TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 21, 2025
The Official Newspaper
of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow
Heppner
GAZETTE-TIMES
U.S.P.S. 240-420
Obituaries
Douglas C.
Rathbun
Morrow County’s Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper
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Chris Sykes ...............................................................................................Publisher
Andrea DiSalvo ............................................................................................. Editor
Cindi Doherty.........................................................................................Advertising
Douglas C. Rathbun
On May 3, 2025, Doug-
las C. Rathbun, an 81-year-
old resident of Heppner,
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
OR/Vancouver, WA, passed
column inch. Cost for classified ad is 55¢ per word. Cost for Card of Thanks is $16 up to 100
away at home, in the pres-
words. Cost for a classified display ad is $6.15 per column inch.
ence of his cherished wife,
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
Georgia Rathbun. That eve-
require three weeks to process after last date of publication (a sooner return date must be
ning, after a fulfilling day,
specified if required).
For Obituaries: Obituaries are published in the Heppner GT at no charge and are edited to
the clouds parted, reflect-
meet news guidelines. Families wishing to include information not included in the guidelines
ing his vibrant spirit that
or who wish to have the obituary written in a certain way must purchase advertising space
inspired all who knew him.
for the obituary.
For Letters to the Editor: Letters to the Editor MUST be signed by the author. The Heppner
A celebration of life
GT will not publish unsigned letters. All letters MUST include the author’s address and phone
will
take place June 7 at 2
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
p.m. at Van Mall, 7808 NE
placed in the classifieds under “Card of Thanks” at a cost of $16
51 st Street, Vancouver, WA.
Born on May 26, 1943,
in Eugene, OR, to Charles
and Gladys Rathbun, Doug
was the youngest of three
siblings.
He met his future wife,
Georgia, during his youth.
The Community Health
Also similar to past Doug and Georgia mar-
Improvement Partnership findings, behavioral and
(CHIP) of Morrow County oral health evidence con-
has released its latest health tinues to show the need for
assessment for Morrow improved access to care and
County. CHIP Director health outcomes.
Andrea Fletcher says the
The report also identi-
report serves as a valuable fies emerging trends such as Community Unites to
resource for understanding decreasing seasonal influ-
trends and identifying dis- enza and COVID-19 vacci- By Barb Orwick
The annual Heppner
parities that influence the nation rates and increasing
MSFocus
Walk made his-
community’s health.
cases of sexually transmit-
tory
on
April
26, by raising
T h e C H I P i s a ted infections/diseases.
a
record-breaking
$7,5000
long-standing collaborative
Health system prior-
dedicated
to
supporting
serving Morrow County. It ities include improving
uses the collective expertise communication and co- individuals impacted by
from health and multi-sec- ordination, safeguarding multiple sclerosis.
Hosted at Hager Park
tor partners to analyze key access to the local system
under
pleasant skies, the
data and, along with com- of care, maintaining ade-
event
drew
an impressive
munity input, identify areas quate workforce, ensuring
number
of
participants,
of need to support program health equity and address-
united
in
their
mission to
planning, service develop- ing social determinants of
raise
awareness
and aid
ment and public policy de- health (non-medical fac-
those
affected
by
MS.
cisions that directly impact tors affecting health, such
Photographer Dale
the community.
as socioeconomic status,
Bates
set the day in motion
The report looks in- housing and availability of
with
a
group photograph
depth at local, state and na- and access to healthy food
before
walkers
embarked
tional data and information, options).
on
a
scenic
tour
of down-
but offers the following few
The CHIP stresses the
town
Heppner.
As
the pro-
highlights of three primary importance of collaboration
cession
moved
through
the
areas: special populations, between health and com-
streets,
the
community’s
en-
health conditions and sys- munity partners to develop
tem fundamentals.
strategies that address rural ergy and enthusiasm were
While overall health health challenges, reduce on full display. A contingent
trends in the county remain barriers to care and opti- from South Morrow County
relatively unchanged, dis- mize resources to improve Seniors Matter proudly de-
parities persist for low-in- community wellness. Resi- buted its stylized T-shirts,
come and Hispanic/Latino dents who are interested in while members of Hopeful
residents. Additionally, improving the health of the Saints Ministry joined in,
maternal, family and older community are encouraged reinforcing the shared ded-
adult populations are of to take part in CHIP meet- ication to the cause.
