RECORDS
Wednesday, april 24, 2019
HerMisTOnHerald.COM • A5
OBITUARIES
Charles Alfred ‘Chuck’ Nelson
Muriel Pearl (Cherry) Brainard
Lexington
Coos Bay
August 8, 1950 — April 17, 2019
October 5, 1932 — April 12, 2019
Charles “Chuck” Alfred Oregon State University
Nelson, farmer, husband alumni. In 1983, Chuck
and grandfather, was called helped found the OSU Agri-
home on April 17, 2019. He cultural Alumni Associa-
was born August 8, 1950, tion. He also helped form
the OSU Alumni
to the proud par-
ents of Norman
Marching Band,
and Jean (McEl-
which was a great
hinny)
Nelson.
joy for the whole
Knowing how to
family. Many fall
make an entrance,
afternoons were
he was one of the
spent
watching
first babies born
football games,
in the newly built
and marching in
Pioneer Memorial
the alumni band
Hospital in Hep-
through the tail-
gate section near
pner, Oregon.
Nelson
B e i n g
Reser Stadium.
ever-present
in
Chuck
had
the community, Chuck was many hobbies, from travel-
an active member of the ing with his family, to col-
local 4-H chapter, Lexing- lecting WWII artifacts, but
ton Grange, and the United one of his first loves was
Church of Christ (Ione classic cars. He became
Community Church). He interested in classic cars
was an unforgettable friend while stationed in Germany,
within his small close-knit where he bought his first
class of 12. After graduating project car, a 1976 TR6. He
from Ione High School in later rebuilt a 1964 Impala
1968, Chuck pursed higher SS known affectionately as
education at Oregon State Tabasco Red, as well as a
University. While in college 1965 Mustang with his son
he continued his passion for Justin and a 1974 VW Bee-
community involvement. tle with his daughter Court-
Chuck was a member of the ney. With a love for both
agricultural honorary Alpha community and cars, in
Zeta and the sophomore 1997 Chuck started the Ione
honorary Thanes and Tal- Blues Cruise to help sup-
ons. He also played alto sax port the newly created 4th
for the OSU Marching Band of July Blues Festival.
Chuck enjoyed spending
and the OSU Dixieland Pep
Band. In the spring of 1972, time with his wife Lisa on
Chuck graduated college their many travels. He loved
with a B.A. in agronomical the Oregon coast as well as
crop science and began his more far-flung adventures
to Australia and Europe. He
next adventure.
Following college he also enjoyed spending time
joined the U.S. Army, where with his children and grand-
he was trained in artillery children. Chuck was always
computers. He was sta- in attendance at music con-
tioned at Headquarters, 5th certs, games, plays, grad-
Corps Artillery, Darmstadt, uations and birthday par-
West Germany, where he ties. Whether it was making
met his future wife, Ann Swedish pancakes on Christ-
Lisa Maness. Chuck loved mas Eve, taking the grand-
to say, “Where would a boy kids to the pool or assist-
from Oregon meet a girl ing with a project, he was
from North Carolina but in always there with a smiling
Germany.” He would retell face and helping hand.
Charles is survived by
how they met hundreds of
times over the years, always his wife Lisa of Lexington,
with a twinkle in his eye and Ore.; son Justin (Andrea)
of Lexington, Ore.; daugh-
a glowing smile.
Following his tour in the ter Courtney (Andrew) of
Army, Chuck returned to Albany, Ore.; grandchildren
Morrow County to join the Lita and Charles of Lexing-
family farm with his father ton, Ore.; sister Kristin Nel-
on property outside of Lex- son-Graham of Salem, Ore.;
ington and Ione. Chuck mar- and his many friends and
ried the love of his life, Ann family around the world.
Lisa Maness, in the Ione
The memorial service
United Church of Christ on is at the Ione Community
Church on Saturday, April
June 19, 1976.
