A6
RECORDS
East Oregonian
PUBLIC SAFETY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30
6:46 a.m. — Umatilla police
responded to a report of theft at
the Country Club Manor Apart-
ments on Umatilla Avenue.
8:06 a.m. — A caller at Uma-
tilla Chamber of Commerce,
100 Cline Ave., Umatilla, stated
there is a suspicious vehicle
that has been in the parking lot
for three days.
9:02 a.m. — A caller at
Kiwanis Park, 129 Walla Walla
St., Umatilla, reported they
were concerned with writing
on the walls of the bathroom
at the park. Umatilla police
responded and were unable to
locate the writing on the wall.
12:04 p.m. — Pendleton
police responded to a 911 call
reporting an assault on the 700
block of Southwest Runnion
Avenue. Police issued a citation.
1:31 p.m. — A caller at Pow-
erline Road and Stephens Ave-
nue, Umatilla, reported he
caught two dogs that were at
large.
1:58 p.m. — A 911 caller at
Highway 730 and Scaplehorn
Road, Umatilla, reported there
were several chunks of metal in
the right lane causing a traffi c
hazard. Umatilla police cleared
the road.
2:41 p.m. — A caller at
Tri-Harbor Landing Apart-
ments, 210 Klickitat St., Uma-
tilla, requested to speak with
an offi cer regarding being
defrauded of almost $1,000.
Umatilla police took a report.
3:01 p.m. — Hermiston
police initiated activity at North
First Street and West Elm Ave-
nue, for a vehicle on fi re.
5:12 p.m. — Hermiston
police responded to a distur-
bance on the 600 block of West
Oak Avenue.
9:16 p.m. — Pendleton
police responded to a 911 call
reporting an assault on the
800 block of Southeast Second
Street. Police took a report.
10:58 p.m. — Stanfi eld
police responded to a 911 call
about a possible burglary on
the 100 block of North Sher-
man Street.
11:51 p.m. — Umatilla
County
sheriff ’s
deputies
responded to Spoff ord and
Birch Creek roads, Milton-Free-
water, after a 911 call reporting
harassment.
THURSDAY, MARCH 31
6:49 a.m. — A property
owner reported a gate was bro-
ken off his cattle guard in the
area of Willow Creek and Blake
Ranch roads, Heppner. The
Morrow County Sheriff ’s Offi ce
is investigating.
9:17 a.m.
—
Umatilla
County
sheriff ’s
deputies
responded to a fi ght at Locust
Trailer Court, 1501 N. Elizabeth
St., Milton-Freewater.
9:55 a.m. — A 911 caller
on Union Street, Hermiston,
reported there is a male in the
road accosting her customers.
Law enforcement responded.
11:09 a.m. — A 911 caller
on Coppinger Lane, Echo,
reported a burglary. Stanfi eld
police responded and took a
report.
11:19 a.m. — A 911 caller in
Weston, reported the theft of
her white 2005 Chevy Equinox
SUV while she was unloading
it. The Milton-Freewater Police
Department is reviewing video
for suspect information.
12:01 p.m. — A caller on
South First Street, Hermiston,
stated he wanted to know what
can be done about high school
students parking in their park-
ing lot. He said for about a
month now high school stu-
dents will park in their lot, his
staff has asked them not to
park there, as parents will not
be able to park to drop off and
pick up their children. The caller
asked if Hermiston police could
check out the area when school
is over.
12:04 p.m. — Pendleton
police initiated activity at Sun-
ridge Middle School, 700 S.W.
Runnion Ave., for an assault
and issued a citation.
3:23 p.m. — The manager
at Econo Lodge, 1481 Sixth St.,
Umatilla, requested police to
tell several men in the back to
move along or be trespassed.
Umatilla police responded.
3:30 p.m. — A Umatilla
police offi cer initiated activity
at Kennedy Street and Power-
line Road for a vehicle stuck on
a fence.
5:13 p.m. — A caller at
Pendleton Early Learning Cen-
ter, 455 S.W. 13th St., Pendle-
ton, reported a male in a gold,
DEATH NOTICES
four-door Nissan, took cans
from a donation drop location
and left from the school area.
6:37 p.m. — A 911 caller on
North Townsend Road, Hermis-
ton, reported she could hear a
woman in a domestic violence
situation with her ex-boyfriend.
The caller stated the ex-boy-
friend drives a dark grey Chev-
rolet pickup. Umatilla County
sheriff ’s deputies responded.
9:02 p.m. — A 911 caller on
Fifth Street, Umatilla, reported
a prowler. Umatilla police
responded.
