RECORDS
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
East Oregonian
DEATH NOTICES
OBITUARIES
Elfreda Anna Vahl Tucker
William L. ‘Bill’ Flatt
Ralph William DeBoer
Pendleton
November 18, 1921 - January 28, 2018
Vancouver, Wash.
April 26, 1929 - January 16, 2018
Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
June 10, 1948 - Nov. 3, 2017
Elfreda Anna Vahl Tucker,
96, of Pendleton passed away
peacefully at St. Anthony
Hospital
in
Pendleton,
Oregon, on January 28, 2018,
after a brief illness.
She was born in Mocker-
ling, Germany, on November
18, 1921. The family immi-
grated to the United
States in 1925 and
settled in South
Bound Brook, New
Jersey, after a brief
stay in the Bronx,
New York, New
York. She was the
daughter of Johann
Bernhardt
Oskar
Vahl and Anna
Minna Murre Vahl,
and the sister of Tucker
John, Walter and
Alfred, who all preceded her
in death.
Elfreda married Edwin
Tucker of Moosic, Pennsyl-
vania, in 1946 after World
War II and the couple enrolled
in the Nyack Missionary
Training Institute in Nyack,
New York. After Edwin’s
ordination as a Christian
and Missionary Alliance
minister, Edwin and Elfreda
pastored numerous churches
in Eastern Pennsylvania and
Southern Illinois. Her life
was lived in service to God
and the people of His flock.
Edwin died at age 55 in 1976
near Goreville, Illinois.
Elfreda is survived by
her three children and their
spouses, seven grandchil-
dren, and 10 great-grandchil-
dren: Geraldine and husband
Richard Verhoef (Grand-
view, Wash.), Marilyn and
husband Allan Jio (Pacific
City, Ore.), and Patricia Perry
(Pendleton, Ore.); grandson
Nathan Verhoef (McMinn-
ville, Ore.) and granddaugh-
ters Karen Verhoef
(Beaverton, Ore.)
and Debra Wood-
worth (Newberg,
Ore.),
grandson
Jason Jio (Lake
Forest Park, Wash.),
granddaughter
Callyn Casady-Bihr
(Missoula, Mont.)
and
grandson
Darren Jio (Philo-
math, Ore.), and
grandson
Jacob
Perry (Independence, Ore.);
and
great-grandchildren
Maikol Casady and Gabriel
Bihr (Missoula, Mont.),
Carson, Russell and Colby
Jio (Lake Forest Park,
Wash.), Jackson Jio (Philo-
math, Ore.), Ethan, Joshua
and Andrew Woodworth
(Newberg, Ore.), and Aaliyah
Barba-Perry (Independence,
Ore.).
Funeral services will be at
2 p.m. on Friday, February 2,
2018, at Pendleton Pioneer
Chapel,
Folsom-Bishop.
Interment will be at Jefferson
Barracks National Cemetery
in Missouri.
Online condolences may
be sent to the family at www.
pioneerchapel.com
PUBLIC SAFETY LOG
MONDAY
5:18 a.m. Hermiston police responded to a disturbance on
the 300 block of West Orchard Avenue.
6:57 a.m. - Hermiston police stopped at Northeast Fourth
Street and East Ridgeway Avenue to remove a dead animal.
7:59 a.m. - Callers on Northwest Overlook Drive, Hermiston,
reported someone entered their vehicles. Hermiston police at
11:19 a.m. and 12:23 p.m. also received calls from Northwest
Crestview Court about vehicle prowls.
8:12 a.m. - An Irrigon man on Southeast Utah Avenue
complained about a pit bull dog that often gets out and tries to
jump into his Jeep, which lacks doors.
11:06 a.m. - Umatilla police received a report about littering at
Horseshoe Apartments on Sixth Street.
12:34 p.m. - Callers reported a cow at in the road at East
Harding Avenue and North Wayne Street, Stanfield.
2:25 p.m. - A red-haired woman in a purple jacket and a male
with a camouflage sweatshirt drew a complaint from staff at
the United States Postal Service, 300 N. Main Ave., Irrigon, for
taking mail from the garbage bins. The caller asked the Morrow
County Sheriff’s Office to send a deputy to tell them to stop.
They were gone by the time the deputy arrived.
3:33 p.m. - Aggressive dogs on Elizabeth Drive, Stanfield,
drew a 911 call.
4:15 p.m. - Pilot Rock police took a report for a burglary on
East Main Street.
6 p.m. - Another Irrigon resident on Southeast Utah Avenue
reported someone threw eggs at his house.
11:38 p.m. - Hermiston police responded to a robbery on the
400 block of Northwest 11th Street.
