A2
FAMILY
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
OBITUARIES
GRANT UNION STUDENTS OF THE MONTH — OCTOBER
Patrick Corey O’Hara
Tiler Voigt
Grade 12
Parents: Kellie
Combs and Kaleb
Voigt
Trevyn Coalwell
Grade 11
Parents: Terry and
Leann Coalwell
Isaac Koopman
Grade 10
Parent: Jane Kimble
Jack Strong
Grade 9
Parents: Mike
Strong and Katie
Bruzas
Sydnie Brandon
Grade 8
Parents: Kristopher
and Fawn Brandon
Dec. 4, 1945 — Nov. 17, 2019
Patrick Corey O’Hara was born Dec. 4, 1945, in Portland,
Oregon, to Ralph and Mary (Langwell) O’Hara. He joined
and served in the United States Marine Corps for four years,
Where he was a lance corporal, which is the third enlisted rank
in order of seniority in the United States Marine Corps.
In 1973, Pat married the love of his life Ardell Neumann, in
Sandy, Oregon. He was a self-employed contractor and some of
his hobbies included old cars, Harley-Davidson, skiing, rafting
and spending time with his grandchildren.
Pat is survived by his wife Ardell O’Hara of Prairie City;
daughter Kristen Ray also of Prairie City; two sons Shawn
O’Hara of Salem, Oregon, Bill O’Hara of Vancouver, Washing-
ton; and four grandchildren.
He was proceeded in death by his parents Ralph and Mary
O’Hara and his brother Michael O’Hara.
To light a candle in memory of Pat or offer online condo-
lences to his family, please visit driskillmemorialchapel.com.
Memorial contribution may be made in the memory of
Pat, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund through Drisk-
ill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR
97845.
Fallan Giffin
Grade 7
Parents: Chris and
Larissa Giffin
Tree of Giving provides gifts for Grant County kids
Blue Mountain
The Tree of Giving is
back for the season with
locations at Chester’s
Thriftway and the Outpost
Pizza, Pub & Grill in John
Day.
Tags for Grant County
children are on display with
a list of items each child
would like for Christmas
with clothing sizes and any
special requests.
The program in John
Day covers children in
Grant County, but Prai-
rie City has their own Tree
of Giving program (see
below).
For the trees in John
Day, those who would
like to participate can take
a tag, then return it with
unwrapped gifts under the
tree by Monday, Dec. 16.
“You do not have to be
receiving public assistance
to participate in the Tree
of Giving,” said organizer
Debi Hueckman.
Children participating
must live in Grant County,
and families can pick up
presents on Friday, Dec.
20, at the OSU Extension
Office classroom, 116 NW
Bridge St., Suite 1B, John
Day.
The event is a partner-
ship between DHS, Oregon
State University Extension
4-H and Families First Par-
ent Resource Center.
Herman Oliver Keerins
Contributed photo
Prairie City Ranger District staff collected 151 items for the Prairie City Food Bank and
bought Christmas presents for nine children through the Tree of Giving cause in 2016.
The Chester’s Elves of
Chester’s Thriftway also
donate to the cause, and
Les Schwab Tire Center
holds a Christmas toy drive
to contribute.
A group of 4-H volun-
teers make the tags and put
them on the trees. The 4-H
members hold fundraisers
and contribute gifts for the
teen tags.
OSU Extension office
coordinator Carol Wag-
goner said the program is a
“huge partnership.”
“It’s our countywide
community service proj-
ect for the Grant County
4-H program,” she said.
“I thought there were pro-
grams in other counties like
this, but it is unique to our
county.”
The Grant County 4-H
Program is overseen by
Christal Culley.
If a contributor would
like to donate to children
from the same family, they
can contact the OSU Exten-
sion office.
Those signing up for the
Tree of Giving, are asked
to sign up for only one
location.
For more informa-
tion, call DHS at 541-575-
0309 or OSU Extension at
541-575-1911.
Western Christmas Gifts & More
The Prairie City Volun-
teer Fire Department also
Prairie City Tree of
Giving
holds a Tree of Giving pro-
gram for their residents
with tags on the wall at
Prairie City City Hall, 133
S. Bridge St.
Prairie City 4-H mem-
bers also help with this
cause with a fundraiser
bake sale to buy the teen
gifts.