This year’s walk even
significant concern.
ings, held the first Thurs-
welcomed
out-of-town par-
For the general pop- day of each month (except
ticipants,
including
a group
ulation, leading causes July) from 9- 10:30 a.m.
of
ladies
from
Hermiston
of death and contributing Meetings alternate between
risk factors—such as obe- Heppner and Boardman, and a couple from Ione,
sity, tobacco use, blood with a virtual Zoom meet- WA, further demonstrating
the widespread support for
pressure and cholesterol ing option available.
management, and health
The full health assess- MS awareness. Their pres-
screenings—continue to ment is available to the ence added to the event’s in-
mirror trends from previous public online at https://bit.
assessments, underscoring ly/mcphnews. For more
the ongoing importance of information, email MC-
Tuesday, May 6, was a
chronic disease manage- CHIP11@gmail.com.
beautiful, sunny day for
ment and preventative care.
the six ladies who teed off
at Willow Creek Country
Club.
Taking low gross of the
field was Karen Thompson,
while Pat Dougherty had
The community is com- bears the weight of ongoing low net of the field. Shirley
ing together on Friday, May travel, food and lodging Martin walked away with
30, at the Heppner Elks expenses as they seek spe-
Lodge to support a local cialized care far from home.
family facing an extraordi-
The event will kick
nary challenge. The “Fuel off with a taco dinner at 5
the Race” fundraiser will p.m., followed by Bingo at
feature a taco feed benefit 6 p.m. Tickets are just $15
dinner and a lively game for adults, which includes a
of Bingo—all to support plate of tacos and a Bingo
Lizzie Ginn, a teenager card, and $8 for kids. All
*Design
recently diagnosed with proceeds will help alleviate
Chronic Granulomatous the financial strain on the
*Print
Disease (CGD).
Ginn family as they support
*Mail
CGD is a rare genetic Lizzie through this difficult
condition that affects the journey.
Sykes
immune system, making
Community members
it difficult for the body to can also follow and support
Publishing
fight off infections. While Lizzie’s journey through
Lizzie’s medical treatments the #RacingWithLizzie
541-676
are covered in part by in- campaign on Facebook.
-9228
surance, her family still
Health assessment offers
insights into community
well-being
ried in 1965; they enjoyed
60 years and five months
together, spending half a
century in Heppner before
relocating to Vancouver in
2024 to be nearer family.
After serving in the
Navy during the Vietnam
War, he pursued a degree in
law enforcement. He began
his career as a patrol officer
in Powers, OR, before ded-
icating 30 years as Chief of
Police in Heppner.
Doug had a passion for
fishing, classic cars, west-
ern films, and 1950s music,
especially Elvis.
Doug was a devoted
husband, father and friend,
celebrated for his warmth
and humor. He had a pas-
sion for fishing and relished
sharing tales of his adven-
tures. His legacy of love
and laughter and competi-
tive spirit for playing cards
and Bingo will resonate
in the hearts of those he
touched, symbolizing the
colorful life he led.
He is survived by his
wife, Georgia, and their
four children: Carllena,
Christy (Rob), Charles and
Annett (Zeke). He is also
survived by five grandchil-
dren, Kyler, Derek, Allena,
Izola and Oddin, and one
great-granddaughter, Darla.
Heppner MSFocus
Walk Breaks Records
Support MS Warriors
spiring atmosphere, show-
ing that the fight against MS
extends beyond Heppner’s
borders.
While statistics sug-
gest that only two to three
individuals in the valley
might be affected by MS,
local knowledge paints a
different picture—many
community members know
of at least 10 cases. This
discrepancy highlights the
significant impact of MS
in the region and reinforces
the importance of MSFo-
cus’s mission. The organi-
zation helps MS warriors by
offering financial assistance
for home remodeling, assis-
tance technology, personal
activities and medical solu-
tions to support their daily
lives.
At the close of the
event, heartfelt words of
gratitude filled the air:
“Thank you to all the
support and donations for
this event to help those MS
warriors!”