9:16 p.m. — Pendleton
police responded to a 911 call
reporting an assault on South-
east Second Street. Police took
a report.
ARRESTS, CITATIONS
March 30
• Milton-Freewater police
arrested Anastasio Solis, 47, on
six counts of violating restrain-
ing orders.
• Milton-Freewater police
arrested Sarah Ann Miller, 30,
for unauthorized entry into a
vehicle and vehicle theft.
March 31
• Hermiston police arrested
Antonio Miguel Jose, 30, for
fourth-degree assault, sec-
ond-degree assault, harass-
ment, strangulation and on a
warrant for failure to appear.
• Milton-Freewater police
arrested Tyler Jonathan Hays,
25, for reckless driving and fel-
ony fl eeing.
• Pendleton police arrested
Christopher Lee Gonsalves,
33, for felony driving while
suspended.
Bettye Hammon
December 25, 1950 - March 8, 2022
Bettye Lou Hammon was a
caring wife, mother, grandmother,
sister and friend. She passed
away March 8, 2022, at her home
surrounded by loved ones.
Bettye was born to Arnold and
Millie Schiller of Pendleton on
Dec. 25, 1950. Bettye attended
Pendleton High School and
graduated in 1970. Bettye married
her husband, Donald Hammon on
Sept. 3, 1971. They have two children together, Dawn
and Jeffery.
Bettye enjoyed spending time with her family, cross-
stitching and made many blankets for her grandchildren
and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed many trips to
the Oregon coast with her husband and family and was
always in the grandstands cheering when her children
and grandchildren would compete in events. Bettye
loved spending time with her husband driving back
roads and fishing.
Bettye is survived by her husband, Donald Hammon;
daughter, Dawn Dunfee; son, Jeffery Hammon
(Pendleton, Oregon); brothers, Gene White (Tacoma,
Washington); and Charles Schiller (Pendleton,
Oregon); three grandchildren, six great-
grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family has planned to take a trip to the Oregon
coast to celebrate Bettye’s life in a place where she truly
loved to be.
Nancy Luanne Miller
October 16, 1959 - March 28, 2022
UPCOMING
SERVICES
SATURDAY, APRIL 2
Hermanns, Karen —
Memorial service, 11 a.m. at
the Boardman Community
Church, 300 Second St. N.W.
Thompson, Bob — Cele-
bration of life, 3 p.m. in the
Roy Raley Room at the Pend-
leton Round-Up Grounds,
1205 S.W. Court Ave.
Haugsted, Roscoe —
Celebration of life, 2 p.m. at
the Pendleton Seventh-day
Adventist Church, 1401 S.W.
Goodwin Place.
Spike, Steve — Funeral
service, 1 p.m. at New Hope
Community Church, 1350
S. Highway 395, Hermiston.
Burial will follow at Echo
Cemetery.
THURSDAY, APRIL 7
Miller, Nancy — Grave-
side service, 1 p.m. at Herm-
iston Cemetery.
FRIDAY, APRIL 8
Payne, Rick — Celebra-
tion of life, 3 p.m. at Burns
Mortuary Chapel, 685 W.
Hermiston Ave., Hermiston.
Burial with military honors
will follow at Hermiston
Cemetery.
The most valuable and
respected source of
local news, advertising
and information for
our communities.
eomediagroup.com
Saturday, April 2, 2022
Nancy Luanne Miller passed
away in Hermiston at the age of 62
on Monday, March 28, 2022, after
a brief battle with cancer.
Nancy was an "Air Force brat,"
born on Oct. 16, 1959, in Golds-
boro, North Carolina, to Robert
and Mary Ann Miller, and was the
second of three children. When her
father retired from the Air Force in
1968, the family moved to a small farm located west
of Hermiston. She attended Hermiston High School for
two years (class of 1978) and subsequently earned her
GED.
After high school, Nancy worked at Simplot in
Hermiston and then moved to Spokane, where she
bought and sold antiques and collectibles for many
years while working at antique and thrift stores. An-
tiques, home furnishings and collectibles were Nancy's
lifelong passions. She loved to shop and decorate and
show off her latest acquisitions to friends and family.
In her mid-20s, Nancy was diagnosed with schizo-
phrenia, and years later, with bipolar disorder. Despite
her mental health challenges, Nancy lived independent-
ly and productively, continuing to live and work on her
own in Spokane until she moved back to the farm in
2001 to care for her mother, who was fighting her own
battle with cancer. Nancy provided invaluable support
to the family over the years with her presence, particu-
larly during her mother’s illness.
