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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (March 11, 2015)
6A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • March 11, 2015 Polk County News OBITUARIES Ralph Wayne Scranton July 26, 1939 – Feb. 20, 2015 Ralph Wayne Scranton, 75, of Bakersfield, Calif., died Feb. 20. He was born in Salem to Ralph and Blanche (Lewis) Scranton. He was raised in Inde- pendence and graduated from Cen- tral High School in 1957. Wa y n e married Cora Swanstrom on Jan. 17, 1959, in Dallas. They were married for 56 years. Wayne attended several colleges and universities be- fore being drafted into the Army. He completed basic training at Fort Ord, Calif., and was stationed at Fort Gordon, Augusta, Ga. Following completion of his service, he worked for Bank of America for five years and then attended Fresno State University and earned his degree and teach- ing credentials. Wayne began his teaching career on Sept. 1, 1970, at Standard School District in Oildale, Calif. After 32 years of teaching, he retired on June 7, 2002. After retirement he en- joyed playing cribbage with his friends and was a lifetime member of the American Cribbage Congress, where he participated and won several tournaments. Wayne loved to take his grandkids fishing. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching track and field, professional sports and NASCAR racing. He also enjoyed spending time in Morro Bay, Calif. Wayne was a frequent blood donor and had donated a total of 14 gal- lons in his lifetime. He was preceded in death by his sister, LaVelle Foster. Survivors include his wife, Cora Scranton of Bakersfield; c h i l d r e n , To n i ( J o h n ) Dougherty of Henderson, Nev., and Terry (Lisa) Scran- ton of Roseville, Calif.; sister, Yvonne Pettit of Monmouth; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and ex- tended family. No service will be held at his request. Mabel A. Melcher April 15, 1915 – March 3, 2015 Mabel A. Melcher, 99, of Dallas died March 3. She was born in Peterson, Iowa, to Charles and Eliza- beth Clark (Morgan). She was raised by her stepmoth- er, Metta Williams. At 9 years of age, Mabel moved to Minnesota and attended school there. After school she worked as a housekeeper and nanny for several families. Mabel married Clarence Melcher on March 3, 1935. They moved to Dallas in 1940. Clarence died in 1990. Mabel was mostly a homemaker, but she did work outside of the house. Some of the work she did in- cluded field work and can- nery jobs at Tracy’s in Dallas and Blue Lake in West Salem. JACK DAWSON ANDERSON November 28, 1947 - February 8, 2015 Jack Dawson Anderson was born on November 28, 1947 in Salem, Oregon, one of 9 children born to John and Dorothy Anderson of Rickreall, Oregon. He died on February 8, 2015 from com- plications of diabetes that he had for sev- eral years. Jack died at his sister’s home in Keizer at the age of 67 where he had great care the last week of his life from Hospice and his nieces Lori and Tammy. He attended Rickreall Grade School; Academy Junior High School, and graduated from Dallas High School in 1966. He worked for Westwood Products cabinet shop in Salem for many years then transferred to California working for Schuler Cabinet Company. California is where he met his current wife Virginia. They married while living in California then moved back to the Salem are where he retired for health reasons. He loved his family, often spending time at the family farm outside of Rickreall helping his mother with projects after his father died. He also loved family get-togethers at the farm. He loved 4-wheeling, spending time with his 3 dogs, Floyd, BJ, and Blondie, and he loved his red ’67 Camaro… Fast, Fast, Fast! His most favorite time was spent watching NASCAR Racing. The family is sure that he saw every race there ever was. Those that survive Jack are his wife, Virginia; son Michael and daughter-in-law Deborah, and daughter, Sherry. Jack adopted Mike and Sherry when married to his first wife Jeanne. He also has a son David who lived in California. He is also survived by his sisters, Kay Marsland of Keizer; Arlene Olheiser of Salem; Marilyn Craig of Tennessee; and Margie Warkentin of Bend; several grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Dorothy Anderson; brother David; sisters Janet Fleming, Janice Raby, and Kathy Clark; a nice Cindy Sarff, nephew Rock Marsland; and brother-in-law John Clark. According to his wishes, Jack was cremated and at his re- quest there will be no service. When she wasn’t working, Mabel enjoyed traveling with Clarence and even went to Alaska every year to visit her daughter and grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, counted cross-stitch em- broidery, crocheting and traveling. Most importantly, the joy of her life was spend- ing time with family and al- ways having chocolate chip cookies at the ready for her grandkids. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Floyd, Robert and Jim. Survivors include her chil- dren, Kathryn Slyh (Mike), Joan Pond (Jerry) and Robert Melcher; brother, Wilbur Morgan; eight granddaugh- ters; 14 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grand- children. Graveside service was March 10 at Twin Oaks Me- morial Gardens in Albany. Contributions are suggest- ed to the American Kidney Foundation. Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrange- ments. To send an online condolence: www.dallastrib- ute.com. Katherine Irene Jackson Sept. 19, 1925 – March 8, 2015 Katherine Irene Jackson, 89, of Dallas, formerly of Falls City, died Sunday in Dallas. Viewing is Wednesday (today) from 2 to 6 p.m. at Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Memorial service is Thursday at 10 a.m. at Dallas Cemetery. A memorial serv- ice will be held at a later date. To send an online condo- lence: www.dallastribute.com. Gunner Jay Pedersen Oct. 29, 2014 – March 4, 2015 Gunner Jay Pedersen died March 4 in Portland. He was born in Salem to Randy and Felicia (McCarl) Pedersen of Dallas. Memorial service is Satur- day at 2 p.m. at Dallas Mor- tuary Tribute Center. Contributions are suggest- ed to SIDS Foundation. To send an online condo- lence: www.dallastribute.com. Curt McBeth Jan. 3, 1940 – March 3, 2015 Curt McBeth, 75, of Mon- mouth died March 3 in Dal- las. He was born in Falls City to Ira and Rocelia (Burbank) McBeth. Curt attended Fir Grove a n d Pe d e e e l e m e n t a r y schools and graduated from D a l l a s H i g h School. He had served in the Army Na- tional Guard. He married Norma Jean Peters on Dec. 23, 1961; with this marriage came Curt Jr., Jeannie, Clayton, Ann and Chuck. He married Marcia Foster in Dallas on Sept. 2, 1988; with this marriage came Scott and Shawn. Curt worked for 18 years as the animal control officer for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. He retired in 1998. He enjoyed horseback rid- ing, camping, fishing and all VERNON (VERN) OTIS POPE Feb. 4, 1920 - Feb. 13, 2015 Vernon (Vern) Pope left his tempo- rary life behind and began eternal life with his Savior on February 13, 2015 at the age of 95. Born on February 4, 1920 outside of Artesian, South Dakota, Vernon was the first of Rollin Otis and Florence Etta (Cundy) Pope’s six children. He gradu- ated from Fedora High School in 1938 The family moved to Oregon in Decem- ber of 1940, eventually settling in Dallas, where they started the Pope Dairy. In 1941, Vernon met Elaine Meyer whom he married in Dallas on December 30, 1942. Their marriage lasted just over 72 years — an incredible legacy! Vern was an accomplished self-taught mechanic who spe- cialized in farm equipment. He was the “go-to guy” for farm equipment repairs in the greater Stayton area for over 20 years until he retired in 2008. Vern was a longtime member of Aumsville’s Bethel Baptist Church. When he wasn't busy tending his own farm or work- ing on machinery, Vernon enjoyed working on puzzles, visit- ing with friends and family, and watching sports on television. Vernon is survived by his wife, Elaine Pope of Aumsville; brother Burton (Bonny) Pope of Dallas; sister Beryl Garton of Boise, ID; son Dennis (Gloria) Pope of Roseburg; daugh- ters Marilyn Pope of Aumsville and Shirley (Michael) White of Lebanon; 3 granddaughters and one great-granddaughter. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Chester Pope; and sisters, Carol Krause and Jean Gay. A celebration of Vernon's life was held Saturday at Bethel Baptist Church in Aumsville. At Vernon's request, he was in- terred at the Aumsville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Vernon's memory to Bethel Baptist Church of Aumsville, or to the American Heart Association. Arrangements by Weddle Fu- neral Services. RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER sports. