A6
East Oregonian
RECORDS
Saturday, June 29, 2019
OBITUARIES
Robert W. ‘Bob’ Reese
Virginia Lee ‘Jean’ Kelso
Jimmy A. ‘Jim’ Bier
Liberty Lake, Wash.
Hermiston
Hermiston
June 2, 2019
Former longtime Pendle- president of the Chamber of
ton resident Robert W. “Bob” Commerce. Throughout sub-
Reese passed away in Spo- sequent years he chaired the
kane, Washington, on June 2, Northeast Oregon Air Ser-
2019. Bob was born in Spo- vice Task Force; was a found-
kane in 1941 and
ing member of the
raised in Cheney,
Pendleton
Eco-
Washington.
nomic Develop-
In 1964 he grad-
ment Board; served
uated from Wash-
on the Round-Up
ington State Uni-
City Development
versity in business
Corp.; was on the
administration. He
Umatilla County
went to work for
Budget Commit-
Sherwood & Rob-
tee; on the Cas-
erts as a loan offi -
cade East Health
Reese
cer in both Walla
Plan; Port of Uma-
Walla and Seattle
tilla Budget Com-
between 1965 and 1967. He mittee; and State of Oregon
met his wife, Sherry, in Walla Quality Education Model. He
Walla during the summer of served as an adjunct professor
1965. They were married in at Lewis & Clark College and
Seattle in 1966 where Sherry on the Eastern Oregon State
was fi nishing her teaching College Support Panel.
degree from the University
In addition, Bob served as
of Washington. They moved an elder at his church, Living
to Wenatchee, Washington, Water Foursquare. He was a
in 1967 where Bob served as man of real prayer and once
senior vice president of Com- he started walking with the
munity Savings & Loan for Lord, he never missed a day
nine years. There he expanded to rise early and spend time
the real estate fi nance activ- with the Lord.
ities to include all of Eastern
With all those activities
Washington.
he was very much a family
In 1976 he was hired as man and devoted to his wife,
president of First Federal Sav- Sherry, and their four chil-
ings & Loan in Pendleton, dren: Jennifer, Adam, Sta-
Oregon. The name was later cey and Shelley. Their friends
changed to Western Heri- were often included on vaca-
tage Savings & Loan. Under tion trips to Priest Lake, Lake
him the institution increased Chelan, Sun River and the
their assets from $70 mil- Oregon Coast. Adam and Jen-
lion to $170 million and their nifer started going to WSU
branches from three to seven. football games at the age of
They also expanded their 4, followed later by basketball
lending activities through games. Bob loved sports and
subsidiary offi ces into Wash- took in most of the Pendleton
ington, Idaho, Wyoming and sports. His dad had coached at
Texas. Under his presidency Eastern Washington Univer-
their new home offi ce was sity for 32 years and he said
built in 1980 on 301 S. Main he learned to read looking
St., which now houses the Old over his dad’s shoulder at the
West Federal Credit Union.
sports page!
In 1985 Western Heri-
He was involved for 17
tage merged with Ben Frank- summers as the starter for the
lin Savings & Loan and Bob Pendleton Swim Association,
oversaw 23 branches in four as all four of his children were
states for them. During those swimmers. His oldest grand-
years he also attended the daughter is on a full ride to
School for Executive Devel- UCLA for swimming. She
opment at the University of was the No. 1 Division I girls’
Washington and the Graduate swimmer in high school for
School of Savings & Loans at two years for all of Arizona.
the University of Indiana.
Her mom, Jennifer, said it all
In 1990 he realized he started because of all the sup-
would have to move to Port- port Bob gave his own daugh-
land to stay with Ben Frank- ter while she swam for PSA.
lin. His 10-year-old twins
After his passing his fam-
informed him they were not ily received many messages
going. He decided to seek from swimmers who had
some wisdom from Sis- been at the meets where he
ter Helen Ann, who was the had started. We include some
administrator of St. Anthony of them here because they
Hospital where he was serv- were such a blessing: “Your
ing on their board. She invited dad was one of the Monarch
him to come to work for them swim parents of our gener-
as vice president of ancil- ation. Kind, supportive, and
lary services and director of such a gentle soul to our PSA
the hospital’s foundation. He family.” “Truly a man to be
served there for fi ve years and admired and respected. One
loved his time at the hospital. of my favorite swim dads!”
In 1995 he moved to Cold- “We all loved your dad so
well Banker Whitney & much!”
Associates as vice president
Bob was an avid reader
of construction development and usually had fi ve books
and sales. Then in 1999 he going at once. He even came
became director of business to enjoy watching Hallmark
services for the Pendleton movies with Sherry.