While running the farm, 27 at 11:30 a.m. There will
Chuck worked extensively be a luncheon afterwards.
with the Oregon Wheat Attendees are encouraged to
Growers Association. He bring their classic cars and
served on the board of direc- stories to share.
tors for six years as well as
The family has desig-
the Morrow County Wheat nated the Ione Community
League president. One of Church and Oregon State
the proudest moments was University Alumni Band for
winning the State Conser- memorial contributions.
vation Farmer of the Year
You may sign the online
award in 1992. He also condolence book at www.
continued to be an active sweeneymortuary.com.
Muriel Pearl (Cherry) and money.
Brainard was born in St.
Her favorite hobbies
John, N.D., on Oct. 5, 1932, were traveling and reading.
and passed away April 12, She and Bill visited many
2019, at the age of 86.
states and several foreign
As a child, she
countries. Hawaii
moved to the Ordi-
was her favorite.
nance Depot and
She is survived
then to Hermis-
by her children,
ton. She graduated
Skip (Susan) of
as Valedictorian
Coos Bay and
from
Hermis-
Brenda
(Joe)
ton High School
of Eugene, five
in 1950 and from
grandchildren,
Good Samaritan
six great-grand-
children
and
School of Nursing
Brainard
her brother Jim
in 1953.
Cherry (Loretta)
After
a
of Albany.
semi-whirlwind
She was preceded in
courtship, she married Bill
Brainard on Nov. 15, 1953, death by her husband Bill,
moved to Coos Bay and parents Glenn and Pearl
began a 44-year career in Cherry, and two siblings,
the nursing profession. She Bill and Ruth.
At her request, no ser-
had lived in Coos Bay for
vices are planned.
the past 66 years.
Education was her pas-
Muriel worked as a nurse
at a local clinic and two hos- sion and, if you would
pitals, and as health director like, a remembrance can be
for the Confederated Tribes. made in her name to the Bill
She was a lifetime member Brainard Scholarship Fund,
of Beta Sigma Phi and sup- c/o Brenda Brainard, 2106
ported many local service Elysium Ave., Eugene, OR
organizations with her time 97401.
Bert W. Curtis
Hermiston
November 14, 1942 — April 10, 2019
Bert W. Curtis of Herm- ious agricultural products.
iston was born November
Bert was an avid hunter,
14, 1942, in Eugene, Ore- aviator, farmer, and out-
gon, the son of Bert and doorsman. He loved air-
Arlene (Jackson) Curtis. planes, building, boat-
ing,
classic
He passed away
cars,
motorcy-
in Hermiston on
cles, mules, and
Wednesday, April
operating heavy
10, 2019, at the
machinery.
age of 76.
He
married
Bert grew up in
Mary Jo Rapp in
Brownsville, Ore-
gon, and gradu-
Roseburg, Ore.,
ated from Central
in April of 1964.
Linn High School
She preceded him
in
1960.
He
in death in 2008.
Curtis
served in the U.S.
He was also pre-
ceded in death by
Army during the
his parents.
Vietnam War as a
He is survived by brother
helicopter mechanic. After
his honorable discharge, he Jay Curtis; sisters Laurel
returned to his position at Christopher and Marlene
the Oregon State Highway Sloan; companion of 10
Department in Grants Pass. years, June Rosenberg; son
In 1976, he moved to Patrick Curtis; daughter-in-
Hermiston, Oregon, where law Timmi (Bailey) Cur-
he has resided since. tis; daughter Beth Curtis;
While living in Hermis- grandsons Russell Curtis,
ton he worked as a build- Klinton Mathers and Zach-
ing inspector for the state ary Christensen; grand-
of Oregon and later the daughters Amanda Barns
city of Hermiston. He was and Tanner Christensen;
Blaine
instrumental in the commu- great-grandson
nity as a member of North- Barns; and his beloved
east Oregon Homebuilders dachshund Maddie.
