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6/23 OBITUARIES

*Fernando M. Esparza*Mildred Hickman*Ronald Norman Brown*Donna Merriman Smith*Robert L. Coblentz*Ella Mae Walls*Cicely Szabo*John Nathan Sparks Jr.*Johnny L. Hesselgrave*Merle Elmer Wilson*Carson Sisco Shumate*Jean R. Healy Brown*Gerald L. Newton*Albert M. Thompson Jr.*Lucile Virginia Salisbury

Fernando M. Esparza

Dec. 3, 1951 - June 12, 2010

Fernando M. Esparza, 58, of Dallas died June 12 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Fernando owned and operated Fernando's Complete Flooring for more than 30 years.

He loved dancing, Texas Hold'em poker competitions and the Dallas Cowboys. Family, friends and his Yorkie, Bonita, were the loves of his life. Fernando never met a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Josephine Esparza.

Survivors include his wife and soulmate, Pamela Esparza; children, Jason (Heather) Esparza of Hawaii, Dusti (Jeremiah) Foltz of Battle Ground, Wash., and Skye (Anthony) Ross of San Diego; siblings, Lorenzo Esparza, Alfred Esparza, Rubin Esparza, Josephine Amadore, George Esparza, Hector Esparza, Ruth Frost and Janis (Dan) Estevo; former wife and dear friend, Karen Esparza; and six grandchildren.

Celebration of life was held June 19 in Dallas.

Contributions are suggested to the Prostate Cancer Fund.

Farnstrom Mortuary, Independence, handled arrangements.

Mildred Hickman

Feb. 21, 1912 - June 3, 2010

Mildred Hickman, 98, of Dallas died June 3 in Dallas.

She was born in Monroe County, Mo., to Ira and Jessie Acuff Atterberry.

Mildred married Wendell "Bill" Hickman on Aug. 22, 1942, in Raton, N.M. They moved in 1942 and lived near Denver, later moving to California in 1967.

Mildred worked as a secretary for Coors Porcelain Co., in Golden, Colo., and later Robertson Controls Co. in Anaheim, Calif.

After that they lived in Albany before settling in Dallas in 1976. Bill and Mildred lived in Greenway Mobile Home Park, where they helped manage the park together for 12 years.

Mildred had attended the United Methodist Church in Dallas.

She enjoyed being an active member of the Dallas Senior Center. She and Bill enjoyed their many friends at the center and in the community of Dallas. Mildred had been a volunteer at the Dallas Care Center and Assisted Living Center.

Mildred treasured her friendships greatly. It was always the one reason she wanted to stay in Dallas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Hickman; son, Don; and daughter, Barbara Barnes.

Survivors include her granddaughters, Kendall Topper Bell and Kimberly Topper Carlson, and four great-grandchildren.

Friends are invited to join the family for a light brunch and gathering from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 26, at the Greenway Mobile Home Park Club House. Private family interment will be in Dallas Cemetery.

Contributions are suggested to the Dallas Senior Center Building Fund in care of Bollman Funeral Home, Dallas, which handled arrangements.

To send an online condolence: www.dallastribute.com.

Ronald Norman Brown

Aug. 26, 1928 - June 1, 2010

Ronald Norman Brown, 81, of Sandy died June 1 in Sandy.

He was born in Trenton, N.J. He grew up in Trenton and served in the Navy from 1945 until 1950.

Ron was Chief of Police in Falls City from 1967 to 1971. He then served in the Independence Police Department from 1971 until 1988, when he retired.

Survivors include his wife, Ana; sons, Ronald, Gregory and Geoffrey; daughter, Sally; stepson, Anton Gonzales Jr.; stepdaughter, Isabel Honse; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Service is at 1 p.m. Friday, June 25, at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.

Farnstrom-Gable Funeral Chapel handled arrangements.

Merle Elmer Wilson

June 26, 1920 - June 12, 2010

Merle Elmer Wilson, 89, of Salem died June 12.

He was born in Spencer, S.D., to Marion and Anna Wilson.

Merle completed grade school and high school in Spencer and attended college for two years at Brookings, S.D. He was in ROTC, but when he was called up for service in the Army he was turned down because of a problem with his heart.

He moved to Oregon in 1942 and met his future wife in the Christian Church in Willamina, where they both sang in the choir. Merle and Lynn Greene were married in the Christian Church April 30, 1944, and had recently celebrated their 66th anniversary.