School District, where he had
He will be very much
served on the school board for missed by all his family and
11 years. After retirement he friends, but has left a wonder-
returned to work for the Uma- ful legacy. His oldest grand-
tilla County ESD under Mark daughter wrote, “Papa, you
Mulvihill for two more years. were this family’s rock and
Bob always believed he the most inspirational person
should use his talents to ben- to live by. You were so good,
efi t his community and what- so loving, so giving, so kind.
ever business he was involved I’m so proud to share your last
with. At the state level he name as my middle name.
chaired the Oregon League Heaven gained an amazing
of Financial Institutions from soul. I know you are looking
1985-1986 and was chair- out for me still and cheering
man of the Governor’s Task for me. Thank you for every-
Force to study the feasibility thing.” And Claire’s mom,
of bringing a medium secu- Jennifer, added: “I measure
rity prison to Pendleton. They all men by my Dad.”
were then charged with build-
A memorial service will be
ing a community consensus held August 10 at the chapel at
for what became Eastern Ore- Fairmount Memorial Park in
gon Correctional Institution.
Spokane, 5200 W. Wellesley,
In 1981 he had served as at 1:30 p.m.
August 21, 1933 — June 1, 2019
Virginia Lee “Jean” “The Wheel of Fortune” and
Kelso was born on August would set an alarm to get up
21, 1933, in Menard, Texas. and watch her favorite game
She passed away on June 1, shows. She loved to play
2019, at her home in Hermis- bingo, bunco, and pinochle
ton, Oregon, at the
with her friends
age of 85 years.
each week. Jean
Jean grew up as
looked forward to
the oldest of nine
her yearly bus trip
children. Her fam-
to Winnemucca.
ily moved from
Jean also loved
Texas to Pull-
plants and fl owers
man, Washington,
and enjoyed grow-
where she was a
ing orchids and
majorette in high
African violets in
school. She grad-
her home.
uated in 1952 and
Jean was presi-
married Jack Bur-
dent of the Herm-
ton. Jean and Jack
iston Eagles Lodge
lived on a farm in
at least twice, and
Idaho until 1973
was very active
when they moved
in lodge activities
to
Hermiston.
from 1973 until
They had seven
the lodge closed a
children together
few years ago.
and were married
Jean
leaves
for 33 years.
behind
many
Kelso
Jean was an
friends, her broth-
excellent seam-
ers Jim, John,
stress. She sewed many and Eugene Martin, her
items for her household and sisters Fay Celmer, Jau-
clothing for all her children. nita Fiest, Sue Franzel, and
She also taught sewing to Mary Hunter, her daughters
kids in 4-H. She decorated Terri Dodge, Paula Greene,
cakes and made beautiful and Jacque Prior, her sons
wedding cakes. Jean and Randy and Mark Burton,
Jack owned a carpet and and many grandchildren and
upholstery shop in Hermis- great-grandchildren.
ton in the late 1970s where
She was preceded in
they worked together uphol- death by her parents John
stering furniture and laying and Irene Martin, fi rst hus-
carpet.
band Jack Burton, second
In 1985, Jean married husband Carl Kelso, brother
Carl Kelso and moved to Ray Martin, son Dan Bur-
Meacham, Oregon, where ton, daughter Penny Burton,
she ran the Meacham Tav- and her grandchildren Bran-
ern. She also had a tavern don and Wesley Burton.
and restaurant in Starkey,
A private memorial will
Oregon. Jean retired and take place at a later date this
returned to Hermiston in summer.
2011.
Contributions may be
She was crafty and tal- made in Virginia’s mem-
ented in so many ways. Jean ory to St. Jude Hospi-
enjoyed doing beadwork and tal or the American Heart
arranging silk fl owers. She Association.
was an avid reader, some-
Please share memories
times fi nishing a book in a of Virginia with her family
day. Jean was very smart and at burnsmortuaryhermiston.
she loved watching game com
shows, rarely missing an
Burns Mortuary of
answer on “Jeopardy.” She Hermiston, Oregon, is in
had always wanted to be on care of arrangements.
December 9, 1934 — June 23, 2019
Jimmy A. “Jim” Bier lar affi nity for wildfl ower
passed away peacefully sur- identifi cation. Jim was a
rounded by family on June man of honesty and integ-
23, 2019, at his home.
rity, traits he emphasized
Jim was the third son to his children throughout
born to John
their upbringing.
and Anna Bier
Above all the edu-
cation of young
in
Milton-Free-
people was his
water,
Oregon,
profession and his
on December 9,
passion.
1934. He gradu-
Upon retire-
ated from Mac-Hi
ment Jim and
in 1953. After
Pauline moved to
high school, Jim
Hermiston where
attended Eastern
they
remained
Oregon State Col-
Bier
until
Jim’s
lege (now Eastern
passing.
Oregon Univer-
His parents, John and
sity) in La Grande where he
Anna, and his eldest brother
earned a teaching degree.
Jim’s fi rst teaching posi- Dean preceded Jim in death.
tion was in Halfway, Ore- He is survived by his wife,
gon, in 1957 where he met Pauline; brother Bud, Mil-
his wife of nearly 60 years, ton-Freewater, Ore.; and
Pauline. They were married children Linda, Antioch,
in 1959. Jim and Pauline’s Calif., John, Damascus,
journey next took them to Ore., and Robert, Lakeview,
Hermiston where Jim taught Ore. Jim and Pauline have
science, coached football eight grandchildren and two
and
and eventually became an great-grandchildren,
assistant principal. In 1969 several nieces and nephews.
