Hermiston herald., March 01, 2017, Page A5, Image 5

RECORDS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017
HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A5
OBITUARIES
Alice Mae (McCann) Alexander
Earl Eugene ‘Gene’ Wells
Earl Falconer
Hermiston
March 6, 1937-December 15, 2016
Hermiston
September 16, 1922-February 15, 2017
Milton-Freewater
June 23, 1931-February 18, 2017
Alice Mae (McCann) 2001. She felt well-suit-
Alexander, 79, of Hermis- ed to the unconventional
ton died Dec. 15, 2016, in structure of the alternative
program, expressing that
Hermiston.
Alice Mae McCann was the smaller class sizes en-
abled her to make
born on March 6,
more of a difference
1937, in New Rock-
in her students’ lives.
ford, North Dakota,
Alice was always
to Parley and Agnes
delighted to run into
McCann. Her father
her former students
worked for the rail-
around town.
road and mother as
When her daugh-
a teacher and child-
ters were little she
care provider. Al- Alexander
chaperoned various
ice was the middle
child, with older brothers school field trips, and assist-
Jim and Gerald, a younger ed with numerous school
sister Martha, and a young- science projects and plays.
er brother John. Their Over the years she was ac-
home was modest, but full tive at the United Methodist
of love, good food, a full Church and generously do-
bookcase and many discus- nated her time and resourc-
sions of ideas — and even a es to causes such as Agape
House, Habitat for Human-
pet rabbit.
Alice attended a couple ity, Open Table, Hospice
of terms of college before and the Humane Society.
She loved the great out-
taking her first teaching job
at 19. It was a challenging doors, folk music, tending
but enjoyable one, teaching to her garden, and valued
grades 1-6 in a one-room quiet moments of contem-
schoolhouse in a township plation. She appreciated the
a few miles from home. She “dry desert air” of Eastern
later returned to college, Oregon, and was drawn to
graduating from Mayville architecture — old church-
State College in June of es and castles in particular.
1960 with a bachelor of sci- She was also a storyteller.
ence degree in education, When her daughters were
and a minor in library sci- little, the Alexanders held
ence. She also participated annual Halloween par-
in drama and speech clubs. ties that were well-known
Alice’s next adventure among all of the kids on
was teaching in the “Iron the street, where Alice
Range” of Minnesota. She would tell the ghost story
spoke wistfully of those of “Lavender” while the
years, living in an old brick kids gathered around. She
apartment with adjoining also loved Christmas carols
rooms with some other and was known for her deli-
young teachers who be- cious homemade bread she
would make for commu-
came her friends.
She later moved to nion and gifts. She always
Casper, Wyoming, where had a soft spot for animals,
she met Dick Alexander living with an assortment
through mutual friends. of cats and dogs throughout
They married and moved most of her life. She often
to Cheyenne, where they joked that people sooner
had three daughters, Alex- or later began to look like
is, Angie and Allison. Dick their pets, and vice-versa.
then transferred to Villis- She will be dearly missed
ca, Iowa, where they both by many.
Alice is survived by
worked for the Good Sa-
maritan Nursing Home, daughters Angie Shepard
with Dick as the adminis- and Allison Alexander;
trator and Alice as a social brothers Jim and John Mc-
worker. A few years later, Cann; grandchildren Re-
Dick accepted a position as ese, Stephen, Matthew and
the administrator at Good Maressa Shepard; several
Samaritan Nursing Home great-grandchildren; and
in Hermiston, Oregon, nieces and nephews Cindy
where they made their final Tag Nygord, Tim McCann,
Dan McCann, Steve Mc-
home.
Alice obtained her mas- Cann, Mike McCann, Joan
ter’s degree in education McCann Bechtold, Denise
through Eastern Oregon McCann Hays David Mc-
University, and returned Cann.
She was preceded in
to her passion, teaching.
She worked as a substitute death by her parents, hus-
teacher for several years band Dick Alexander, and
before accepting the posi- daughter Alexis.
A Celebration of Life
tion as teacher for the al-
ternative school with the will be held Saturday,
ESD, where she met her March 11, at 11 a.m. at the
good friend Terry Palmer, United Methodist Church
who she remained close in Hermiston.
Burns Mortuary of
with throughout the years.
Alice later transferred to Hermiston is in care of ar-
the alternative school in rangements.
Umatilla before retiring in
BIRTHS
Good Shepherd Medical Center, Hermiston
FEB. 16, 2017
CHOREY — Chelsey D. Colpitts and Daniel J. Long-
horn of Hermiston: a boy, Jaxon Eugene Chorey.
