RECORDS
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
East Oregonian
Frank Sanford Cecil
Albert George ‘Al’ Riney
DEATH NOTICES
Spray
August 11, 1927-January 22, 2017
Heppner
April 15, 1925-January 12, 2017
Earl Dwayne Eickstaedt
Frank Sanford Cecil,
89, of Spray passed away
Sunday, January 22, 2017, at
his home with family by his
side. Funeral service will be
held Saturday, January 28,
2017, at 11 a.m. at the Spray
School gymnasium with
concluding service and burial
at Haystack Ceme-
tery. A potluck will
follow at The Rock
in Spray.
He was born at
Mt Vernon, Oregon,
on August 11, 1927,
to Ralph and Ruby
Dennison Cecil. He
said that he moved
back to Spray as a
yearling and lived
his life there.
Cecil
Frank attended
school in Spray
where he met Melba Caldera,
and they were married on
March 17, 1944. The couple
had two daughters, Jan and
Judy. Then their family
welcomed Kay Braseth and
Tim Wallawin, and later
eight other children joined in
who needed a home to finish
school in Spray. The door
was always open with their
love of young people.
He worked in logging, a
saw mill, for the state highway
and ranching. He loved riding
for cattle, hunting, butchering
and curing meat, boxing, ball
games and dances.
Frank was one of the first
members to start and build
the Spray Rodeo. He was a
member of the Spray Grange
and he served on the Spray
City Council as well as the
Wheeler County Budget
Committee.
Survivors include his
wife Melba of
Spray; daughters
Jan Stroeber and
her husband Don of
Heppner and Judy
Alford of Spray;
grandchildren
Shelley Hill and
her husband Mark,
Cindy King and
her husband Brett,
Christy Correa and
her husband Mike,
Jason Alford and
his wife Betsy and
Justin Alford; great-grand-
children Shelbi, Colton,
Makenzie, Cassidy, Morgan,
Sierra, Lilly, Keili and
Cheyanne; and many nieces,
nephews and their families.
He was preceded in death by
his parents, three brothers,
a sister, and his son-in- law
Wilbur Alford.
Memorial contributions
may be made to the Spray
Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box
155, Spray, Oregon 97874 or
the charity of your choice.
Sweeney Mortuary of
Heppner is in care of arrange-
ments.
Ronda M. Dyer Brockett
Hermiston
April 16, 1965-January 22, 2017
Ronda M. Dyer Brockett
was born on April 16, 1965, in
Hermiston, Oregon, to parents
Jerry and Loretta Moyer Dyer.
She died on January 22, 2017,
at her home in Hermiston,
Oregon, at the age of 51 years.
Ronda
was
raised and attended
schools in Herm-
iston, Oregon. She
was involved in
peewee rodeo when
she was growing
up and continued
rodeo as she grew
older, competing in
barrel racing. She
lived and worked
in Yakima, Wash- Brockett
ington, for a time
before returning to Hermiston,
Oregon, in 2003 where she
has lived since.
Ronda worked in quality
control at Riverpoint Farm,
Hermiston, Oregon, for
several years. She enjoyed
working in her yard, sewing,
crafts, and word search
puzzles. Ronda cherished
time with her grandchildren
and her family.
She is survived by her
husband Steven Brockett,
Hermiston, Ore.; sons Jeffery
Ough, Yakima, Wash., Joey
Ough, Spokane Valley, Wash.,
and Nicholas Ough, Yakima,
Wash.; parents Jerry and
Loretta Dyer, Hermiston, Ore.;
brothers Rick, Darrell, Duane
and Jerry Dyer, all of Herm-
iston, Ore.; sister Katherine
Ramirez, Hillsboro,
Ore.; grandchildren
Emma, Lilian, Terry
and
Christopher;
and
numerous
nieces, nephews and
cousins.
Ronda
was
preceded in death
by her niece, Mack-
enzie Jo Dyer, her
grandparents, and
several aunts and
uncles.
A
graveside
funeral
service will be held on Friday,
January 27, 2017, at 1:00 p.m.
at the Hermiston Cemetery,
Hermiston, Oregon.
Those who wish may make
contributions in Ronda’s
memory to Burns Mortuary
of Hermiston, P.O. Box 289,
Hermiston, OR 97838.
Please sign the online
condolence book at burns-
mortuaryhermiston.com
Burns Mortuary of Herm-
iston, Oregon, is in care of
arrangements.
Dennis Michael Gronquist
Arlington
February 16, 1947-January 23, 2017
Dennis Michael Gron- time as commissioner his
quist, 69, of Arlington died focus was on the people and
Monday, January 23, 2017, economic development. His
at a hospice facility in Kenne- quick wit, fairness and ability
wick, Washington. A funeral to work with anyone, despite
mass will be held on Sunday, party affiliation, made him
January 29, 2017, at 1 p.m. at popular amongst all who
the Arlington Grade School knew him.