Nancy did not marry or have children or have a wide
circle of friends, but those of us who knew her loved
her for her sweet disposition, generous spirit, sense of
humor and (unflinching) honesty
Nancy was preceded in death by her father, Robert,
in 2001 and mother, Mary Ann, in 2015, and is survived
by her older brother, Robert; younger brother, James;
nephew, Caden; aunt, Lana Edmiston; uncle, Monte
Schiller; and many cousins. She will be deeply missed
by those who knew her, particularly her brothers, whom
she doted upon all her life
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, April
7, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Hermiston Cemetery, Hermis-
ton, Oregon.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Nancy’s memory
may be made to the American Cancer Society (www.
cancer.org) or National Alliance for Mental Health
(www.nami.org/Home).
Please share memories of Nancy with her family at
www.burnsmortuaryhermiston.com. Burns Mortuary of
Hermiston, Oregon, is in care of arrangements.
Gordon Earl Clayton
Judith L. Rew
Pendleton
Oct. 10, 1934 — Feb. 7, 2022
Pendleton
Sept. 8, 1936 — March 31, 2022
Gordon Earl Clayton, 87, of Pendleton,
died Feb. 7, 2022, at CHI St. Anthony Hospi-
tal, Pendleton. He was born Oct. 10, 1934,
in North Bend. A celebration of life will
be April 16, 2 p.m. at the Athena Christian
Church, Fifth Street, Athena. Ashes will be
laid to rest at Helix Cemetery at a later date.
Judith L. Rew, 85, of Pendleton, died
March 31, 2022, at her home. She was
born Sept. 8, 1936. Arrangements are with
Pendleton Pioneer Chapel, Folsom-Bishop.
Online condolences may be sent to www.
pioneerchapel.com.
Donald Orville Leighton
Hermiston
Oct. 8, 1935 — March 31, 2022
Donald Orville Leighton, 86, of Hermis-
ton, died March 31, 2022, at his home. He was
born Oct. 8, 1935, in Bend. No services will be
planned. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memo-
rial Park, Gresham. Arrangements are with
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston. Share memo-
ries at www.burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Nancy Luanne Miller
Hermiston
Oct. 16, 1959 — March 28, 2022
Nancy Luanne Miller, 62, of Hermiston,
died March 28, 2022. She was born Oct. 16,
1959, in Goldsboro, North Carolina. A grave-
side service will be April 7, 1 p.m. at the
Hermiston Cemetery. Arrangements are with
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston. Share memo-
ries at www.burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Benjamin W. ‘Ben’ Smith
Hermiston
Nov. 13, 1954 — March 26, 2022
Benjamin W. “Ben” Smith, 67, of Herm-
iston, died March 26, 2022, at his home. He
was born Nov. 13, 1954, in Walla Walla. A
family gathering will be held. Arrangements
are with Burns Mortuary of Hermiston.
Share memories at www.burnsmortuary-
hermiston.com.
Zya Divine
Scott-Thompson
Pendleton
Feb. 19, 2021 — March 28, 2022
Zya Divine Scott-Thompson, 1, of Pend-
leton, died March 28, 2022, at her home.
She was born Feb. 19, 2021, in Portland.
Arrangements are with Pendleton Pioneer
Chapel, Folsom-Bishop. Online condolences
may be sent to www.pioneer chapel.com.
FOR COURTS, LOTTERY AND MORE GO TO:
www.EastOregonian.com
Gordon Earl Clayton
October 10, 1934 - February 7, 2022
This is the story of the
life of Gordon E. Clayton,
who was also known
as “Coach Clayton” or
“Mountain Man.” Gordon
was a wonderful man who
was loved, who is dearly
missed, and will always be
cherished.
Gordon’s story starts on
Oct. 10, 1934, the oldest
child to Melvin and Mabel
Clayton. Gordon was born in
North Bend, Oregon. When
Gordon and his brother,
Gary Clayton, were children
their father Melvin Clayton
was a logger and farmhand,
which meant the family did
a lot of moving around when
they were younger.
During Gordon’s second
grade years (yes, I said
years) three to be exact, he
went to 36 different schools.
On the last move, they ended
up in Reedsport, Oregon,
where a teacher worked with
him and by the time, he was to enter sixth
grade, he was completely caught up. We
are uncertain if he spent the rest of his time
in Reedsport but what we are sure of as the
brothers got closer to high school, Gordon
and his brother, Gary, told their parents
that Reedsport is where they wanted to
finish school.
Gordon met the love of his life, Barbara
Ann Peterson, and they married three
years after meeting her during his senior
year at Reedsport. They were married in
Reno, Nevada, on Aug. 15, 1955. After
they were married, Gordon returned to
Camp Pendleton as a Marine corporal and
Barbara returned to Reedsport to finish her
senior year of high school.
