RECORDS
Thursday, July 28, 2022
ThE OBsErVEr — A5
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
MONDAY, JULY 25
10:27 a.m. — A caller reported someone littering on the 500
block of Alder Street, Cove.
3:05 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the Integrated Ser-
vices Building, 1607 Gekeler Lane, on a report of possible harass-
ment. An officer warned a person for disorderly conduct.
3:59 p.m. — A caller reported animal cruelty on the 100 block of
North Seventh Avenue, Elgin.
4:49 p.m. — A La Grande resident reported vandalism to a vehi-
cle on the 1500 block of 21st Street. An officer responded and took
a report.
8:38 p.m. — La Grande police responded to Denny’s Restaurant,
2604 Island Ave., La Grande, on a call about trespassing and arrested
a 26-year-old man for first-degree trespass and resisting arrest.
9:26 p.m. — La Grande police warned a homeowner on the 300
block of Fourth Street for disorderly conduct and an illegal burn.
TUESDAY, JULY 26
5:35 a.m. — A caller reported the theft of a vehicle from the
1800 block of Adams Avenue, La Grande. Police took a report.
10:16 a.m. — La Grande police received a complaint about a
disturbance and request for a welfare check at a residence on the
DEATH & SERVICE NOTICES
UPCOMING
LOCAL
SERVICES
The Observer, File
Filmmakers J.J. Hill and Liberty O’Dell discuss their film, “Out of
Character,” at the 2019 Eastern Oregon Film Festival in La Grande.
‘Cool’ Eastern Oregon
Film Festival seeks
volunteers, sponsors
The Observer
LA GRANDE — The
Eastern Oregon Film Fes-
tival, held in La Grande,
recently was named one of
MovieMaker’s 25 Coolest
Film Festivals of 2022. The
annual list recognizes festi-
vals that go out of their way
to be innovative, welcoming
and simply cool, according
a press release from the
organizers of EOFF.
“We strive to create a
unique and memorable
experience for our visiting
filmmakers,” said Chris-
topher Jennings, EOFF
director, in the release.
“The artist experience is
key to building a network
of talented alumni who
not only want to submit to
and participate in the fes-
tival but who can also see
the beauty, history, char-
acter and depth the Grande
Ronde Valley has to offer
in the way of storytelling.
Seeing past EOFF attendees
return to make movies and
engage in project develop-
ment in our community is a
highlight of our efforts.”
Eastern Oregon Film
Festival will celebrate its
13th annual event Oct.
20-22. Screening venues
include Eastern Oregon
University’s McKenzie and
Schwartz theatres, HQ (fes-
tival headquarters and cre-
ative venue in downtown),
The Lodge at Hot Lake
Springs and the soon to be
open renovated historic Lib-
erty Theatre.
The festival will serve up
a virtual program as well so
audiences from all over can
participate in viewing the
Official #EOFF2022 Selec-
tions. Program announce-
ments begin in August and
festival passes are available
to purchase now on the fes-
tival website.
The festival’s success
relies on volunteers year
after year. Opportunities
include helping spread the
word, rallying sponsors,
planning events and wel-
coming guests to the com-
munity. Learn more about
the festival at www.eofilm-
fest.com.
MovieMaker editor-in-
chief, Tim Molloy, said the
film festivals on its list are
“cool in the sense of ‘Whoa,
that’s cool!,’ but also cool
in terms of people being
relaxed and nice to each
other.”
Charles W. Campbell Sr.
Cove
July 30 — TINA HOWELL: 10 a.m. memorial
service, Elgin Community Center (casual dress pre-
ferred); a potluck follows the service.
July 30 — MILDRED McMURPHY: 10 a.m.
memorial service, La Grande Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints Stake Center.
July 30 — MIKE RUTH: 11 a.m. celebration of
life, Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Cele-
bration Center, La Grande; food and fellowship follows
at Island City City Hall.
July 30 — DOUG TRICE: 1 p.m. celebration of
life, Pioneer Park Pavilion; ceremony will include a
ribbon cutting ceremony for the field named in his
honor.
July 30 — TIFFANY GIRRARD: 1:30 p.m.
Rosary, 2 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial, Our Lady of
the Valley Catholic Church, La Grande.
July 30 — CLARENCE WILSON: 2 p.m. cele-
bration of life, Lighthouse Pentecostal Church, Island
City (casual dress preferred).
Aug. 5 — JOHN CEDERHOLM: 2 p.m. funeral,
La Grande Church of the Nazarene (casual dress pre-
ferred); graveside service immediately follows at Hill-
crest East Cemetery, La Grande, then a celebration of
life at the McIntosh Barn, 62576 Leffel Road.
Aug. 20 — DORIAN ‘DORN’ COX: 2 p.m. grave-
side service, Union Cemetery (casual dress preferred);
a barbecue follows at Georgia Cox’s home.
