6A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • May 20, 2015
Polk County News
OBITUARIES
Kim Briggs
Westlund
Aug. 27, 1952 – April 17, 2015
Kim Briggs Westlund, 62,
of Houston, formerly of
Monmouth, died April 17
after enduring a tough battle
associated with a rare form
of cancer.
She was born to Harold
and Deloris Briggs in Mon-
mouth.
Kim at-
tended
Central
H i g h
School
and gradu-
ated in
1970, and
went on to
attend Oregon College of
Education. Kim’s early years
were spent on the family
farm with her siblings, farm
animals and cats and dogs.
Kim married Samuel
Dean Waters in 1974. He
died in 1988. Her marriage
to him left her with a family,
and an amazing knowledge
of love.
In September 1985, Kim
moved to Texas seeking a
new outlook on life and
went to work at the Houston
Northwest Medical Center.
There she met several
friends and established her
work career.
In 2001, Kim married
William Westlund, the love
of her life, a man truly de-
voted to her, and who re-
lentlessly stood beside her
during her illness. Kim and
Bill remained in Texas and
visited family in Oregon and
Minnesota throughout the
years. She always made it a
point to attend the annual
Briggs family reunion.
Kim loved gardening, reli-
gion, genealogy, grandchil-
dren and arguments.
She was preceded in
death by her father, Harold.
Survivors include her hus-
band, Bill; mother and step-
father, Deloris and Emmett;
children, Misty Dawn,
Samuel Slade, twins Jason
and Joshua; stepdaughter,
Jolyn Waters Shollenburg
and with her marriage to
Bill, it extended her family to
include, Billy, Steven, Jack
and Michelle; siblings, Bette
Procknow, Jan Oar, Carol
Eddy, Darrel Volesky, Dawn
Monagon and Debbie Rib-
ble; and numerous grand-
children.
Celebration of life is
planned to take place in Au-
gust, close in time to the
family reunion.
Details of the celebration
of life will be announced
through Farnstrom Mortu-
ary in Independence. To
send an online condolence:
www.FarnstromMortuary.-
com.
Integrity Funeral Care of
Houston handled arrange-
ments.
Ashley Lawrence
June 3, 1961 – May 8, 2015
Ashley Lawrence, 53, of
Dallas died May 8 in Salem.
She was born in Newport
Beach, Calif., to Thomas
Callahan and Rita Corbett.
Ashley attended high
school in California and
later worked in publishing,
graphic design, and real es-
tate in new sales.
She moved to Battle-
ground, Wash., where she
also worked in real estate.
She moved to Dallas in Oc-
tober 2013.
Ashley loved the out-
doors, flowers, animals, and
wearing baseball hats.
Survivors include her son,
Sean McIntyre and sister,
Denise Rothwell.
Dallas Mortuary Tribute
Center handled arrange-
ments. To send an online
condolence: www.dallastrib-
ute.com.
Charles Howard
Wilson
Sept. 29, 1925 – April 28, 2015
Charles Howard Wilson,
89, of Monmouth died April
28.
He was born in Ellens-
burg, Wash., to Charles and
Bertha Wilson.
Howard completed high
school and attended college
in Pendleton. While in high
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school he enlisted in the
Navy during World War II
and saw combat action in
the South Pacific on a de-
stroyer escort.
Howard married Phyllis
Ettles in Ellensburg, Wash.,
on June 20, 1948. They lived
i n Wa s h -
ington,
Oregon
and Alas-
ka. Over a
50 year-ca-
reer his ex-
periences
included
farming,
equipment
o p e r a t o r,
airport
m a n a g e r,
construc-
tion superintendent, air-
plane mechanic, flight in-
structor, fire chief, building
inspector, and city manager
and mayor of Manzanita.
Upon retirement Howard
and Phyllis moved to Mon-
mouth
Howard was known for
his generosity, volunteerism
and work ethic.
They became active with
the Monmouth Senior Cen-
ter and First Christian
Church. One of his favorite
activities was participating
in the Wii bowling tourna-
ments at the senior center.
He was passionate about fly-
ing.
He built and flew various
single engine aircrafts and
shared his enthusiasm
through flight instruction.
Howard was skilled in me-
chanics and could fix just
about any mechanical de-
vice. Howard also enjoyed
deer hunting and being out-
doors.
He was preceded in death
by his wife, Phyllis in 2008.