Gordon and Barbara Clayton were
married over 67 wonderful years. Gordon
and Barbara lived on Weston Mountain in
an A-frame house and 5 acres. During their
time on the mountain, they spent many
hours riding their snowmobiles, cross
country skiing and snowshoeing all over
the mountain. They shared many loved and
blessed years together.
Gordon loved sports in high school
he played football, basketball, and track
and field. He was on the small side his
freshmen year, so the coach had him line
up to be the tackling dummy for football.
Gordon played different sports throughout
high school, with track being the one he
excelled in the most.
During his freshmen year at the
University of Oregon, he ran track for Bill
Bowerman, something he talked
about all time. He also ran track for
Southern Oregon now University of
Southern Oregon. Gordon would tell us
about what he excelled in while at Southern
Oregon, running the 100-yard dash and
long jumping. What he never talked about
was he also threw the javelin and did it
very well.
Gordon left college before he had a
degree and did many jobs working up to
management positions, however, he would
leave when the job demanded he spent too
much time away from his family. When
Gordon was in his 30s. he decided he
wanted to be a teacher and coach. Over the
next couple of years, he worked for a mill
full-time and went to school full-time.
When Gordon graduated from college,
his first teaching job was for Days Creek,
Oregon. Gordon was the varsity basketball,
track, and cross country coach, and
assisted with football. Gordon then moved
to a small town in Eastern
Oregon called Monument,
where he taught PE, health
and history. Gordon was the
head coach for cross country,
basketball, and track while
he was there. He also helped
start an 8-man football team
while at Monument.
After Monument, he
moved to Helix, Oregon, and
taught history, PE, health,
and later became a counselor.
He coached cross country
and basketball for the first
couple of years and then
track. After leaving Helix, he
coached cross country and
track at Athena-Weston for
several more years. He also
taught at Pendleton Middle
School working with at-risk
students until he retired.
When his grandchildren
started to play football for
Athena-Weston he became
an assistant football coach
until his last grandchild was
done playing football. Gordon was loved
and admired by his students and made a
difference in many kids' lives.
Gordon was a man of faith and attended
church no matter what town he was in.
After retiring from teaching, he became
very involved with the Athena Christian
Church in Athena, Oregon, and became
an elder for several years. Gordon and his
wife, Barbara, would reach out to members
who could not attend church, giving them
communion and spiritual guidance in the
word of God.
Gordon Earl Clayton, (Coach, Mountain
Man) passed away Feb. 7, 2022, at St.
Anthony Hospital in Pendleton, Oregon.
Gordon was preceded in death by his
parents, Melvin James Clayton and Mable
May Clayton; brother, Gary Clayton;
brothers-in-law, Johnny Geraghty and Rod
Brandon.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Barbara;
children, Diana Saily and husband Bill Saily
of Myrtle Creek, Oregon; Michael Clayton
and wife Shelley Clayton of McMinnville,
Oregon; Elizabeth Smith and husband Jim
Smith of Helix, Oregon; Jennifer Clayton
Richardson and husband John Richardson
of Enumclaw, Washington; grandchildren,
Cassi Saily, 39, Stephany Saily, 35, Joshua
Smith, 40, Jenny Van Wechel, Michael T-W
Clayton, 37, Anthoney Clayton, 33, Jakob
M-D Clayton, 14; great-grandchildren,
Jaxx Clayton, 13, Gage Clayton, 10, Blake
Clayton, 8, Wyatt Van Wechel, 15, Ebony
Van Wechel 13, Brodey Van Wechel 11,
Landen Van Wechel, 9, Sawyer Van
Wechel, 7, Mabel Smith 9, Ellie Smith, 6,
and Judah Smith 3; nephews, Eric Clayton,
Todd Clayton and Micky Clayton; niece,
Melissa Easterbrook; brothers-in-law,
Richard Geraghty and Allen Brandon.
Gordon’s celebration of life will be
held April 16, 2022, 2 p.m. at the Athena
Christian Church. There will be a reception
to follow in the basement of Athena
Christian Church. The ashes will be laid to
rest at Helix Cemetery on a later date.
In honor of Gordon’s love for teaching,
a memorial fund has been set up under
the name “Gordon Clayton Memorial
Scholarship Fund” at First Community
Bank in Pendleton, Oregon. The donations
will be set up as a scholarship fund to award
a local student with a $500 scholarship
towards achieving a degree in education.
Three words that sum up Gordons’s life
are God, family, friends.