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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 5, 2020)
2A | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2020 | SIUSLAW NEWS On The Record OBITUARIES TO M P K I N S — E d i t h “Deedie” Tompkins joined her husband, Neil Tomp- kins, in heaven on July 22, 2020. Born in Elma, Wash., on March 10, 1930, Deedie lived to be 90 years old. She moved to Florence, Ore., in 1952 with her husband and daugh- Edith ter. Tompkins She start- ed her own business, Deedie’s Alter- ations, in 1953. She created some very unique things, including a new Rhodo- dendron Queen’s robe, an outfit for a stuffed grizzly bear used in a political campaign, and custom fishing boat cushions. Before there was a Flor- ence Food Share, Deedie took her utility trailer to a local grocery store, picked up donated produce and offered it to people in need in the community. Neil and Deedie also offered their travel trailer to the police department, which referred homeless people needing a place to spend the night. Deedie hosted Home Extension meetings and was a mem- ber of the Women’s Mis- sionary Council, as well as the TOPS Club. She was also a member of the choir at Siuslaw Val- ley Christian Center, now known as Crossroad As- sembly of God. Her family attended many meetings of the Siuslaw Pioneer Asso- ciation. They also hosted Rotary exchange students. Deedie enjoyed per- forming in school plays when in high school. As an adult, she was an avid swimmer and loved going to yard sales. People would give her their lists and she would happily hunt for those desired items. Deedie and Neil used to go camping and enjoyed Sunday afternoon drives, picnics and barbecues. She had a very dry sense of humor and her gifts were sometimes an unexpected surprise. Deedie was preceded in death by her husband, Neil; and her parents, Harold Speer and Edith Dingman. She is survived by daugh- ter, Sharee Luce; son Lorin Tompkins; God-daughter Valerie Whitney; grand- children: Erin Luce, Bren- nan Luce, Levi Tompkins, Laurie Tompkins, Rose- mary Whitney, Levi Whit- ney, Olivia Blesse; and great-grandchildren Evan Rousseau, Hadessa Whit- ney and Sariese Whitney. Neil and Deedie were “Mom” and “Dad” to many throughout the years. Deedie was cremated by Burns Riverside Chapel. Close family will observe a private service at the cem- etery. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no public memorial service will take place at this time. However, a memorial Facebook group has been set up. To be added to the group, or to view the Me- morial online, please con- tact a family member on Facebook or email erin luce@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, do- nations may be made to Gideons International. CLINTON—On Tues- day, July 28, 2020, Jack R. Clinton Jr., loving father, husband and friend passed away peace- fully in his home. Jack was born Sept. 29, 1952, in Glendale, Calif., to Jack Clinton Jack and DeNora (Ness) Clinton. Jack grew up in the hills of Glendale to later go and serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. during the Vietnam War. Upon returning from war, he married his wife Diane, gaining three won- derful stepchildren and went on to have three more children. In 2003, Jack left South- ern California for the beautiful Oregon coast. Jack was known for his contagious laugh, funny punchlines, kind heart and friendly smile. Wherever he went, he always found new people to become a new, fast friend. He had love for Oregon’s beautiful nature and ran a successful landscaping business with his son, where he could enjoy all of the beautiful greenery Oregon has to offer. Jack had various jobs during his life that brought him numerous experiences and opportunities to meet many different people. He enjoyed sharing all of those stories and lessons with those who surround- ed him. He is survived by his wife, Diane; six children: Lynn (Aaron), Charla (Bill), Ammon, Jack (Mo- nique), Arne (Amanda) and Kendyll (Andrew); 14 grandchildren and numer- ous cousins throughout the U.S. and Norway. Public services to be de- NOVELLI’S termined following the end of the COVID-19 pandem- ic. BECKNER —Becky Beckner, 91, passed away at her residence in Flor- ence, Ore., on Monday July 20, 2020. Becky was born April 5, 