RECORDS
TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022
THE OBSERVER — A5
‘Spring Fling’ to be revamped in Joseph
Wallowa County Chieftain
Contributed Photo
Musician Jimmy Bivens headlines
an outdoor music series in Joseph
this summer.
JOSEPH — A series of
concerts will take place
in downtown Joseph
most Wednesdays from
July 6 through Aug. 24,
headlined by Americana
musician Jimmy Bivens
and sponsored by the
Joseph Chamber of
Commerce.
The concerts will run
from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the
courtyard across Main
Street from Embers Brew-
house, Bivens said. There
will be no performance
July 27 — the week of
Chief Joseph Days.
He said he’s been asked
by the chamber to revise
the “Spring Fling” concert
series that usually takes
place downtown. The gui-
tarist plays Western swing,
blues, rock and more. In
a band situation, he often
does lead vocals and serves
as the front man.
“It’s mostly any kind of
music you can think of in a
troubadour style,” he said of
his song list.
A 10-year resident of
Enterprise, Bivens hopes to
draw more musicians to the
series.
“I want to support those
touring artists while mixing
in some local acts,” he said.
Bivens said the con-
cert series is being done
in honor and memory of
Henry Kinsley, who owned
and operated a shop in the
courtyard where it will take
place.
He often draws from the
audience to participate in
his performance.
“One of my fortes has
been to get someone from
the audience to come up
and play,” he said.
But the main goal is to
simply bring enjoyment:
“My fi rst goal is to enter-
tain people, to put smiles on
people’s faces.”
For a sample of Bivens’
work and to learn more, visit
www.jimmybivens.com.
This week at the library: LEGO contest and more
The Observer
LA GRANDE — Summer Reading
has begun at Cook Memorial Library,
2006 Fourth St., La Grande. This
free program is open to all ages, from
children to adults, and runs through
Friday, July 29. Sign up anytime.
The library will host a LEGO com-
petition on July 6 from 10:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. in the Community Room.
This is a free activity for ages 18 and
younger. Hobby Habit gift certifi cates
will be awarded to winners in four age
groups. LEGO pieces are provided
and creations will be on display in the
library through July.
Storytime will be held in the Story
Circle on July 7 at 10:30 a.m. with
songs, stories and a pinecone craft. The
special guest this week will be Teresa
Gustafson, Urban Forester with the
city of La Grande.
Teen Zen will be on July 7 at
3 p.m. in the Community Room. Led
by Kitia Chambers, this program
gives teens creative and fun ways to
de-stress. Teens will make a craft with
crystals during this fi fth and fi nal day
of the Teen Zen series off ered in part-
nership with Youth Alliance Union
County and Union County Safe Com-
munities Coalition.
Kid Craft Fridays are off ered from
3-4 p.m. for children ages 7-10. On
July 8, children will make a leaf rub-
bing painting with watercolors. Sup-
plies are provided.
Sing, dance and play during Camp-
fi re Sing-Along on Saturdays at
10:30 a.m. in the library’s Story Circle.
For more information on summer
events visit the library’s web, Face-
book, Instagram and Pinterest
pages; call 541-962-1339; or stop by
the library 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-
day-Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturdays.
DEATH NOTICES
Norman R. Gandy
La Grande
Norman R. Gandy, 67, of La Grande, died July 1,
2022, at a local care facility. Arrangements are by Love-
land Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Charles D. Lawson
La Grande
Charles D. Lawson, 73, of La Grande, died July 1,
2022, at a local care facility. Arrangements are by Love-
land Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Peggy L. Smith
La Grande
Peggy L. Smith, 75, of La Grande, died July 1, 2022,
at a local care facility. Arrangements are by Loveland
Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
UPCOMING
LOCAL
SERVICES
July 8 — DONNA JO FITZGERALD: 1 p.m.
graveside service, Hillcrest East Cemetery, La Grande.
July 9 — JANET ALLREAD: 10 a.m. celebra-
tion of life, Riverside Park Pavilion, La Grande (casual
dress preferred).
July 9 — MYRNA JOURNOT: 1 p.m. celebration
of life, Wallowa Assembly of God Church; interment
follows at Promise Cemetery.
July 9 — ART CANNON: 4 p.m. memorial,
Grange Hall, Flora; potluck follows.
July 30 — CLARENCE WILSON: 2 p.m. cele-
bration of life, Lighthouse Pentecostal Church, Island
City (casual dress preferred).
— Calendar courtesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande
Area college students earn degrees, place on honor rolls
EO Media Group
UNION AND WALLOWA COUN-
TIES — The following college stu-
dents from Union and Wallowa coun-
ties were reported to EO Media Group
as earning recognition for their aca-
demic achievements in the spring of
2022 or receiving a degree in their
chosen fi eld of study.
ALISHA BEIRL, Enterprise —
Weber State University (Ogden, Utah):
Academic Excellence, GPA of 3.50 or
higher.