Sept. 3 — NYLE ROLLINS: 1 p.m. celebration of
life, Fred Beeman Park, Island City.
Sept. 4 — JEFF BOND: 1 p.m. celebration of life,
Lone Hawk Ranch, 57899 Hwy 237, Union.
Charles Wentworth Campbell Sr., 87, of Cove, died
July 25, 2022, at his residence. Arrangements are by
Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Audrie Chandler
Elgin
Audrie Chandler, 84, of Elgin, died July 22, 2022, at
her home. Arrangements are by Daniels-Knopp Funeral,
Cremation & Life Celebration Center, La Grande.
Dorian ‘Dorn’ D. Cox
Union
Dorian “Dorn” Denny Cox, 82, of Union, died May
16, 2022, at Grande Ronde Hospital. A graveside ser-
vice will be held Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Union Ceme-
tery. A barbecue will follow the service at Georgia Cox’s
home. Casual dress is preferred by the family. Arrange-
ments are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La
Grande.
Bernice J. Craft
La Grande
Bernice J. Craft, 88, of La Grande, died July 16,
2022, at a local care facility. Arrangements are by Love-
land Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Richard R. Deckert
Union
Richard R. Deckert, 80, of Union, died July 26, 2022,
at his residence. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral
Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
— Calendar courtesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande
Leland H. Fries
Formerly of La Grande
OBITUARY AND DEATH NOTICE POLICY
OBITUARY PACKAGE • Paid • Advertising formatting
• Offering three, templated options featuring one full-color photo*
2 column x 5” (approx. 150 words) ...............................$79.50
2 column x 10” (approx. 350 words) ...........................$159.00
3 column x 10” (approx. 575 words) ...........................$238.50
• Obituaries following the templated format are available in other sizes for $7.95 per
column inch. Obituaries formatted outside of the set templates will be billed at the
publishing newspaper’s open rate.
*Size may vary. Please contact us for a quote.
• Package includes: Obituary in the print edition on the publication day of your choice,
within deadline. Featured on the publishing newspaper’s website free of charge. Publishing
newspaper will also provide 5 complimentary copies of the newspaper (additional copies
$1.50/each). Place your obituary in a sister publication at a 25% discount.
• Paid obituary information should be ready for print prior to submission.
Leland H. Fries, 77, formerly of La Grande, died July
25, 2022, at his residence in Ellensburg, Washington.
Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Cre-
matory, La Grande.
Gwendolyn Springer
La Grande
Gwendolyn Springer, 71, of La Grande, died July 26,
2022, at Legacy Meridian Park Hospital in Portland.
Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Cre-
matory, La Grande.
Micheal Ray Ruth
September 19, 1942 - July 19, 2022
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Donna Lu Bingham Williamson
December 8, 1928 - July 8, 2022
Donna was born to Von and Lucille
McClellan Bingham in Lehi, Utah.
When she was 3 years of age, during the
Depression, her McClellan grandparents
paid a member of the LDS church $5 to
bring Lucille, Donna and year-old Anna
to Union from Salt Lake City where they
went for the LDS conference. Von soon
joined the family here and was able to gain
employment as a sheepherder. He became
a true Oregonian - farming, logging and
owning the farm in the Hot Lake area.
Lavon was born in 1935 and the family
grew to five.
Donna and her sisters were raised as
farm girls doing the chores, milking cows,
driving the team of horses on the hay
wagons and the horse on the derick when
stacking hay. Donna always liked to tell
the story that she and Anna Lee earmarked
two animals so that Dad would know what
animals he owed them.
Donna preferred doing inside work
and did her share of babysitting, cleaning
houses, caregiving, waitressing, etc. She
attended Union High School and diligently
pursued and excelled in home ec, business-
related courses and music classes. She
spent the summer before her senior year
with her aunt in Portland and gained some
work experience in the “big city.” During
her senior year she was given charge of the
music department as the instructor had left.
She did a commendable job, and music in
her church work also was rewarding to her.
She finished her senior year and graduated
as valedictorian of her class.
Donna married Robert K. Williamson
in July after graduation. She worked for
Jack Crook in the McCaslin Lumber
Company, which later became Bronson
Lumber Company. This began her career
in the business world, moving on to
working for many businesses and as a self-
employed bookkeeper/accountant and tax
preparer. She was able to help support her
family through all the years with never
having enrolled in college. She instilled
in her children that you learned to apply
yourself and do the best you could whether
or not you went to college. However,
she encouraged them to attend college or
learn by doing and taking advantage of
opportunities to gain marketable skills.
600 block of 18th Street. An officer responded and found the indi-
vidual was fine.
3:29 p.m. — A resident on the 1900 block of Cove Avenue, La
Grande, reported harassment. An officer responded and warned
two people for harassment.
