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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 2022)
RECORDS Thursday, February 17, 2022 The ObserVer — A5 MILESTONES Steve and Linda Howland’s 50th anniversary Contributed Photos Joan Bright’s 100th birthday Steve and Linda Howland will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, Feb. 19. They were married in 1972 in Boise, Idaho, and have two children, Tonya Williams and Paul (Elainna) Howland. They also have been blessed with six grandchildren: Joey Matthews, Megan and Austin (Matthews) Cousineau, Brielle and Brooke Howland, and Derek and Logan Williams. Due to COVID-19, a small family celebration will be held in the spring or summer. Cards may be mailed to P.O. Box 254, Cove 97824. COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD La Grande pool closed most of day Feb. 18 LA GRANDE — Due to staff availability, Veterans’ Memorial Pool, La Grande, will be closed on Friday, Feb. 18, for every time slot except for the 5:30-7:30 a.m. lap swim. Celebrate ‘Dead of Winter’ at Side A LA GRANDE — Side A Brewing is once again cel- ebrating the dark days of winter with a special festival. The Dead of Winter Festival is happening Saturday, Feb. 19, from 6-9 p.m. on the back patio of the brew pub, 1219 Washington Ave., La Grande. There will be lawn games, bonfires, small bites food, and Travis Hansen’s “famous Side A Chili.” Also available will be tours of the brewery and six special beers — three from Side A and three surprise brews from breweries along Contributed Photo Doreen “Joan” Bright, a longtime Union County resident, was born Feb. 19, 1922, in Enterprise. She will celebrate her 100th birthday with friends and family at Riverside Park, La Grande, on June 18. In the meantime, cards are welcome and may be mailed to Joan at 2212 Cove Ave., Apt. E109, La Grande 97850. DEATH NOTICES the West Coast. There is no cover for the festival, and all ages are welcome. The Dead of Winter Festival will be separate from normal dining in the pub. Since this is held all outside, attendees are encouraged to dress warm. To stay updated on Side A events, visit the Facebook page or go online to sideabeer.com. GRH Auxiliary meets Feb. 21 LA GRANDE — The Grande Ronde Hospital Auxil- iary will meet on Monday, Feb. 21, at Island City City Hall. Refreshments will be available at 9 a.m. and the meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. Anyone interested in becoming an Auxiliary member is welcome to attend. — The Observer Doug Batten Enterprise Doug Batten, 74, of Enterprise, died Feb. 11, 2022, at St. Charles Medical Center, Bend. Arrangements are by Bollman Funeral Home, Enterprise. Stephen Hamblin Formerly of Imbler Stephen Hamblin, 73, of Richland and formerly of Imbler, died Feb. 15, 2022, at his residence. Arrange- ments are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande. Ruby G. Wren La Grande Ruby Geraldine Wren, 93, of La Grande, died Feb. 3, 2022. Arrangements are by Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home, Milton-Freewater. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT MONDAY, FEB. 14 12:43 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the 2400 block of R Avenue on a com- plaint about a disturbance and took a report. 10:08 a.m. — A caller reported a burglary at a home on the 1800 block of 26th Street, La Grande. An officer responded and took a report. 12:13 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 2400 block of Depot Street on a com- plaint about trespassing. Police arrested Joshua Caleb Meier, 33, for violating a restraining order. 12:23 p.m. — A caller on the 400 block of Second Street, La Grande, made a complaint about a barking dog. An ani- mal enforcement officer made contact and explained options. 3:14 p.m. — La Grande police received a complaint about a motor home on the 500 block of Second Street. An officer responded and had someone move the motor home. 4:03 p.m. — An Elgin resi- dent reported identity theft. A Union County sheriff’s deputy made contact and explained options. 11:24 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Office received a report about a car prowler on the 700 block of North Eighth Avenue, Elgin. A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded and found this was a case of miscommunication. TUESDAY, FEB. 15 9:06 a.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Office received a report of possible child abuse in Island City. A deputy made contact. 9:20 a.m. — La Grande police received a request for a welfare check. An offi- cer responded and provided assistance. 10:28 a.m. — A caller on the 500 block of F Street, North Powder, reported an aggres- sive dog was loose. An ani- mal enforcement officer made contact and would provide an extra patrol. 3:37 p.m. — A caller reported cows on the loose on the 700 block of West Grande Street, Union. The cows were rounded up and owner advised. 5:14 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of van- dalism to a vehicle at a resi- dence on the 1800 block of G Avenue. An officer made con- tact and will follow up. 5:53 p.m. — A caller reported a child was sleep- ing on the sidewalk on the 700 block of North Eighth Avenue, Elgin. A Union County sheriff ’s deputy made contact and the child had returned home. The deputy explained options. 6:45 p.m. — A caller made a complaint about careless four-wheelers riding on the street at North Bellwood and East Beakman streets, Union. 7:41 p.m. — Local law enforcement responded to the 2400 block of Riddle Road, La Grande, on a report of a dis- turbance. Police arrested Cody Lawrence Haycock, 33, of La Grande, for harassment, sec- ond-degree disorderly con- duct and attempted assault on a public safety officer. 