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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (March 30, 2016)
Polk County News 6A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • March 30, 2016 OBITUARIES Earnest Jerral Brown Jan. 17, 1946 – March 20, 2016 Earnest Jerral Brown “Jerry,” 70, of Monmouth, died March 20 after a coura- geous nine-month battle with lung cancer in Mon- mouth. He was born to Frank and Connie Brown. In 1948, they traveled from Hazlehurst, Miss., fol- lowing saw mill work to Oregon wrapped in blankets in the back of a pick- up. H e spent his childhood in poverty, g o i n g without food many times, which greatly con- tributed to his drive to suc- ceed. Jerry was an accom- plished high school athlete, but was only allowed to compete because his track coach agreed to take him home in time to complete his chores. At 18, he enlisted in the Army. Jerry spent his 32 years in the military advanc- ing in rank in many posi- tions and duty stations and retired as a sergeant major in 1995. His final duty as- signment was as SGM of the Military Academy in Mon- mouth. He loved his family and was a proud American and patriot, softball coach, Pied Piper of homeless cats, ulti- mate recycler, bargain hunt- ing pack rat, vegetable gar- dener, and was always in motion. During their 26 years in Monmouth, Jerry and Julie were seen daily on their walks. They enjoyed vaca- tioning in Cancun. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Barbara, Dewey, Floyd, Charlie and James Jr. Survivors include his lov- ing wife of 28 years, Julie; daughters, Sheri and Angela; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He will be interred at Eagle Point National Ceme- tery with full military honors on Monday at 2 p.m. Celebration life will be held in Monmouth at a later date. Contributions are sug- gested to the USO at www.uso.org/donate. Farnstrom Mortuary han- dled arrangements. To send an online tribute: www.FarnstromMortuary .com. DAVID ARTHUR HOLMES March 8, 1927 - February 24, 2016 David Holmes passed away peacefully in Spokane, Washington on February 24, 2016. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Eileen on July 29, 2015. David was born in Auburn, Washington on March 8, 1927 to Arthur and Myrtle Holmes. David met his future wife Eileen while serving in the United States Air Force in England. He also had served in the United States Merchant Marines during WW II. David was a long time resident of Dallas, Oregon where he worked at Willamette Industries, retiring in 1989. During their retirement years, David and Eileen wintered in Desert Hot Springs, California and greatly enjoyed the Almar Acres Retirement Community. David was known in both communities as a runner. He loved golf, and along with Eileen volunteered at numerous professional tournaments in the Palm Springs, CA area. David loved to garden. He had a passion for the out of doors and led numerous backpacking trips with his grandchildren in the Wallowa Mountains of northeast Oregon, even climbing Eagle Cap at age 80! David is survived by his children, Susan (Michael) Went- worth and Craig (Cathy) Holmes; grandchildren: Joshua Lehto, Robin Lehto, Nathan (Liz) Holmes, Christopher (Jenn) Holmes, Matthew Holmes and Kassette (Jared) Harris, as well as nine great- grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A Graveside Service with military honors will be held for David at the family gravesite in Auburn, WA at Mountain View Cemetery on April 23, 2016. On August 6, 2016 his grandchildren will climb Eagle Cap in David’s honor. (He would have liked that). David was a simple man, with a great faith, who loved his family and his community. He had a wonderful smile and will be greatly missed and always remembered. We love and miss you dad! The family wishes to thank all of the staff that helped take care of David over the past few months, especially those at Guardian Angel Homes. To view David’s online memorial, please visit www.hen- nesseyfuneralhomes.com. Patricia Blanton May 19, 1931 – March 11, 2016 Patricia Blanton, 84, of Dallas, died March 11. She was born in Cottage Grove to Glenn and Lillian (Eastman) Miller. Patricia grew up and at- tended early education in Cottage Grove where, at times, due to the des- olation of her home, she rode the train to town to at- t e n d school. Later the family moved to Oakridge where she began high school. She played vol- leyball and was very active in school sports, and this was where she met her fu- ture husband. Patricia