1929, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Theodore Roos- evelt Beck- ner and Marie Lil- lian (Ruby) Beckner. She was born pri- or to the Becky arrival of Beckner her twin sister, Es- ther Oleson. Becky was raised in Council Bluffs, attended Thomas Jefferson High School, graduating in 1946, and continued her education at The Universi- ty of Omaha. On April 7, 1949 she married Theodore (Ted) James Kochel. Becky and Ted soon began a family in Southern California and welcomed three children in five years beginning in 1952. Becky returned to col- lege and began her career as a California licensed Clinical Laboratory Scien- tist, not retiring from her profession until she was 78 years old. The predominant thread that binds the stories and memories of Becky is her love of family and friends, her generousity and her faith. The blocks of her quilt are now completed revealing her beautiful life for others to reflect upon, cherish and uplift their spirits. Becky passed away unex- pectedly in her apartment, at Tanglewood, where she resided for the past eight years. Becky was preceded in death by her sister, Maxine Thornburg; twin sister, Es- ther Oleson; and brother, Harold Beckner. She is survived by her children: Roger Kochel (Serena) Denise Stahl (Gregg) and Laura Per- on (Tom); grandchildren: Jesse Kochel (Audra), Ter- ra Wade (Steve), Kendra Kochel (Kyle), Spencer Kochel (Madison), Robert Muma (Katie) and Natalie Peron (Matt). In addition, Becky is sur- vived by eight great-grand- children and three great-great-grandchildren. There is no Celebration of Life planned at this time due to COVID-19. When arrangements are finalized her ashes will be interred at the Memorial Garden at New Life Lutheran Church. SAUNDERS—Wilma (Billie) Saunders, 89, died on July 29, 2020, after a short illness. A 23-year resident of Florence, Billie was born in Joplin, Mo., but grew up in Salem. After many years in Southern California, she and her husband, Joe (who passed in 2014 after 50 years of marriage), moved to Florence in 1997. She was active in Ladies of the Elk, the Episcopal Church and the bowling league. She is survived by her two children, Diane and Laura; her two grandsons, Alex and Geoffrey; as well as her stepchildren: Tami and Geoff and their chil- dren. Her family was the most important thing in the world to her and she will be remembered for her kind- ness and loving nature. CRAB & SEAFOOD WE ARE OPEN! IN MEMORY OUR PARENTS WE ARE SERVING OUR MOM’S AWARD WINNING CRAB CHOWDER! WE ALSO HAVE FRESH CRAB. SUN, MON AND THUR 11-6 , FRI & SAT, 11-7 CLOSED TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY 541-639-7689 • 100 HARBOR STREET, BOAT SLIP A13 GATES ARE UNLOCKED We invite you to join us. We will be live streaming from Facebook at 10am Sunday mornings. Corner of 10th & Maple St. • 541-997-3533 florencecrossroadeg.org email: office@florencecrossroadeg.org Getting rid of 'Huh?' for over 20 years Florence's ONLY doctors of audiology Call today to schedule an appointment. 541.991.4475 HEARING ING ASSOCIATES ATES of Florence nce Scott C. Anderson, Au.D. Steven G. Anderson, Au.D. FLORENCE • 1901 Hwy 101, Ste A HearingAssociatesofFlorence.com V ISIT US ONLINE : TheSiuslawNews.com Saturday, August 29, 2020 At Florence Golf Links Florence, Oregon Sponsored by 60th ANNIVERSARY A Charity Golf Tournament To Benefit SIUSLAW OUTREACH SERVICES FUNDS RAISED WILL GO TO HELP NEEDY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HOMELESSNESS AND OTHER FORMS OF CRISIS. S PECIALL COVID--1 9 Playing g format Morning Pool Team Rate: $425 AŌernoon Pool Team Rate: $375 (Team Fee includes: 3 puƩs for each player in the puƫng contest, 3 mulligans for each player, meal, snacks, and beverages) Register no later than August 21st Ron and Penny Merritt, July 30, 1960 Ron and Penny Mer- ritt were married July 30, 1960, in Stockton, Calif. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anni- versary this year. They have three sons (all boys) and 10 grandkids. They owned Kitchen Klut- ter in downtown Florence from 1987 to 1993 before selling it to Penny’s sister, Marteen Wick. Ron Merritt owned the old Sand Ranch from 1987 to 1991 (now Sand Master Park). Ron coached high school football and base- ball at Siuslaw and Maple- ton high schools. For more informaƟon call 541-997-2816