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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 9, 2017)
Polk County News 6A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • August 9, 2017 OBITUARIES Levi Floyd Thiessen Aug. 23, 1924 – July 24, 2017 Levi Floyd Thiessen, of Dallas, 92, went home to be with his Savior on July 24, in Dallas. He was born in Ogallala, Neb., on Aug. 23, 1924, to Jacob T. and Eliza- beth (Fast) Thiessen. He was the first of 10 children. The family moved to Dallas in February 1941 when he was 16 years old. He married Rosa “Rosie” Hiebert on Nov. 11, 1945. They lived together in the Dallas area for more than 56 years. He helped raise their six children and was active in the Dallas Evangelical Bible Church. He worked many years for Darigold, delivering milk to homes, stores, and restaurants. His real inter- est was plants, gardens, landscaping, and yard care which he turned into a sec- ond occupation during and after his employment with Darigold. He seems to have inherited his “green thumb” from his mother. Levi and Rosie's frequent vacation spot was Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, of course the main attraction being the Butchart Gardens there. After the passing of his wife Rosie in 2001, he mar- ried Virginia Belle Hetrick Lawson on May 18, 2002. They had many good years together until she passed in 2014. He is survived by his sons Bob, of Dallas, Denis, of Sandy, and Tim, of Happy Valley; daughters Carol Van Nostrand, of Sandpoint, Idaho, Susan Clinger, of Ar- vada, Colo., and Sharon Flaming, of Monmouth; stepsons Don Lawson, of Dallas, and David Lawson, of Dallas; stepdaughters: Gini Martin, of Sweet Home, and Sandra Erskine, of Cas- tro Valley, Calif; brother Allen Thiessen, of Canby; sisters Delores Smith, of Visalia, Calif., Helen Berg, of Dallas, Betty Jondahl, of Portland, and Norma Balbo, of Dallas; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Jacob and Elizabeth Thiessen; wives Rosa Thiessen and Virginia Thiessen; brothers Harry Thiessen, Raymond Thiessen, and Marvin Thiessen; and sister Ruth El- dredge. Viewing will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday (today) in the Dallas Mortu- ary Tribute Center. A me- morial service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, in the Dallas Evangelical Bible Church. Interment will be at 9:30 a.m. in the Dallas Cemetery, prior to the serv- ice at the church. Gloria Nadine (Davison) Bennett Jan. 5, 1947 - Aug. 2, 2017 Gloria Nadine (Davison) Bennett, daughter of Alpha L. and Mary E. (Garber) Davison, was born at home near Westphalia, Kansas on January 5, 1947 and departed this life for eternity on August 2, 2017 at the age of 70 years, 6 months and 28 days. Gloria spent her childhood years on the family farm in Kansas with her parents and 4 siblings. As a young child she had a natural gift for music and learned many songs from her mother, singing with enthusiasm to all who would listen. She taught herself to play the guitar and autoharp and enjoyed many hours entertaining her family and friends. Gloria excelled in academics completing her first 8 years of schooling at the 2 room Centerview School near her Kansas home. At the early age of 14, Gloria accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized into the fellowship of believers. In 1961, Gloria and her youngest sister along with their parents moved to Ripon, California and two years later to Dallas, Oregon. Gloria desired to complete her High School education and although she had missed her freshman and sophomore years, she enrolled in Dallas High School in the fall of 1963 and completed all 4 years graduating with honors in 1965. She began working full time after high school and her goal to complete her college education was delayed but never forgotten. One class at a time, she achieved her Bachelor of Business degree, graduating from Linfield University in 1997. Gloria’s life was blessed with the gift of three children, Timothy, Karen and Joshua and she loved them fervently. They remember her amazing ability to work all day, come home and prepare a home cooked meal, keep an orderly house and still have time to encourage them in their endeavors. Gloria started her career in the medical field but later was hired by Towmotor Corporation in Dallas and advanced to the position of