ARRESTS, CITATIONS
•Hermiston police arrested Jesse Jay Focht, 24, of
Hermiston, for violating parole and felony possession of
methamphetamine.
•Pendleton police arrested Shane Alan Shippentower, 28, of
Pendleton, for first-degree theft, unlawful possession of a firearm
and felon in possession of a firearm.
•Oregon State Police arrested Roberto Jaime Graxiola, 47, of
Hermiston, for felony possession and delivery of methamphet-
amine and frequenting a place people use drugs.
SUBMIT YOUR EO NEWS
Submit Your EO News information and photos to: commu-
nity@eastoregonian.com or drop off to the attention of
Tammy Malgesini at 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, or Re-
nee Struthers-Hogge at 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton.
Call 541-564-4539 or 541-966-0818 with questions.
Page 5A
Bill Flatt, 88, of Condon
died January 16 in Vancouver,
Wash. A Celebration of Life
is planned for March 3rd at
1:00 at Condon High School
gym. A potluck reception will
follow at the grade school. As
Bill was a proud American,
the family welcomes those
honoring Bill with
their attendance to
also honor our flag
by adorning any
type of red, white
and blue.
Bill was born
April 26, 1929,
in Moro, Ore., to
Vernon and Lillian
Flatt. Bill was later
joined by a brother
Bob and sister Lois. Flatt
After graduating
from Moro High School
and Eastern Oregon State
College, he returned working
for First National Bank Moro
and helped his father with
Flatt’s Truck Service.
Bill met Peggie Cloe in
The Dalles and married in
1950, moving to Condon
and bringing Flatt’s Truck
Service to the area. Soon
after he purchased two school
buses, agreeing to transport
Condon school students.
That agreement led to seven
buses and a highway coach.
So was born Mid Columbia
Bus in 1956.
Bill and Peggie learned to
fly in 1960 and he remained
a pilot for 40 years. Airplane
travel became a valuable tool
for his business, allowing
him to see customers and
employees
face-to-face,
always giving the “family
touch” no matter the distance
from home.
In 1976 Bill purchased
Schreiner’s
Chevron,
constructing a new facility
for the growing bus business.
In 1990 he purchased M&A
Auto Parts, relocating it to
the SB Barker Building after
extensive remodel.
Fifty-nine years after
buying his first bus, growing
MIDCO from two buses
to over 900 in 52 school
districts, Bill sold the busi-
ness in 2015.
Bill served on Condon
City Council, was president
of Chamber of Commerce,
member of the fire depart-
ment, was scoutmaster
serving on Blue Mountain
Council of Boy Scouts,
served on board of directors
for Meadowood Speech
Camp, was master of the Mt.
Moriah Masonic Lodge, was
on the E/W Shrine Football
Game Committee, and was
a lay reader in the Episcopal
Church. He was a charter
member of the Condon
Elks Lodge, serving as
exalted ruler 1959,
District
Deputy
1963, Oregon State
Elks Association
President
1974
and as chairman of
the Elks National
Americanism
Committee carrying
the flag in the
opening ceremony
of the National
Convention
in
Chicago. Bill was
inducted into Oregon State
Elks Hall of Fame and stayed
active as a past president. Bill
was an avid outdoorsman,
not missing many deer or
elk hunting seasons over the
years with his sons.
Bill and Peggie planned
motor coach trips to various
locations and had a good
following of people that trav-
eled with them every year.
Locations included Boston,
Alaska, Miami, Sedona,
Calgary and Germany.
Bill developed macular
degeneration in 2008, trading
airplane and car keys in for
an electric scooter. He soon
adjusted to scooter travel,
making room for co-pilot
“Dewey,” not being stopped
by ice/snow/fog. When he
requested tire chains, we had
to decline.
Bill moved to The Quarry
Senior Living in Vancouver
when unable to live alone,
enjoying being near family.
Survivors include faithful
companion Dewey; son
Kevin and wife Sandy of
Spokane; daughter Laurie
Roberge of Vancouver;
daughter-in-law Cindy of
Joseph; son Bruce and wife
Ellen of Cove; son Jeff and
wife Mellia of Rainier; 13
grandchildren and eight
great-grandchildren. He was
preceded in death by his wife
Peggie, son Doug, son-in-law
Gene and granddaughter
Steffanie.
Memorial contributions
can be sent to OHSU Foun-
dation, Elks Children’s Eye
Clinic Building Fund, 1121
S.W. Salmon, Suite 100,
Portland OR 97205-2020.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY
31
No meetings scheduled
Hall, 111 N. Main St., Heppner.