MICHAEL DIGGINS, Wallowa
— Sheridan College (Sheridan, Wyo-
ming): President’s Honor Roll, GPA
of 4.0.
STACY DOUGLASS, Wallowa —
Oregon State University (Corvallis):
bachelor of sciences degree, animal
sciences.
CLAIRE FARWELL, Enterprise
— Gonzaga University (Spokane,
Washington): President’s List, GPA of
3.85-4.0.
NATALIE GORHAM, Joseph —
Gonzaga University (Spokane, Wash-
ington): Dean’s List, GPA of 3.50-3.84.
ADDIE KILGORE, Joseph —
Oregon State University (Corvallis):
bachelor of arts degree, speech
communication.
AUBRINA MELVILLE, Enter-
prise — South Dakota State Univer-
sity (Brookings, South Dakota): Dean’s
List.
JORDAN NULL, La Grande —
Whitman College (Walla Walla, Wash-
ington): Academic Distinction, GPA of
3.50 or higher.
SOPHIA PETTIT, Cove — Weber
State University (Ogden, Utah): Aca-
demic Excellence, GPA of 3.50 or
higher; degree in child and family
studies.
SCOTT REMILY, La Grande —
Gonzaga University (Spokane, Wash-
ington): President’s List, GPA of
3.85-4.0.
ARIANNA SHUKLE, La Grande
— George Fox University (Newberg):
bachelor of arts degree, studio art.
SIERRA SMITH, La Grande —
Whitman College (Walla Walla, Wash-
ington): bachelor’s degree, psychology.
VICTORIA SUTO, Enterprise
— College of Saint Mary (Omaha,
Nebraska): President’s Honor Roll,
GPA of 3.90 or higher.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
MEETINGS
is open to the public. An audio option
also is available by calling 971-277-
1965 (meeting number: 147 137 168#).
• LA GRANDE — A reg-
ular meeting of the Union County
Board of Commissioners is slated
for Wednesday, July 6, at 9 a.m.
at 1106 K Ave., La Grande. Meet-
ings are open to the public in person
and via Zoom videoconference. The
agenda and access information may
be found at www.union-county.org/
commissioners/agendaminutes.
• LA GRANDE — The Northeast
Area Commission on Transportation
will hold its next meeting Thursday
July 7, 2022, from 9 a.m. to noon at
the Oregon Department of Transpor-
tation Region 5 Headquarters, 3012
Island Ave., La Grande. The meeting
BRIEFS
Help children cope
with divorce, separation
LA GRANDE — Learn how
divorce or separation impacts your
children and what you can do to help
them at a free online workshop off ered
from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 13.
The workshop is facilitated by Mary
Lu Pierce and sponsored by the Family
Law Advisory Committee. Sup-
port persons and community mem-
bers may also attend. Pre-registra-
tion is required. To sign up and for
Zoom access information, email your
name, mailing address, phone number
and the date of the class to tesla.sun-
derman@ojd.state.or.us. For more
information call 541-962-9500 ext. 42.
Terry LaMont to play at dance
LA GRANDE — Terry LaMont
will provide the music for a com-
munity dance on Saturday, July 9,
from 6-9 p.m. at the Union County
Senior Center, 1504 N. Albany St., La
Grande. Admission is $5, free for ages
12 and younger. The evening includes
a fi nger-food potluck.
— The Observer
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
FRIDAY, JULY 1
7:39 a.m. — A caller on the 2500 block of Fir Street, La Grande,
reported juveniles were starting a fi re. An offi cer responded and
took a report.
10:22 a.m. — La Grande police responded to Birnie Park on a call
about a suspicious person. Police arrested Jennifer Lucky, 24, of La
Grande, for driving under the infl uence of intoxicants.
2:12 p.m. — A resident on the 71000 block of Merritt Lane, Elgin,
reported the theft of a companion animal. A Union County sheriff ’s
deputy made contact and determined this was a civil situation.
7:44 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 200 block of Wil-
low Street on a report of a juvenile in a disturbance. Police took a
report.
8:49 p.m. — A caller in Elgin reported a dog bit someone. A Union
County sheriff ’s deputy responded and took a report.
10 p.m. — A resident on the 2800 block of Athens Court, La
Grande, reported a loud party. An offi cer responded and counseled
the parties.
SATURDAY, JULY 2
1:54 a.m. — A La Grande police offi cer observed a loud party on
Jakob Avenue and counseled the subjects.
10:07 a.m. — La Grande police responded to Fir Street and Jack-
son Avenue on a report of a domestic disturbance. Offi cers warned
two people for disorderly conduct and arrested a 26-year-old man
on a Baker County warrant with a charge of giving false information
to a police offi cer.
10:59 a.m. — A caller reported the theft of fuel on the 300 block of
Fourth Street, La Grande. An offi cer responded and took information.