City Recorder Bobbie
Brown said they disperse
the gifts near Christmas-
time. The giving includes
a food basket for an entire
Christmas
dinner
for
seniors and low-income
families, and if they have
children, the gifts from the
Tree of Giving are also
included.
For more information
call Prairie City City Hall at
541-820-3605.
Feb. 27, 1931 — Nov. 24, 2019
Oliver was born Feb. 27, 1931, in
Prairie City, Oregon, and passed away
Nov. 24, 2019, in Sherwood, Oregon.
He was predeceased by his wife Patri-
cia Anderson Smith, 2018, and sons
David Keerins, 2018, and Ray Keer-
ins, 1987.
He is survived by first wife Audrey
Johnson Keerins Andrianakis Watkins,
daughters Barbara Erickson and Mary
Keerins, grandchildren Melissa Khun,
Melanie Keerins, Kyle Erickson and Brent Erickson. Oliver
was born into a Grant County ranching family and worked
on the Oliver ranch for his youth. His personal cattle brand
was Backwards K O. He later owned a tractor dealership in
Nampa, Idaho.
He then graduated from Oregon Technical Institute in
Klamath Falls. The family moved to Portland in 1963 where
Oliver worked at Hyster Company for many years. After
Hyster he owned and operated Captain Coyotes Bar & Pool
Hall in northeast Portland, serving a great baked oyster spe-
cial. Eventually his passion for rock hounding and lapidary
work took over. He graduated from the Gemological Insti-
tute in Long Beach, California. He then spent time in Bra-
zil mining amethyst, and exhibited at rock shows around the
U.S. for many years. Opals were one of his passions.
Oliver and Pat (Patricia) moved to The Springs Assisted
Living in Sherwood in 2014. They were both very thank-
ful for the friendships they made at The Springs and for the
excellent staff who treated him like family. Donations can be
made in his name to a charity of one’s choice.
Shirley May Wilson
Shirley May Wilson, 87, passed away in Florence. A
funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m.
at Dunes Memorial Chapel, burial to follow at Reedsport,
Masonic Cemetery.
About Obituaries
News obituaries of 300 words or less are a free service of the Blue Mountain Eagle. The
paper accepts obituaries from the family or funeral home. Information submitted is subject to
editing. Obituaries submitted to the Eagle with incorrect information may be corrected and
republished as paid memorials. Obituaries longer than 300 words may be published as paid
memorials. Send obituaries by email, office@bmeagle.com; fax, 541-575-1244; or mail,
195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. For more information, or to inquire about a paid
memorial, call 541-575-0710.
Wall Decor
Beaver & Duck Items
December 14th at 6:00 pm
Downtown John Day
Vintage Jewelry
e
Them
e
d
a
k
Par
yboo
r
A Sto tmas
s
r
Ch i
S154467-1
HUNDREDS
of Items
Priced
to Sell.
& Much More
Friday 11/29,
Saturday 11/30,
& Sunday 12/01
ALL DAY
Reserve your
HOLIDAY
PARTY
today!
OUTPOST
RESTAURANT
Preregister at John Day Auto Napa,
Bank of Eastern Oregon, or
Register day of
City of John Day
3-5:30pm@
$10 entry fee
Grant Western
Winners will be announced
at the Elk’s Lodge following the parade.
201 West Main • John Day
541.575.0250 S154101-1
S155791-1
S149680-1
Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Tuesday ........................................................... 59/37
Wednesday ..................................................... 43/26
Thursday .......................................................... 44/25
Friday ............................................................... 49/27
Saturday .......................................................... 50/33
Sunday ............................................................. 46/21
Monday............................................................ 37/16
24/7 F ORECAST
A UTOMATED : 541-575-1122
R OAD CONDITIONS : 511; TRIPCHECK . COM
NOAA W EATHER R ADIO FOR J OHN D AY
162.500 MHz
Lake Creek Camp
would like to thank
everyone who purchased
a raffle ticket. We
appreciate all the
support, this year’s
winners are Tyler
Palmer, Bob Officer
& Mike Springer
W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF N OV . 27-D EC . 3
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Possible
snow
Clear
cold
Clear
cold
Partly
cloudy
Cloudy
Partly
cloudy
Partly
cloudy
39
32
26
33
38
37
39
21
16
13
22
31
16
16