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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 14, 2015)
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • January 14, 2015 9A Polk County News OBITUARIES Delpha Jane O’Harra Daniel Kelly M. Wheeler Sept. 22, 1950 – Dec. 29, 2014 Kelly M. Wheeler, 57, of In- dependence died Jan. 5 in Independence. Kelly was born in Boise, Idaho, to Ira Dee Wheeler and Virginia Arlene Wheeler (Peckham). He lived most of his life in Idaho and Oregon. He loved to go fishing and camping. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren. Survivors include his wife and best friend, Cathy; sib- lings, Ira, Don, Candace, Rodney and Emma; chil- dren, Erica, Cat, John, Matthew, Amanda and Aaron; and 10 grandchil- dren. Celebration of life was Sat- urday at Independence Ma- sonic Lodge. Contributions are suggest- ed to the American Cancer Society. To send an online condo- lence: www.FarnstromMor- turary.com. Delpha Jane O’Harra Daniel, 64, of Falls City died Dec. 29 in Falls City. She was born to Marion Edward and Muriel Isabell Schumacher O’Harra. Delpha graduated from high school in Santa Clara, Calif. She was briefly mar- ried to John Daniel in Santa Cruz, Calif. She had worked as a model, window designer and gro- c e r y cashier- c h e c k e r. She retired after working 35 years with Blue Lake Produc- ers (later Agripac and Chiq- uita Processed Foods) as a lead supervisor. Delpha’s love for animals was exceptional; she volun- teered at the Salem Cat Coalition and walked dogs daily in Falls City. She also volunteered at the Dallas Food Bank. One of her great joys was paper crafting, which she enjoyed with her sister and nieces. She was preceded in death by her four brothers. Survivors include her com- panion of more than 35 years, Les Weigel of Falls City; sister, Dalene Cobine of Independ- ence; and extended family. An open house and potluck will be held to cele- brate her life on Feb. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. in Independence. For directions, contact Dal- las Mortuary Tribute Center, which handled arrange- ments, at 503-623-2325. Contributions are suggest- ed to the Salem Cat Coalition or any other animal-related foundation. To send an online condo- lence: www.dallastribute.com. Cherri Ann Smith Nov. 17, 1941 – Jan. 4, 2015 Cherri Ann Smith, 73, of Independence died Jan. 4. She was born in Pendle- ton to Paul and Jean Smith. Celebra- tion of her life is We d n e s - d a y (today) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at her home, 510 S. 12th St., Independence. Graveside service was Mon- day at Smith Cemetery in Monmouth. Farnstrom Mortuary, In- dependence, handled arrangements. To send an online condolence: www.FarnstromMortuary.com. Jan. 5, 2014 Jackwelyn L. Nastari Sept. 6, 1931 – Jan. 7, 2014 Jackwelyn L. Nastari, 83, of Dallas died Jan. 7 in Dallas. She was born in Norfolk, Neb., to Jack and Dixie Atkins Yenter. Her family moved from Nebraska to Califor- nia, where she met her future husband after his violin con- cert. On June 3, 1951, in Stockton, Calif., she married A. John Nastari. Jackie was the quintessen- tial pastor’s wife and mother. She kept the household run- ning while John was pastor- ing and involved in the com- munity. Her family was the most important thing to her. Jackie and John moved from Redmond to Dallas eight years ago. She did beautiful stained glass work and was a mem- b e r o f D a l l a s Un i t e d Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by three sisters. Survivors include her hus- band, John of Dallas; sons, Michael of West Linn, Mark of Clackamas and Paul of Dallas; daughter, Lynn of Eagle Crest; sister, Luella Kipp of Ontario, Calif.; and four grandchildren. Memorial service was Sat- urday at Dallas United Methodist Church. Private interment will be at Red- mond Memorial Cemetery. Contributions are suggest- ed to the donor’s local church or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrange- ments. To send an online condolence: www.dallastrib- ute.com. Robert Leroy Rogers at 1 p.m. at McMinnville Ma- sonic Cemetery. Contributions are suggest- ed to the National Parkin- son’s Foundation. Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrange- ments. To send an online condolence: www.dallastrib- ute.com. Cornelia ‘Corkie’ Colen Dec. 16, 1941 – Dec. 10, 2014 Robert Leroy Rogers, 72, of Dallas died Dec. 10. Private family service was held. Farnstrom Mortuary, Inde- pendence, handled arrange- ments. To send an online condolence: www.farnstrom- mortuary.com. William ‘Buck’ Martin Tharp Sr. Oct. 17, 1935 – Jan. 6, 2015 William “Buck” Martin Tharp Sr., 79, of Dallas died Jan. 6 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born in McMinn- ville to Hazel and To m m y Tharp. B i l l spent his younger days in the N o r t h Bend area working in the family mill. There, he met Shirlie Prosa; they had three children to- gether and later divorced. Bill moved to the Dallas area with his three children. He met and married Jolene Hansen, who had two small children that he raised as his own. Bill and Jolene had three children together. After many years of marriage, they divorced. Bill was a logger for many years in the area. In his later years he was a janitor at LaCreole Middle School in Dallas and retired from there. “Buck,” as he was affec- tionately known by his fami- ly and friends, was a quiet, kind and gentle country boy at heart. He loved the out- doors, hunting, leatherwork and animals — especially horses and mules. He loved rodeo and participated in team-roping events. He was a talented self-taught master leatherman and made beau- tiful saddles, bridles, purses and belts. He was an ex- tremely hardworking family man who never sat idle, as there was always something to do or fix. He was a kind and talented father, friend and a true cowboy at heart. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Dianne, and son, Bill Jr. Survivors include his chil- dren, Cindy Beck, Nickie (Doug) Inman, Randy (Sherie) Ball, Brad Tharp, Kel- ley (Dan) Detzel and Craig Tharp; sister, Mary Phillips; brother, Steve Tharp; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Graveside service is Friday Nov. 3, 1932 – Jan. 3, 2015 Cornelia “Corkie” Colen, 82, of Bend, former longtime Monmouth and Independ- ence resident, died Jan. 3 in Bend of complications from Alzheimer’s. She was born in Marshfield and gradu- ated from the Univer- sity of Ore- gon with a teaching degree. She spent many years rais- ing her children before re- turning to Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University) to obtain her master’s degree to work as a media specialist for the Salem-Keizer School District. Corkie had lived in the Monmouth and Independ- ence area for more than 50 years before moving to Bend. She had been a member of the Central School District Board, Polk County Mental Health and many other civic organizations. She had been an active member of St. Hilda’s Episcopal Church and Philanthropic Educational Organization. Survivors include her chil- dren, Eric Oppliger of Bend; Leslie Byrne of San Leandro, Calif., and David Oppliger of Monrovia, Calif.; and several grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Memorial service is April 11 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salem. Contributions are suggest- ed to the Alzheimer’s Associ- ation, St. Hilda’s Church or Friends of the Monmouth Li- brary. Margo Read Nov. 29, 1953 – Nov. 21, 2014 Margo Read, 60, of Dallas died Nov. 21 in Dallas from the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. She was born and raised in Salem. Margo attended Willamette University in Salem as a music major. Playing the flute for her children was an enriching lifelong offering. Around this time, Margo began her 25-year career as a hospital phlebotomist, working at Salem Hospital, but mostly at Valley Commu- nity in Dallas. Now Accepting: The Invisible Hearing Solution is Here! Now accepting Moda Insurance A Preferred Provider In 1975, Margo met Bob on a Maui, Hawaii, beach; they were together from that day until her death. Her two children, Ian and Kelly, were born in their home on their acreage in the Oregon forest just outside of Dallas. Margo had many pursuits, including sewing, gardening, cooking and being in the great outdoors. She was a prolific reader and lover of music, but it was Margo’s character that most bears witnessing. Margo was a wonderful mother, great friend, loving sister and dedicated partner to Bob. She lived a genuine life imbued with grace and humility. She had been chosen as the h o n o r e e f o r N e l s o n’s Alzheimer’s Walk for Memo- ries in Nelson, British Colum- bia, Canada, on Jan. 25. The family asks that you walk with them wherever you are on that day to raise awareness of the disease that touches so many. A gathering to celebrate Margo’s life is Feb. 28 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Redhawk Vineyard and Winery in West Salem. LaVern Howard Siewert Jan. 9, 2015 LaVern Howard Siewert, 83, of Monmouth died Thursday in Monmouth. He was born in a small farmhouse in Neotsu to William Howard Siewert and Norma May Branch Siewert. LaVern graduated from Taft High School in Lincoln City (Taft) in 1951 and from Oregon In- stitute of Technolo- gy in Kla- math Falls in 1953. He graduated from Sig- nal Corps School with the Army in 1954 at Camp Gordon, Ga., and served during the Kore- an War in the Panama Canal area at Fort Gulick, Panama. He was employed as a power technician with the telephone company for 37 years and never missed a day at work. LaVern loved to make things with wood and metal; each was a masterpiece when completed. He was ac- tive in the Lord’s work most of his life. He enjoyed help- ing people and was truly a good neighbor. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Scott Falleur. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Joan; sons, Thomas and Ted, both of Salem, and Terry of Mon- mouth; daughter, Jane (Siew- ert) Falleur of Neotsu; one granddaughter; and one great-granddaughter. Service is Friday at 11 a.m. at Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Visitation is Thurs- day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the mortuary. Contributions are suggest- ed to Samaritan Heart & Vas- cular Institute, 3600 NW Samaritan Drive, Suite E- 350, Corvallis, OR 97330. To send an online condo- lence: www.dallastribute.com. Joyful Sound Hearing 312 Main Street • 503-623-0290 I N D A L L A S Salem 412 Lancaster Drive NE Salem, OR 97301 (503) 581-6265 Low Cost Cremation & Burial Funerals & Memorials Simple Direct Cremation $495 Simple Direct Burial $550 Traditional Funeral $1,975 Joanne Carol (Ross) Melius Feb. 9, 1947 – Jan. 7, 2015 Joanne Carol (Ross) Melius, 67, died in Portland on Jan. 7. She was born in Dallas to Eugene A. Ross and Eliza- beth J. (Kathriner) Ross. Survivors include her hus- band, Roger L. Melius; son, Anthony S. Melius (Delie Payne); daughter, Barbara A. (Melius) Pennington (Randy); sisters, Bonnie Overholser and Alice McAllister; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Celebration of her life is Friday at 1 p.m. at Rickreall Grange in Rickreall. Ruth Turner Berger April 6, 1925 – Jan. 7, 2015 Ruth Turner Berger, 89, of Salem, died Jan. 7 at Capital Manor. She was born in Port of Spain, British West Indies, to D o n a l d D. a n d Fa i t h Hollingsworth Turner. Ruth met William Robert Berger in Santa Cruz, Calif., and they were married on July 15, 1945, in El Monte, Calif. They returned to Ken- tucky to live and were home missionaries for several years under the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, Ky. Ruth received a master’s degree and had worked to- ward a doctorate degree in psychology. She taught in public schools for 18 years. She felt very strongly about quality education and began working with home- schooled students, which she did for many years. Ruth re- tired in 1983. She was a member of Salt Creek Baptist Church and Evangelical Bible Church, both in Dallas, as well as Wycliffe Bible Translators As- sociation and Gideon Auxil- iary. She was a Kentucky Colonel of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. She enjoyed family, friends, church, Sunday school, and especially rose gardening. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, on Aug. 11, 2011. Survivors include her daughter, Carol (Jonathan) Gilbert of Beaverton; sons, David (Athena) Berger of Lebanon, Don (Georgiann) Berger of Salem, and the Rev. Daniel Berger (Glenda) of Redding, Calif.; brother, Glen (Jeannie) Turner of Waxhaw, N.C.; sisters, Joy Tuggy of Batesburg S.C., and Lucille (Dick) Cole of DeKalb, Ill.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial service is Thurs- day at 2 p.m. at the Capital Manor Chapel. Private fami- ly interment will be at Salt Creek Cemetery. Contributions are suggest- ed to Hand in Hand Farm in Lebanon or to the Wycliffe Bible Translators in care of Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center, which handled arrangements. To send an online condo- lence: www.dallastribute.com. Patricia Mae Tilgner June 20, 1931 – Jan. 4, 2015 Patricia Mae Tilgner, 83, of Dallas died Jan. 4. She was born to Donald and Bessie Rickard in Water- town, S.D., and moved to Oregon at age 11. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Contributions are suggest- ed to Willamette Valley Hos- pice. Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrange- ments. To send an online message: www.dallastrib- ute.com. WE’RE ON FACEBOOK! Discount priced Caskets, Urns and other Memorial items. Polk County’s ONLY Family Owned Funeral Homes Privately owned cremation facility. Locally owned and operated by Oregon families. www.ANewTradition.com Itemizer-Observer