(541-676-9618)
M I LT O N - F R E E WAT E R
PLANNING COMMISSION, 7
p.m., Milton-Freewater Public Li-
brary Albee Room, 8 S.W. Eighth
Ave., Milton-Freewater. 6:30 p.m.
study session, 7 p.m. regular
meeting. (541-938-5531)
WESTON PLANNING COM-
MISSION, 7 p.m., Memorial Hall,
210 E. Main St., Weston. (541-
566-3313)
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Ralph William DeBoer, 69, died Nov. 3, 2017, at his retire-
ment residence in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan, and is buried there.
He was born June 10, 1948, at Ephrata, Wash. A remembrance
of life service and luncheon will be held Saturday, Feb. 10 at
3 p.m. at the Ione American Legion hall.
Kevin L. Helzer
Hermiston
Sept. 27, 1960 - Jan. 28, 2018
Kevin L. Helzer, 57, of Hermiston died Sunday, Jan. 28,
2018, in Pendleton. He was born Sept. 27, 1960. A memorial
service will be held Friday, Feb. 2 at 3:30 p.m. at the Burns
Mortuary chapel in Hermiston. A celebration of life gathering
will follow at the Pheasant Bar & Grill banquet room, 149
E. Main St., Hermiston. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in
care of arrangements. Sign the online condolence book at
burnsmortuaryhermiston.com
James Jones
Pendleton
Oct. 1, 1925 - Jan. 30, 2018
James Jones, 92, of Pendleton died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018,
at his home. He was born Oct. 1, 1925, in Ferry County, Wash.
Arrangements are with Pendleton Pioneer Chapel, Folsom-
Bishop.
Marilyn L. Pfnister
Hermiston
Sept. 19, 1931 - Jan. 17, 2018
Marilyn L. Pfnister, 86, of Hermiston died Wednesday, Jan.
17, 2018, in Hermiston. She was born Sept. 19, 1931, in Laird,
Colo. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 10 at 3
p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Hermiston.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements. Sign
the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com
Phyllis Ritz
Pendleton
June 18, 1929 - Jan. 27, 2018
Phyllis Ritz, 88, of Pendleton died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018,
at her home. She was born June 18, 1929, in Indianapolis, Ind.
Recitation of the rosary will be held Thursday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m.
at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pendleton. A memorial mass
will be held Friday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic
Church in Pendleton. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in
charge of arrangements.
Charles R. ‘Dick’ Surber Sr.
Umatilla
Jan. 24, 1946 - Jan. 27, 2018
Charles R. “Dick” Surber Sr., 72, of Umatilla died Saturday,
Jan. 27, 2018, at his home. He was born Jan. 24, 1946, in
Wichita Falls, Texas. A funeral service will be held Friday,
Feb. 2 at 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, 14 Grant St., Umatilla. A graveside service will be held
Monday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. at the Enterprise Cemetery. Burns
Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements. Sign the
online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com
OBITUARY POLICY
The East Oregonian publishes paid obituaries. The obituary can in-
clude 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 in-
clude information about services.
Obituaries and notices can be submitted online at www.eastorego-
nian.com/obituaryform, by email to obits@eastoregonian.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
No meetings scheduled
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1
ADAMS PLANNING COM-
MISSION, 6:30 p.m., Adams City
Hall, 190 N. Main St., Adams.
(541-566-9380)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2
STOKES LANDING SENIOR
CENTER BOARD, 6 p.m., Stokes
Landing Senior Center, 195 N.W.
Opal Place, Irrigon. (Karen 541-
922-3137)
HEPPNER PLANNING COM-
MISSION, 7 p.m., Heppner City
UMATILLA COUNTY SOIL &
WATER CONSERVATION DIS-
TRICT LONG RANGE PLAN-
NING SESSION, 10 a.m., Mac’s
Bar & Grill, 1400 S.W. Dorion
Ave., Pendleton. (Kyle Waggoner
541-278-8049)
UMATILLA MORROW RA-
DIO & DATA DISTRICT, 1:30
p.m., Umatilla County Fire District
Station 23, 78760 Westland Road,
Hermiston. (Shawn Halsey 541-
966-3774)
PENDLETON SCHOOL DIS-
TRICT WORK SESSION, 3 p.m.,
Pendleton School District office,
107 N.W. 10th St., Pendleton.
(541-276-6711)
WESTON LIBRARY BOARD,
5:30 p.m., Weston Public Library,
108 E. Main St., Weston. (541-
566-2378)
IRRIGON PLANNING COM-
MISSION, 6 p.m., Irrigon City Hall,
500 N.E. Main St., Irrigon. (541-
922-3047)
STANFIELD CITY COUNCIL,
7 p.m., Stanfield City Hall council
chambers, 160 S. Main St., Stan-
field. (541-449-3831)
PILOT ROCK CITY COUN-
CIL, 7 p.m., Pilot Rock City Hall
council chambers, 143 W. Main
St., Pilot Rock. (541-443-2811)
UMATILLA CITY COUNCIL,
7 p.m., Umatilla City Hall council
chambers, 700 Sixth St., Umatilla.
