TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, July 10, 2024
The Official Newspaper
of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow
Heppner
Obituaries
Chelsea K. Hamms
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 177 N Main St. Telephone (541) 676-9228. Fax (541)
676-9211. E-mail: editor@rapidserve.net or sykeschris@hotmail.com Web site:
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year. 9 month Student student subscriptions $35/year.
Chris Sykes ...............................................................................................Publisher
Annalynn Black ............................................................................................ Editor
Cindi Doherty.........................................................................................Advertising
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For Public/Legal Notices: public/legal notices deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. Dates for publi-
cation must be specified. Affidavits must be requested 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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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 $15
Spiritually Speaking
Father Thankachan Joseph
We are called to walk with him
This Sunday’s Gospel reading describes Jesus sum-
moning the twelve and commissioning them to bring
healing to the world. The readings of the day invite us
to reflect on how God chooses people for particular
missions within the Church and about how God chooses
all of us who believe to give witness to Him. In fact,
God calls each one of us and invites us to follow Him
and to proclaim His message to others. Are we able to
recognize and accept the invitation of the Lord to be
with Him and learn from Him? Do we see and acknowl-
edge the prophets of our own time?
From today’s first reading from prophet Amos
(7:12-15) we understand that the protagonist, Amos, was
a poor shepherd. Prophet Amos is a prophet of social
justice who was called from his farm by God and sent to
do the prophet’s job. He knew that he was not a profes-
sional, yet God chose him and commissioned him to do
the work of a prophet. And what was his work? What did
he preach? Amos preached to the people in the Northern
Kingdom of Israel in the eighth century BC.
Though a rich and prosperous nation under Jeroboam
II (783-743 BC), Israel’s social inequality was rampant,
especially where the rich freely exploited the poor. More-
over, in those days, religion was liturgical show busi-
ness. Armed with God’s command, Amos condemned
all sorts of corruption, including greed, corrupt city life,
social injustice, and false religious displays. Now we un-
derstand why Amaziah, the professional priest of Beth-
el, who was only interested in amassing wealth, wanted
to chase Amos away to the southern kingdom, Judah.
Though eventually expelled from Israel, Amos did not
stop speaking in the name of God against injustice. He
remained faithful to his call and mission. We are very
much like this Prophet Amos, going about our business
and doing what we must do to earn our living and get
along in life. By our baptism, each of us is called to take
up this threefold role as priest, king, and prophet. We are
called to be priests because we are called to intercede for
others. We are called to be kings because we are called
to serve others. We are called to be prophets because the
word of God must be proclaimed by us.
The second reading from Paul’s letter to the
Ephesians (1:3-14), originally a liturgical hymn, high-
lights God’s plan of uniting all things in Himself. It has
become a reality in the Christ event: “In all wisdom and
insight, He has made known to us the mystery of His
will in accord with His favor that He set forth as a plan
for the fullness of time, to sum up all things in Christ,
in heaven and on earth” (Ephesians 1: 8-9). God invites
everyone to participate. Paul encourages us to live up to
that expectation. In other words, our lives and actions
should move in the direction of God’s intention because
“we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is
the first installment of our inheritance towards redemp-
tion as God’s possession” (Ephesians 1:14).
The Gospel of Mark (6:7-13) portrays the calling of
the disciples and commissioning them to heal the whole
universe. They are called, the chosen ones. They are
sent out. They are given a long and difficult mission. But
he tells them they are to take no bag. Now, what sense
does that make? Well, it would make a lot of sense if
the disciples were traveling today by airplane. Checked
luggage can quickly add a sizable amount to your airline
ticket.
But Jesus has a different kind of luggage in mind:
not the luggage of clothes and hair dryers and toiletries,
but spiritual luggage that can weigh us down. Now, this
luggage comes in a number of assorted designs, but to-
day I want to offer three of them for your consideration.
Jesus is asking us to leave behind the bags of our hurts,
our fears, and our worry of tomorrow.
Clearly Jesus sends us out on a mission of love and
service. But he wants us to travel light. What kind of use-
less burden do you bring with you? What kind of heavy
luggage are you determined to check for your flight? Je-
sus reminds us that such luggage is unnecessary. He asks
us to leave the bags of our hurts, our fears, and our false
dreams at home and fly free.
ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE:
MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M.
Chelsea K. Hams, 29,
of Heppner, died Friday,
May 24, 2024, at her home.
A memorial graveside ser-
vice will be held at 1 p.m.
on Friday, July 12, 2024,
at the Heppner Masonic
Cemetery, with a reception
to follow at the Heppner
Elks Lodge.
She was born in Herm-
iston on February 19, 1995,
the daughter of Cheryl Mc-
Bride and James “Jim”
Hams. Chelsea was raised
with Jim in Heppner and
was his pride and joy.
Chelsea attended school in
Heppner, graduating from
Heppner High School. Any
chance she had to be with
her dad, whether it was out
on the tractor working with
him or just having a simple
lunch together, she was
there with a smile on her
face, ready to enjoy their
special time together.
Chelsea had a unique
relationship with her mom
Cheryl and would always
call her late into the night
just to talk about her day
and check in on her, en-
suring they stayed close no
matter the physical distance
between them. Chelsea had
6 nieces and 5 nephews that
she loved unconditionally
as if they were her own,
and any chance she got
to come watch a game or
meet up for the holidays
she immediately took the
opportunity and could be
found playing with them or
completely covered by the
many arms wanting to give
her hugs. She cherished her
family and her time spent
with them and she made a
point to stay connected to
everyone.
She may have been
small in stature but her heart
and love for those around
her was bigger than life
itself. She was always there
to lend a hand to someone
in need, would give of her
time to help others and al-
ways had a hug to be shared.
She enjoyed the simpler
things in life over all the ex-
tra flashy thing most young
women desire. One of her
favorite things was horse-
back riding. She found so-
lace in spending time with
her beloved animals which
she called her fur babies,
being outside and working
with her hands, learning
lost arts like needlepoint
and sourdough baking, and
a love for older items and
things others could over-
look. Chelsea had a fierce
and free spirit, was resilient
and had an inner strength
that was so beautiful and
inspiring.
Survivors include her
father, Jim Hams, her moth-
er, Cheryl McBride, and her
3 sisters, Danielle Strick-
land, Deanna Sample and
Darcy Hart, aunt Sharon
Ball, uncle Robby and aunt
Lorna Botefuhr, uncle El-
win and Aunt Patti Gibson,
her cousins, Jeff Botefuhr
and Justin Botefuhr, Brian
Gibson and Phyllis Coates,
11 nieces and nephews
and many second and third
cousins, and many friends
both young and old.
Memorial contributions
may be made to Heppner
Elks Lodge, PO Box 494,
Heppner, OR 97836 or
Eastern Oregon Humane
Society and Pet Rescue,
1844 NW Geer Rd., Herm-
iston, OR 97838.
Sweeney Mortuary of
Heppner is in care of ar-
rangements. You may sign
the online condolence book
at www.sweeneymortuary.
com.
Tareena L. Nash
Tareena L. Nash Healy,
55, of Heppner, died Thurs-
day, June 27, 2024, at Pi-
oneer Memorial Hospital.
A memorial graveside ser-
vice will be held at 1 p.m.
Saturday, July 13, 2024,
at the Heppner Masonic
Cemetery in Heppner with
a reception to follow at
the Morrow County Fair
Grounds in Heppner.
She was born on April
1, 1969, at John Day, Or-
egon the daughter of Jan-
et Lois Shite and Harry
“Spike” Calvin Nash. Ta-
reena was raised and at-
tended school in Heppner
where she graduated from
High School in 1987. She
attended Blue Mountain
Community College where
she received an associate
degree.
Tareena married James
“Jim” M. Healy at Coeur
d’Alene, Idaho on August
6, 2001. The couple had
one daughter, Diana Jean.
The couple later divorced.
She worked as a care-
taker and worked for sev-
eral years as a Lab Tech at
Pioneer Memorial Hospital.
Survivors include her
daughter, Diana Jean Healy
of Heppner, granddaughter,
Rhiannon Gwen Matthew
also of Heppner, siblings,
Sarah Koester of Junc-
tion City, Oregon, Christan
Vander Brink of Los Ba-
no’s, California, and Rae-
gan Lenihan of Redding,
California.