Merle was commissioned with the American Sunday School Union in 1954 and served in Nebraska for six years, in the Eugene area for one year, and then moved to the Salem "field" and served until 1980.

He then did financial work for ASSU (now known as AMF) for eight years, which included traveling throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho until retirement. He then served as interim pastor, then associate pastor at West Salem Baptist Church.

Merle never really retired, he just retreaded.

He also served as pastor at Bethel Community Church in Polk County. Following 10 years of serving, he retired again and a new pastor was called and he was asked to be the associate pastor. He continued doing weekly Bible classes and vespers services in low income housing villages when needed. His greatest love was teaching the Bible, which he did for more than 50 years, to anyone who was interested.

Merle enjoyed many trips boating, camping, fishing and hunting with his family.

He was preceded in death by a son, Brian Lyle Wilson, who was killed in Vietnam in March 1970.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn; sons, Gary of Milwaukie and Bruce (Patricia) of Renton, Wash.; daughter, Carol (Tom) Covington of Dallas; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorial service is at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 26, at First Baptist Church in Salem.

Keizer Funeral Chapel handled arrangements. To send an online condolence: www.keizerchapel.com.

Cicely Szabo

Dec. 18, 1915 - June 6, 2010

Cicely Szabo, 94, of Dallas died June 6 in Dallas.

She was born in Chelsea, England, to Stewart and Eve Robertson.

As a youth she was an accomplished ballerina, acted in many plays her mother directed, and spent happy days sailing to Catalina Island off the California coast. At age 12, she was seriously injured, including breaking her back when run over by a huge truck. Doctors didn't expect her to live, but, miraculously, she was dancing again nine months later.

In 1937, she married her husband of 56 years, William Szabo. Together, they raised a family of 10 children. In the early years, the entire family spent summers together at sea working in the family commercial fishing business.

Cicely was a self-taught accordion player, a square dance enthusiast and a devout Christian.

In 1993, at age 76, Cicely and her husband together earned associate degrees from San Jancinto Community College in Southern California, where she also had roles in several theater productions. She was the valedictorian and a commencement speaker.

After her husband's death only weeks later, Cicely moved to West Salem, closer to family, where she lived as an active part of the Kingwood West retirement community.

She wrote a monthly newsletter, taught accordion lessons and took classes at Chemeketa Community College. She moved to Dallas Retirement Village in 2005.

Survivors include her children, Jeanni Giglio of Stayton, Margie Paulson of Bainbridge Island, Wash., Joe Szabo of Beaverton, Suzy Davis of Hillsboro, Bill Szabo of Woodburn, Cathy Szabo of Silverdale, Wash., Kenny Szabo of Huntington Beach, Calif., Richard Szabo of Port Angeles, Wash., and Steve Szabo of Pendleton; 25 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.

Memorial mass is at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Sublimity at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23.

Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrangements. To send an online condolence: www.dallastribute.com.

Ella Mae Walls

May 1, 1919 - June 6, 2010

Ella Mae Walls, 91, died June 6 in Glendale, Calif.

She was born in Winona, Wash., to Henry and Katerina Lust.

Ella Mae Lust McWhirter Walls was a former resident of both Dallas and Salem from 1944 to 1979.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kay McWhirter Titus Holman.

Survivors include her daughter, Lori McWhirter (Jack) Ray, and two grandsons.

Memorial service is at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 26, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1020 N. Brand Ave., Glendale, CA 91202.

Celebration of her life for family and friends is being planned for a later date.

Contributions are suggested to either St. Mark's Episcopal Church or to the Braille Institute, 741 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90029.

Robert L. Coblentz

April 12, 1927 - June 13, 2010

Robert Coblentz, 83, of Willamina died June 13 in Willamina.

He was born in Hubbard to Abe and Susie Coblentz.

He proudly served in the Army during the Korean War.

He married Ruth Nice on June 30, 1945.

Robert enjoyed his many years spent driving a log truck and made many friends in the logging industry and local community.

He was a honorary member of the Oregon Forest Product Transportation Association. He enjoyed mechanics and spending time in his shop working on various crafts. His hobbies included gardening, camping, woodworking, and spending time in the dunes on his dune buggy.

