Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (April 14, 2021)
LOCAL Wallowa County Chieftain A2 Weather Forecast Courtesy of Weather Underground • wunderground.com High Low Conditions Apr. 15 56 31 partly cloudy Apr. 16 63 34 sunny Apr. 17 66 37 partly cloudy Apr. 18 69 38 partly cloudy Apr. 19 66 39 partly cloudy Apr. 20 67 40 partly cloudy Apr. 21 66 39 partly cloudy Apr. 26 May 03 1st Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter Businesses not big on idea of requiring employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine By ANN BLOOM For the Wallowa County Chieftain Phases of the moon Apr. 19 Wednesday, April 14, 2021 May 10 New Moon WALLOWA COUNTY SUNRISE & SUNSET DATE APRIL 15 – 21 (from the U.S. Naval Observatory) THUR FRI SAT SUN MON TUES WED 6:01 7:37 5:59 7:38 5:58 7:39 5:56 7:40 5:54 7:42 5:53 7:43 5:51 7:44 Gary Robert Sather December 27, 1936 – March 21, 2021 Mr. Gary Robert Sather died March 21, 2021 at the age of 84 in Bend, Oregon. Gary was born December 27, 1936, in Moscow, Idaho and considered Genesee their hometown. He passed away from complications follow- ing brain surgery. He was born on December 27, 1936 in Moscow, Idaho to parents Allen Bennett Sather and Laura “Alice” (Wegner) Sather. He was married to Jeannine Heimgart- ner for 65 loving years! Together they raised their children; John, Jean, Steve and Doug. He was a strong, fit, athletic guy who loved sports. He believed that one must stay active and fit in order to be healthy and vibrant. He learned the game of basketball playing on a hoop hung on the side of the big red barn on his father’s farm. He played high school basketball for the Genesee Bulldogs and college ball for the University of Idaho Vandals. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity during his college years at the University of Idaho where he earned his Masters of Education Degree. He was a teacher and a coach. Mr. Sather, as he was known by his students, taught high school science, biology, health, physical ed- ucation, drivers education, wood shop, first aid, was a counselor, and an assistant principal and coached boys and girls Basketball, Volleyball, Football and Track for 33 years in the Idaho and Oregon public schools. After retir- ing he was an ever present spectator in the bleachers in the gym named “Sather Court” that was dedicated in his honor for his achievements as an outstanding boys and girls basketball coach during his coaching career at Joseph High School.The girls were the Oregon State Girls Basketball Champions for Division A for the years 1981-1983, where they had 77 wins – 0 losses. Including 2 more wins to start the 1983-1984 season, the 79 game win streak is the most in Oregon history for boys or girls teams in any Division. He is survived by his wife Jeannine; son John & Carole-Jean (New- berg) Sather; daughter Jean (Sather) Stephenson & Dan; along with his brother Jim & Dianne (Druffel) Sather; sister-in-law’s Donna (Heimgartner) Corkill & Shirley (Heimgartner) Lindstrom & Dean; eight grandchildren; seven great- grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; Allen & Alice Sather; his sister Marilyn (Sather) Camp & Terry, brother-in-law Ed Corkill, his sons; Steve and Doug Sather and a grandson, Aaron Sather Nelson. Private family services will be held with burial of the cremains in Fix Ridge Cemetery in Juliaetta, Idaho. Autumn Funerals is in charge of arrangements. 63875 N. Hwy 97, Bend, Oregon. 97703. ENTERPRISE — The- resa Russell, owner of Olive Branch Family Health, and Michael McDonald, who works at the clinic, simul- taneously answered, “No!” when asked if they would require any of their eight employees get the COVID vaccine. “Both of us are for the vaccine — absolutely,” Rus- sell said. They both see it as an individual choice, however. “They (the staff ) are adults. We need to educate them and let them make the choice,” she said. “We need to protect others who are vulnerable.” McDonald echoed her words. He said he “sees it as a choice by the employee. Half (of the Olive Branch employees) have had it and half have not.” Russell went on to explain that because of their education and medical train- ing and background they are able to help their employ- ees “make an informed decision” about whether