Tareena was prede-
ceased by parents, Harry
‘Spike’ Nash, and Janet
White. Grandparents, Jack
and Lois White and Olive
Nash who helped raise
Tareena.
Sweeney Mortuary of
Heppner is in care of ar-
rangements. You may sign
the online condolence book
at www.sweeneymortuary.
com
Death Notice
Bill Bacon
Bill Bacon passed on
June 19, 2024. The family
will host a celebration of
life on Saturday, July 13,
2024, at 2:00 p.m., at the
Maxwell Event Center, 145
North First Place, Hermis-
ton, OR. In lieu of flowers,
donations can be made to
the following: Cowboy
Church USR 81012 North
Hwy 395, Hermiston, OR
97838.
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Good News Only by Doris Brosnan
Shannon Wickland retired from her 23 years of work
at Murray Drugs as June ended. Her last day of work
was June 27 th , after which she, mom Ruth Maben, broth-
er Greg and sister-in-law Trish, and Dan and Rebecca
Swaringen (Shannon’s daughter) celebrated with dinner
at Bucknum’s. That was just the first celebration. Shannon
was truly surprised two days later by a party Rebecca and
Ruth had planned at Ruth’s home, where about 25 guests
added their congratulations. Still not finished: On Sunday,
John and Ann Murray hosted a staff dinner and Joe Lind-
say-entertainment at the Broken Spoke, at which Shannon
was again honored and was joined by Ruth, Greg, Trish,
and Shannon’s son, Jered and his friend Stefani and her
two daughters, Kelsi and Olivia. Three days of celebra-
tion suggests how highly valued Shannon was/is to her
employers, fellow workers, and family!! Congratulations,
Shannon Wickland!
Weddings, weddings, weddings! Such happy
occasions! Such wonderful opportunities to offer one’s
“best wishes” for the couples and to see and visit with
other guests seldom encountered otherwise.
Twelve area women again gathered at the Elks lodge
for the monthly Birthday Lunch, this time celebrating
Teresa Hughes and Karen Haguewood. Karen was pres-
ent only electronically, as she is in Arizona, but she plans
to be visiting the area soon.
The swimming pools in Heppner and Ione are
open in time for the warming weather. Good news in
Heppner is the no-fee for young people, and the Ione
pool is reserved from 7 to 8 AM for a women’s (and
men’s?) swim.
The Summer Reading Program is in full swing
at the Ione library. Librarian Becky Tullis runs the six-
week program for kids in kindergarten through sixth
grade. From 10 AM to noon during the week, prizes
are part of the rewards for reaching certain objectives
during the program.
Monte Crum has purchased the Route 74 build-
ing in Ione. We can watch for information as plans de-
velop.
Merilee McDowell reports that “Bill and I decided
to make our next vacation destination Nashville, Ten-
nessee, because so many of our friends talked about
how much fun it was to go to Nashville. Well, they
were right. Crazy and fun!! It just so happened that
the dates we reserved to stay were during CMA Fest
which was a whole new experience. We visited a lot of
establishments, including Ole Red (Blake Sheldon›s),
Luke Bryan›s, Dirk Bently›s, Margaritaville, and the
Grand Opening of Bon Jovi›s!! We met a lot of won-
derful people, ate awesome food, and listened to many
up-and-coming Country Artists! Attended the Grand
Ole Opry and Nissan Stadium for a concert with Keith
Urban, Lainey Wilson, and Jelly Roll. I would have to
say that the highlight of our time there was the concert.
All the artists were amazing, but Jelly Roll touched our
hearts the most. When he sings, he holds a revival like
no other. His story of being in prison and now being on
the CMA Fest stage in Nashville with a #1 hit song on
the Charts was amazing. We were truly blessed on our
trip.”
dbrosnan123@gmail.com or calling 541-223-1490.
Here’s hoping that good news comes to everyone read-
ing this!
177 N. Main
P.O. Box 337
Heppner, OR 97836
Chris@sykesrealestate.net
Broker
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541-215-2274
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