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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 30, 2015)
Polk County News 10A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • December 30, 2015 OBITUARIES Gary Lee Wilson Aug. 30, 1950 – Dec. 15, 2015 Gary Lee Wilson, 65, of Monmouth, died Dec. 15 in Monmouth. He was born in Eugene to Robert and Eu- nice Wil- son. G a r y loved cof- fee and the Discovery Channel, as well as anything out- doors. A gentle soul, he had a kind presence and a conta- gious smile that made every- one he knew smile. Survivors include his sis- ters, Judy Orsinger, and Bar- bara Jean Michelson. Celebration of life is Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. at Partnerships in Community Living in Mon- mouth. Interment was Tues- day at Hilltop Cemetery in Independence. Farnstrom Mortuary in Independence handled arrangements. To send an online tribute: www.FarnstromMortuary. com. Florence Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Foster Dec. 12, 1920 – Dec. 20, 2015 Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Foster, 95, of Dallas, died Dec. 20 in Salem. She was born in Dallas to William and Henr iette Drone Boydston. Betty attended Dallas Ele- mentary School, except for her sec- ond-grade year. She went with her moth- er and brothers for an ex- tended visit to Contes, France. Her love of French culture and the French language began while living there. She was a member of the Dallas High School Class of 1938, and was part of the committee that chose the Dragon as the school mas- cot. Betty continued her edu- cation by earning a bache- lor’s degree in English from Willamette University Class of 1942. Her first year after earning her degree was spent at the Dallas High School library, and then she moved into the classroom, teaching senior English, civics and French. She married James Otis Foster II in Dallas on Dec. 27, 1947. Betty would take a break from the classroom each time one of her sons was born. She taught French at LaCreole Junior High during the mid-1960s. She retired from the library after many years with the school dis- trict. She was a class advisor at Dallas High School for a number of years and was in- volved with student activi- ties, as well. Betty was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Dallas for many years and taught Sunday school as well as being active with the women’s organization. For the past several years, she has attended the Evan- gelical Bible Church in Dal- las. During the 1950s, she learned to play the piano and enjoyed it the rest of her life. She especially enjoyed classical music and was an avid reader. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Her- schel and Jacques Boydston. Survivors include her hus- band, Jim, of Dallas; sons, James Otis Foster III, of Dal- las, and Philip John Foster, of Medford; two grandchil- dren; and two great-grand- children. Service is Monday at 1 p.m. at Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Vault inter- ment will follow at Dallas Cemetery. Contributions are sug- gested to the charity of the donor’s choice. To send an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. Shirley Marie Kokotan March 9, 1941 – Dec. 22, 2015 Shirley Marie Kokotan, 74, of Dallas, died Dec. 22 in Salem. She was born in Waterloo, Iowa, to Karl Clyde Kokotan and Audrey Ann Aagaard. For many years, she worked in the coin room of the Los Angeles Times as an accounting clerk in Los An- geles. Shirley retired 13 years ago. She moved between Oregon and California until nine years ago, when Dallas became home. She loved her dog, Josh, and taking walks with him. She was very involved with all the kids. She enjoyed watching CNN and an occa- sional visit to the casino. Survivors include her longtime companion, Mary Lou Chrisman, of Dallas; children, Michael McJunkin, Howard “Mac” McJunkin, Julie Rigg, Denise Chrisman, David Chrisman and Sheri Chrisman; brothers, Russell Kokotan, of Denver, and Jim Kokotan, of Waterloo; 12 grandchildren; 25 great- grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Service was Monday at Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Interment was at Dallas Cemetery. To send an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. She worked in her local church, the Assemblies of God in Independence, where she sang and also vol- unteered for chapel at the Greenwood Nursing Center. LaVonne ministered to many people through visita- tion and through the mail. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Julie Ann Clark; husband, Paul Clark; her second husband, Bud Walker; her third hus- band, Lawrence (Larry) Franks; twin brother, LaV- erne Barber; and brothers, Francis A. Barber, Clyde W. Barber, and Kenneth L. Bar- ber. Visitation is Wednesday (today) from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by her service at 1 p.m. at Farnstrom Mor- tuary in Independence. To send an online tribute: www.FarnstromMortuary. com. LaVonne Delores Walker March 6, 1922 – Dec. 23, 2015 May 13, 1932 – Dec. 19, 2015 LaVonne Delores Walker, 83, of Monmouth, died Dec. 19 in Monmouth. She was born to Cecil and Alma Bar- ber, in Ab- erdeen, S.D., a twin to LaVerne L. Barber. S h e grew up in Aberdeen, and graduated from Central High School in 1950. LaVonne sang at KABR radio station for the Assemblies of God Children’s Program and taught in Sunday school for three years. She also sang in a mixed quartet. LaVonne left Aberdeen to attend North Central Uni- versity in Minneapolis, where she attended for 3 1/2 years, where she sang in a girl’s trio. While there, she met Paul A. Clark, from Ainsworth, Neb., who she married in 1952. Paul and LaVonne were ordained in the Assemblies of God. They pastored in Freeport, Ill., and Mott, N.D. They traveled extensively for 19 years and were known as the Musical Clark Singers. They teamed up with Evan- gelist Vic Coburn for three years. LaVonne later moved to Monmouth, where she met and married Walter (Bud) Walker. Sarah Lucille Boyd Schneider Sarah Lucille Boyd Schneider, 93, of Dallas, died Dec. 23. She was born to John H. and Lurenna J. Boyd on the family farm in Phillipsburg, Kan., and was known as Lucy, Babe or Lucille (as she was called by her family). She met