Association with notable
A celebration of life will
involvement on the Herm- be held May 18, 2019, at the
iston Library and Sunset Harkenrider Senior Activity
House projects. He retired Center, 255 N.E. Second
after 30+ years of public St., Hermiston, Ore., from
service in 1991. Bert con- 1-4 p.m.
tinued working as a com-
Burns Mortuary of
mercial truck driver hauling Hermiston is in care of final
concrete materials and var- arrangements.
Watson
Vincent Joseph Watson
Milwaukie
August 1, 1932 — April 15, 2019
Vincent Joseph Watson
was born August 1, 1932, to
Elmer L. Watson and Beryl
Maybelle (Cellers) Watson
in Drain, Oregon. He passed
away April 15, 2019, in Mil-
waukie, Oregon, at age 86.
Vince’s family moved
to Hermiston, Oregon, in
1936. He attended Hermis-
ton Grade School and grad-
uated from Hermiston High
School in 1951. Vince mar-
ried Joy S. Estle in 1951 in
Hermiston, Oregon. They
raised three sons in Herm-
iston until moving to Uma-
tilla in 1973. They divorced
in 1979.
Vince was a jeweler
and watch repairman. He
founded Watson’s Jewelry
in 1965 at 138 East Main,
Hermiston, and he was
a Main Street fixture for
decades.
He served on the Herm-
iston Baseball Commission
when Weber Field was built
and coached the American
Legion baseball team for
three years.
Vince was a “car person”
and enjoyed driving, restor-
ing and collecting cars. He
POLICE LOG
TUESDAY, APRIL 16
8:45 p.m. — There was an
assault on east ridgeway
avenue.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17
2:16 a.m. — shots fired were
reported on West Hermiston
avenue.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18
12:18 p.m. — On south First
street, the caller came into
the Hpd lobby to report that
her high school class lost a
black and white australian
shepherd dog they were
using for a science class. The
dog was last seen near the
post office.
FRIDAY, APRIL 19
8:06 a.m. — There was a do-
mestic incident at rodeway
inn on south Highway 395.
12:55 p.m. — There was a
suicidal subject on south
First street.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
Barbara Ladene (Brown) Gilleese
DEATH NOTICES
Hermiston
May 21, 1940 — November 22, 2018
Barbara Ladene (Brown) teer to those who needed
Gilleese was born May 21, help. She was an Eagles
1940, in Yakima, Wash- Auxiliary
member
for
ington, the second of four many years and was always
children born to Lawrence around to help when some-
one needed it.
Wilfred
Brown
She was pre-
and Gladys N.
ceded in death by
(Ritchie) Brown,
her parents, broth-
of Zillah, Wash-
ington. She passed
ers Larry Grant in
away November
1976 and William
Arthur in 2017,
22, 2018, in Rich-
land, Washington,
and son Craig.
at Kadlec Medical
Those who sur-
vive and will miss
Center.
She lived and
her include her
loved her life in
Gilleese
husband Tim, her
the Pacific North-
sons and daugh-
west — in her
ter Silas, Susan,
younger years on the eastern Bruce and Alex, four grand-
side of Washington, and then children, four great-grand-
on the western side of Ore- children, her sister Judy, and
gon. She raised her five chil- numerous nieces and neph-
dren mostly in the Portland, ews — not to mention her
Oregon, area.
many “adopted” kids that
She was an accomplished she gathered throughout her
saleswoman in the flo- lifetime.
ral industry, and later was
A memorial gathering
a great bartender. Upon her will be held at Barbara’s
retirement she moved to nephew’s residence Satur-
Hermiston, Oregon, where day, May 4 from 1-5 p.m.
she met and married her last It’s located off Highway 730
across from McNary (east of
husband, Tim Gilleese.
Barb, as she is known to Umatilla). Look for signage,
those who knew and loved “Gilleese Memorial.”
her, enjoyed hunting, camp-
Disposition was by cre-
ing, the outdoors, the ocean, mation, with Burns Mortu-
her kitties, her family and ary of Hermiston in care of
friends, and being a volun- arrangements.