The passing of Dennis
gymnasium.
Concluding
leaves a huge hole
service and burial
in many hearts; in
will follow at the
fact, Dennis lived
Arlington Ceme-
such a full and
tery. There will be
accomplished life
a potluck meal back
it is too difficult to
at the grade school
condense it all onto
following the grave-
a small section of
side service.
paper. He was the
He was born
February 16, 1947,
best father, brother,
at
Pendleton,
son,
grandfather,
Oregon, the son of
husband, friend and
Raymond John and Gronquist
partner in crime
Francis Geraldine
any of us could
Healy Gronquist.
have wished for. He
Dennis attended Riverside touched so many lives in such
High School where he met a positive way. The world is
his soon-to-be wife, Penelope a better place because of him.
Louise Fossey. Dennis and
Survivors include his long-
Penny were married on June time love Colleen Nuttbrock;
4, 1966, at Hermiston, and son Kelly Gronquist and his
the couple had two children, wife Shanna; daughter Megan
Megan Gronquist Proctor and Proctor and her husband
Kelly Gronquist
Bill; grandchildren Taylor
Dennis ran the Texaco Bauman, Jake Bauman,
Station in Arlington for many Casey Proctor, Kellen Gron-
years, but was always active quist and Colt Gronquist;
in local politics. As Arling- sister Karen Clough; brother
ton’s mayor he was instru- Keith Gronquist and his wife
mental in siting Columbia Barbara; numerous nieces
Ridge Landfill, which today and nephews; and his gray
employs 70 people. During cat. Dennis was preceded in
his time as mayor he worked death by his wife, Penny, and
closely with the Gilliam his parents.
County Court.
Memorial contributions
Following his stint as may be made to the hospice
mayor, Dennis became a of your choice, or to the
commissioner on the Gilliam Gilliam County 4-H.
South Court on which he
Sweeney Mortuary of
served for nearly 20 years Condon is in care of arrange-
until his death. During his ments.
Albert George (Al) Riney,
91, of Heppner, Ore., died
Thursday, January 12th at Mid
Columbia Medical Center, in
The Dalles, Ore.
Al was born
April 15, 1925, in
Monmouth, Ore., to
John and Corinne
(Pierce) Riney. He
attended
school
in Rickreall, Ore.,
and Oregon State
University. While
still in school, he
worked and lived
at a local dairy,
milking cows early
each morning before
leaving for school, to
help out his family
with income.
Riney
In 1942, at the
age of 17, during
World War II, Al enlisted
in the Marines and took his
jungle training in Pukai,
New Zealand, before being
assigned to the South Pacific
Theater. He served on Guadal-
canal and Okinawa. While on
Guadalcanal, he and his older
brother Anthol (Skip), a B-24
pilot, were stationed there at
the same time, spending time
together during the war. They
had a “special code” worked
out through their letters to let
each other know where they
were, as actual locations were
restricted by the military. It
helped always knowing where
each brother was during those
war years.
After the war and his
discharge, Al returned to
Oregon working with the
extension service at the
Oregon State Fair in Salem,
and the Pacific International
Show in Portland with 4-H
and FFA. Through his job,
Al was introduced to George
Webb, a wheat farmer and
cattle rancher, in Mayville,
Ore. George and his wife Vida
offered him a job working
for them. Al went to work
for them in 1948, moving to
Eastern Oregon and Mayville.
In 1949 Al married Peggy
Dean (Rice) Hayes. They later
divorced.
He worked for Red Leonard
selling farm equipment, and
various local jobs in Condon,
before becoming Condon’s
postmaster for 14 years, from
1962 to 1976. He went well
beyond his job description
as postmaster, delivering
packages and braving severe
weather conditions to make
sure the mail was delivered to
the post office and to its recip-
ients on at timely basis. He
always felt it was his job to do
the best for his customers, well
beyond what was required.
Al was very active in
community
organizations.
He was an EMT, and
ambulance driver for over
20 years and instrumental
in Condon receiving its first
used ambulance. He was a
volunteer fireman, hunter
safety instructor, 4-H leader,
and one of the oldest members
of the Elks, having received
his 50-year pin many years
ago. Also, he was a member
of Masons and Odd Fellows.
Fishing and hunting were
also enjoyable times for Al.
He helped his good friend, Bill
Flatt of Mid Columbia Bus
Company, drive bus for Boys
Scout groups to various events
around the United States,
and on group vacations trips
organized by Bill and his wife
Peggy. During these years he
also “helped” local farmers
and friends with animal needs,
as no local veterinarians were
available in the area. He was
called
“farmer’s
friend” as he was
always there to help
when needed in any
way he could.