to receive the vaccination. To require employees to get a COVID-19 vac- cine or not is a question on the minds of more than one business owner in Wallowa County these days. And, to say it is a sensitive issue is putting it mildly, to say the least. Several area business owners declined to be inter- viewed when asked about Bill Bradshaw/Wallowa County Chieftain “Here are your ‘fortune cookies,’” says Angelica Zurita, co- owner of La Laguna Family Mexican Restaurant in Enterprise, as she brings customers a dessert Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. Zurita said she could see a time when some businesses, like hers, must require their employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine. it. The reasons varied from the political, to the legal and even to the philosophical. “We are doing all we can to help our associates stay informed on COVID-19 prevention to keep them safe and healthy. Along with the CDC, the company believes the vaccine is safe and one of the most important tools we can use to fi ght the virus. At this time, we are encour- aging associates to get vac- cinated when they become eligible. We will continue working to make the vaccine as accessible as possible, as soon as possible, to them,” said Jill McGinnis, director of communications and pub- lic aff airs for Safeway Alb- ertson’s in a statement. The other businesses con- tacted varied in the number Verla R. Henry April 13, 1922 – April 1, 2021 Verla R. Henry, long time resident of La Grande, died Thursday, April 1st at a local assisted living facility at the age of 98. A graveside service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 10th at the Island City Cemetery. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Verla Rachel Hawley was born on April 13th, 1922 to Albert Ford Hawley and Martha Nellie (Bennett) Hawley. Her grandparents, Benjamin & Abigail (Miller) Hawley, as well as Thomas & Rachel (Carper) Bennett were all early settlers in Eastern Oregon. Verla and her four siblings, Verdo, Virginia, Velma and Vern grew up in Wallowa, Oregon. She married Glen Henry in June of 1940 after which they became parents to children; Glenda Saltzman, Peggy Parsons, Richard Henry, Donald Henry and Alan Henry, Rachael Parsons, Naomi Parsons, Jerel Saltz- man, Pearl Howarth, Jerilynn Robinson, Roy Henry, Rikki Martin, Adrianna Henry, Nathan Henry, Gary Henry, Caleb Henry, Seth Henry, and Aaron Henry. Verla and Glen celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary last year. Verla was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, and two sisters. She is survived by her husband and her children as well as 12 great-grandchildren. Contributions in memory of Verla Henry may be made to Meals on Wheels, 1504 N. Albany Street, La Grande, OR 97850. Wayne Cecil Newton Moore Mildred Douglas Read March 6, 1943 – March 27, 2021 November 13, 1929 – March 27, 2021 Wayne passed away at the South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver. He died of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer. Wayne was able to handle his cancer with deep and enduring strengths until it was no longer possible. His passing was gentle. He was predeceased by his mother, Margaret (Tatlock) Moore; father, Cecil Reuben Moore; and sister, Marlene Frances (Moore) Allen; as well as both his uncles in Winnipeg: George Robert Tatlock and John Frederick Tatlock. Wayne is survived by his loving wife, Claudia, of 44 years. He is also survived by Marlene’s husband, Don Allen, and their grown children: Jeff (Norine) Allen, Kandy (David) Charnley, Jamie (Sheri) Allen, Calvin (Anne-Marie) Allen, Penny (Herman) VandeGoede, and Jill (Barry) Ewanyshyn. Wayne also had several great-nephews and nieces who will miss him dearly. Wayne is also survived by his first cousin, Linda-Mary (Tatlock) Bluma, her husband Roman, and children, Susan and Andrew, of Victoria. Wayne worked in retail and banking before leaving Canada to live in Oregon and manage M. Crow Family Mercantile in Lostine where he was also involved in selling Real Estate in the county, and as a school bus driver for a 10 year stint. A move to McMinnville in the late 90s placed Wayne at Hillsboro Aviation as an Admissions Director for students learning to fly. Wayne enjoyed vacation