Survivors include his son,
Gary (Charlotte) Wilson;
daughter, Cyndie Greiner;
five grandchildren; Michelle
Greiner; and three great-
grandchildren.
Memorial celebration is
June 1 at 11 a.m. at Mon-
mouth Christian Church.
Contributions are sug-
gested to Willamette Valley
Hospice.
Farnstrom Mortuary han-
dled arrangements. To send
an online condolence:
www.FarnstromMortuary.-
com.
RECYCLE
A little effort.
A big difference.
Feb. 7, 1942 – May 6, 2015
R o b e r t “ B o b” L e r o y
Phillips Jr., 73, of Independ-
ence died May 6 following a
c o u ra -
geous bat-
tle against
cancer.
He was
born to
Robert Sr.
and Rhoda
Phillips in
Water-
town, S.D.
in 1942.
Bob gra-
duated
from North
Salem High School in 1960.
He then served his country
in the Army Reserves and
continued to work for Cen-
tral School District for 22
years.
He later married the love
of his life, Clara Case on Aug.
7, 1970.
Bob enjoyed his fishing,
camping trips, the sports he
played and spending time
with his grandchildren. Bob
had a big heart for the Inde-
pendence community, help-
ing kids during his service
with Central School District
and always reaching out to
help whoever he could. His
biggest joy was making
memories with his family.
Survivors include his wife,
Clara Phillips; sister, Connie
Mae; children, Julie
DenBeste, Laura (Chad)
Freeborn, and Casey (Carrie)
Phillips; and five grandchil-
dren.
Farnstrom Mortuary in
Independence handled
arrangements. To send an
online condolence:
www.FarnstromMortuary.-
com.
Barry Lafayett
Roberts
Feb. 8, 1955 – May 14, 2015
Barry Lafayett Roberts, 60,
of Monmouth died Thurs-
day after four years of wins
and losses with colon can-
cer.
He was born in
Burlingame, Calif., to Her-
bert and
Rhonda
Roberts.
He grew
up in Falls
City on
Sample
Ro a d f o r
most of his
life. He
spent his youth working
alongside his father at the
family farm and family roof-
ing business.
Barry was a 4-H member
and showed Milking Short-
horn cattle in the 4-H pro-
gram.
Fast cars began as a
hobby for Barry and his fa-
ther, but soon grew into a
passion that would last his
lifetime.
He achieved Journeyman
status, and continued build-
ing his career as “The Door-
man.”
For the past 40 years,
Barry prided himself on his
unparalleled work ethic for
the sake of his customers.
The only things that could
pry Barry from his work
were his family and friends,
going on camping trips, mo-
torcycle rallies, farming and
his passion for drag racing.
The only object of affection
outside of Barry’s wife, kids
and his granddaughter
Ophelia, was his ’62 Nova.
In 2012, Barry won his
long sought after award in
drag racing, the Wally Parks
trophy, a coveted award and
accomplishment he had
worked toward for 40 years.
He was a force to be dealt
with on the track ,while
maintaining grace and
sportsmanship off the track.
Barry was a man of quiet
character with comedic ten-
dencies.
All who knew him were
blessed with valuable life
lessons.
He was preceded in death
by his brother, Dennis.
Survivors include his wife
of 30 years, Laurie; daugh-
ters, Jessica (partner Bran-
don) and Jacquelyn; son,
Jake; and one granddaugh-
ter.
Celebration of his life and
service with a hot rod/mo-
torcycle cruise-in was Sun-
day at the Polk County Fair-
grounds & Event Center.
Dallas Mortuary Tribute
Center handled arrange-
ments. To send an online
condolence: www.dallastrib-
ute.com.
John Whad Haney
May 2, 1950 – May 12, 2015
John Whad Haney, 65, of
Independence died May 12.
Whad is what his loved ones
and friends called him.
He was born in Ontario to
Alvin and Melba Haney.
John was raised in Nyssa
and right
after high
s c h o o l
joined the
Air Force.
He served
from 1968
to 1972.
He drove
for Hori-
zon Trans-
port, deliv-
ering mo-
tor homes
across the
United States and Canada
for 12 years. John covered
more than 871,000 miles
without an accident, a great
accomplishment.
John lived for family re-
unions that took place every
summer. His favorite spot
was always at beautiful Wal-
lowa Lake. Whad also loved
to fish and being outside on
the river. His big smile was
one his greatest and most
memorable traits. John was
the teddy bear of the family,
and always gave the best,
never-ending hugs. Not a
single minute would go by
that he wouldn’t crack a joke
just to hear everyone’s
laughter.