In 1976, Al
moved to a very
old farm house
in Mikkalo, Ore.,
and started dryland
wheat farming. He
loved farming, and
farmed over 14,000
acres for 23 years
in the Mikkalo and
Condon area.
On
February
14, 1995, in Yuma,
Ariz., he married
Linda
(Shaffer)
Cejka, and they continued to
farm until his retirement in
1999. After his 1999 retire-
ment, he and Linda moved to
Heppner, Ore., and built Al’s
first new home, of which he
was very proud. He enjoyed
his retirement, still active in
Masons and Odd Fellows,
and served as director of the
Cemetery Board and Willow
Creek Golf Club. He had a
large woodworking shop in
his garage and spent many
hours “in his world” making
wood projects for his home
as well as others. He started
his own tradition of making
boot jacks for many of the
Ruralite Magazine’s featured
individuals, inlaying their own
brand if available, which he
personally delivered to them.
He enjoyed visiting with
all his friends, and with
others while getting the mail
or running errands. He also
loved his weekly poker group,
and said they had a lot of fun,
and no one got hurt no matter
how “sneaky” they all were.
He always said he enjoyed life
very much, what he was doing
every day, and very fortunate
to have all he had, and his long
life.
He was quoted as saying,
“The Lord won’t take me
and the devil won’t have me,
so you guys will have to put
up with me a while longer.”
Apparently, the Lord changed
his mind and wanted Al after
all, and took him home.
He is survived by his wife
of 21 years, Linda, at their
home; his daughter Deanna
Stinchfield and husband Rick
of Salem; son Steve and
wife Margaret of Prineville;
son David and wife Sara of
Condon; his nephews Dan
Riney and Chris Riney of
Eugene and Kent Anderson
and wife Lori of Condon;
and son-in- law Bob Smith
of Condon. Also, eight
grandchildren and numerous
great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death
by his parents; brother Anthol
(Skip); his daughter Susan
Smith; and sister-in- law
Dolores Kelly.
At his request there will be
no formal service. A remem-
brance of Al’s life will be held
later at his home. He will be
missed by caring family and
friends that he touched with
his life.
Donations may be made
in his name to the Morrow
County Ambulance Fund,
P.O. Box 9, Heppner, OR
97836.
Sweeney Mortuary of
Heppner is in care of arrange-
ments.
Billie Lee ‘Adams’ Earlley
Pendleton
July 5, 1936-January 15, 2017
Billie Lee “Adams”
Earlley, 80, a lifelong resident
of Pendleton, Ore., passed
away January 15 at
St. Mary’s Hospital
in Walla Walla,
Wash.
Billie was born
July 5, 1936, to
Lester and Ione
(Beidler) Adams in
Pendleton. She grew
up in Pendleton and
graduated from St
Joseph’s Academy
in 1954.
Earlley
She
married
Donald A. Wallace, also of
Pendleton, in December
1954. They had three chil-
dren. In 1995 she divorced
Don and married Lyle Earlley
of Pendleton in Stanfield, Ore.
She was widowed
in July 2001.
She is survived
by daughters Leslie
(Frank) Udy and
Teresa
(Marion)
Ness, and son Mark
(Shirley) Wallace,
all of Pendleton;
stepchildren Linda
(Kim) King, Alan
and Mary Earlley,
Rick Earlley and
Colleen
(Bill)
Taylor; four grandchildren;
11 stepgrandchildren; and six
great-grandchildren.
HONORS
Students named to EWU Dean’s List
CHENEY, Wash. — The following local students earned
recognition on the Fall Quarter 2016 Dean’s List at Eastern
Washington University:
Heppner: Michaella Emmel; Hermiston: Mariah Ware;
Pendleton: Lindsey Roach.
Page 5A
Hermiston
July 7, 1959-Jan. 12, 2017
Earl Dwayne Eickstaedt, 57, of Hermiston died Thursday,
Jan. 12, 2017, at his home. He was born July 7, 1959, in San
Diego, Calif. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Feb.
4 at 11 a.m. at the Hermiston Assembly of God Church, 730
E. Hurlburt Ave. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of
arrangements. Sign the online condolence book at burnsmor-
tuaryhermiston.com
Khue Thi-Vu Foster
College Place, Wash.
April 20, 1938-Jan. 21, 2017
Khue Thi-Vu Foster, 78, of College Place, Wash., died
Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Walla Walla. She was born April 20,
1938. Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home in Milton-Freewater is
in charge of arrangements.