travels to Europe and most all travel and get-aways, in general. He was involved in many organizations: BC Naturalist Club; a volun- teer fireman; Lions Club; differing duties with McMinnville Chamber of Commerce, McMinnville City, and the McMinnville High School; such as, a work-based Learning Advisory Board. Wayne’s communication and organi- zational skills proved an asset in these experiences in conjunction with his dedicated, positive, and caring attitude. As a Baptist Church member he served in worship and leadership activities and was also affiliated with First Presbyterian Church over the years, as well. He was awarded McMinnville Downtown Association’s Volunteer of the Year for 2 years and numerous certificates of awards over the years. Wayne’s interests included British sport cars, hiking, fishing, hunting, along with flying. He enjoyed his daily routine of walking. He would go to the store so that he would be around others. He enjoyed meeting and getting to know people. Donations may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation. Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www. nunes-pottinger.com Mildred “Millie” Douglas Read was born to Associate Justice William O. Douglas, and Mildred Riddle Douglas, in Harford, Connecticut, on November 13th. 1929, and passed away in her sleep on March 27th, 2021, at 91. Although she grew up on the East Coast, her heart was always in the state of Oregon’s North- East corner. After high school, Millie went to Whitman College, where her father and Aunt Martha had previously graduated. She met Frank H. Wells II on a cruise ship, and after a whirlwind romance, they married. Millie & Frank had three children; Leslie Lee Wells, Frank Herbert Wells III (Ty), and Karen Jon Wells. Frank and Millie divorced in the mid-60s, and Millie was a single moth- er with 3 children. At this time, she met the love of her life, Norman Thomas Read. Norman was a widower with 4 children; Elizabeth, Christie, Paul, and Andrew. Millie and Norman married and combined households, children, and all, in Sunningdale, Berkshire. Millie went back to school and became a teach- er, and Norman worked for the BBC. At retirement, they moved to Lostwithiel, Cornwall, where Millie’s passion for horses re-emerged. As a young girl, she was quite a fearless rider, rounding up herds of horses for a local outfitter, entering competitions, trail riding, and horse-driving. Tragedy struck when Norman died at the early age of 59. Millie stayed in Cornwall for an additional eight years after Norman’s death. After her oldest daughter Leslie’s passed, Millie decided to move to Wallowa, OR, where she lived her dream of raising Morgan Horses. As well as the above-mentioned, Millie is survived by two granddaugh- ters; Michelle Diane Streifel and Stephanie Nicole Davis, three great-grand- daughters; Sydney Paige Streifel, Lainey Lee Davis; and Elsie Reign Davis, along with her step-grandchildren in England; Nikki-Lee Hampton, Jodie Brown, Lewis Read, and Ty Read, and six great-grandchildren. Millie was a multi-faceted woman. On her farm in Wallowa, she taught riding lessons, raised sheep, spun wool, painted, played classical guitar, loved dogs, cats, and pretty much anything with four legs. Millie was a force of nature who was loved by her family and friends and respected by all. She was outspoken, true to her word, and did not suffer fools gladly. We will all miss her very much. In place of flowers, donations in Mildred Douglas Read’s memory to the Yakima Valley Museum, 2105 Tieton Drive Yakima, WA, 98902, are being accepted. https://www.yvmuseum.org/. of employees and size of operation. Some had as few as one employee, while oth- ers had 10 to 15. With one location in Enterprise and one in Joseph, La Laguna Fam- ily Mexican Restaurant co-owner Angelica Zurita, who has a crew of 15, took a team-oriented approach and polled her employees, pos- ing the question to them of whether they would want to be required to receive the vaccine. Responses were mixed. Some said they wouldn’t really mind, while others weren’t so sure, citing the newness of the vaccine and its still-unknown side eff ects, if any. However, she said that she could see where “it might get to that point, where it will come to that for any job,” that