personnel manager. After the Dallas plant closed in 1988 she was employed by the State of Oregon as Man- ager of the Public Employees Retirement System Insurance Program. She had a natural ability for drawing the various or- ganizations together that provided health care for the retirees of Oregon. She loved her job and enjoyed meeting the retirees and advocating for their care. On January 2, 1996, she was united in marriage with Gerald (Jerry) Bennett. They became faithful members of the Salem Alliance Church, and their lives were enriched by their weekly “Becomers” fellowship and Bible study groups. They were instrumental in organizing and hosting an annual reunion for the former employees of the Dallas Towmotor Plant where both had been employed. After retirement, they enjoyed traveling and hosting family and friends in their home. In 2001, Gloria experienced the agonizing grief of the death of her 20 year old son Joshua in a tragic auto accident. Several years ago, Gloria began manifesting symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Jerry faithfully cared for her in their home with the help of family members as her memory loss continued. On the evening of August 1st, Gloria enjoyed several hours of fellowship with her siblings and cousins in a rare moment of clarity reliving old memories. The next day, Jerry and she decided to escape the heat by taking a drive to the coast. On their way home that afternoon they were involved in a fatal traffic accident. Jerry and Gloria died together along with their devoted dog, Trigger. Surviving her is her son Timothy English and his wife Sherri; daughter Karen Wiley; children, Jeanette (Rick) Corbin, Jeff (Paula) Bennett, Jerry (Marie) Bennett, grandchildren, Deborah, Isaiah, Daniel, Abigail, Elijah, Rachel, Nathanial, Zechariah, Joseph, Benjamin, and Mariana English, Tyler, Jason, Ana, Jessie, Kelsey, Andy, and Henry Bennett, great grandchild Chloe Bennett; two brothers, Dale Davison and his wife Deanna, Harley Davison and his wife Mildred; two sisters, Marietta Pegg and her husband Donald, Sherda Garber. Preceding her in death are her parents Alpha and Mary Davison; son Joshua English; brother-in-law Thomas Garber. Funeral Services will be Saturday, August 12th at 10:00AM at Salem Alliance Church. Vault interment will follow in Salt Creek Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in care of Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center who is caring for the family. To leave an online condolence for the family go to www.dallastribute.com Gerald Earl “Jerry” Bennett Dec. 13, 1942 - Aug. 2, 2017 Gerald “Jerry” Earl Bennett, a resident of Dallas, Oregon died on Wednesday, Aug. 2nd as a result of a motor vehicle ac- cident near Toledo. He was born on December 13, 1942 the son of Earl and Audrey Bennett. Jerry grew up in Salem, OR and graduated from South Salem High School in 1961 Jerry worked for Gerlinger Carrier Company in 1962 and then Dallas Towmotor Plant in management and later for Balderson. He worked for Hanard Machine in West Salem and retired from there. Jerry married Gloria English on January 2, 1997. He was a member of Salem Alliance Church. Jerry loved fishing and sports, especially football, basketball and baseball. He enjoyed working in his shop with his wood lathe where he created many beautiful creations, salt and pepper shakers, lamps and mechanical pencils that he gave as gifts. He also worked with his metal lathe that belonged to his father, machining parts for friends and family. He is survived by his children, Jeannette (Rick) Corbin, Jeff (Paula) Bennett & Jerry (Marie) Bennett, Karen Wiley, Tim (Sherri) English, along with 18 grandchildren Tyler, Jason, Ana, Jessie, Kelsey, Andy, and Henry Bennett, Deborah, Isaiah, Daniel, Abigail, Elijah, Rachel, Nathanial, Zechariah, Joseph, Benjamin, and Mariana English and great-grandchild Chloe Bennett. He was preceded in death by his son, Joey Bennett in 1998, stepson, Josh English in 2000, grandson, Justin Boyd Corbin in 2004 and his beloved dog Trigger August 2, 2017. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 12th at 10:00AM at the Salem Alliance Church. Vault interment will follow in Salt Creek Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in care of Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center who is caring for the family. To leave an online condolence for the family go to www.dallastribute.com Memorial contributions may be made to the Youth Building Fund in care of Dallas Mortuary Chapel, which handled the arrange- ments. www.dallas tribute.com Donald ‘Don’ Karl Hallauer Jr. April 22, 1929 – July 29, 2017 Donald “Don” Karl Hal- lauer Jr., 88, a resident of Dallas, formerly of Salem and Akron, Ohio, died Satur- day, July 29, at home. He was born in Akron on April 22, 1929, the son of Donald Karl Hal- lauer Sr. and Mary Mercedes Smith. D o n graduated f r o m Coventry High School class of 1947. From 1950 to 1953, he served in the United States Air Force. On Feb. 4, 1952, he mar- ried Marlene “Marty” Flo- rence Smith in Gulf Port, Miss. Don worked for Remple Manufacturing and retired as vice president of the Serv- ice Iron & Steel Company in Akron in 1991. They moved to Salem in 1991, and to Dal- las a month ago. Don was a Coventry Township Trustee for 16 years, a member of the Ma- sonic Lodge in Akron and an Akron Yacht Club Com- modore. For over 50 years, he was a member of the Kiwanis Club serving as lieutenant governor and president in Akron and Oregon. He was a member of the Lockwood United Methodist Church and served on the board in Akron. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Salem. He enjoyed boating and sporting events. He was proud to say he watched Babe Ruth play baseball. He is survived by his wife Marty, of Dallas; daughters Vicki (Joe) Flande, of Dallas, and Nancy (Bruce) Bennett, of Scarsdale, N.Y.; along with four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant brother Richard. A memorial service is Salem 412 Lancaster Drive NE Salem, OR 97301 (503) 581-6265 Low Cost Cremation & Burial Funerals & Memorials Simple Direct Cremation $595 Simple Direct Burial $710 Traditional Funeral $2,275 Discount priced Caskets, Urns and other Memorial items. Privately owned cremation facility. Locally owned and operated by Oregon families. www.ANewTradition.com ~ Polk County’s ONLY Family Owned Funeral Homes~ being planned for this fall. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Doern- becher Children’s Hospital in care of the Dallas Mortu- ary Tribute Center, 287 SW Washington St., Dallas, OR 97338. To leave a memory or message for the family please go to www.dallastrib- ute.com. Beulah Schrepel Hindes Aug. 9, 1921 – Aug. 1, 2017 Beulah Schrepel Hindes, a longtime resident of Dallas, died Aug. 1, in Yakima, Wash. Although she was 95, she was only old for two weeks. Beulah was the daughter of George W. Schrepel and Ethyl Russ Schre- pel, and was born Aug. 9, 1921, in Corvallis. She attended Oregon State College and married Charles Hindes in 1941. With a family of four chil- dren, she followed her hus- band on adventures all around the world, including the Philippine Islands and Turkey. She was a supportive partner in many business ventures, as well as an ac- complished weaver, quilter and knitter. Her kindness, sense of humor and adventurous spirit made her beloved wherever she was known. She loved her Dallas quilt- ing group, her Yakima knit- ting circle, and her Bible Study Fellowship groups. Her inquisitive mind closely followed the space program, current events, other cultures and fashion- able jeans. Keeping up with friends and family proved much easier when she learned to use the internet. Beulah lived independ- ently and was able to drive until the last few weeks of her life. She is honored and beloved by her four chil- dren: Martha Knudson, Bob Hindes, Ken Hindes, Mary Platt and their spouses. She leaves seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her four sis- ters. Viewing was Sunday, Aug. 6, and a celebration of her life was held at Dallas Mor- tuary Tribute Center, Aug. 7, 2017, in Dallas. Interment followed in the Dallas Cemetery. www.dallastrib- ute.com. Rosella Wall Feb. 14, 1922 – Aug. 6, 2017 Rosella Wall, 95, died on Aug. 6. Services are pending and will be announced shortly. Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrangements. See OBITS , Page 7A Obit Info Obituaries cost $8 per 25 words and include photos and flags for veterans. Obituaries must be prepaid when placed by a private individual. Information can be brought or mailed to the Itemizer-Ob- server, 147 SE Court St., Dallas, OR 97338, or emailed to ionews@polkio.com.