moved from place to place while her husband was in the military, and they lived in the Albany area and later settled in Dallas. She had three children and, although she was a homemaker for quite some time, she decided to work outside the home and go into the grocery business. Patricia eventually landed a job at Roth’s Grocery in In- dependence and worked there for 40 years, until her death. She loved the Roth’s fami- ly and the business she worked for; it was her life. There wasn’t much more of importance to her than work besides her family, but she did enjoy bowling and even went to national bowl- ing tournaments several times. Survivors include her sons, Jack, Glenn and Den- nis; sister, Mary Ann Salas- Miller; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchil- dren. Private family service was held. Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrange- ments. To send an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. Myrtle Evelyn Barker July 10, 1917 – March 21, 2016 Myrtle Evelyn Barker, 98, of Dallas, died March 21. She was born in Shafer, Minn. When she was 11 months old her family moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, and farmed. Myrtle moved to Hillsboro in the fall of 1936, looking for work during the Depres- sion. She married Leroy Barker, of Hillsboro, on Aug. 30, 1939. Myrtle raised her family in West Union, outside of Hills- boro. She worked for many years in the food service de- partment of Tektronix. She later moved to the Mon- mouth/Dallas area to be near her daughter. Myrtle enjoyed gardening, yardwork, being a Cub Scout leader, hunting, fishing, clam dig- ging, play- ing cards, traveling and camp- ing. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy in 1987. Survivors include her chil- dren, Gerald Barker, of Keiz- er, Barbara Barlow, of Dallas, and Edward Barker, of Gre- sham; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Graveside service is Satur- day at 11 a.m. at Forest View Cemetery in Forest Grove. Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrange- ments. To send an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. Jim ‘J.J.’ Johnstone Feb. 17, 1960 – March 22, 2016 Jim “J.J.” Johnstone, 56, of Falls City, died March 22 in Salem from a massive aneurism. He and his family have lived in Falls City for more than 30 years. Jim was born in Fresno, Calif. J i m loved fish- ing, play- ing pool, w o o d working, karaoke, barbecu- ing, cooking, helping others and being with his friends. He was loved by everyone and loved helping everyone as well. Survivors include his wife LLOYD RANDOLPH MASSEY Sept. 28, 1987 - March 11, 2016 Lloyd is one of 14 children of Charles "Randy" Massey and Vicki (Black) Massey. Grandparents are Carl and Melba Black of Dal- las. (Both deceased.). Lloyd died after being hit by a car in Sacramento County, California. Lloyd was born in Portland, Oregon. As children, he, two brothers and his sister formed "The Hot Shot Tap Dancers." They performed throughout Oregon and Washington and were con- testants on America's Got Talent. In 2002, the family moved to Salem. After graduation from Sprague High School, Lloyd attended Western Oregon Univer- sity and then became the show announcer for WGAS Motor Sports in Cool, California. At the time of his death, Lloyd was President of WGAS. Funeral Services have been held and interment was at Rest- lawn Memory Gardens. Assisting the family was Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service. 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 of 33 years, Lisa Johnstone; son, Brandon Grenier John- stone; daughter, Amanda ( Johnstone) Guthrie (William); two grandchil- dren; stepmother, Dorothy Johnstone; and stepsisters and stepbrothers. Celebration of life for Jim is Saturday, with a potluck and time of sharing at 6 p.m. followed by one of his fa- vorite activities, karaoke, at 9 p.m. at the Boondocks Bar and Grill in Falls City. Norman Lester Boyd May 2, 1926 – March 25, 2016 Elder Norman Lester Boyd, 89, of Dallas, died Fri- day. He was born to Harley and Emma (Cover) Boyd in Modesto, Calif. Norman grew up on a farm in Modesto doing chores of feeding and milk- ing cows, and caring for the animals and later farmed. School days were long with having to walk three miles to school and three miles back home each day. He was baptized at age 15 into the fellow- ship of the Old German Baptist Brethren Church at the Stanislaus River near Modesto. In 2009, he was united with the New Confer- ence to which he remained faithful. He