John married Louinda
Timmons and they had four
children, Allen (Lori) Haney,
Kimberly (Charles) Andre,
Wendy (Jerry) Haney and
Matthew Haney. He later di-
vorced and married Darline
Hunter which included
stepchildren, Louie (Sheri)
Hunter and Dawn Hunter.
John came from a big
family that included his
brothers, Claire (Marlene)
Haney, Steve (Kate) Haney,
Mark (Cindy) Haney, and
Russell (Robin) Haney; sis-
ters, Gail (Jubal) Miller and
Vicki (Ron) Hess; eight
grandchildren; two great-
grandchildren; and large ex-
tended family. He was pre-
ceded in death by his sister,
Carol and her husband,
Samuel Fluestch.
Private service will be at
Willamette National Ceme-
tery. Farnstrom Mortuary in
Independence handled
arrangements. To send an on-
line condolence: www.Farn-
stromMortuary.com.
Melvin ‘Mel’
Wesley Harms
July 4, 1926 – May 16, 2015
Mel Harms, 88, of Dallas
died Saturday in Salem.
He was born in Fairbury,
Neb., on the family farm to
Peter and Anna Harms.
At a very young age, Mel
went to work for various
farmers in the Paxton, Neb.,
area and finished school
around the
sixth grade.
Mel ac-
c e p t e d
Jesus as his
Savior and
was bap-
tized Sept.
29, 1940.
While attending the Pax-
ton Mennonite Brethren
Church, Mel met the love of
his life, Anne Buller, and
after a year of courtship they
were married.
A few months after their
wedding they decided to
serve their country through
alternative service with the
Mennonite Central Commit-
tee. They worked as a nurse
and aide in several mental
health hospitals in Virginia
and Ohio for two years. They
returned to Paxton to farm
and then moved to Madrid,
Neb., where Mel was em-
ployed by the John Deere
Co.
In 1953, they moved to
Dallas, their home for the re-
mainder of their lives. In
1960, Anne and Mel created
a company together called
Orchard View Landscaping,
which became well known
in the Willamette Valley. Mel
took great pride in growing
and planting lawns, trees
and shrubs, for area homes
and businesses. Mel and
Anne worked hard together
in this business until their
retirement.
Mel and Anne were in-
volved in the Salem Heights
Baptist Church, ministering
with the youth group and
also a Sunday school class
for adults. Other churches
that they helped were Chris-
tian Missionary Alliance
Churches in Dallas and
Salem, and Faith Evangelical
Free Church in Dallas. They
were members of First Bap-
tist Church in Salem, and
Mel later attended Grace
Baptist Church in Dallas.
He was preceded in death
by his wife, Anne; siblings
Herb Harms, Lee Harms,
Irene Harms Sperling, Mer-
lin Harms and Eldon Harms.
Survivors include his son,
Lindsey Jay Harms of Salem;
daughter, Laurie Harms of
Dallas; and brothers, Dale
Harms of Arkansas City,
Kan., and Jerry Harms of
Madrid, Neb.
Me m o r i a l s e r v i c e i s
Wednesday (today) at Grace
Baptist Church at 2 p.m.
Contributions are sug-
gested to Union Gospel in
Salem. Virgil T. Golden Fu-
neral Service in Salem han-
dled arrangements.
Nicholas ‘Nick’
A. Stephens
June 30, 1980 – May 12, 2015
Ni c h o l a s “Ni c k” A .
Stephens, 34, of Dallas died
May 12 in Salem.
He was born in Dallas and
attended Dallas schools. He
later earned and received his
GED.
Nick had worked for 15
years primarily as a glazier
(window installer).
He enjoyed playing the
guitar with
friends,
w o o d
working,
drawing
and writ-
ing. He
loved teas-
ing and
playing with his niece, Gra-
cie.
Nick struggled during is
short life and always showed
a brave face when facing his
challenges. Nick had a con-
tagious smile that would lift
you up when you were
down.
Survivors include his
mother, Christine “Tina”
Lockwood and his brother,
Nathan Stephens.
Celebration of his life and
potluck is Saturday at 1 p.m.
at 266 SW Ash St., in Dallas.
Contributions are sug-
gested to research for de-
pression.
Keizer Funeral Home
handled arrangements.