(Nanci 541-922-3226 ext. 105)
PENDLETON CITY COUN-
CIL, 7 p.m., Pendleton City Hall
council chambers, 501 S.W. Em-
igrant Ave., Pendleton. (541-966-
0201)
BOARDMAN CITY COUN-
CIL, 7 p.m., Boardman City Hall,
200 City Center Circle, Boardman.
(541-481-9252)
Amazon, Buffett and JPMorgan join forces on health care
NEW YORK (AP) —
Three of corporate America’s
heaviest hitters — Amazon,
Warren
Buffett
and
JPMorgan Chase — sent a
shudder through the health
industry Tuesday when they
announced plans to jointly
create a company to provide
their employees with high-
quality, affordable care.
The
announcement
was short on details about
precisely what the inde-
pendent company will do.
But given the three players’
outsize influence — and
Amazon’s ability to trans-
form just about everything
it touches — the alliance
has the potential to shake
up how Americans shop for
health care, and the stocks
of insurance companies,
drug distributors and others
slumped in reaction.
“One of the messages
they are sending is they’ve
given up on traditional
ways in which employers
have tried to reduce costs or
manage costs better,” said
Paul Fronstin, an economist
with the nonprofit Employee
Benefits Research Institute.
Benefits experts specu-
lated that this new company
could create a virtual market-
place that makes shopping
AP Photos
This combination of photos from left shows Warren Buffett on Sept. 19 in New York,
Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com, in 2013 in Seattle and JP Morgan Chase Chairman
for health care as easy as
buying a shirt on Amazon.
Or it could move directly into
buying prescription drugs.
Or it could be a system that
bypasses insurance compa-
nies altogether and contracts
directly with doctors and
hospitals for better deals.
Employers are up for
trying almost anything to
control rising health care
costs, which have been
consuming bigger portions
of their budgets for years and
burdening their employees.
“The sky’s the limit on
where they could possibly
go with this,” said Brian
Marcotte, CEO of the
National Business Group on
Health, another nonprofit that
represents large employers.
“We’re always supportive
of disruptive innovation, and
health care certainly is in
need of it.”
The
venture
was
announced by Amazon
founder Jeff Bezos; JP
Morgan Chase CEO Jamie
Dimon; and Buffett, the
investment wizard of Berk-
shire Hathaway. The three
companies have an estimated
1 million employees in the
U.S.
The three businesses said
their new venture will be
independent and “free from
profit-making incentives and
constraints.” It will have an
initial focus on technology
that provides “simplified,
high-quality and transparent”
care.
Those involved said
the idea is still in the early
planning stages. It was not
clear whether the ultimate
intention is to move beyond
the three companies. But
Dimon said: “Our goal is to
create solutions that benefit
our U.S. employees, their
families and, potentially, all
Americans.”
E m p l o y e r- s p o n s o r e d
health insurance covers about
157 million people in the
U.S., constituting the biggest
piece of the nation’s patch-
work health care market, and
neither companies nor their
employees are happy with
the system.
Health care costs —
branded by Buffett “a
hungry tapeworm on the
American economy” —
routinely rise faster than
inflation. Employers have
been reacting by asking their
workers to pay more of the
bill and to shop around for
better deals, something many
people find hard to do.
Insurers and other compa-
nies already offer applications
or programs that help people
wade through the health care
system’s often baffling mix
of prices for procedures or
prescriptions. But Amazon
appears well-positioned to
create a more user-friendly
way to shop, Marcotte said.
“They have customer
trust, they are already in
people’s homes, and they’re
already part of many people’s
routines in how they shop,”
he said.
The potential disruption
from three renowned inno-
vators in technology and
finance sent a shock wave
through the health care
sector on Wall Street, erasing
billions in value in seconds.
1/31
Cineplex Show Times
$5 Classic Movie
12:00 PM
Prince of Tides
Maze Runner: The Death
Cure (PG13)
3:30* 6:30 9:30
Hostiles (R)
4:00 6:50 9:40
12 Strong (R)
4:10 7:00 9:50
Jumanji 2D (PG13)
4:40 7:20 10:00
The Greatest Showman (PG)
4:20 6:40 9:20
Credit & Debit Cards accepted
Cineplex gift cards available
* Matinee Pricing
wildhorseresort.com
541-966-1850
Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216