married Doris Jean Balsbaugh on Sept. 28, 1946. He worked for “ The Farmer’s Phone Company” as a lineman and farmed and milked cows. In June of 1956, Norman and Doris were called to the office of deacon at Modesto District Church and moved to Tuolumne District for nine years. In 1967, they moved to the Sierra Nevada Moun- tains and helped form the Sierra Pines District. While there, they were elected to the office of min- ister. They became elders in the church in 1978. Norman replaced his farming days to be a welder and do metal fabricating, welding on bridges, logging trucks and decorative iron projects. During this time of his life, he studied and took fly- ing lessons. He received his private pilot’s license, which he had until he was 83 years old. He enjoyed taking family mem- bers and friends flying. He and his wife, Doris, moved to Dallas District in 1992 to help support and serve in a small and growing church. Both Norman and Doris enjoyed being with the church fellowship. Doris died in August 2011. Norman was always a peacemaker and always looked for the good in oth- ers. While living in Oregon, they made lots of friends, shared God’s love to all and shared Bible truths to the world around them. Welcoming new patients. Most insurance health plans accepted. Also a Moda preferred provider. 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. www.ANewTradition.com They took many trips to the coast with children, friends and grandchildren. He enjoyed building wood- en model airplanes and he gave them to friends, family, and strangers. Because of macular de- generation in his eye, he was forced to give up his driving privileges and used an elec- tr ic wheelchair to get around. At any given time you may have seen him in his electric wheelchair on the streets of Dallas. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Maurice Boyd and Donald Boyd; and sisters, Ona Boyd and Muriel Onkst. Survivors include his fam- ily, Rachel Salter and her companion, Larry, Linda Crawford and her compan- ion, Mike; Calvin and his companion, Barbara; Car- men Boyd and her compan- ion, Jonathan; sister, Ruth Beery and her companion, Paul; 12 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Viewing is Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. Service is Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Dallas Old German Baptist Brethren New Conference meeting house, 13180 Beck Road in Dallas. Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrange- ments. To send an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. Dwight Kennel Nov. 7, 1947 – March 23, 2016 Dwight Kennel, 68, of Monmouth, died March 23 in Monmouth. He was born in Albany to Earl W. and Berneice Kennel. Dwight spent his child- hood in Albany with his sib- lings and learned the family business of farming. He loved any time he c o u l d spend with his dad or grandfa- ther out in the fields. At the age of 16, Dwight and the rest of the family moved to Monmouth, after Inter- state 5 split the family’s farm. Dwight had a life chang- ing stroke on Feb. 22, 1964, which the doctors felt he would not survive. But with faith, determina- tion, and the loving support of his family he continued on. The stroke left him para- lyzed on the right side of his body and he had to relearn how to speak and function with half of his body. After years of therapy in Oregon, Dwight headed to Southern California seeking additional therapy. It was in California where he met a beautiful brown- eyed woman, Lydia Ann Schrock. They later married on June 20, 1976, in Ontario, Calif. They, along with their two children, made their home on the family farm in Mon- mouth. Dwight loved and ad- mired everything about his dad, Earl W. He was an ex- cellent athlete and Dwight aspired to be an excellent football player. Also like his dad, Dwight developed a strong faith in God. After his stroke, he found that reading and memoriz- ing scripture helped him re- learn to speak. Survivors include his wife of more than 39 years, Lydia Ann; children, Earl L. Ken- nel, of Corona, Calif., and Annalin “Annie” ( Justin) Hedlund, of Monmouth; siblings, Kathy Schweitzer, Ardiss (Ron) Burch, Bob (Sally) Kennel, and John (Mary Jane) Kennel; and two grandchildren. Memorial service is Satur- day at 2 p.m. at Albany Men- nonite Church. Contributions are sug- gested to MCC.org for water wells or to Samaritan Ever- green Hospice. Farnstrom Mortuary in Independence handled arrangements. To send an online tribute: www.FarnstromMortuary .com.