7:45 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of a male in the middle of the road on Island Avenue trying to urinate on cars. An officer responded but did not find a suspect. UPCOMING LOCAL SERVICES Feb. 19 — TRUDY YEARGAIN: noon graveside service, Union Cemetery. Feb. 19 — WANDA LOWE: 1 p.m. memorial cele- bration, Mountain Life Church, La Grande. March 11 — GEORGE RUSH: 10:30 a.m. memo- rial service, Catherine Creek Community Center, Union. 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. lagrandeobserver.com The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. www.eomediagroup.com Steven Screamingeagle Seneca January 20, 1956 – February 2, 2022 Steven Screamingeagle Seneca, 66, of Union, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, at his residence. At his request, there will not be a service. Steven was born on Jan. 20, 1956, in Portland, Ore- gon, to George and Clara (Smyth) LaMere. He resided in Klamath Falls, Veneta and Union, Oregon. He gradu- ated from Klamath Union High School and later attend- ed Oregon State University. Steven married Barbara Seneca. He served our coun- try while in the United States Army. Steven enjoyed gardening and dancing. In his young- er years, he enjoyed wrestling and swimming. Steven is survived by his mother, Clara Houck of Union, Oregon; sisters, Gina Coggins and Gloria LaMere; brothers, Jim LaMere, Glen LaMere, Raymond LaMere and Robert Houck Jr.; aunt, Helen Schriner; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Seneca, and stepfather, Robert Houck Sr. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com. George James Rush January 27, 2022 Trudy (Wilde) Yeargain Leonard George Spears March 21, 1941 – February 3, 2022 February 22, 1929 - February 9, 2022 Trudy Rae Yeargain, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away on Feb. 3, 2022, at 80 years old in Ea- gle, Idaho. She was born on March 21, 1941, in Union, Oregon, to par- ents Royal and Norine Wilde and attended school in Union, Oregon. Upon graduation Trudy moved to Boise, Idaho, and attended Links Business School. It is in Boise where she met Philip Yeargain as he was attending Boise Junior College. Tru- dy married Philip on Dec. 31, 1960, in Union, Oregon, where they started their lives together on the ranch. To- gether they had two sons, Brian and Monte. Trudy loved genealogy and working at the Union Cemetery. She was also very good at quilting. On our visits back to the ranch she was always busy in her yard and garden. Her “yard” was really like a huge field. She was meticulous with the care of her vegetable garden. It was always funny to see her chasing the deer away with the broom! She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Trudy is survived by her son Brian (Lisa) of Eagle, Idaho; five grandchildren, Hannah Ballard (Rich), Hai- ley Castillo (Dalton), Parker, Payton and T.J.; and seven great-grandchildren, Emmett, Ezra, Evelyn, Eden, Jon- athan, Elliott and Lydia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Philip Yeargain, and son, Monte Yeargain. There will be a graveside service on Saturday, Feb. 19, at noon at the Union Cemetery. Leonard George Spears, 92, of La Grande, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at a local care facility. A memorial service will be held at a later time. Leonard was born on Feb. 22, 1929, in Eugene, Oregon, to Leonard and Francis (Berry) Spears. The family moved to La Grande when he was 4 years old. Leonard attended schools in La Grande and Gem State Academy in Idaho. Leonard worked for Boise Cascade Corporation for 44 years. He retired in 1991. He was a member of the La Grande Eagles Lodge, of the La Grande Breakfast Li- ons and later of the Island City Lions. He was a member of the La Grande Elks Lodge #443, serving as Exalted Ruler I 1995-1996. He was named a district deputy to the national president of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks and served the Northeast District in Oregon 1999-2000. Leonard is survived by his sons, Robert (Kathy) Spears, William Spears, Douglas (Cheryl) Spears; sev- en grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria; parents, Leonard and Francis; step- mother, Marie; half brother, Wayne; brothers, Claude and Merle; and half sister, Miriam Griffith. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com. George James Rush went home to be with his Savior Jan. 27, 2022. He was 79 years old. George died of a heart attack, but in spite of the bad heart he liked to do a lot of living. George was the youngest of six children born to Lillian and Ar- thur Rush in Rushville, Nebraska. His family moved to Deer Lodge, Montana, in 1950. There he went to school and grew up. He married Nina Olsen, and they were married for more than 50 years and had two chil- dren: Betty Rush and Julie Rush. Later George and Nina moved to Union, Oregon. George was a musician, playing the violin, guitar and piano. He loved animals, especially horses. He was always helping people in need even when perhaps he needed it more himself. George loved God and wit- nessed for him all the time to those who would listen. He loved working with wood and a wide variety of con- struction/house projects. Preceding him in death were his parents, Arthur and Lillian Rush; his brothers, Bill and Tom of Deer Lodge, Montana; and his sister, Betty McBride of Baker City. He is survived by two sisters, Lilly Kostoff of Deer Lodge, Montana, and Tressie Fike of Superior, Montana. George loved living in Union, Oregon, and made many wonderful friends there. George will be missed greatly. There will be a service for him at the Catherine Creek Community Center on March 11, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. Contributions to help with expenses can be made at several local Union businesses and Carpenter’s House Church in Union.