6:50 p.m. — Law enforcement responded to the 700 block of
North Bellwood Street, Union, on a report of a domestic distur-
bance and separated the parties.
8:59 p.m. — A caller at GrandeScapes Nursery and Landscap-
ing, 11001 Island Ave., Island City, reported someone walking in
traffic. Law enforcement responded and arrested one person.
Donna and Bob lived in Union, La
Grande and other places and had five
children: one girl and four boys. With
Bob working construction she was often
the primary parent in the home. In 1961-
62 Bob worked in Idaho, building a
Titan missile base. Upon completion, the
company relocated to Arkansas and Bob
transferred with the company. Donna and
the family soon joined him in Arkansas
and the family spent many years there.
Later, when three of their boys had
relocated to Texas and started their own
business, Donna and Bob also moved
to Texas, where they lived for the rest of
their lives. During those years they were
very busy with their family and church
activities. They welcomed three nephews
from Oregon to come to Texas and work
with the family business, and Donna served
the aunt/mother role that was appreciated
by her sisters in Oregon.
Donna’s family was always very
important to her, and losing her two
youngest sons far too early was
heartbreaking. However, she continued to
be there for all her children, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren. Her beautiful
handiwork is treasured by all of her family
and she lives on in all of our memories.
Donna leaves behind one daughter,
Lee Ann Buell (David); two sons, Robert
(Linda) and Ronald (Debbie); two
daughters-in-law, Becky Waddle and
Diane Williamson; 26 grandchildren and
96 great-grandchildren; sister, Lavon
Bingham Hall; and numerous nieces,
nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her
parents; husband, Bob Williamson;
two sons, Mike Williamson and Von B
Williamson; two grandchildren and three
great-grandchildren; sister, Anna Lee
Bingham Blacker; and one niece and two
great-nephews.
The original obituary can be read at
www.lucasfuneralhomes.com (scroll down
to the tributes).
If anyone lived an exemplary life, it
truly is my “big/little” sister, Donna Lu
Bingham Williamson. In loving memory,
Lavon Bingham Hall
Micheal R. Ruth, 79, of La Grande, died
Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at his home.
A celebration of his life will begin at 11
a.m. Saturday, July 30, at Daniels-Knopp
Funeral, Cremation &
Life Celebration Center
on Seventh Street in
La Grande. Friends
and family are invited
to gather at the Island
City Hall for food and
fellowship following
the service. Private
interment will be held
later at the Summerville
Cemetery.
Mike was born Sept.
19, 1942, in Perry, the
son of James Ruth and
Gusta (Fowler) Hall.
He grew up attending
schools in Perry and La
Grande and spending
summers in Crescent
City, California. In
1959 he entered the U.S. Air Force and
was stationed at Larson Air Force Base in
Moses Lake, Washington. He served as an
MP and part of his duties included training
police dogs. After his honorable discharge
he married Patricia Willis in La Grande on
Nov. 11, 1964.
Mike was very skilled and capable of
doing nearly anything that needed done.
He worked for Prudential Insurance,
Trotter’s Men’s Wear and Western
Business University. He managed
the House of Magic Department
Store and later Rosedale Fiberglass
Manufacturing Company, the Donut
Factory and Oak Street Mobile Station.
He worked at Daniels Funeral Chapel
and was part owner and property
manager for the former Montgomery
Ward building. He worked for the
Oregon Department of Transportation
on the striping crew before starting his
business, PM Lighting, a commercial
lighting consultant and contractor,
which he operated until his retirement.
Mike was a member of the Elks
Lodge and the La Grande Country Club
as well as a devoted member of many
coffee groups at various restaurants
throughout the years, primarily
DeBorde’s Cafe, the Farmhouse and
the Smokehouse. He was an avid
Green Bay Packer fan. Mike was
very involved and supportive with his
children and grandchildren in Scouting
and Little League and all their activities.
Surviving relatives include his wife
of 57 years, Patricia “Pat” of La Grande;
children, Cindy Shultz of McMinnville,
Debbie and Tom Barlitt
of Davies, Florida, and
Craig and Joan Ruth
of Evans, Washington;
grandchildren, Nicole
and Weston, Micheal
and Cassie, Ryan,
CJ, Ashley, Brandon,
Dustin and Collin; five
great-grandchildren;
siblings, Bunny, Steve
and Amber, all of
Perry, and Kenneth and
Belinda of La Grande;
and his beloved dog,
Benji.
He was preceded
in death by his father,
James Ruth; mother,
Gusta Hall; stepfather,
Kenneth Hall; brother,
Jim Ruth; and sister-in-law, Linda Ruth.
Contributions in memory of Mike
Ruth may be made to the Blue Mountain
Humane Association, 3212 Highway 30,
La Grande, OR 97850.