the vaccine will be required. She said she pointed out to her employees that work- ing in the food industry, if “some of us get the vac- cine, and some of us don’t and one of us gets sick with COVID, we will have to shut down both businesses, and that aff ects employment for everyone.” Wallowa County Grain Growers General Man- ager Mike Hayward took a thoughtful and considered approach. “I think before we required anyone to get the vaccine, we’d be in consul- tation with our legal coun- sel, which would involve our attorney and insurance company,” he said. Zurita said she realized it wasn’t a done deal yet. “If some businesses make it mandatory, others will follow,” she said. “If I had to make it mandatory, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. We work in the food industry.” She went on to say that, “we have to think about everyone’s safety. The rules and regulations after the pandemic are most likely not going away. We might as well face facts. We can’t pre- tend it’s not happening.” McDonald, however, gives high marks to Wal- lowa County compared to other counties in the state with signifi cantly higher lev- els of risk by saying, “We’ve been handling this pandemic wonderfully.” CORRECTION The headline and lead paragraph in the Biz Buzz column in the April 6 Chief- tain incorrectly stated the status of a business change for Integraded Biomass Resources. The assets of IBR in Wallowa were pur- chased by the new company, Heartwood Biomass LLC. Death Notice 70 year old Sandy Twigg of Enterprise died at the local hospital April 3, 2021. No services are planned at this time. Bollman Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements Death Notice 88 year old Richard “Dick” Wheeler of Enterprise died April 4, 2021 at his home. A memorial service was held Tuesday April 13, 2021, 11:30 am at the Enterprise Seventh Day Adventist Church with private Internment at the Enterprise Cemetery. Bollman Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements Richard Harlow Wheeler Dick was born in Van Nuys, California on April 4, 1933 to Fred and Genievieve Winifred Feweks. He lived in Southern California and Southern Oregon and graduated from Monterey Bay Seventh Day Ad- ventist Academy in 1953. He proudly served in the U. S. Marines from 1953 to 1957. His various jobs included salesman of agricultural equipment in five western states, Paramount Pest Control for 16 years, and building saunas. After retirement he drove school bus in Willamette Valley and then 20 years for Moffit Bros. Transportation. Previous marriages included Virginia Schnepper with three children, Beverly Bridges with one child, Yvonne, Belva, Eva Rosella for 38 years until her death in 2016. He married Becky Turkington in 2017. Dick greatest joy was fixing things for people, and getting it done right now! He served as Elder and Deacon for his church, keeping the facility in the best condition. He enjoyed repairing and refurbishing things like antique lamps, art frames, trailers and campers. He sang in “The Quiet Sound” quartet with his brother-in-law Joe Pearles. He was Lions Club “Man of the Year” in 2003. Dick enjoyed his status as a veteran Marine and you would usually see him in his veteran hat. He loved driving school bus and seeing the kids grow up over the years. There was no misbehaving on his bus, but the kids respected and loved him. Dick is preceded in death by his parents, his previous wife Eva Rosella Wheeler and his sister Jo-Dee Corwin. Dick is survived by his wife Becky; half-brother Phillip Sieck (Laurel) of Roseburg, Oregon; children; Richard Wheeler (Laurel) of North Dakota, Paul Wilcox (Ruthie) of Lake Havasu Arizona, Deborah Sue and Ricky-whereabouts unknown; his step-children Diana Gavel (Russell) and Lloyd (Nina) Keller, Deborah Dowdle, Benjamin Brooks (Des), Matthew (Jeanie); numerous grand- children and great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be April 13 at 11:30 at the Enterprise Seventh Day Adventist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Enterprise Seventh-Day Adventist School. Dick called himself “old school” and the decline in our society was hard on him. He was looking forward to eternity in heaven. Now he is sleeping, unaware, waiting for the return of Jesus to take him home.