Francine M. ‘Fran’ Baisley
Hermiston
May 4, 1948 — April 20, 2019
Francine M. “Fran” Baisley, 70, of Hermiston, died Sat-
urday, April 20, 2019, in Hermiston. She was born May 4,
1948, in Pendleton. A graveside funeral service will be held
Friday, April 26 at 1 p.m. at the Echo Cemetery. Burns Mor-
tuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements. Share mem-
ories with the family at www.burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Rickie Lee ‘Ric’ Carr
was a member of the Meyers
Professional Racing team
for several years.
He was a member of
the Umatilla School Dis-
trict
Budget
Commit-
tee in the 1980s. A mem-
ber of the Kiwanis Club,
Vince received the Herm-
iston 1988 Kiwanian of the
Year Award for his leader-
ship on many club projects.
By October 1988, Vince had
a record of 17 years of per-
fect attendance at Kiwanis
club meetings.
On August 5, 1995, he
married Claudell Metzger
in Gresham, Oregon. They
traveled through much of
the Pacific Northwest, but
their most extensive trip
was a photo safari in Africa.
Vince and Claudell divorced
in 2004.
Vince is survived by his
siblings, Norma Bergstahler
and Elmer Duane Watson;
his sons, Vince Jr. (Annette
Reese), Terry D. (Anne) and
Jeffrey D. (Debi) Watson;
and his grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
There will not be a
memorial service.
8:44 a.m. — There was a do-
mestic disturbance between
a man and a woman at
southeast sixth street.
8:08 p.m. — There was a
missing person reported at
West ridgeway avenue.
SUNDAY, APRIL 21
10:34 a.m. —There was a
man causing a disturbance at
southwest 10th street.
10:42 p.m. — a caller said
a male resident at regency
on West Juniper avenue has
become combative and is a
danger to himself, the staff,
and the elderly.
MONDAY, APRIL 22
8:25 a.m. — a business on
south Highway 395 reported
two men were threatening
employees near the en-
trance.
9:40 a.m. — a caller advised
a woman who had never
lived at their address has
begun using the address for
correspondence with courts
and lawyers.
2:17 p.m. — a possible drunk
driver was reported at north
First street and Hermiston
avenue after red Honda Civic
ran two stop signs and two
red lights.
4:06 p.m. — a domestic
disturbance was reported on
West Juniper avenue.
Monday afternoon — The
Umatilla County Fire district’s
HazMat team responded
to Two rivers Correctional
institution in Umatilla after
an employee in the prison’s
mail room said he opened
an envelope, smelled a
substance, and began to feel
ill. He was taken to Good
shepherd Medical Center for
evaluation. The HazMat team
responded and did a thor-
ough check of the building,
but could not find anything.
He said they also inspected
all the mail that the employ-
ee had handled that day.
Umatilla
Dec. 2, 1962 — March 10, 2019
Rickie Lee “Ric” Carr, 56, of Umatilla died Sunday,
March 10, 2019, at his home. He was born Dec. 2, 1962, in
Hermiston. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, May
18 at 1 p.m. at Coho Gazebo at the McNary Ponds beneath
the McNary Dam. Bring memories to share, and a fishing
pole if you wish. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care
of arrangements. Share memories with the family at www.
burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
BIRTHS
Good Shepherd Medical Center, Hermiston
APRIL 3, 2019
CYR — Amanda Cazares and Joeseph Cyr of Hermiston:
a boy, Amanda & Joey Kiaeo Cyr.
APRIL 10, 2019
PARKER — Sandra A. Bethel of Hermiston: a boy,
Blake Parker.
APRIL 12, 2019
TAYLOR — Justine Taylor and Sam Taylor of Hermis-
ton: a boy, Beau Michael Taylor.
St. Anthony Hospital, Pendleton
APRIL 10, 2019
NAVARRO — Alejandra Zuniga and Roberto Navarro of
Boardman: a girl, Lexliie Alicia Navarro.
PRIORITIES
A hundred years from now it will not matter what My bank account
was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... but the
world may be different because I was important in the Life of a Child.