FEB. 17, 2017
BRUNING — Jennifer L. Bruning and Steven A. Brun-
ing of Pendleton: a boy, Tanner Robert Filmore Bruning.
St. Anthony Hospital, Pendleton
FEB. 16, 2017
NICHOLS — Heather M. Nichols and Alan R. Nichols
of Hermiston: a girl, Elizabeth Ann Nichols.
PUBLIC SAFETY LOG
TUESDAY, FEB. 21
4:22 p.m. - A caller reported a
man who is always asking for money
from adult and high school customers
at the AT&T Retail Store on South
Highway 395, Hermiston.
5:54 p.m. - Some boys were
harassing some girls at Victory
Square Park, Southwest 10th Street,
Hermiston.
9:02 p.m. - A woman reported
that a juvenile male was sending
suicidal Snapchats to her daughter.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22
12:09 a.m. - Two males tried to
break into the Dollar Tree on South
Highway 395, Hermiston.
8:38 a.m. - A caller at Hacienda
West Apartments, Southwest 13th
Place, Hermiston, reported that a
man assaulted his daughter when she
returned home as a runaway Sunday.
10:08 a.m. - A woman on the
Most Wanted List was reported to be
seen playing video poker inside Last
Chance Tavern, Southwest 11th Street,
Hermiston.
12:52 p.m. - A caller at McDon-
alds on North 1st Street, Hermiston,
reported a juvenile who is the victim
of assault.
1:01 p.m. - A caller reported a
prowler climbing into a window at the
back of a house on East Main Street,
See SAFETY, A6
Earl Eugene
“Gene” Wells
passed peace-
fully in his
sleep on Feb.
15, 2017, at
his home in
Hermiston,
Ore. He was born
Sept. 16, 1922, to
Orbie and Erma (Du-
puis) Wells at Nolin,
Ore.
He grew up in
the Hermiston area,
attending the Co- Wells
lumbia School and
Hermiston High School. He
played football for Hermis-
ton High. Al Buell, his life-
long best friend, introduced
Gene to Fay Dodge. In June
of 1942 Gene and Fay were
married.
Gene was drafted into
the Army in 1943. He
served in the Pacific. He
was injured during his ser-
vice and spent 11 months in
a military hospital. He was
honorably discharged in the
fall of 1945.
Gene and Fay had eight
children
together.
He
worked for the state high-
way department in Hermis-
ton and then at Ukiah, Ore.
In 1966 he moved his fam-
ily back to Hermiston and
bought Hermiston Taxi. It
was a family business run
from their home and all
family members worked
in the business in some
manner. They sold the taxi
business in 1979. Within a
few years Gene and Fay di-
vorced. He moved to New-
port, Wash.
In 1985 he married Fran-
ces Turner. She brought
three daughters to the mar-
riage and Gene loved and
treated them as his own.
About 20 years later that
marriage ended.
Gene moved back to
Hermiston to be near fam-
ily. He kept active with dai-
ly walks, woodworking and
lawn care. In Au-
gust of 2016
Gene moved
into Brook-
dale Assist-
ed
Living
f a c i l i t y.
He said he
didn’t know how he
got so lucky to end
up there because
they “treated me like
a king.”
Gene is survived
by his sons Chuck
Wells of Emmett,
Idaho, Tom Wells
of Hermiston, and George
Wells of Pendleton; daugh-
ters Judi Merry of Herm-
iston, Barbara Cole of
Shasta Lake, California,
Wendy Evans of Stanfield,
and Suzi Bradshaw of
Hermiston; stepdaughters
Crystal Killian of Copper
Center, Alaska, and Suzi
Ahlers of Priest River, Ida-
ho; brother Orbie E. Wells
of Spirit Lake, Idaho; sister
Naomi Futch, of Orlando,
Florida.; 25 grandchildren;
56 great-grandchildren, and
seven great-great-grand-
children .
He was preceded in
death by his parents; broth-
er Charles Wells; sisters
Juanita Flora and Jo El-
eanor Autry; infant son
Robert Earl; Fay Wells;
stepdaughter Linda Wells;
Frances Wells; grandson
Brian Best; and his lifelong
best friend Al Buell.
A funeral service will be
held on Saturday, March
4, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. at
the Hermiston Church of
the Nazarene, 1520 W. Or-
chard Ave., Hermiston, OR
97838. Burial with military
honors will follow at the
Hermiston Cemetery.
Please sign the online
condolence book at burns-
mortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of
Hermiston is in care of ar-
rangements.
Arlene Claire Sorenson
Hermiston
April 1, 1934-February 20, 2017
Arlene Claire Sorenson (Becky), daughter Bon-
passed away on Feb. 20, nie Gracia (Dave) and
son Steve (Maureen); sis-
2017.
