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Polk County News Polk County Itemizer-Observer • December 14, 2016 11A Governor’s proposed budget mostly positive If numbers hold, 2017-19 budget could be mixed bag for education from preschool through university By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer POLK COUNTY — Gov. Kate Brown’s $20.8 billion outline for the state’s 2017-19 budget included a little more than $8 billion for K- 12 education. That’s a 9 percent increase over the current two-year budget for schools, and is intended to sup- port current service levels, includ- ing providing for increased costs in the Public Employees Retirement System. “We will see how that stands up during the legislative session, but it’s a good place to begin,” said Tami Montague, Dallas School Dis- trict’s business manager. Brown’s budget assumes a $1.7 billion shortfall, which her budget fills with a combination of cuts and revenue increases. Lawmakers will have their say in the state’s bi- ennial budget when the legislative session opens in February. “We’ll wait and see what will happen, don’t know how they will backfill that,” Montague said. She said education groups say Brown’s figure for K-12 isn’t enough to keep the status quo. “Our best information from ad- vocacy groups for K-12 education is saying we need about $8.5 bil- lion,” Montague said. Measure 98, which created sepa- rate funding for career and techni- cal education programs and at- tempts to increase graduation rates, is given $139.4 million in the budget. That is short of the $247 million advocates for the measure wanted. Toya Fick, the executive director of Stand for Children, a Measure 98 supporter, said the state’s revenue is high, inflation is low and the economy is strong. “Despite all of that, the gover- nor’s budget only goes halfway,” Fick said in a statement. “If we can’t prioritize our children and their education right now, when are we going to? We are disap- pointed with the budget and hope lawmakers properly prioritize our schools by fully funding Measure 98.” The measure was originally writ- ten to be dependent on revenue. The state’s public universities re- ceived $667.3 million in the gover- nor’s budget, maintaining current funding levels “due to statewide revenue constraints.” University presidents com- mended Brown’s budget in a joint statement, but encouraged the leg- islature to increase the amount going to Oregon’s universities. “By doing so, every campus can keep tuition at a manageable level for the next two years and main- tain vital support services that keep students on track to gradu- ate,” the statement read. “If we want to enable more Oregonians to earn college degrees at an af- fordable level of tuition, additional resources will be needed.” Support for community colleges remains at current levels, with $550 million. OBITUARIES Elsie F. (Clark) Werth Sept. 10, 1920 – Nov. 18, 2016 Elsie F. (Clark) Werth, born Sept. 10, 1920, in In- avale, Neb., to Lewis Clark and Alta Smith Clark, died Nov. 18 from declining health while living in Sheri- dan. She was 96, the oldest of eight siblings. S h e grew up in Red Cloud County, in a n d around Hastings, Neb., and in nearby northern Kansas. The family left Nebraska and moved to Grand Ronde in 1936, where her father got a job with the Crowell Ranch on Agency Creek. Elsie and her younger sib- lings left Hastings schools and she finished her last two years at Willamina High School. It was there that she met a classmate, Elmer Werth, and they were mar- ried for over 73 years, the last two surviving members of their graduating class of 1938. They were married in McMinnville on June 17, 1943, after Elmer had gradu- ated from Oregon Agricul- ture College in Corvallis and was mid-term as an Air Force Cadet in the weather training program at Univer- sity of California, Los Ange- les, in Los Angeles. From there, they made frequent moves along the East Coast, from South Car- olina to Delaware to Florida to New Jersey, all to advance Elmer’s training. When he was shipped overseas to the Philippines, Elsie stayed in McMinnville while working at the Carlton Glove Factory. After Elmer’s discharge in 1946, the couple returned to the Grand Ronde area, to the family farm at Valley Junc- tion. Besides her helping on the farm, Elsie was very ac- tive in community pro- grams. She served for over 25 years as a 4-H leader, leading cooking and sewing clubs, and for a time on the governor’s youth committee. She also served on a local citizen advisory committee for land use planning, as well as on a governing board for the Oregon 4-H Center near Salem. For many years, she was an activist in Oregon’s Women For Agriculture. Be- cause of her passion for ed- ucation and belief that youth should learn to read and have access to books, she was a member of the Willamina School Board for many years and a regular occupant of the Grand Ronde Library as a volunteer librarian. Her love of travel took her all over the world. She was probably the first — and perhaps only — red-headed white lady to visit parts of Morocco, as well as visiting Egypt, Israel, much of Eu- rope, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. With her hus- band, they wandered for over a month around Mexi- co visiting Mayan ruins. She is survived by her husband, Elmer; as well as two brothers, James and Walt Clark; and three chil- dren, Jo Yates and Jim and Dennis Werth; six grandchil- dren and 10 great-grandchil- dren. The family wishes to ac- knowledge the loving care of Tammy Tucker of Sheridan during the last years of Elsie’s life. Donations in her honor are welcome at the charity of your choice. A cel- ebration of life/open house will be held at the West Val- ley Community Campus in Willamina on Dec. 