Robert attended the Church in the Wildwood and the Sheridan Nazarene Church

.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Coblentz of Willamina; children, Fred (Pam) Coblentz of Christmas Valley, Dan (Kathy) Coblentz, Tom Coblentz and Deb (Rick) Colton, all of Willamina, Pat (Wendell) Lux of Sheridan, and Gaylord Coblentz of Dallas; brother, Chris Coblentz of Vancouver, Wash.; sisters, Martha Hostetler of California and Vera Kauffman of Aurora; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Service was June 19 at Sheridan Nazarene Church with interment in the Mennonite Cemetery.

Contributions are suggested to Legacy Hospice in care of Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center, which handled arrangements.

To send an online condolence: www.dallastribute.com.

Gerald L. Newton

May 30, 1918 - June 18, 2010

Gerald L. Newton, 92, of Salem died June 18.

He was born in American Falls, Idaho.

He moved to Oregon in 1930 and graduated from Independence High School in 1935. He graduated from Oregon Normal School in 1938. His first teaching position was in Springfield.

Gerald married Doris E. McGowan on July 17, 1938.

He completed his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon in 1941. He then served in the Army Air Corps. In 1951, he received his master's degree from Oregon. He served as superintendent in Madras, Sweet Home and Harrisburg, retiring in 1979.

He moved in 1977 to Salemtowne, where he enjoyed golf, cards and the people of Salemtowne. During this time he also traveled to many parts of the world and the United States.

Survivors include his wife, Doris; sons, Jon G. of Sublimity and Murray L. of Salem; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Private family service is being held.

Farnstrom Mortuary, Independence, handled arrangements. To send an online condolence: www.farnstroms.com.

John Nathan Sparks Jr.

Feb. 26, 1920 - June 17, 2010

John Nathan Sparks Jr., 90, of Monmouth died June 17 in Independence.

He was born in Grandin, Mo., where he grew up. He attended elementary school in West Eminence and Grandin and graduated from high school in Ellsinore, Mo.

After high school, John was employed by Missouri Lumber and Mining Co. and T.J. Moss Tie Co. until he enrolled in Southeast Missouri State Teacher's College, where he joined the Civil Air Patrol and became a pilot.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, John joined the Navy. He was a radioman. He was stationed in Chicago, where he acted as a guard at the University of Chicago for what he later found out was the atomic bomb project. Later he served in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska.

Upon his discharge he moved to Roseburg, where his parents lived, and paid his way through college working in his father's sawmill in Yoncalla. He met Lois Mobley while she was a sophomore and they were married on Aug. 30, 1946.

After graduation John worked for the state of Oregon Division of Audits in Salem. John moved his family in 1960 to Monmouth, where he worked at Oregon College of Education. He became the director of business affairs and taught accounting until his retirement in 1982.

After his "retirement," John served the city of Monmouth as a councilman and taught accounting and business at Judson Bible Baptist College.

His hobbies included running and following the stock market. He was a member of the Baptist Church, the Monmouth Christian Church and the American Legion.

Survivors include his wife, Lois Sparks; sons, John Sparks and Brad Sparks; daughter, Teddie Scott; sister, Rusty Odland; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Celebration of life will be at 3 p.m. Monday, June 28, at Monmouth Christian Church.

Contributions are suggested to the Monmouth Christian Church or the Salvation Army.

Farnstrom Mortuary, Independence, handled arrangements. To send an online condolence: www.farnstroms.com.

Johnny L. Hesselgrave

July 26, 1942 - June 17, 2010

Johnny Hesselgrave, 67, of Dallas died June 17.

He was born in Westwood, Calif., to Gordon and June Rodgers Hesselgrave.

As a child he and his family moved to Dallas, where he resided until his death. He graduated from Dallas High School in 1960 and shortly afterward joined the military. He served his country for many years. He also worked at Willamette Industries for his entire working career and made many friendships with his coworkers in the community.

Johnny was a family man who deeply loved his children and grandchildren. He took two broken families and made them one and very proudly called them his own.

He enjoyed the times he was able to spend fishing, hunting and camping. He had been a member of Rotary, the chamber of commerce and the Elks. He enjoyed traveling and always looked forward to his annual trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Johnny was a handyman. His projects always got done and to a professional grade because he would research the process and always do the best he could.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Hesselgrave of Dallas; former wife, Rebecca Beard of Goldendale, Wash.; children, Lynne Patrick of Goldendale, Keith Grunberg of Keizer, Chris Hesselgrave of Honolulu and Scott Grunberg of Dallas; and four grandchildren.

Memorial service is at 11 a.m. Monday, July 5, at Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center.

Contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Association in care of Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center, which handled arrangements.

