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Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
OBITUARIES
Former Burns ag research center leader
wins range management society award
Blue Mountain Eagle
Dr. Tony Svejcar received the W.R.
Chapline Research Stewardship Award
at the Society for Range Management’s
74th annual meeting held virtually this
February. This award gives special rec-
ognition to members of the society for
exceptional and sustained research
accomplishments in range science and
associated disciplines. Only one award
is given annually, and it is one of the
most prestigious awards presented by
SRM.
Svejcar is a preeminent scientist who
is nationally and internationally recog-
nized for his many significant contri-
butions to rangeland science and man-
agement, according to a press release.
He initiated the Agri-
cultural
Research
Service’s CO2 Flux
Network, an effort
designed to identify the
influence of U.S. range-
lands on the global car-
Dr. Tony
bon cycle.
Svejcar
Svejcar also pio-
neered use of the stable
isotope 13C for carbon cycling research.
Svejcar and his co-investigators have
tested and refined an array of techniques
for reducing or managing expanding
populations of western juniper and he
has made lasting contributions to our
understanding of the seedling ecology
of native plant species in the sagebrush
steppe.
Roger Verne Ashmead
Svejcar’s work has generated over
200 publications.
“Not only does Dr. Svejcar possess
a superior scientific aptitude, but his
humility, drive, leadership skills, and
strong sense of purpose, enable him to
leverage that aptitude by helping other
researchers and students to realize their
own potential,” the society said in a
statement.
“Nowhere is this more evident than
at the Eastern Oregon Agricultural
Research Center in Burns, where he
was Research Leader for ARS for nearly
30 years. During that time he selflessly
gave of his talents to build a regional
center of excellence for customer-driven
rangeland research whose influence now
operates at the global scale.”
Wild & Scenic Film Festival streaming starting April 1
Blue Mountain Eagle
The Wild & Scenic Film Festi-
val arrives online in the Blue Mountain
Region at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 1.
This is the seventh year in which the Land
Trust has partnered with the South Yuba
River Citizens League to show the films
of this extraordinary festival.
Last year, because of the pandemic,
the Land Trust canceled its in-person pre-
sentation at Whitman College but instead
hosted 52 films online over eight weeks
that were viewed by over 3,400 guests.
This year, the festival will again be
online. The premier presentation will
be streamed live. During the live event,
guests can enjoy the films, local food
options, chat with audience members and
vie to win door prizes, all from the com-
fort of home. Visit bmlt.org/wild2021 for
more information and to register.
The Blue Mountain region can sup-
port their own local advocates for the
environment by attending Blue Mountain
Land Trust’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival
On Tour event.
Featured at this On Tour event are
Clara Ann Lemley
Contributed photo
The film ‘Here We Stand’ features Save the Redwoods League’s efforts to make con-
servation inclusive.
“Here We Stand,” a film from Theresa
Baker and Save the Redwoods League
about improving inclusivity in the out-
doors; “Common Ground,” which
shows how water can bring together the
interests of tribes, ranchers and govern-
ment to work toward a common goal;
and “A Message From The Future of
Paradise,” which reflects on the poten-
tial rebuilding process of a community
Futures scholarship applications available
Blue Mountain Eagle
Qualified local residents can now
apply for the Grant County Futures
Scholarship.
Applicants must be enrolled or
planning to enroll in courses through
Eastern Oregon University or Blue
Mountain Community College’s
online degree programs and courses
offered through the Grant County
Center in John Day. They must also
Oct. 3, 1938 – Feb. 25, 2021
Roger Verne Ashmead, 82, of Condon, Oregon, passed
away on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in Bend, Oregon. There
will be no public services at this time. To leave an online
condolence for the family, visit whis-
peringpinesfuneralhome.com.
Roger was born in Pendleton, Ore-
gon, on Oct. 3, 1938, to Kenneth
William and Doris Irene (Wilhelm)
Ashmead. He was raised in Fossil,
Oregon, attending grade school and
graduating from Wheeler County High
School. After school Roger served in
the United States Army.
He met Peggy Lou Miller and mar-
ried her on June 20, 1964. They raised
four children in the Fossil and Condon area.
Roger enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching old westerns
and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sara Irene
Shaw; his parents, Kenneth and Doris Ashmead; and two
sisters, Ardeth Ashmead and Phyllis Cook.
Roger is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Peggy
Ashmead; two daughters, Lora Wright and Sherry Woody;
and one son Bill Ashmead; 11 grandchildren; and five
great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made in Roger’s name
to St. Charles Heart and Lung Center through Whisper-
ing Pines Funeral Home, 3168 NE Third St., Prineville OR
97754, 541-416-9733.
