TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, July 29, 2020
The Official Newspaper
of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow
Heppner
GAZETTE-TIMES
U.S.P.S. 240-420
Morrow County’s Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper
SEARCH OLD COPIES OF THE HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES ON-LINE:
http://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/
Published weekly by Sykes Publishing and entered as periodical matter at the Post
Office at Heppner, Oregon under the Act of March 3, 1879. Periodical postage paid
at Heppner, Oregon. Office at 188 W. Willow Street. Telephone (541) 676-9228. Fax
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P.O. Box 337, Heppner, Oregon 97836. Subscriptions: $31 in Morrow County; $25
senior rate (in Morrow County only; 65 years or older); $37 elsewhere; $31 student
subscriptions.
David Sykes ..............................................................................................Publisher
Bobbi Gordon................................................................................................ Editor
Giselle Moses.........................................................................................Advertising
All News and Advertising Deadline is Monday at 5 p.m.
For Advertising: advertising deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. Cost for a display ad is $5.25 per
column inch. Cost for classified ad is 50¢ per word. Cost for Card of Thanks is $10 up to
100 words. Cost for a classified display ad is $6.05 per column inch.
For Public/Legal Notices: public/legal notices deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. Dates for pub-
lication must be specified. Affidavits must be required at the time of submission. Affidavits
require three weeks to process after last date of publication (a sooner return date must be
specified if required).
For Obituaries: Obituaries are published in the Heppner GT at no charge and are edited to
meet news guidelines. Families wishing to include information not included in the guidelines
or who wish to have the obituary written in a certain way must purchase advertising space
for the obituary.
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number for use by the GT office. The GT reserves the right to edit letters. The GT is not
responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters. Any letters expressing thanks will
be placed in the classifieds under “Card of Thanks” at a cost of $10.
Cecelia A. Drake
Cecelia Drake came a few short years, she be-
into this world on August came the head teacher for
8, 1946, a bundle of joy the elementary school and
to her parents, Bob and instituted the first all-day
Agnes Lovett. She passed kindergarten program in the
away on July 25,
region.
2020. She had the
Marriage to
pleasure of living in
Bruce Dickinson
six different states
and birth of son
before she was 18
Brent in 1975 were
months old as her
a natural course
father pursued a ca-
of action only to
reer in sales. They
be followed by
eventually ended Cecelia A.
the tragic death of
up in the New Orle- Drake
Bruce when Brent
ans Garden District
was 18 months old.
where Cecelia attended This precipitated a move to
school until third grade. Hermiston, OR to be close
Along the journey, siblings to family. Her father, Bob
Nancy, Rob, and twins John Lovett, had moved several
and Joe were added to the years earlier to pastor Grace
family.
Baptist Church.
While working and par-
While in Hermiston,
tying in New Orleans, her her dad felt another “Call
dad received what can only of God” and in 1972 started
be labeled as a “Call from Interfaith Christian Center,
God” to enter the ministry. now known as Hermis-
He entered seminary at the ton Christian Center. Af-
Southern Baptist seminary ter meeting in different
in New Orleans. He quickly buildings in the area, they
got an assignment to a “mis- settled as a congregation
sions” church in Flatwood, the Carpenter’s Hall in the
LA and then Pineville Bap- Simmons Agency building
tist Church in Pineville, LA at the intersection of Diag-
where Cecelia graduated onal and East Main Street.
from high school. While Cecelia, true to herself,
serving these churches, her immersed herself in the
father would comment that activities of the church and
his monthly liquor bill used raising Brent, but harbored
to be more than his monthly a burning desire to continue
salary as a pastor.
her teaching career. With
Cecelia attended Loui- encouragement from her
siana College in Marksville father and much council
LA until her sophomore year from Jane Baker, the three
when the family moved to of them started Interfaith
Grandview, WA where her Christian School in 1978
dad became pastor of the in the basement of the Car-
Grandview Baptist Church. penter’s Hall with Bob
She moved with the family Lovett, Pastor/Shepherd;
and immediately enrolled Jane Baker, Principal; and
in Central Washington State Cecelia, Head Teacher.
College (now a universi-
In the late summer of
ty). At Central, because 1980, Interfaith Christian
of credits and grades, she Center moved all of its
was placed as a junior, activities, including the
graduating from Central in school, to their newly con-
1968. Immediately upon structed, but unfinished,
graduation, she entered the building at 1825 West High-
teacher certification pro- land Ave. They expanded
gram and pursued a career the school membership to
as an elementary teacher. include high school stu-
She had told her mother at dents. Cecelia continued
a very early age that if she as head teacher for the el-
couldn’t be an angel, she ementary with her primary
wanted to be a teacher.
focus on K-1, her first love.