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. Arrangements by Adamson’s Sheridan Funeral Home. Thomas Ivy Neyman Jr. Nov. 23, 1935 – Nov. 12, 2016 Thomas Ivy Neyman Jr., 80, a resident of Falls City, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in the Salem Hospital. He was born on Nov. 23, 1935, in Brownsville, Texas, the son of Thomas Ivy and Wilma Nadine George Ney- man Sr. He was a member of the Osage Tribe and the Oregon State Sheriff Association. Tom was a kind and funny and smart and humble man. He was a friend to all ani- mals, trees, plants, spiders, mice, birds, bats, dogs and cats. He was a painter, sculptor, actor, writer and director. He was a builder of everything and the best hus- band and dad ever. He is survived by his wife, Kay E. Tredway Neyman, of Falls City; daughters, Jackey Jones, of Falls City; Julie Fleener, of Corvallis, and Ivy Neyman, of Falls City; along with four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Private family services were held. The Dallas Mor- tuary Tribute Center is car- ing for the family. To leave a message or memory for the family please go to www.dal- lastribute.com. James Leland Sele Feb. 8, 1933 – December 2016 James Leland Sele was born in Gary, Minn., on Feb. 8, 1933, to Earl and Ella Sele. He was the second in line of six children living in a two- bedroom farmhouse. As a young boy, he would Salem 412 Lancaster Drive NE Salem, OR 97301 (503) 581-6265 Low Cost Cremation & Burial Funerals & Memorials Simple Direct Cremation $495 Simple Direct Burial $610 Traditional Funeral $2,175 Discount priced Caskets, Urns and other Memorial items. Privately owned cremation facility. Locally owned and operated by Oregon families. www.ANewTradition.com be right by his mom’s side helping her in the kitchen. When he was 18, the family moved from Minnesota to Portland. Shortly after they moved to Sweet Home. It wasn’t long before he met Sue Wake- field, and they mar- ried in 1958. In the sum- mer of 1971, Jim bought a farmhouse on the outskirts of Dallas, where he lived and raised his children until April of 2015. In 1990, he married his current wife, Linda Ehlers, at which point he gained three more children. During this time, he showed off his amazing vocals and yodel- ing skills, spending 29 years in the Rickreall pageant. He worked at the Willamette In- dustries Mill for 44 years. His time on the farm was filled with tractor rides, cows, chickens, and growing food. He was quite handy, using his handiness on his many Carmen Guias. Some of his favorite pas- times included fast cars, hunting, fishing and danc- ing. He was quite the gentle- man on the dance floor. This stubborn Norwegian, at the heart of things, had a very gentle and loving side. Jim is survived by his beautiful wife, Linda Sele; his siblings Cordell, Nyla, and Ivy; his children Ron (Cathy), Mark (Cathy), Paula (Bob), Melodee ( John), Jason (Leslie) and Matt (Gina); 19 grandkids; and 27 great-grandkids. Services were held; Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center is caring for the family. To send an online condolence; go to www.dal- lastribute.com. Gail Boid Uehlin May 6, 1924 – Nov. 27, 2016 Gail Boid Uehlin, 92, passed away Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Fruitland, Idaho. Gail was born on the family farm in Decatur County, Kan., to William Uehlin and Nina Deck- er Uehlin. Gail was one of nine children. During the Depres- sion, the f a m i l y moved to Payette, Idaho. His favorite memories were of working on the family farm with brothers and sisters. Gail served in the Army as a combat infantryman in the European Theater during World War II until his dis- charge in 1946. Gail was a police officer in Canyon County, Idaho, from 1956- 1962. He fondly remem- bered his time working as traffic sergeant and his spe- cial relationship with the teenagers of the ’50s. He met and married Helen in 1961. Gail left law enforcement to start a series of small busi- 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. nesses in Idaho and Oregon. He could talk to anyone for hours and was always will- ing to help a friend in need. Gail and Helen lived in Fruitland, Idaho, from 1979- 1994, before moving to Dal- las, where they lived for the past 19 years. People always remember Gail because of his unique humor and his life mission to minister to people about Christ. Gail is survived by his wife Helen of 56 years; daughter Malinda Uehlin Andersen; son Clifford Uehlin; sister Arlene Uehlin McKee; and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended fam- ily. At Gail’s request, a private service was held for family. Condolences may be left in Gail’s online guestbook at www.yourtribute.com, or may be sent to P.O. Box 8574, Portland, OR 97207. Dan Roy Barnes Dec. 9, 1954 – Dec. 1, 2016 Dan Roy Barnes, 61, for- merly of Willamina, died on Dec. 1 in Salem. He is survived by mother, Rena Barnes; sisters, Susan Wakefield and Karen Rogers; spouse, Susan Carol Barnes; children, Ross, Hogan and Meredith Barnes; and three grandchildren. Predeceased by his father, Bill Barnes and son, Connor Barnes. Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service handled arrange- ments. Darlene Lillian Webster March 27, 1931 - Dec. 2, 2016 Darlene Webster, 85, died Dec. 2. She was born to Emil and Violet Lake in Fresno County, Calif. A funeral serv- ice was held at Farnstrom Mortuary. Memories and condolences at Farnstrom- Mortuary.com. Obituary Information Obituary information must be submitted by 4 p.m. on the Monday before publication to be included in the newspaper. Obituaries cost $8 per 25 words (column inch) and in- clude a photo and flag for vet- erans. Obituaries must be prepaid if placed by family members or individuals. Death notices are free. 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: Emily Mentzer, 503-623-2373, ext. 117.