TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 16, 2025
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 177 N Main St. Telephone (541) 676-9228. E-mail:
editor@rapidserve.net or sykeschris@hotmail.com Web site: www.heppner.net. Post-
master send address changes to the Heppner Gazette-Times, P.O. Box 337, Heppner,
Oregon 97836. Subscriptions: In Morrow County $36/year. Outside Morrow County
$41/year. In County Senior Rate (65 years or older) $31/year. 9 month Student student
subscriptions $36/year.
Chris Sykes ...............................................................................................Publisher
Andrea DiSalvo ............................................................................................. Editor
Cindi Doherty.........................................................................................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 $5.65 per
column inch. Cost for classified ad is 55¢ per word. Cost for Card of Thanks is $16 up to 100
words. Cost for a classified display ad is $6.15 per column inch.
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.
For Letters to the Editor: Letters to the Editor MUST be signed by the author. The Heppner
GT will not publish unsigned letters. All letters MUST include the author’s address and phone
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placed in the classifieds under “Card of Thanks” at a cost of $16
Obituaries
Keith
Morgan
Keith Morgan
Keith Cordell Morgan
died on April 5, 2025, at
his home in Umatilla, OR.
A memorial service will
be held on April 19 at the
Stanfield Gymnasium at 3
p.m. It will be followed by
a Celebration of Life at the
Maxwell Event Center from
4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Born May 5,1954, in
Heppner, OR, Keith was an
Eastern Oregon kid through
and through. He spent his
childhood surrounded by
family including his mother
Lorraine, father Clayton,
big sister Linda, and young-
er brother Kevin. They
were blessed to grow up in
Condon, OR, along with
aunts, uncles and eight first
cousins who, to Keith, felt
more like siblings. Family
time in Condon was spent
playing cards and music.
The kids spent most of
their time hanging around
The Shoestring Drive-In
when not causing their fair
share of trouble all over
town. When Keith was old
enough to join town teams
and sports leagues, Keith
jumped in and never looked
back.
He was on a ball field
or a basketball court of
some kind his entire life.
In high school, he was a
three-sport athlete who
loved a packed gym and
the bright lights of the foot-
ball or baseball field. He
cherished his time playing
football and basketball for
Western Oregon University
(then Oregon College of
Education) in Monmouth,
OR. The memories he made
there were some of the
brightest moments of his
life. His teammates became
cherished life-long friends.
This period of his life was
incredibly influential, form-
ing the bedrock of commu-
nity building, friendship
and service that defined so
much of who he was.
After completing his
time at “OCE” Keith re-
turned home to Condon
where he began teaching
high school and coaching.
It was there that he reunit-
ed with old friends and
made plenty of new ones.
It was also where Keith
met Toni Lewin, who was
also teaching at the time, in
1978. They were soon mar-
ried and later moved to the
Hermiston area where they
lived until Toni’s passing
in April 1997. As an adult,
teamwork, coaching and
supporting his community
through athletics came nat-
urally to Keith.
Professionally there
was never a challenge Keith
wasn’t up to taking. Keith
sold everything under the
sun from cars to mortgages
to flooring products. He
enjoyed talking with peo-
ple, helping solve problems
and improving others’ lives
in any way he could. He
valued work of all kinds
and was known as someone
who was fair, hardworking
and willing to take on a
challenge. He belonged to
many associations, teams
and clubs. Civic engage-
ment was modeled in his
upbringing and for this rea-
son, he knew that being part
of a community, a church
and a team was what truly
brought meaning and value
to one’s life.
Keith had many inter-
ests. He coached basketball,
football and even diving at
the college level. He taught
social studies as a young
professional and was part
of community development
of all kinds. He truly de-
fined what being a servant
leader looked like. He took
the most difficult jobs first,
was dedicated to providing
an outlet to those who need-
ed it and was constantly
rooting for the underdog
(as long as they weren’t
playing Kentucky).
Keith was lucky to find
love again in 2000 when he
met Edie Adams of Hermis-
ton, OR. They blended their
families to now include
Max, Cydney, Billy Paul
and Shelby. Keith and Edie
loved to travel, play golf,
spend their best days with
close friends, and found a
great sense of belonging
in their local church com-
munity.
He will be remembered
as a loving father, doting
husband, supportive friend,
action-heavy grandpa and
the one person you’d call
if you were in a bind. He
was selfless above all else,
with an ever-present smile
through it all.
The lesson and lega-
cy he left for us is one of
service, leadership, and
commitment to the greater
good. He taught us that
the only thing worse than
a thief is a liar and that
money doesn’t buy you
class or intelligence. Keith
was permanently present in
Obituaries
his children’s lives, chasing
his dreams, and influencing
others through his passion
and resilience.
He was a part of many
communities and teams
over the years. The men he
played with and who played
for him continued to influ-
ence his life, even through
his passing. Those relation-
ships meant the world to
him and gave him strength
in his final few months.
Keith is survived by
his wife Edie Morgan, his
son Max Morgan, daugh-
ters Cydney McElligott
and Shelby Morgan, Billy
Paul Bolton, and grandchil-
dren Stella, Harlow, Judah,
Adley, Evelyn, Billy and
Jaden.