Arlene was born to El- ters Jean Bellamy, Carol
don (Shorty) and Goldie Poulson and Winnie De-
Janevich; brother
Jaeger on April 1,
Jim Jaeger; seven
1934, in Kellogg,
grandchildren; sev-
Idaho, one of five
en great-grandchil-
children. She grew
dren; and numerous
up and attended
nieces and neph-
schools in Kel-
ews.
logg,
graduating
Arlene was a be-
from Kellogg High
loved wife, mother,
School in 1952. In Sorenson
sister, aunt, grand-
1954, she married
the love of her life, Wil- mother and friend. She
liam (Bill) Sorenson, and will be greatly missed by
together they raised three all who knew her.
Arlene’s family wish-
children: Marc, Bonnie
and Steve. Arlene’s fam- es to extend our sincere
ily was the center of her gratitude to Dr. Jones,
life. Their goal was to rear nurses, volunteers and the
their children to become entire staff of the Chap-
compassionate, educated laincy Hospice House in
Kennewick, Wash., to the
and contributing citizens.
Arlene lived her first 50 Brookdale Torbet memory
years in Kellogg, where care facility in Richland,
she developed a love for Wash., and to Dr. Joseph
golf. Always competi- Gifford of Hermiston for
tive, she honed her golf their exceptionally kind
skills, winning numerous treatment and profession-
tournaments and several alism.
Arlene’s
memorial
club championships over
the years. She also loved Mass will be held at Our
playing cards with friends Lady of Angels Catholic
and sharing a laugh with Church, Hermiston, on
March 18, 2017 at 11 a.m.
friends and family.
She and Bill moved to Inurnment will be held lat-
Hermiston in 1983 and er in Kellogg, Idaho.
In lieu of flowers those
spent the next 15 years
working side-by-side at who wish may make con-
their namesake store, Ar- tributions in Arlene’s
lene’s Hallmark, before memory to Chaplaincy
retiring in 1998. She and Hospice, Shriners Hospi-
Bill greatly enjoyed their tal, or Our Lady of Angels
retirement years togeth- Catholic Church.
Please sign the online
er, which included many
memorable trips with fam- condolence book at burns-
mortuaryhermiston.com.
ily and friends.
Burns Mortuary of
Arlene is survived by
her devoted husband of Hermiston, Oregon, is in
62 years, Bill; son Marc care of arrangements.
Earl Fal-
Marilyn (Zigman)
coner of Mil-
Krein and with
ton-Freewa-
this
union
ter
passed
added Zane,
away
on
Shelli, Kim,
February
Lisa and CJ
18, 2017, at
to the sib-
Providence
ling family.
St. Mary Medical
All nine of his kids
in Walla Walla at
can agree, as said by
the age of 85 years.
daughter Lisa, “He
A celebration of
was quick to give ad-
life will be held on
vice, sometimes you
Friday, March 3, at
didn’t want to hear
11 a.m. at the First
it, but in the end he
Baptist Church in Falconer
was usually right.”
Milton-Freewater
Earl
started
with Pastor Ro-
working as a guard
land Shanks offi-
at the Umatilla Army
ciating. Inurnment
Depot in 1981 and
will follow at the
remained there until
Milton-Freewater
his retirement. He
Cemetery. The fam-
and Marilyn opened
ily suggest any do-
an antique store in
nations be made to Falconer
Hermiston as he
the charity of your
loved
refinishing
choice that would help the old furniture. They spent
homeless.
many wonderful times trav-
Earl was born in Corn- eling for their business and
ing, Iowa, the son of enjoying their life togeth-
Charles (Charlie) Falconer er, living in Hermiston for
and Velma (Corbin) Falcon- 23 years before moving to
er. His early childhood was Milton-Freewater in 2004.
spent on the farms of Iowa,
Earl took up painting on
particularly his grandfa- saws, particularly paint-
ther’s and namesake, he ing pictures of old barns,
loved him so. The family he enjoyed this as long as
moved to Oregon in 1941, his health allowed. Earl
moving first to Lostine and belonged to the VFW, Ea-
in 1943 to Boardman. Earl gles, Elks and attended the
on his mandolin and sister First Baptist Church in Mil-
Reba on her guitar would ton-Freewater.
perform for the troops sta-
Earl is survived by his
tioned at the Umatilla Army wife of 35 years, Marilyn
Depot as well as perform- Falconer of Milton-Free-
ing in the Lostine area. The water, Ore.; children Me-
family moved back to Wal- linda (Falconer) Whitti-
lowa County in 1945 when more of Meridian, Idaho,
Earl’s father Charlie herded Terria (Falconer) Wallace
sheep with his cousin Fred of Pacific City, Oregon,
Falconer.