The record-breaking
fundraiser not only provid-
ed crucial financial support
but also strengthened Hep-
pner’s sense of community
and solidarity. Each par-
ticipant, whether local or
visiting, played a role in
making a difference—one
step at a time.
Over the Tee Cup
‘Fuel the Race’
fundraiser May 30
Print
&
Mailing
Services
least putts of the field.
For flight B, Betty Carter
had low gross, Kim Carl-
son low net and Karen
Smith-Griffith least putts.
In other special events,
Pat Dougherty and Shirley
Martin had least strokes
on holes five and eight.
Karen Thompson and Kim
Carlson had least putts
combined on holes three
and eight.
Spiritually Speaking
Father Thankachan Joseph
Jesus and God, the
Father Relationship
From Easter until the Ascension of Jesus, which is
going to take place soon, Jesus allows us to “overhear”
some of the conversation between Him and His Father.
The Gospel of the week narrates very clearly that the two
of them are “one,” that He always listens to the Father’s
voice and, as a devoted Son, does whatever the Father asks
of Him. We know that we are hearing about something
extremely important. This relationship existed before the
world began. Now that Jesus is about to “return” to His
Father, He tells us something else: that we can not only
overhear their conversation but can actually enter into it.
The relationship that needs to exist between the Chris-
tian and Christ is essentially a love relationship. That is
why Jesus said in John 15:15, “I do not call you servants
any longer...I call you friends.” Yet many of us feel more
comfortable serving Jesus as boss rather than relating
to Him as a friend. At the Last Supper, washing the feet
of His disciples, He set a model of leadership, that of a
servant mentality to win the world with love and service.
One thing we know about love is that lovers want to
be with each other. But Jesus is not physically present.
We cannot physically see Him or touch Him. This is the
dilemma we see in the problem of all the believers today.
How can you love an absent Jesus? This is what this
week’s Gospel is all about. In the Gospel Jesus prepares
His disciples, those who love Him, for His departure
from this world and shows them how they can keep love
and intimacy alive even in His physical absence. “Those
who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love
them, and we will come to them and make our home with
them (John 14:23).”
If you are in love with the Lord Jesus, you under-
stand the following: (1) You keep His word. Follow His
teachings. (2) This will activate God’s special love for
you, and (3) Jesus and His Father will come and live
permanently with you. In this way, the vacuum left by the
physical absence of Jesus will be filled spiritually by the
divine presence which is as real or even more real than
the physical presence. Our part in this entire process is
to focus on keeping the word of Christ.
But how do we make sure we know the implication
and meaning of the word of Christ in the ever-changing
and ever more complex realities of modern life? How can
we be sure of what Jesus would do and how He would act
in concrete situations of our daily lives? Again, Jesus fore-
saw this difficulty and provided for it: “The Advocate, the
Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will
teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have
said to you” (John 14:26). But what about the situation
in the world today in which fifty devotees all “filled with
the Holy Spirit” come up with fifty different answers to
the same question? Does the Holy Spirit contradict Him-
self? Here it is important to note that the “you” to whom
these promises are made is plural, meaning, primarily,
the community of believers, the church. Of course, the
Holy Spirit is with us individually, but the Holy Spirit is
given primarily to the church and, through the church, to
us as individuals when we become members of the church
and especially through the reception of the sacrament of
confirmation.
This is what we see in the first reading where
disagreements among Christians are resolved through
dialogue and community discernment and not through
each one consulting the Holy Spirit privately. In the end,
they come out with a resolution which begins, “it has
seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.” (Acts 15:28).
The word of Christ continues to live and resound in the
word of the Holy Spirit speaking through the church. The
days between the Ascension of Christ and Pentecost are
special days of prayer for all Christians as they were for
the first disciples of Jesus. This year let us pray for the
world, that it may bring the gift of unity among faiths, so
that together we all can discern what the Spirit is saying to
the church in the modern world and so stay united witness
to the life-giving word of Christ.
Lexington Hunter Education
The course is a 1 day Field Day on June 14,
2025 at 8:00 am. The class requires students to
take an approved online course and bring the
certificate with you. Instructions for signing up at
http://vem.myodfw.com/eventprofile/174.
For more information contact instructor Jim
Marquardt at 541-969-4845. For help signing up
contact 855-686-1055 or
odfwhelp@payitgov.com
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