What a teacher she be-
While teaching at the
came. After a short stint in a new location, she met and
Catholic private school, she fell in love with a member
went to work in the Grang- of the newly expanded staff,
er School District as an second and third grade
elementary teacher. Within teacher and worship lead-
Obituaries
Donna Marie
(Bellamy) Foster
On the sunny afternoon a grandmother to Georgia,
of June 10, 2020, surround- Aaralyn, Rhett, Henry and
ed by family, Donna Marie Austin.
Donna struggled over
(Bellamy) Foster left this
earth and found peace. Don- the last few years of her life
with health issues
na was born June
and eventually suc-
10, 1956 to Don and
cumbed to the ef-
Shirley Bellamy in
fects of lung cancer.
Hermiston, OR
Donna is sur-
From day one,
vived by husband,
Donna was a wild
child always follow- Donna Marie B r u c e F o s t e r ;
daughters, Belle
ing her older broth- (Bellamy)
Porter, Sofia Fos-
ers around the farm Foster
ter and Ariel Chris-
and eventually get-
ting into 4-H with her pigs. tian; sister, Penny Puckett;
Donna’s love of animals brothers, Bill Bellamy, Tim
and vivacious spirit attract- Bellamy, Sam Bellamy, Ted
ed her to her partner of 40 Bellamy and Cameron Bel-
years, Bruce Allen Foster, lamy; grandchildren, Geor-
whom she married January gia, Aaralyn, Henry, Rhett
24, 1979. After traveling the and Austin. Preceding her
world together, they settled in death were her parents
in Randolph, TX out in the and sister, Kitty Niles.
Due to the current state
country and had Bellamy
of the world, a memorial
Ann and Sofia Chamile.
Wanting to be closer will be postponed until
to family, they moved to spring/summer 2021. If you
Duvall, WA in 1989 and would like to show condo-
added to their family with lences to the family, please
Ariel Don. According to donate through PayPal at
her family, Donna had a big donnafoster1. The family
heart and wanted the best would also appreciate any
for her family. She loved stories anyone would like
all her siblings, Bill, Penny, to share about Donna at
Tim, Sam, Ted, Kitty and rememberdonna2020@
Cameron. Donna continued gmail.com.
that love when she became
er, Richard Drake (Rick).
They were married in May
of 1981. The couple moved
into their first home on a
dirt road just south of the
new church/school build-
ing. As the road was yet
unnamed, they were asked
what they should call the
road. Both Cecelia and Rick
almost without hesitation
said Alleluia Lane.
Because of their love
for children, they almost
immediately began to take
in foster children, even-
tually having 30 children
call 1820 Alleluia Lane
home for a while. Cecelia
continued teaching at the
school but in 1986, the
couple moved to Vallejo,
CA. Cecelia, true to her
love and calling, became
the Sunday School coordi-
nator for Hilltop Christian
Center in Vallejo, a church
with a membership of well
over 600.
They moved back to
Hermiston in 1988. Ce-
celia continued teaching
as a substitute teacher in
area schools and in 1999
the couple moved to Hep-
pner. After a few years
as a substitute teacher in
area schools, Cecelia be-
gan working as a reading
specialist at Riverside High
School in Boardman until
a stroke in 2009 forced
her into early retirement.
She continued to be active
in school, accompanying
Rick, who was teaching
music, and working as a
volunteer aid until con-
tinuing diminishing health
WilmaLee Bothwell
Marlatt
WilmaLee Bothwell kind and popsicles.
She was very proud of
Marlatt took her last breath
and was called home to Him getting her high school di-
Monday, July 20, 2020 at ploma from Heppner High
School in 1960 with
the age of 78. “When
a three-month-old
we are born into this
daughter. She was
life God gives us
an accomplished
only so many breaths,
speaker and she
when we take that last
loved to talk.
breath, we go home
WilmaLee is
to Him.” WilmaLee
preceded in death
was brought into this
by her parents,
life on December 20, WilmaLee
Bruce and Vera
1941 to parents Bruce Bothwell
Bothwell; her be-
and Vera Cowins Marlatt
loved sister, Violet
Bothwell in Heppner
Lorraine and broth-
OR. She was a wife
to Wesley for 61 years and er Wade. She is survived
13 days, mother of seven, by her husband, Wesley
grandmother of 10 and of Finley WA and seven
great-grandmother of six. children, Melody Marlatt,
Wes and Wilma were Santa Ana CA, Rosanna
married July 7, 1959 in and Joseph Vandecar, Uma-
Lewiston, ID. She was a tilla, OR, Wesley (Putter)
proud and active member of and Sarah-Anne Marlatt, Ir-
the Church of Jesus Christ rigon, OR, Lovena and Lee
of Latter-day Saints. She Clinkenbeard, La Grande,
was sealed to her husband OR, Douglas Marlatt, Uma-
and children for time and tilla, OR, Starla and Larry
all eternity in the Logan Lozier, Finley, WA and
Alisha Looslie, Pendleton,
Temple.
