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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (May 6, 2022)
PAGE A9, KEIZERTIMES, MAY 06, 2022 Homeless man's life honored in ceremony KEIZERTIMES STAFF More than 20 people attended Sunny’s celebration of life ceremony held last Saturday, April 30, at the Eagles Club in Keizer. According to his brother Gary Chorre, who attended the ceremony, Sunny’s name was Ronald James Chorre. Even that information was hard to come by since his death, and little else is currently known about his life before he came to Keizer more than a decade ago, but he left an indelible impression on many Keizer residents with his willingness to help others and his cheerful spirit. Sunny was close to being housed prior to his death – plans were under- way to find him a permanent home before he passed, according to Beth Grifford who emceed the ceremony. Music was provided by Ron Smith, who played Sunny’s favorite songs: Hey, Tomorrow by Jim Croce and You’ve Got a Friend, by Carole King. Sunny’s brother provided a eulogy to Keizertimes. “Early on it rained on Sunny’s parade. He stumbled and slipped on life’s muddied path. And yet, through the gloom of a life of constant suffer- ing and pain, he took it to heart and turned the tables on fate. "After every stormy encounter with bad luck, the clouds parted and Sunny’s light was shining bright. Sunny was a needy soul who spent a hard life giving his all, and in so doing earned a place in a commu- nity of mutual love. "It’s no wonder he became Keizer’s very own Santa Claus. We will miss you Sunny.” of the Week presented by Ron Smith, who befriended Sunny last Easter, performed two songs for guests at the celebration of life ceremony. Photo by LYNDON ZAITZ of the Keizertimes court NO LICENSE Skylar N Thomas, $307; NO INSURANCE Skylar N Thomas, $265; Kenneth Paul Gilmore, $265; Adrian H Fernandez, $307; DRIVING WHILE SUSPENDED Briana Marie Alvarez, $482; Santos Bogarin Juarez, $482; Kenneth Paul Gilmore, $482; Kelsey Marie Tedor, $482; Alejandro Rios Alejandre, $482; Brian Leroy Henderson, $482; Adrian H Fernandez, $440; Joshua Andrew Salazar, $440; FAILURE TO OBEY TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE Aaron Elijah Lee Vollendroff, $235; Evelena Marie Leder, $235; Danny Ray Ford, $265; USE OF MOBILE DEVICE Joshua Andrew Salazar, $307; SPEEDING Jacquelyn Rose Holm, $165 OTHER Robert James Hensell, $157; Devin Harrison Chaney, $157; Adrian H Fernandez, $115, improper display of vali- dating stickers; DAN KOHLER Where and how do you volunteer? • Church • Salem Hospital • Keizer Community Dinner • Keizer City Council • Keizer Chamber of Commerce • Claggett Creek Watershed Council And several other places obituary Submit an obituary by sending an email to: kt@keizertimes.com Barb Bellin Keizer writer and birdwatching enthusiast Barb Bellin died in the early morning on August 30, 2021. Born in Corvallis, she attended Philomath schools, graduating as valedictorian of her high school class. She received her bachelor’s degree in English cum laude from Cascade College in Portland and her master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Oregon. While at Cascade she was twice chosen to appear in “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.” After teaching high school English in Ontario and Lebanon, she married Jerry Bellin of Salem, moving to Keizer soon after. She worked for 10 years at Wentzel’s Woodcrafts in Keizer and wrote for two local papers. She wrote a bird column, “On the Wing,” for the Statesman Journal and took a turn writing the Keizertimes feature, “Keizer Kitchen.” She also wrote up many interviews of fellow members at Faith Lutheran Church for the congregational newsletter. For over 10 years she wrote the extensive field notes for the local Audubon newsletter and served as an unofficial bird information source. An avid “birder,” she participated in Christmas bird counts throughout several decades. Of her many different bird “lists,” fellow birders were especially inspired by her record of 100 or more birds in each county in Oregon. BARB BELLIN Her faith was an integral part of her life since childhood. While still living at home, she used part of her allowance to support missionaries from her church. She was an active member of each church she joined, with a wide range of tasks and responsibilities. As an example, at St. Mark Lutheran church she was a member of church council, and once covered for the traveling pastor by giving a sermon on prayer. At Faith Lutheran Church she participated in several prayer vigils, and worked on the lily-covered cross for Easter. Her love of music began at an early age, and she was proficient on several instruments, including piano, accordion, and clarinet. She wrote a beautiful song played at her wedding. She played piano for worship in several churches and the Christian Women’s Club. Participating in several choirs throughout her life, she also enjoyed singing with the Salem Madrigal Singers for many years. She and husband Jerry often enjoyed the lively music at Dallas’s Guthrie Park on Friday nights. With her passion for nature, she enjoyed hiking, camping, and backpacking. Her other hobbies included organic gardening and photography. She started with a simple box camera as a child, working with a variety of cameras in film, before moving primarily to digital. Her subjects ranged from family snapshots and still life arrangements at home to chronicling countless outdoor excursions. Always health conscious, she participated in a 5:30 a.m. aerobics class for several years. She is remembered for her zest for life, a powerful fondness for chocolate, and her signature color, red. Although extremely modest about her own talents and accomplishments, she went out of her way to support others in any situation. She went above and beyond for her friends and family, always finding new ways to enrich their lives. Her loved ones of faith rejoice that she is in the arms of the Lord, but find the world a drearier place without her. She is profoundly missed. She is preceded in death by siblings Jan and Gary, first cousin Joan, and dear friend Karen. Survivors include devoted husband Jerry, son Chris, and daughter Angela (Jason); four grandchildren: Misty (Dave), Jennifer, CJ (Chante), and Olivia; six great-grandchildren: Logan, Wyatt, Hayden, Kaitlyn, Kenzy, and Alana; five siblings: Tam (Vern), John (Ann) Betty, Bonnie (Allen), and Rebecca; and dear friend Betty Ann. An outdoor memorial service was held on September 9. Internment has been delayed because of pandemic protocols. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Keizer Food Bank or the Salem Audubon Society. This obituary runs in our first issue of May, in honor of her May 1 birthday. Why do you volunteer? The scriptures teach we should love our neighbor as ourselves and to love one another. One of the ways we show love for others is to serve them, and that leads to volunteering. What does volunteering do for you? I have been involved with Boy Scouts for over 50 years, where we were taught by serving others we learn more about ourselves and came to understand the great feelings generated thorough this service. I think most of us want our world to be a better place. Volunteering with other does good things and helps foster a co-operating community. My favorite service is helping others when they don’t know where it came from or who did it. How would you get others to volunteer in their community? Share the joy of service. Volunteering doesn’t cost a bunch of money, so all can do it. I find I’m deeply rewarded for my efforts. If there is something you see lacking or want to make better, ask some questions. If no one can provide the answers you are seeking, get involved. I look for people who want to make our community better and encourage them to come to an event or two with me. Usually they get hooked quickly. When we work together, differences seem to disappear; boundaries and divisions that some try to impose are removed. When everyone works together we all succeed. Keizer is a very unique place. The low tax base we enjoy, requires we all pitch in and do things other communities pay someone to do. This service creates lifelong friendships and a spirit of comradery rare in a city of nearly 40K people. We all work together for the better good.