11:42 a.m. — A Union County sheriff ’s deputy responded to
Gekeler Lane and Phys Road, La Grande, on a report a deer stuck in a
fence. The deputy freed the deer.
12:06 p.m. — A caller at Walmart, 11619 Island Ave., Island City,
reported animal cruelty.
9:33 p.m. — A Union County sheriff ’s deputy on the west end
of Adams Avenue, La Grande, assisted a motorist who had locked
themselves out of their car.
11:13 p.m. — A La Grande police offi cer responded to Adams
and Island avenues on a report of a fi ght. The offi cer arrested Jus-
tin L. Ransford, 25, for fi rst-degree kidnapping, harassment, resisting
arrest, stalking, menacing and second-degree disorderly conduct.
SUNDAY, JULY 3
8:35 a.m. — A caller reported an injured deer on the 2000 block
of Z Avenue, La Grande. A Union County sheriff ’s deputy responded
but did not fi nd the deer.
3:51 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the Orchard Motel,
2206 Adams Ave., on a report of a disturbance. Police warned one
person.
6:57 p.m. — A caller in the area of 57000 High Valley Road, Union,
reported fi nding a goat.
9:25 p.m. — A caller made a complaint about fi reworks on the
fi rst block of Depot Street, La Grande. An offi cer responded and
found the fi reworks were legal.
11:05 p.m. — La Grande police received the fi rst of several com-
plaints about fi reworks going off in town.
OBITUARY AND DEATH NOTICE POLICY
OBITUARY PACKAGE • Paid • Advertising formatting
• CONTACT: Devi Mathson, dmathson@lagrandeobserver.com • 541-624-6007
DEATH NOTICE • Free of charge • 150-word maximum in newspaper content style
• Includes name, age, town of residency and information about any funeral services or life
celebrations. • No add-ons available (photos, etc.).
• DEADLINE: 11 a.m. the day prior to publication
• CONTACT: Lisa Lester Kelly, lkelly@lagrandeobserver.com • 541-624-6019
Donna René (Koonce) Metzger
April 13, 1953 - June 26, 2022
Donna René Koonce was born to
Leona (Brice) Koonce and Frederick
Koonce on April 13, 1953, in North
Bend, Oregon. Donna spent her
childhood in North Bend and Coos
Bay, then later moved to Hillsboro,
where she graduated from HilHi in
1971.
Donna moved to Klamath Falls
later that year where she met her
future husband, Roland Metzger. They were married on
Dec. 9, 1971. The couple welcomed their first born, Sidra,
in August of 1973. The three moved around a little between
Nevada and Western Oregon. The trio became a quartet in
March of 1977, when they added Kai to the family. After
moving to La Grande in 1979, they added baby number
three, Kezra, in September of 1980. Donna and her family
moved back to Western Oregon in the spring of 1989, and
made their home there until 2017 when they moved east
again.
When the children were young, Donna was a full-time
mother. As they grew older, Donna returned to school and
finished her associate’s degree then began a career with the
Oregon Health Authority. She brought caring, compassion
and humor to her work, brightening the lives of coworkers
and ensuring the best medical care for Oregonians.
Donna always said, and made clear, that being a mom
and grandma was her greatest joy, but those who know her
understand that she was a woman of boundless love. Donna
took time to befriend countless people, offering her home,
a helping hand or a listening ear to those who needed it.
Over the years she ministered in the Union County Jail,
worked as a volunteer mentor for struggling teens and as
a day care helper at the YMCA, and packed and delivered
food to Salem’s unhoused with her church group.
While Donna was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in
her early 20s, being active was always extremely important
to her. Donna loved a challenge and even rode her bike 700
miles one summer. She had an amazing zest for life and
refused to let some silly disease get in the way of fun.
Donna lost her short battle with cancer on Sunday, June
26, 2022, in Walla Walla, Washington. She was surrounded
by her family.
Donna is survived by her husband, Roland Metzger
of Weston, Oregon; children, Sidra Metzger (John) of
Moultrie, Georgia, Kai Metzger (Lydia) of Independence,
Oregon, and Kezra Presleigh (Harley) of Salem, Oregon;
grandchildren, Kobe Metzger, Taegan Metzger, Kade
Metzger, Morgen Metzger, Titus Metzger, Kaison
Metzger, Nicholas Presleigh, Kashlin Metzger, Eli Stovall
and Taya Stovall; great-grandchildren, Koda Metzger,
Aniya Metzger and Kingston Matthews; siblings, Kay
Harley, Frederick D. Koonce II, Doug Barnett, Debra
Cheek, Mardi Heiberlin, Judith Ohlsen, Debra Stump and
Donald Koonce; and aunts and uncles, Rebecca Fields,
Judy Critchfield, Harold Brice and Ramona Rohrs.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Leona
Barnett, Harry Barnett and Frederick D. Koonce Sr., and
brothers, Michael Koonce and Terry Koonce.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 8,
2022, at the Christian Church in Athena, Oregon.