According to her fam- OR.; 10 grandchildren, Ka-
ily, her family meant ev- leb, AmyAnn, Isaac, Jared,
erything to WilmaLee. She Kelsie, Kaylee, Shayla,
loved to tell the story of Andrew, Miles and the
how she chose the names baby Karly Lawren; six
of her children. Melody was great-grandchildren, Hay-
for the music in her life, ley, Maygan, Maddie, Leo,
Rosanna for all the flowers Skyla, and Ace; her sister,
that she loved, Wesley Jr. Joanne Kain of Pendleton,
(putter) for the love of her and finally her fat, fluffy,
life, Lovena for the love she bobtailed calico cat, Angel.
“Mom passed from this
had for Wes and her chil-
dren, Douglas Raymond earth peacefully of natural
was named after the other causes.” The last words she
two most important men said were, “I am so very
in her life, her father Bruce happy, I love you.” “We
Douglas and father-in-law love you mom and miss you
Thomas Raymond. Then like crazy. You will live in
came Starla for the stars our hearts forever. But this
in the Heavens and the last is not goodbye because
child, Alisha Amber for the we know we will see you
final jewel in her crown. again when we take our
She loved her children and last breath and are called
would say it was her true home you will be there to
meet us.”
purpose in life.
WilmaLee was laid to
Wilma loved and lived
for her family and she had rest in a family plot sur-
a great love of animals. It rounded by all her relatives
didn’t matter what animal that have gone home before
it was, she loved it, all of her in a graveside service
her dogs, cats, ducks, hors- on Saturday, July 25 at the
es, pigs and anything with Heppner Masonic Ceme-
wings (she loved birds). tery.
Memorial contribu-
She also loved plants and
flowers, especially painted tions may be made to Pet
daisies and butterflies. She Rescue-Humane Society of
loved music of any kind, Eastern Oregon, 1844 NW
but her favorite was oldies Geer Road, Hermiston, OR
of the 50’s and 60’s and 97838
Sweeney Mortuary in
old country. Her favorite
singer was Don Williams. Heppner is in care of ar-
She loved food and her rangements. The online
favorites were KFC extra condolence book is avail-
crispy, strawberry/banana able at www.sweeneymor-
milkshakes, shrimp of any tuary.com
forced her to stay home.
Cecelia was preceded
in death by her parents, Bob
and Agnes Lovett; sister,
Nancy Stimson (Gene);
brother, Joe; grandson,
Brock Palmer and son,
Brent Dickinson.
She is survived by her
husband of nearly 40 years,
Rick; great-grandsons,
Blake and Brody; grand-
son, Bryce; daughter, Janet
and foster son, Jeremiah;
brothers, Rob and John
Lovett; and foster brother,
Johnny Hover.
“Cecelia, you will be
missed by all who knew you
well. Your beautiful voice,
your twinkling emerald
green eyes, your smile and
most of all, your heart of
compassion. We will see
you in Glory,” said a family
member.
A graveside service
will be held Saturday, Au-
gust 1 at 11 a.m. at Heppner
Masonic Cemetery. Please
be considerate of others
during the Covid-19 era if
you plan on attending the
service.
Contributions may be
made to Vange John Me-
morial Hospice, 645 W.
Orchard Ave, Ste. 300,
Hermiston, OR 97838 or
to the Heppner Methodist
Church Memorial Fund,
PO Box 733, Heppner, OR
97836.
Sweeney Mortuary is in
The Neighborhood
care of arrangements. The
Center
will be having a
online condolence book is
bag
sale
on Wednesday,
available at www.sweeney-
August
5
from 9:30 a.m.
mortuary.com.
to 5:30 p.m. (closed from
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. for lunch).
Shop for a cause and fill a
bag with clothing, shoes,
Willow Creek Park District (WCPD) will hold their movies, music CDs and
regular meeting on Thursday, July 30 at 5 p.m. at the books for the whole family
for $15 (second bag is $10).
Heppner City Hall.
Items on the agenda include an operating line of Proceeds from this sale help
credit for the Water Park and the impacts of COVID-19 purchase food for the food
pantry.
on services.
WCPD to meet
Neighborhood
Center to hold
bag sale
Donations of brown
paper bags and plastic bags
are needed. The center also
accepts donations of fruits
and vegetables from local
gardens to the pantry. The
center is located at 441
N Main Street, Heppner.
Contact Lisa Patton at 541-
676-5024 for any questions
regarding emergency ser-
vices or to set up a food box
appointment.
Valby Lutheran Church
Valby Road
Ione Oregon. 97843
Church Services 1st & 3rd
Sundays
10:00 AM
Available for:
Weddings • Funerals
Family Events
541-422-7300
Old
Country
Church
All Are
Welcome