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.