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends and never knew a stranger. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Calvin Mc- Beth in 1989 and Clifford McBeth in 1993. Survivors include his wife, Marcia; children, Curt Jr., Jeannie, Clayton, Ann, Chuck, Scott and Shawn; sister, Mar- guerite Nice; 13 grandchil- dren; one great-grandchild; and extended family. Service is Saturday at 11 a.m. at Dallas Church, 450 SE Washington St. Peggy Sue Freeman May 19, 1933 – March 7, 2015 Peggy Sue Freeman, 81, of Monmouth died Saturday. Memorial service is Satur- day at 10 a.m. at Dallas Mor- tuary Tribute Center. To send an online condo- lence: www.dallastribute.com. Ann Najar Jan. 24, 1948 – March 2, 2015 Ann Najar, 67, of Inde- pendence died March 2 in Albany. She was born in Lebanon, where she grew up. Ann re- tired from t h e O re - gon De- partment of Rev- enue. A n n l o v e d spending time with her grandchildren and attending garage sales. Survivors include her two sons, mother, four siblings, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. G ra v e s i d e s e r v i c e i s Thursday at 1 p.m. at Hilltop William George Baumgartner April 26, 1949 – March 3, 2015 William George Baum- gartner, 65, of Phoenix, Ariz., died March 3 in Phoenix. He was born in Tillamook. Survivors include his wife, Diane Baumgartner, former longtime and recently retired administrator in the Dallas School District, and family. Service is Monday at 1 p.m. at Morning Star Com- munity Church in Salem. Obituary Information Obituary information must be submitted by 4 p.m. on the Monday before publication to be included in the newspaper. Most funeral homes handle obituary information and pro- vide it to the newspaper. How- ever, information can also be submitted directly from family members. Color and black-and-white photos can be submitted, but photos will only be published in black and white. The Itemiz- er-Observer uses a flag logo in the obituaries of people who served in the armed forces. Obituaries — like all infor- mation submitted to the news department — are subject to editing for style, content and length. Information can be brought or mailed to the Itemizer-Ob- server, 147 SE Court St., Dallas, OR 97338, or emailed to nadams@polkio.com. For more information: Nancy Adams, 503-623-2373. NEWS IN BRIEF Foundation slated to present grants DALLAS — The Dallas Community Foundation will celebrate its 20th anniversary by awarding grants to 26 local nonprofit organi- zations at a presentation scheduled Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Dal- las Retirement Village Chapel, 377 NW Jasper St. in Dallas. This year the foundation’s $37,500 in grants will support a vari- ety of projects benefitting youths, seniors and those in need. The public is welcome at the event, which will also recognize the work of local nonprofit organizations and the difference they are mak- ing in the Dallas community. For more information: Mia Mohr, 503-798-7847. Sudoku Solution Salem 412 Lancaster Drive NE Salem, OR 97301 (503) 581-6265 Low Cost Cremation & Burial Funerals & Memorials ALL LOCAL. Simple Direct Cremation $495 Simple Direct Burial $550 Traditional Funeral $1,975 Itemizer-Observer Discount priced Caskets, Urns and other Memorial items. Privately owned cremation facility. Locally owned and operated by Oregon families. www.ANewTradition.com Every funeral service deserves to be truly memorable, flawlessly planned, and correct to the smallest detail. The families of our community have long turned to us because we give every fu- neral service that kind of respect. In fact, giving our best is simply the way we do everything here. That can go a long way toward providing real comfort for the families we serve. And we think that makes our funeral home a special place indeed. Cemetery. Farnstrom Mortuary in In- dependence handled arrangements. To send an on- line condolence: www.Farn- stromMortuary.com. ALL THE TIME. YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 General Excellence Award Winners, Oregon Newspa- per Publishers Association Subscribe Today 503-623-2373 www.polkio.com Itemizer-Observer WE’RE ON FACEBOOK ~ Polk County’s ONLY Family Owned Funeral Homes ~
