed in Anchor-
age, Alaska, and served two years with hon-
ors in the motor pool. He was always proud
to say that he was the requested choice to
drive a two-star general around during his
time of service. In 1959, he arrived back
home in La Grande and went back to work
for UPRR as a fireman, then worked his
way up to locomotive engineer, where he
remained until retirement in 1999, after 44
years of service. During this time, at the
age of 23 while working in Hermiston, he
met and eventually married Shirlee Upton
in August 1959. Soon after they welcomed
three of the best children ever born (so say
those same three children, who he bailed
out of trouble more times than he could
count). Many happy family times were
had over the years going to Wallowa Lake
with family and friends, and short-day ex-
cursions going huckleberry picking, mush-
rooming, shooting and riding motocycles in
the valley and the surrounding mountains.
In 1985, Arlan married Paula Beninten-
di and with her, opened The Sunspot, the
first tanning salon in Union County.
Spending time with his grandchildren
was Arlan’s favorite pastime and when
they couldn’t come stay with him, he made
many trips to Portland just so he could cel-
ebrate their special days with them. In his
later years, Arlan enjoyed reading western
and crime novels, which he shared back
and forth with his sister, Donna. He had
always found enjoyment in watching auto
racing, football and basket-
ball, both on TV and in-per-
son at local games when his
grand-niece and nephew
were participating. He had
a lifelong passion for auto-
mobiles, both new and old,
and spent countless hours,
weeks and even years, in a
labor of love, restoring the
original local A&W Drive-In
1950 Chevy pickup, which
won him numerous awards
(mainly peoples choice) at
car shows.
Arlan was a kind and caring person,
who was well loved by anyone who had the
good fortune to know him. He was always
willing to lend a helping hand to a friend or
neighbor and he did often. He had a great
sense of humor, which gave his family and
friends a lot of laughter and enjoyment over
the years.
He is survived by his children, Debbie
Larson, of La Grande, Julie Decker, of
Beaverton, Michael and Doris (Barrow)
Taal, of San Antonio, Texas; his sister,
Donna Hudson, of La Grande; his beloved
grandchildren, Justin, Katelynn, Whitney,
Courtney; and one great-grandchild, Eliz-
abeth; and nieces, nephews; and numerous
cousins.
He was preceded in death by a son, Mi-
chael Brett Taal; his brother, David Taal;
and both of his parents.
We love you so much Dad! Rest easy
and drive fast.
XOXO Debbie, Julie, and Jibber Jabber.
Arlan’s family is planning a celebration
of life for June 12, with the location yet to
be determined. Details to be forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be
made in his honor to the charity of your
choice.
Online condolences may be made to the
family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.
Ty Yohn Hallgarth, 53, of Elgin,
passed away on Monday, Jan. 31,
2022, at Saint Alphonsus Regional
Medical Center, Boise, Idaho. A cel-
ebration of his life will be held at the
Elgin Stampede Hall on Saturday,
Feb. 12, 2022, at 1 p.m. The fami-
ly prefers casual dress, and cowboy
hats are encouraged.
Ty was born on Aug. 20, 1968, in La Grande, Oregon,
to Larry and Janice “Jan” Rysdam Hallgarth. He was
raised in Elgin and attended Stella Mayfield Elementary
School, graduating from Elgin High School in 1987. He
married Iris Boise in 1994 and they later divorced.
Ty was employed with the Union County Public
Works Department as the maintenance supervisor. Prior
employers were Gail Williams Trucking, Fuller Automo-
tive, Terra Transportation and Rysdam Logging.
He was blessed with the natural ability to repair just
about anything, fabricating new pieces and parts. When
he was 14 years of age, he rebuilt his first engine.
During his school years the sports he loved and ex-
celled in were baseball and wrestling, and he won many
awards and medals. He loved the game of football and
was a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan from the time he was
6 years old.
Ty enjoyed hunting with his son, dad and brother,
weight training and being involved with the Elgin Stam-
peders. He was a member of the NHRA and the Elgin
Stampeders.
Ty’s deep love and dedication were to his son, Wyatt,
his parents, brother, nephew, Elgin Stampede family and
friends. Ty was most proud of his son, Wyatt. He never
missed a game or activity that Wyatt was involved in. He
made sure Wyatt had life skills and knew he supported
him 110% in everything he did. Ty was in his element
whenever Wyatt and his friends filled their home and he
was cooking for them or helping and teaching them to
work on their vehicles. He loved these kids and always
encouraged and cheered them on to do great things. He
loved with his whole heart from the depth of his soul and
would drop whatever he was doing to help family and
friends.
Ty is survived by his son, Wyatt; parents, Larry and
Janice Hallgarth; brother, Kyle Hallgarth; nephew, Tan-
ner Hallgarth; aunt, Sandra Clark; and uncles, John Hall-
garth and Arie L. Rysdam. He was preceded in death by
his grandparents, Arie and Marguerite Rysdam and Paul
and Reta Hallgarth; aunts, Mary Louise Rysdam and Jodi
Hallgarth; and uncle, Lloyd Clark.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be
made to the Elgin Community Bank to the Wyatt Hall-
garth College Fund.
Online condolences may be made to the family at
www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.