A private family grave-
Jim, Pauline and their three
children moved to Hep- side service will be held for
pner, Oregon, where Jim Jim at the Hermiston Ceme-
served as the principal of tery, Hermiston, Oregon.
In lieu of fl owers,
Heppner High School for
20 years. During his tenure Jim has asked that dona-
at Heppner he was known tions be made to the EOU
as a strict but fair man who Foundation.
Please share memories of
held everyone to the same
Jim with his family at burns-
standard.
As a father Jim instilled mortuaryhermiston.com
Burns Mortuary of
the love of the outdoors into
his children. He loved to hunt Hermiston, Oregon, is in
and fi sh and had a particu- care of arrangements.
BRIEFLY
Catholic
Daughters award
scholarships
East Oregonian
HERMISTON — Two
$750 undergraduate schol-
arships have been awarded
by Catholic Daughters of
America, Court #1692, to
graduating high school
seniors from Our Lady of
Angels Parish in Hermiston:
Allison Galdamez and Anna
Klein.
Allison is graduating
from Hermiston High and
is planning to attend Oregon
State University, majoring
in electrical and computer
engineering. Anna is gradu-
ating from Mother of Divine
Grace School and planning
to attend Wyoming Cath-
olic College, majoring in
liberal arts. These scholar-
ship recipients were selected
based on the merits of their
grades, and community and
parish involvement.
For more information
about the scholarship, con-
tact Regent Kristi Smalley at
541-571-0997, or Secretary
Delia Fields at 541-571-4219.
LOTTERY
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Lucky Lines
03-07-10-15-FREE-20-21-
25-29
Estimated jackpot: $62,000
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 8-8-4-7
4 p.m.: 1-9-5-4
7 p.m.: 8-7-2-8
10 p.m.: 5-1-3-1
Friday, June 28, 2019
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 9-8-7-5
gon!
For the first time in Eastern Ore
VETERAN BENEFIT
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EXPO19
9 A.M. TO 3 P.M.
SATURDAY, JULY 27TH
UPCOMING SERVICES
SATURDAY, JUNE 29
ARSENAULT, JANICE — Celebration of life service
at 3 p.m. in the Hermiston High School Commons, 600 S.
First St.
HARPER, TOM — Celebration of life service at 11 a.m.
at Burns Mortuary Chapel, 685 W. Hermiston Ave., Herm-
iston. A reception and gathering will follow at the Hermis-
ton Elks Lodge, 480 E. Main St.
LOVETT, JOE — Graveside service with military hon-
ors at 1 p.m. at the Hermiston Cemetery.
TAYLOR, JANET — Celebration of life at 11 a.m. at
Heppner City Park, 444 N. Main St.
WILCOX III, DANIEL — Celebration of life from
1-6 p.m. in the Beaver Lodge at Oxbow Regional Park, 3010
S.E. Oxbow Pkwy, Gresham.
WISE, KEITH — Memorial service at 10 a.m. at Pend-
leton Pioneer Chapel, Folsom-Bishop, 131 S.E. Byers Ave.,
Pendleton.
SUNDAY, JUNE 30
HESS, HAROLD III — Celebration of life from noon
to 2 p.m. at the Pendleton Eagles Lodge, 428 S. Main St.
MONDAY, JULY 1 — TUESDAY, JULY 2
No services scheduled
DEATH NOTICE
Steve William Bowers
Milton-Freewater
Sept. 25, 1946 — June 27, 2019
Steve William Bowers, 72, of Milton-Freewater, died
Thursday, June 27, 2019, at his home. He was born Sept. 25,
1946. Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home of Milton-Freewater
is in charge of arrangements.
Umatilla County
Historical Society
Thank You
OLD IRON SHOW 2019 SPONSORS
Corrine Swearingen
Glenn & Joyce Rohde
Hatley Construction
Hodgen Distributing
Holton Secret Lab
Inland Auto Electric Inc.
John Merry
Les Schwab
Mark & Kelli Rosenberg
Matt Wood
Olsen’s Auto Parts
Patrick & Kim Straughan
Premium Tire & Lube
Shari Dallas
Tom & Patti Winn
Umatilla Electric Cooperative
PENDLETON CONVENTION CENTER
Learn about all of your Federal and State benefits
Under one roof!
NEW THIS YEAR:
Veterans town hall meeting
with odva director kelly fitzpatrick
6 p.m. july 26
 same
location
WZ^Ed/EWZdEZ^,/Wz
tel: 541.276.1851 • fax: 541.276.3146
334 Southeast Second Street • P.O. Box 1760
Pendleton, Oregon 97801
W W W. E X P O.O R E G O N D VA .C O M
www.heritagestationmuseum.org