Whispering Pines Funeral Home is honored to assist the
family with arrangements.
have been county residents for one
year, demonstrate financial need and
provide letters of recommendation.
Applications are available at
grantesd.k12.or.us/documents/schol-
arships/GC-Futures-Scholarship.pdf.
Funds are intended for the 2021-
22 academic year. The deadline is
Thursday, April 22.
Please contact Ashley Armichardy
at 541-575-1550 or aarmichardy@
eou.edu with any questions.
destroyed by fire, providing a model for
others.
To join Blue Mountain Land Trust for
this live event, visit bmlt.org/wild2021.
Tickets start at $20 and dining packages
start at $80 A recorded version of the
festival will be available online through
Tuesday, April 6.
For more information contact Katy
Rizzuti, katy@bmlt.org.
Blood drives planned
Blue Mountain Eagle
The American Red Cross is planning blood
drives in Grant County March 16-18.
The John Day events will be held from
1-6 p.m. March 16 and from 10:30 a.m. to
3:30 p.m. March 18 at The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, 944 E. Main St.,
John Day.
A drive will also be held from 8:30 a.m. to
1:30 p.m. March 17 at Prairie City School, 740
Overholdt St.
April 14, 1940 – Dec. 18, 2020
Clara Ann Lemley, age 80, passed away at her residence
in John Day, Oregon, on Dec. 18, 2020. A memorial ser-
vice will be held Saturday, March 13, 2021, at 1 p.m. at
Depot Park in Prairie City, Oregon.
Clara was born to Jessie and Syl-
via (Coble) Lattymer on April 14,
1940, in Prairie City, Oregon. She
enjoyed camping, reading, needle
point and spending quality time with
her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her
parents, Jessie and Sylvia Lattymer,
and the love of her life, Larry Pratt.
Survivors include her daughters,
Donna Clark of John Day, Sylvia of
Eugene, Alice of Ontario and Elizabeth of Arizona; a sister
Cleo Larkin; stepsons “the Pratt boys”; and several grand-
children who all adored and loved her endlessly.
Memorial contributions can be made to Shriner’s Chil-
dren’s Hospital through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S.
Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. To leave a condolence
for the family, visit driskillmemorialchapel.com.
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.
Ellen Renee McEndarfer Whiteman Evans
Mervin Ortmann
August 12, 1960 ~ February 28, 2021
July 6, 1943 ~ February 4, 2021
Mervin Ortmann, 77, of Prairie
City, died Thursday, February 4,
2021 at his home.
One of Sierra County’s most beloved, and courageous, residents, Ellen Evans, passed away unexpectedly at her home
on Feb. 28.
She leaves behind husband Scott Evans; daughters Jennifer Whiteman (Co), and Alesha Evans (N.C.); granddaughters
Samantha (TorC) and Julieana (Co) Whiteman; sisters Linda Whiteman (TX) and Amy Whiteman Ratliff (Idaho); and
brothers Thomas and Jess Whiteman. She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mary McEndarfer.
In addition to her family, Ellen left behind a community inspired by her strength, courage and desire to help others.
In 1962, two-year old Ellen drank Drano. In seconds her life changed forever; her survival making medical history.
She suffered from severely burned lips, mouth, tongue, esophagus and stomach, and doctors decided to keep her
comfortable until her imminent death.
She surprised the doctors and staff at two different hospitals when she survived 7 1/2-hour laryngoscopy and esophagus surgeries – at the time the
longest on record for such a small child – and double-lung pneumonia.
Her story captivated newspaper, TV, and radio audiences, with reporters filing stories and updates from the operating room. The publicity prompted
children nationwide to save pennies for a medical expense fund. Though she was too young to read, people from across the country wrote her thousands
of letters of encouragement.
She also became the subject of articles in several medical journals, as the oldest living person to survive swallowing Drano.
As a young teen living in Idaho she excelled at everything she did; becoming a Candy Striper at the local hospital, a top Girl Scout cookie seller, partici-
pating in the Junior Miss pageant, and was named “Miss Physical Fitness” in high school. She attended Chemeketa Community College in Salem OR, and
the University of New Mexico, and worked for years as a loan manager for Bank of the Southwest.
In 2008 she followed her culinary dreams and opened a popular candy shop in T or C, Cocoa Re`al, and her chocolates and fudge were known worldwide.
She volunteered for many organizations, including the Fiesta Committee Council, and became the Parade Marshall in 2011. She was a member of the
Kiwanis Club, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce and the Sexual Trauma Abuse Response Team. She recently founded the Sierra County Lost, Found and
Rehoming of Animals Facebook page.