her husband, John N. Schneider, at Fort Hays Teacher’s College in Hays, Kan., after World War II. Later they taught together in a one-room school house, where Lucille taught kinder- garten through third grade and John taught fourth through eighth grade. They lived in western Kansas, where two daughters were born, then moved to Califor- nia, where a son and two more daughters were born, completing their family. In 1962, another move took them to North Bend, where John taught at Sunny- hill School and Lucille substituted while com- pleting her f o u r- y e a r bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Oregon State University. When the family was nearly grown, Lucille landed a full-time teaching job at Hillcrest School and later at North Bay Junior High School, while John retired. She made many lasting Joyful Sound Hearing 312 Main Street • Dallas • Hearing Testing • Hearing Aids • Service Call today for your FREE Consultation Mark Sturtevant 503-623-0290 Personally involved and invested in the Dallas community Welcoming new patients. Most insurance health plans accepted. Also a Moda preferred provider. friendships during her teaching years. Lucille gave her heart to Jesus at an early age. She and John worshipped in the Hauser Community Church until moving to Dallas in 2004. One of Lucille’s passions was quilting. Lucille gave beautiful handmade quilts to each of her children and grandchildren. Over the years, Lucille rooted for her favorite sports teams, in- cluding the Oregon State Beavers and Portland Trail- blazers. She and her sister Pauline discussed players and statistics on a daily basis until Pauline’s death. Most precious to Lucille was her family. Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, John; daughter, Kathryn L. Brown; and five siblings. Survivors include her daughters, Niki (Ron) Wade, Marie Schneider, and Karin Michaelson; son, Jon Schneider; seven grandchil- dren; eight great-grandchil- dren; one great-great-grand- child; and a large extended family. Celebration of Lucille’s life is Wednesday (today) at 9:30 a.m. at Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Interment will follow at Willamette National Ceme- tery at 12:30 p.m. Contributions are sug- gested to Ronald McDonald House. To send an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. Joann Pauline Jones Sept. 23, 1933 – Dec. 19, 2015 Joann Pauline Jones, 82, of Albany, died Dec. 19 in Al- bany. She was born in Corvallis to A r t h u r Linke and Ruby Har- till. Joann moved to Albany in 1950, when she married Wayne Neiman. They were divorced in 1959. Joann married Lonn Jones in 1960. They were married for 38 years. She lived in Al- bany until she moved to Dallas in 2012 to be closer to her daughter. As Joann’s Alzheimer’s progressed, she moved to Brookdale Memo- ry Care in Albany. Joann was active in the United Presbyterian Church and her community. She sang in the church choir for 35 years and the Linn-Ben- ton Community College Community Choral for 26 years, and ran Adventure Week and served on the Board of Albany Helping Hands for many years. She worked as the church secretary at United Presby- terian Church prior to going to work at Oregon State Uni- versity in the admissions of- fice. Joann went back to school to learn accounting and then worked for the School of Pharmacy and fi- nally the College of Veteri- nary Medicine as an ac- counting technician. She re- tired in 1998. 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 Discount priced Caskets, Urns and other Memorial items. Privately owned cremation facility. Locally owned and operated by Oregon families. “Polk County’s ONLY Family Owned Funeral Homes and On-Site Crematory” www.ANewTradition.com Joann was preceded in death by her husband, Lonn Jones; brothers, Walter, Hal, and Richard Linke; and daughter, Carroll Lane. Survivors include her son, Lonn Jones, of Albany; daughters, Kathy Grove, of Portland, Jodie Jones-Hern- don (Bob), of Dallas, Bonnie LeCornu, of Albany, Judy Webster (John), of Brush Prairie, Wash., and Lonna Promitas, of Albany; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. There will be a private service in the spring to scat- ter her ashes. Contributions are sug- gested to Albany Helping Hands. Gerald ‘Jerry’ Lee Cetto Oct. 27, 1934 – Dec. 26, 2015 Gerald “Jerry” Lee Cetto, 81, of Dallas, died Saturday. He was born in Lead, S.D., to Florence and Ernest Cetto. Jerry graduated from Lead High School in 1952. He joined the Navy and served dur- ing and after the Korean War on a heavy cruiser and de- stroyer. He returned to Lead after his discharge from the Navy in 1956, and worked for Homestake Mining Compa- ny and attended Black Hills State Teacher’s College, graduating in 1962. Jerry married Luella J. Larson in 1957. After graduation, Jerry, Luella and family moved to Oregon. He taught school for three years and then went into Juvenile and Adult Corrections, retiring from Marion County in 1990 as a senior parole officer. He ran Jerry’s Tack Shop in Dallas from 1968 until his death. He was an accom- plished saddle and harness maker. Jerry was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, National Association of Atomic Veterans, AM-Vets, USS Rochester CA 124 Asso- ciation, USS James E Keys DD787 Association and In- dependence Elks Lodge No. 1950. He enjoyed his family, leatherwork and golf. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ernest Cetto Jr., and a daughter, Julie Cetto. Survivors include his wife, Luella, of Dallas; sons, Mike, of Eugene, and David, of Dallas; daughter, Jeannie (Kip) Hanh, of Wadsworth, Ohio; brother, Nick (Patty) Cetto, of Great Falls, Mont.; sister, Cindy (Darwin) Cox, of Denver; four grandchil- dren; and six great-grand- children. At his request, there will be no service. Inurnment will be private. Restlawn Funeral Home of Salem handled arrange- ments. 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. Howev- er, information can also be submitted directly by family members. Photos will be published in black and white. The Itemizer- Observer uses a flag logo in the obituaries of those who served in the U.S. 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 ionews@polkio.com. For more information: Nancy Adams, 503-623-2373.