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About Appeal tribune. (Silverton, Or.) 1999-current | View Entire Issue (May 25, 2016)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2016 APPEAL TRIBUNE ● 5A OBITUARIES Vincent Raymond Gersch Decem- ber 17, 1921 — April 21, 2016 Vincent Raymond Gersch, 94, Mt. Angel, passed away April 21, 2016, at the Marquis Sil- ver Gardens, Silverton. He was born on Decem- ber 17, 1921, on the family farm in Crooked Finger, Scotts Mills, to Ambrose and Theodocia Gersch. Vincent graduated 8th grade from Noble School in Scotts Mills, joined the Marines at the age of 19 and served during WWII in Guadalcanal, Saipan, and Okinawa. After Vin- ce’s discharge in 1945, he held a commercial pilot li- cense and maintained his private pilot’s license for many years. On Septem- ber 25, 1971, he married Orpha Mae Fridley in Las Vegas, Nevada. They eventually moved to Mil- waukee, Oregon and re- tired to Mt. Angel Towers in Mt. Angel. He wore many hats during his working career from log- ger to pilot to school bus driver and retired from USPS. He is survived by his step-children, Barbara Ripple of Kaneohe, Ha- waii and Alan Fridley of Narooma, NSW Australia; his brother, Leo Gersch of Spring Valley, California and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Am- brose and Theodocia Gersch; his brothers, Jo- seph, John, Ambrose, Al- bert, and Martin; and his sisters Veronica and Ma- ry. His true love Orpha passed in 2012. Service will be Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at 11a.m. at the Holy Rosa- ry Church on Etlin Loop, Crooked Finger, Oregon, followed by burial at Holy Rosary Cemetery. Tears, laughter and visiting will follow at a bratwurst lun- cheon to be served on the church grounds. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memori- als be made to Willamette Valley Hospice, Mt. Angel Knights of Columbus and/ or Holy Rosary Church. The family is also thank- ful for the compassionate care given to Vincent by the caregivers at Silver Garden. Teresa Maria Howe October 16, 1924 — May 17, 2016 Teresa M. Howe died peacefully in her sleep at home in West Sa- lem, sur- rounded by family and a lov- ing ener- gy. Teresa was born in Cavite City in the Philippines October 16, 1924 to parents Felisa and Eugenio Amalia. She married John L. Howe Jr. III, and they raised two sons in Silverton, he pre- ceded her in death in 1975. She is survived by son, Richard Howe (Annette); son, John Howe (Sherry); granddaughter Tiffany Howe; grandson, Jordan Howe (Rachael); great- grandsons Jameson and Callan; grandson Mitchell Howe (Katie) great- grandchildren Madelyn, Preston and Jacob; grand- daughter, Jena Walker (TJ) great-grandchildren, Ella, Tyson, Lucy, June and Carson; granddaugh- ter Zoya Howe and many close friends. Teresa was always the life of the party and she enjoyed dancing, playing cards and games, and was an avid gardener. She was an amazing cook always preparing multiple dishes to please the particular tastes of her guests. She celebrated life to the ful- lest and made everyone feel special and loved. We are blessed to have known her, she was a beautiful soul inside and out, we will do our best to follow her lead and make her proud. A celebration of Tere- sa’s life was held at Unger Funeral Chapel in Silver- ton. The family would like to thank Willamette Val- ley Hospice and the loving staff at Tokarski Home. If you wish to make a dona- tion in Teresa’s honor, please consider Willam- ette Valley Hospice, 1015 3rd St. NW, Salem, Oregon 97304. Daniel Lee Coffman Feb. 12, 1956 — May 6, 2016 Private family service. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel. Beverly Ann Lorenzen Feb. 4, 1936 — May 17, 2016, Funeral service pend- ing. Arrangements by Un- ger Funeral Chapel. Virginia Over May 14, 1940 — May 19, 2016 Funeral service pend- ing. Arrangements by Un- ger Funeral Chapel. MARRIAGE LICENSES Marriage license applications with Marion County Eusebia Lopez Gaspar, 49, Silverton. Jacob Conrad Watterberg, 34, Ocean Park, Washington, and Jena Minhua Agen- broad, 21, Silverton. Matthew Alan Barth, 22, Mt. Angel, and Arianna Rianin Gilbert, 21, Mt. An- gel. Magdaleno Gaspar Perez, 34, Silverton, and Reynalda Christopher Michael Pre- deek, 37, Silverton, and Lisa Anne Coddington, 35, Silverton. DANIELLE PETERSON/STATESMAN JOURNAL The Gallon House Covered Bridge, built in 1916, stretches over Abiqua Creek in the Silverton area. Bridge Continued from Page 1A oldest bridge, the last re- maining of four covered bridges, and the oldest ex- tant covered bridge in the state. It was placed on the National Register of His- toric Places in 1979. The Gallon House Bridge was so-named be- cause of its proximity to a local “gallon house” that reportedly sold bootleg spirits in the early dec- ades of the 20th Century. On June 6, 1904, Oregon voters approved the Local Option Act that allowed each city to ban the sale of alcohol. Silverton citizens subsequently voted to be “dry,” while Mt. Angel voters chose to be “wet” and allow the sale of alco- hol. According to local folklore, an enterprising saloon owner erected a small house on the north end of the bridge and stocked it with liquor. Residents of Silverton who wanted to partake walked to the bridge, crossed to the Mt. Angel side and purchased a bot- tle, jug, or fruit jar and re- turned home. Folks got around the law by selling the gallon jugs, but “giv- ing away” the spirits. When the Volstead Act created Prohibition across the county, the li- quor trade in both towns went underground. Despite being swept off its footings and suffer- ing considerable damage, the bridge survived the Flood of 1964, considered one of the worst to affect the Willamette River cov- ering 152,789 acres. The Board of Commissioners decided the bridge should be repaired and main- tained as an historic land- mark. Fortunately, Mar- ion County road mainte- nance crews were able to set it back in place. In 1985, county road crews repaired the bridge to ac- cept traffic up to a 10-ton limit. The portals were hinged to allow them to be opened for taller loads when necessary. In 1990, because of its poor struc- tural condition, the bridge was rehabilitated and the hinged portals removed. The Gallon House Bridge is also listed on the World Guide to Covered Bridges and in the Li- brary of Congress Nation- al Covered Bridges Re- cording Project as “Sig- nificant” as the last cov- ered bridge in Marion County and the oldest ex- tant covered bridge in the state of Oregon. For directions to the Gallon House Bridge and for more information about the rededication ceremony and other events, please visit www.gallonhousebridge .net.