While in college she met Scott Evans, who was her soulmate for 35 years. Ellen and Scott and daughters traveled widely while he was in the military.
“She was the best thing that ever happened to me,” said Scott.
Throughout her life she endured numerous surgeries to reconstruct the esophagus, and suffered from complications of her damaged digestive system.
She and Scott moved to T or C in 1999, and soon after Ellen was placed on life support after surviving yet another surgery. Doctors again wanted to place
her under hospice care, but she wasn’t through fighting yet. Throughout all this she was encouraging others who faced health or other issues, and always
going out of her way to help others.
“She approached every single day with courage and vigor,” said good friend Melissa Loomis. “I’m not sure how she never gave up, when she had plenty
of reasons to do so. At times I would be super down and depressed about my ailments, but she would always tell me it will get better, and to not stop
getting up, which she did, every single day.
T or C resident Julie Tallent remembers how Ellen sent food to her house after Tallent was injured in an auto accident, even though she had never met her.
“She was an amazing, thoughtful and kind lady, always thinking of others,” said Tallent.
“Her strength came shining through when we talked privately about some of our struggles/experiences early in life, and more recently when she opened
up about her personal struggle to overcome the physical challenges she dealt with every day for most of her life,” said Val TwoWolves. “She’ll hold a
special place in my heart for as long as I live.”
Sherrie Boehm, who was a close friend, commented on Ellen’s passing on Facebook, “She lived life to the fullest and was the hardest fighter I’ve even
known. I will keep you in my heart forever.”
In a 2017 interview for the “Sentinel” Know Your Neighbor column, Ellen said, “This was supposed to happen to me, so others could survive it. I was the
doctors’ trial and error patient -- and some things worked, and some didn’t. I just believe we are all here for a purpose and until it is fulfilled, we remain
here.”
In addition to helping and encouraging others, Ellen loved fishing, yard sales, gardening, Halloween and cruises. During her retirement she loved manag-
ing her E Bay store and passing her culinary knowledge on to her granddaughter, said Scott.
Paid for by the family of Ellen Evans
S234587-1
Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Tuesday ........................................................... 52/30
Wednesday ..................................................... 60/32
Thursday .......................................................... 59/34
Friday ............................................................... 63/37
Saturday .......................................................... 45/33
Sunday ............................................................. 48/34
Monday............................................................ 42/32
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
Mervin Adam Ortmann was born
July 6, 1943 in Regina, Saskatch-
ewan, Canada. He immigrated to
America with his family in 1948;
settling in Portland, Oregon. His teenage years were fueled by his love
of hot rods, of which he built many. Summer nights during the ‘60s,
he was sure to be seen in downtown Portland with his high school
buddies and their street rods, dragging Broadway; Merv at the wheel
of his beloved 1940 Ford coupe. His love of old cars led him to become
a skilled metal craftsman, perfecting his abilities in the art of body and
fender restoration.
He loved working with his hands and also became very adept in
woodworking, and restoring antique furniture. He was committed to
his own standards of excellence in everything he endeavored to do.
Mervin loved music of all kinds, fishing, fine art, farming and dogs. He
respected nature, and all of earth creations. He was known by all who
knew him to speak his mind. And you would hear the truth whether
it was “candy coated” or not. He could be crude and sometimes rude,
but under his gruff exterior was a big and sensitive heart. He was a
man of integrity, who hated injustice. He had the determination of a
tank, and was certainly known “as a force to reckon with.”
He leaves behind his wife; Jane of Prairie City, OR; daughters: Jill
Woynowski, Portland, OR, Amy Giandomenico, Prairie City, OR; step-
sons Frank Holly Jr., Vancouver, WA, Robert Holly, Vancouver, Henry
Holly, Lebanon, OR., George Holly, Kingman, AZ; Six grandchildren,
sister Elaine Boone, Walnut Creek, Ca. Brother Wayne Ortmann, Wash-
ougal, WA.
For those who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of
Mervin, the family suggests the Blue Mountain Humane Association (a
no kill shelter as Mervin was an advocate for rescue dogs) in La Grande
through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services PO
Box 543 Halfway, OR. 97834. Online condolences can be shared at
www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.
Paid for by the family of Mervin Ortmann.
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W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF M ARCH 10 - 16
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Chance of rain/
snow
Mostly
sunny
Sunny
Sunny
Slight chance
of rain
Slight chance
of snow
Cloudy
46
47
52
57
51
46
49
28
25
28
32
27
20
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