He was preceded in
death by his parents Clay-
ton and Lorraine, his first
wife Toni Morgan, and his
grandson and namesake
Dominic Cordell McElli-
gott.
Please share memories
of Keith with his family at
burnsmortuaryhermiston.
com. Burns Mortuary of
Hermiston is in charge of
arrangements.
McKenna Kendrick Named
to OIT President’s List
McKenna Kendrick has
been named to the 2024-
2025 Winter Term Presi-
dent’s list at Oregon Insti-
tute of Technology.
Kendrick is from Irri-
gon and studies Diagnostic
Medical Sonography.
Inclusion on the list
requires a 3.70 grade-point
average and above.
WCVEDG community
enhancement grant opportunity
closes Friday
The Willow Creek Val-
ley Economic Development
Group (WCVEDG) is re-
minding local organizations
that the deadline for ap-
plying for the Community
Enhancement Grant is this
Friday, April 18. Applica-
tions must be submitted by
5 p.m.
The grant is available
to local non-profit organi-
zations, special districts or
governmental entities that
are based within the WC-
VEDG service area, which
includes zip codes 97836
and part of 97826. Eligible
projects must benefit resi-
dents within this region.
Applicants must have at
least 50 percent of the total
project funding secured be-
fore applying, which can in-
clude both in-kind and cash
contributions from local
and regional sources. The
maximum available grant
funding is $50,000, with
priority given to projects
that are “Project Ready.”
The grant will not fund
endowments, general fund
drives, debt retirement,
indirect expenses unrelated
to the project, sponsorship
of fundraising events, or
political efforts such as
influencing elections or
legislation.
To view eligibility re-
quirements, the application
and a sample budget, vis-
it www.heppnerchamber.
com/grants.
For more information
or questions, contact WC-
VEDG at wcvedg@gmail.
com or call 503-504-8508.
Over the Tee Cup
The Willow Creek
Country Club marked the
opening day of its ladies
play day with a breakfast
and golf scramble, despite
cold and windy conditions.
Seven players participated
in the event, which saw
Kris Lindner and Karen
Wolff claim victory as the
winning team.
In addition to the golf
scramble, the event featured
a putting maze competition.
Tiffany Clement and Sha-
ron Harrison took home
honors for the least putts in
the maze.
The next ladies play
day will be held on Tues-
day, April 15. Registration
and coffee will begin at 9:30
a.m., with play set to start at
10:00 a.m.
Spring Bingo at
Ione Legion Hall
Get ready for an after-
noon of fun and excitement
at the Ione Legion Spring
Bingo event, taking place
on Sunday, April 27, at the
Ione Legion Hall. Doors
open at 3:30 p.m., with play
starting promptly at 4 p.m.
Admission for the event
is just $15, which includes
two books of bingo cards,
one dauber and three black-
out bingo cards. Additional
single cards are available
for $1 each, and extra books
can be purchased for $5. If
you’re looking to increase
your chances, additional
blackout bingo cards are
available as singles for $2
or a pack of three for $5.
Attendees are encour-
aged to bring their own
snacks and beverages to
enjoy while they play.
In addition to the bingo
games, there will be a 50/50
raffle, with tickets priced at
$1 each or six for $5.
Come join in the fun,
support the community,
and maybe even walk away
with some winnings.
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217 North Main St.,
Heppner, OR
Phone 676-9158 Floral 676-9426
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Open House
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$415,000
Saturday April 19
11 am - 2 pm
Animal lovers will love this 0.77-acre property
in Heppner, perfect for horses, FFA animals, or
chickens. It includes a livestock pasture with a
year-round creek, two chicken houses, a barn with
a lean-to, and a deer-proof garden. A greenhouse
supports year-round gardening, and a 10x12 cold-
room shop is ideal for storage or projects. Located
within city limits, the 5-bedroom, 2.5-bath home
(including a master suite with private bath) blends
small-town charm with modern updates. Recent
improvements—new main-level flooring, hardy
plank siding (2019), new windows, updated electrical
(2024), and ductless heating/cooling—make it move-
in ready. The outdoor space features rock retaining
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basement for extra space. Just a short walk from
Main Street, this property offers the best of both town
and country living—ideal for animal care, gardening,
or simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
MLS#:629913772
177 N Main St.
Heppner, Or 97836
O: 541-676-9228
E:sykeschris@hotmail.com
Broker
Chris Sykes
541-215-2274
LOCALLY OWNED
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600 NW 11th Street
Suite E-21
Hermiston, OR 97838
P.S. Ask us about our financing
options! (541) 371-1900
Call Verna 541-371-1900
Offering complimentary hearing
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Lunch
& Dinner
Menu
4/17 - 4/23
Thursday - Frito Burrito
Friday - Tuna Wrap with tortilla chips
Live Music at 8pm with Dogbite Harris,
Cory Peterson and Friends
Saturday - Denver Omelette with
Hashbrown patties
Sunday - Closed. Happy Easter
Monday - Reuben with fries
Tuesday - SW Grilled Chicken Salad
Tuesday Night 6-9pm $2 hard shell tacos
Wednesday - B.L.A.T.T sandwich with
macaroni salad