Donald Eugene Kennedy
Pendleton
March 3, 1934-Jan. 22, 2017
Donald Eugene Kennedy, 82, of Pendleton died Sunday,
Jan. 22, 2017, in Pendleton. He was born March 3, 1934,
in Medical Springs, Ore. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in
charge of arrangements. Sign the online condolence book at
www.burnsmortuary.com.
Jessie ‘Naomi’ Larkin
Hermiston
Feb. 3, 1940-Jan. 20, 2017
Jessie “Naomi” Larkin, 76, of Hermiston died Friday, Jan.
20, 2017, in Portland. She was born Feb. 3, 1940, in Baker.
A celebration of life service will be held Sunday, Jan. 29 at
1 p.m. at the Hermiston Seventh-day Adventist Church, 855
W. Highland Ave. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of
arrangements. Sign the online condolence book at burnsmortu-
aryhermiston.com
Elsie Myrtle McDonald
Milton-Freewater
Sept. 10, 1933-Jan. 19, 2017
Elsie Myrtle McDonald, 83, of Milton-Freewater died
Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Walla Walla. She was born Sept. 10,
1933. Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home in Milton-Freewater is
in charge of arrangements.
Edward Augustus Orr
Pendleton
Aug. 10, 1923-Jan. 22, 2017
Edward Augustus Orr, 93, of Pendleton died Sunday, Jan.
22, 2017, in Pendleton. He was born Aug. 10, 1923, in Ash Flat,
Ark. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of arrangements.
Sign the online condolence book at www.burnsmortuary.com.
Donald George Smith
Bethesda, Md./Pilot Rock
Aug. 29, 1923-Sept. 24, 2016
Donald George Smith, 93, of Bethesda, Md., and Pilot Rock
died Sept. 24, 2016, at his home in Maryland. He was born Aug.
29, 1923, in Pilot Rock. Burial took place at Arlington National
Cemetery. Sign the online guestbook at www.pumphreyfuner-
alhome.com or www.pioneerchapel.com
Holly Wells
Pendleton
June 27, 1964-Jan. 23, 2017
Holly Wells, 52, of Pendleton died Monday, Jan. 23, 2017
at her home. She was born June 27, 1964. Arrangements are
pending with Pendleton Pioneer Chapel, Folsom-Bishop.
Online condolences may be sent to www.pioneerchapel.com
UPCOMING SERVICES
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25
LIGHTLE, DEANNE — Celebration of life service at
11 a.m. at the First Christian Church, 775 W. Highland Ave.,
Hermiston. Burial will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
THURSDAY, JAN. 26
No services scheduled
OBITUARY POLICY
The East Oregonian publishes paid obituaries. The obituary can
include small photos and, for veterans, a flag symbol at no charge.
Obituaries may be edited for spelling, proper punctuation and style.
Expanded death notices will be published at no charge. These include
information about services. Obituaries and notices can be submitted
online at www.eastoregonian.com/obituaryform, by email to obits@ea-
storegonian.com, by fax to 541-276-8314, placed via the funeral home
or in person at the East Oregonian office. For more information, call
541-966-0818 or 1-800-522-0255, ext. 221.
MEETINGS
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25
FRIDAY, JAN. 27
MORROW COUNTY COURT,
9 a.m., Bartholomew Government
Building upper conference room,
110 N. Court St., Heppner. (541-
676-9061)
HERMISTON
LIBRARY
BOARD, 4 p.m., Hermiston Public
Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave., Herm-
iston. (541-567-2882)
EASTERN OREGON TRADE
& EVENT CENTER AUTHORI-
TY, 7 a.m., EOTEC main building,
1705 E. Airport Road, Hermiston.
(541-289-9800)
THURSDAY, JAN. 26
SALVATION ARMY ADVISO-
RY BOARD, 12 p.m., Salvation
Army, 150 S.E. Emigrant Ave.,
Pendleton. (Susan Lamb 541-
276-3369)
UMATILLA COUNTY PLAN-
NING COMMISSION, 6:30 p.m.,
Umatilla County Justice Center,
4700 N.W. Pioneer Place, Pendle-
ton. (541-278-6252)
1/25
Cineplex Show Times
$5 Classic Movie
12:00
BLACK NARCISSUS
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Monday, Jan. 23
Megabucks
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Estimated jackpot: $2.4
million
Lucky Lines
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26-29
Estimated jackpot:
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Win for Life
04-14-27-69
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 4-6-6-1
4 p.m.: 1-4-8-0
7 p.m.: 5-0-4-1
10 p.m.: 4-4-9-1
Tuesday, Jan. 24
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 2-3-3-9
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2D 4:50 7:20
3D 10:00
Patriots Day (R)
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Hidden Figures (PG)
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Sing (PG)
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Credit & Debit Cards accepted
Cineplex gift cards available
* Matinee Pricing
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541-966-1850
Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216