To send an online condolence: www.dallastribute.com.

Donna Merriman Smith

May 15, 1943 - June 10, 2010

Donna Merriman Smith, formerly of Medford and longtime resident of Dallas, died June 10.

She was born in Stibnite, Idaho, to Frances L. and Robert Earl Merriman.

After graduating from Elma High School in Elma, Wash. in 1961, she joined the armed forces in 1962 and served in the WAC Btry at Fort Sill, Okla.

Donna married Warren R. Smith in 1963 in Fort Sill and the couple moved to Medford, where Donna pursued a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse and raised a family.

Donna later moved to Dallas, where she continued her education, career and passion of helping those in need.

Donna was a nature lover and an outdoors person who loved camping, horseback riding and flyfishing in her earlier days. She was an activities director and nurse's aide for many years at various hospitals and rest homes, and was always considered a valued advocate for the elderly and anyone in need.

Donna had a true gift of music and played several stringed instruments. She was especially appreciated as a hoe-down fiddle player who loved bluegrass and old-time fiddle favorites.

Survivors include her children, Patrick Smith, Scott Smith and Stacie Mackenzie of Medford; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Contributions are suggested to World Wildlife Fund Organization in care of Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center, which handled arrangements.

To send an online condolence: www.dallastribute.com.

Carson Sisco Shumate

Jan. 25, 1925 - June 8, 2010

Carson Sisco Shumate, 85, of Damascus, Va., died June 8 in Marion, Va.

He was born to Brack McCarroll Shumate and Flossie Mae Shumate.

He was an Army veteran serving his county during World War II.

He was a member of the First Christian Church in Greencove, Va.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gloria Elaine Shumate; brother, Ward Shumate; sister, Madge Parsons; and an infant brother.

Survivors include his wife, Eva Danish Shumate; son, Douglas Carson (Karen) Shumate of Lake Charles, La.; daughters, Vickie T. (Daniel) Goff of Willamina and Patricia (Robert) Mitchell of Keizer; brothers, Charles Shumate and Robert Mack Shumate, both of Troutdale, Va.; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Service was June 11 at Bradley's Funeral Chapel in Chilhowie. Private burial will be held in Dallas Cemetery.

Contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231, or to the rescue squad of your choice.

Jean R. Healy Brown

July 18, 1919 - June 9, 2010

Jean R. Healy Brown, 90, of Dallas, formerly of Rickreall, died June 9 in Dallas.

She was born to John and Alma Brown Coville.

She grew up and graduated from Rickreall High School in 1937. Jean married Chet Healy on Sept. 9, 1944, in Vancouver, Wash. They lived on their farm near Monmouth. Chet died on July 25, 1986.

Jean later married William T. Brown Sr. on Nov. 21, 1987, in Gates. They lived in Rickreall and later settled in Dallas.

Jean had enjoyed raising horses. She attended the Pendleton Roundup for many years and was a member of a saddle club. She loved animals. She enjoyed keeping her home and yard full of flowers looking beautiful. Jean loved to entertain friends with gatherings at her home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Brown Sr., in 2006.

Survivors include her stepchildren, William Brown Jr., Terri Gould and Camilla; nieces, Myrna (Joe) Johnson and Cheryl and Debbie Coville; nephew, Gary Colville; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 25, at Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Private interment will be at Restlawn Memory Gardens.

Contributions are suggested to the Polk County Historical Museum or Willamette Humane Society in care of the mortuary, which handled arrangements.

To send an online condolence: www.dallastribute.com.

Albert M. Thompson Jr.

Feb. 2, 1925 - June 20, 2010

Albert Thompson, 85, of Monmouth, died on June 20 in Salem.

He was born in Long Beach, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Savage-Thompson.

Survivors include his children, Steve of Lakeside, Calif., Rick of Beavercreek, Randy of Indio, Calif., Doug of Monmouth and Cathy Nowlan of Brandon, S.D.

Private family service is planned for a later time.

Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrangements. To send an online condolence: www.dallastribute.com.

Lucile Virginia Salisbury

Jan. 21, 1919 - May 28, 2010

Lucile Virginia Salisbury, 91, of Salem died May 28 in Salem.

She had been the librarian at Dallas High School from 1949 to 1964.

Memorial service is at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 30 at Salem First Congregational United Church of Christ. Private burial will be in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.

Contributions are suggest to American Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrangements. To send an online condolence: www.dallastribute.com

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