Bernard Falconer of Van-
Earl graduated from couver, Washington, Lori
Enterprise High School in Ferris of Texas, Zane Krein
1949, then enlisted in the of Van Nuys, California,
U.S. Air Force during the Shelli Fullen of Walla Wal-
Korean War, serving in the la, Washington, Kim Perry
18th Fighter Wing. He mar- of Milton-Freewater, Ore-
ried Arthene Rose in 1953 gon, Lisa Partney of Mil-
and added three children to ton-Freewater, Oregon, and
the family, Melinda, Terria CJ Krein of Las Vegas, Ne-
and Bernard.
vada; sister Norma Clough
For many years he was of Milton-Freewater, Ore-
in business with his brother- gon; sister-in-law Lou Mae
in-law Elmer Storm, with Falconer of Milton-Free-
the Richfield/Arco service water; 19 grandchildren
station in Enterprise. Earl and 20 great-grandchildren;
married Phyllis Kirkland and many nieces and neph-
in 1967 and we added Lori ews.
to our sibling family, later
Earl was predeceased by
moving to Pendleton work- sister Reba Falconer Storm
ing for the state of Oregon. and brother Otto Falconer,
In 1981 he met his match and grandsons Adam Mc-
when he was married to Neilly and Jeremy Fullen.
COURT REPORT
SENTENCES
The following sentences have been
imposed in Umatilla County courts:
years probation, 80 hours community
service and $100 fine, plus court costs
and fees.
DIVORCES
FELONY
•Diane Rochelle Berecz, 44, Uma-
tilla, pleaded guilty to Delivery of
Methamphetamine: sentenced to 3
years probation, 180 sanction units,
90 maximum jail units, $500 fine and
6 months driver’s license suspension,
plus court costs and fees; pleaded
guilty to Falsifying Drug Test Results:
sentenced to 30 days jail and $100
fine, plus court costs and fees; pleaded
guilty to Driving While Suspended/
Revoked: sentenced to 10 days jail and
$1,000 fine, plus court costs and fees.
Divorce decrees were signed in
Umatilla County Courts for:
Blanca Ortiz Martinez and Alfredo
Perez Barreto; Deanna M. Messer and
Ronald Lloyd Messer; Teri Lee Aldrich
and Mark Alen Niederwerfer; Christine
Diane Hewlett and Corey Thomas Hew-
lett; Zac Wiseman and Kelli Wiseman.
MARRIAGES
Marriage licenses have been reg-
istered in Umatilla County for:
Ryan Anthony Forkey, 30, and
Rachel Leann Braaten, 28, both of
Umatilla.
MISDEMEANOR
SUITS FILED
•Cody Duane Wise, 29, Culbertson,
Mont., pleaded guilty to DUII: sen-
tenced to 180 days jail-suspended, 364
days probation, 160 hours community
service, $2,255 fine and 1 year driver’s
license suspension, plus court costs
and fees.
The following suits have been
filed in Umatilla County courts:
•Linda Mills (fka Linda R. Terry) vs.
H. Richard Snow: seeks $3,800 plus
costs and fees.
•Brandi Bartell Reiber, 41, Long
Creek, pleaded guilty to two counts
of Driving While Suspended/Revoked
and one count each of Giving False
Information for Issuance/Service of Ci-
tation/Warrant and Giving False Infor-
mation to Police: sentenced to 180 days
jail-suspended, 2 years probation, 50
hours community service, $200 fine
and $1,300 fine-suspended for each
count, plus court costs and fees.
•Erasmo Adame Meras Ortiz Jr.,
28, Wapato, Wash., pleaded guilty to
Unlawful Possession of Firearm: sen-
tenced to 180 days jail-suspended, 2
Flowers • Candles
Jewelry • Plants
Balloons & More!
e!
Put a smile on the heart with
the power of flowers.
wers.
HWY 395
395, HERMI
HERMISTON
IST
S ON
541-567-4305
Mon-Sat 8am-6pm • Sun 12pm-5am
www.cottagefl owersonline.com
•Credits Inc. vs. Adriana V. Ar-
teaga-Hernand: seeks $1,531.40 plus
interest, costs and fees.
•Les’s Pump and Electrical Inc. vs.
Lynne Chamberlin and Chad Derstine:
seeks $36,686.52 plus interest, costs
and fees.
See COURTS, A6
5 Theater Cineplex
Check
wildhorseresort.com
for showtimes
$5 Matinee Classics
Every Wednesday
Credit & Debit Cards
accepted
Cineplex gift cards
available
541-966-1850
Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216