Passages

Faith and family Ron and Tami Stutzman remembered

By James Day “Can you see Tami without seeing Ron or see Ron without seeing Tami? They were a team. And they touched so many lives.” That was how Pastor Tom Anderson, Tami’s brother, referred to the couple at a Celebration of Life on Jan. 5, at the Silver Creek Fellowship. A standing-room-only crowd of approximately 500 was on hand for the two-hour event, a mixture of memories, music and prayer. The Stutzmans, both 71, died Dec. 30 in a car crash in Morrow County in Eastern Oregon. According to authorities, an on-coming vehicle crossed over into their lane causing a head-on collision. It was just 11 days after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Ron and Tami met at Silverton High. He was an athlete. She was a cheerleader. They married a year after high school.

“And their love never wavered,” said Teresa Carroll, Tami’s sister.

At times the event took on the hue of a family or high school reunion. Story after story unfolded, mostly from the couple’s early years, and Duane Stutzman’s memories of growing up with his older brother Ronnie. Many of the stories involved things with wheels, or moving fast. “The only thing Ronnie enjoyed more than speed was acceleration,” Duane said. Another story came up in which Ron, on skis, held onto the bumper of a car in the snow-covered Safeway parking lot. “I can’t believe how much I am learning here,” said Ron’s mother, 93, from the front row. A couple of stories involved a homeless man named Jim, who slept in a tent under a big tree outside Ron and Tami’s house. For six years. The Stutzmans ran an electric line out to the tent so Jim could run a heater in the winter. Their extended family grew so big – as was evidenced in the numerous large gatherings (weddings, reunions, graduations) that were featured in a photo slide slow – that both Tom Anderson and Ron’s brother, Duane, felt challenged at coming up with an accurate number for the couple’s grandchildren. At their 50th anniversary dinner Ron stood up in the middle of the restaurant and announced that “52 years ago I married this beautiful woman.” And when the anniversary party went to pay the bill… they found that another customer already had taken care of it. Ron and Tami were members of the Silverton High Class of 1969. When Pastor Tom asked members of the audience to raise their hands if they were from the 1969 class more than a dozen did so.

One of those 1969 grads, Don Von Weller, played football with Stutzman and still coaches for the Foxes.

“Ron and Tami were both in my class and I knew them since grade school,” Von Weller said. “Over the years as they aged they were known for their strong faith and deep desire to help those they knew. I was honored to have known them.”

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is offering Grief Share beginning Saturday, Feb. 4 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Silverton Grange #748 201 Division St., Silverton

This 13-week program is a Christian support to those struggling with the loss of a friend or family member. Please call Rev. June Smith to sign up: 325-234-5014. The seminar is free. A $15 donation for the workbook is welcomed, but not required. Christ the King Church holds its regularly weekly worship service following at 5 p.m. GriefShare participants and visitors are welcome to attend.

Jeffrey Lynn Anderson

Dec. 24, 1955 – Nov. 30, 2022

Jeffrey (Jeff / Beaver) Lynn Anderson passed away at his Silverton Road home on Nov. 30, 2022. The youngest of four boys, he was born to Henry and Alma Anderson in Silverton, Oregon on Dec. 24, 1955. He graduated from Silverton Union High School in 1974. After graduation, Jeff attended Oregon State University for awhile, then started work at Johnson’s Mill. Later he worked with his brother, Arland, in the construction business.

Jeff became a Master Gardener, and worked in the landscaping business for many years. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Don and Arland. He is survived by his brother, Richard, and his son, Jeffrey Kuenle.

Submissions welcomed: If there is a birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary, college graduation or obituary of a local resident you’d like to share, please send it to ourtown.life@mtangelpub.com Our Town Life

Janet Marie Splonski

Nov. 12, 1944 – Dec. 28, 2022

Janet Marie Splonski was born Nov. 12, 1944 to Hi and Sue Brenden and died Dec. 28, 2022. She attended Mt. Angel Academy and Mt. Angel College where she met her husband, John Bruner. John died in 1976. She later married Ralph Splonski who died in 2014. Later her passion was attending her grandchildren’s sports and school events.

Janet always had her ear to the scanner and in the later years, enjoyed hearing her nephew and sons – each a volunteer fireman – on the air.

She worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in Medford and later at the Benedictine Center in Mount Angel. She also did many years of childcare. She loved being surrounded by family and friends and enjoyed camping and spending time at the Oregon Coast and Reno. She was known for making many beautiful counted cross stitch pictures, Christmas stockings and was also famous for her potato salad, that was requested at many gatherings. She is survived by her children, Suzanne Weber (Steve), Anne Bruner, John Bruner (Sandra), and Nicholas Splonski (Rona); 10 grandchildren; as well as sisters and brothers, Maria Hannan, Margie Courtney, Mick, Harold and Carl Brenden

There was a Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial on Jan. 9 at St. Mary Church, Mount Angel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce.

Gail Kent June 21, 1949 – Jan. 3, 2023

Gail Kent, 73, of Silverton, Oregon peacefully passed away in her home on Jan. 3, 2023. Gail was born on June 21, 1949 to Jack Larson and Dorene Smith in Seattle, Washington. She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1967 and would later go on to study at College of the Redwoods.

Gail most recently worked for the State of Oregon as an Executive Support Specialist for the Oregon Department of Human Services from 2012-2023. An avid gardener and reader, Gail was a wealth of knowledge whom friends and family relied upon when needing a question answered or an empty flower bed filled. She passionately rooted for the Portland Trail Blazers, never missing out on watching a game or engaging in conversation about the team with anyone who would listen.

Gail is survived by her three children, Garrett Anderson, Jed (Junko) Kent, and Jordan (Kevin) Zade; her four grandchildren, Gracie, Avery, Isla, and Luka; and her brother, Gary Larson. Gail was a loving and supportive mother, always ready to champion the causes of each of her children. She celebrated their successes with such pride, and stood with them in support during their failures. Her needs were always placed second to those of her family, and she refused to have it any other way. Gail’s greatest joy in life was time spent with her grandchildren. She treasured each child and prioritized quality time with them above all else. She never missed a school program, sports event, concert, or fundraiser. She looked forward to art projects with Gracie, dance parties with Avery, reading books with Isla, and snuggles with Luka. Services will be held for Gail on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 at Oak Street Church at 502 Oak St., Silverton at 2 p.m. Flowers may be sent to Unger’s Funeral Chapel at 229 Mill St., Silverton, OR 97381.

Irene Mae Sinn Oct. 12, 1955 – Dec. 29, 2022

Irene Mae (Edelman) Sinn, 67, passed away Dec 29, 2022 after a long struggle with Lewy Body Dementia. Irene was born on in Sabetha, Kansas to Daniel and Wilma Edelman. She grew up on a farm in rural Northeast Kansas along with her four siblings. She enjoyed playing volleyball, basketball and track at Bern High School. She attended Kansas State University and Stormont-Vail Hospital for her Registered Nurse degree. Irene married James Sinn in August 1976 and moved to Silverton, Oregon. She worked as an RN for 41 years, first at Salem Hospital, then at Silverton Hospital Foot Clinic. She retired in 2018. Jim and Irene celebrated their 46th anniversary this year. Irene was an excellent cook and baker. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, and hiking, but most of all she loved Jesus Christ and her family. She delighted in being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and husband. Irene was an active volunteer at Silverton First Baptist Church and in the community. Irene is survived by her husband, Jim; four children, Scott (Karen) of Salem, T.J. (Melissa) of Silverton, Rebecca (Casey) Murphy of Silverton, and Rachel (Wesley) Holman of Silverton; her siblings, Karen Edelman of Topeka, Kansas, Wayne (Linda) Edelman of Bern, Kansas, Earl (Donna) Edelman of Bern, and Edith (Tom) Sinn of Silverton; and her 15 beloved grandchildren. Memorial contributions can be made to Salem Hope Pregnancy Center, Reid Saunders Association, or Silverton First Baptist Church.

In Memory Of …

Marjorie Olsen Oct. 30, 1938 — Dec. 18, 2022 Scott Partch Aug. 2, 1954 — Dec. 20, 2022 Laurie LaPointe July 18, 1954 — Dec. 21, 2022 Janet Splonski Nov. 12, 1944 — Dec. 28, 2022 Lance Jones May 8, 1946 — Dec. 29, 2022 William Chisman March 16, 1960 — Dec. 29, 2022 Irene Sinn Oct. 12, 1955 — Dec. 29, 2022 Barbara Harrell July 25, 1937 — Dec. 30, 2022 Michael Senyk April 21, 1938 — Dec. 31, 2022 James Moen Jan. 3, 1935 — Jan. 3, 2023

See full obituaries at www.ungerfuneralchapel.com

Your local funeral chapels serving Mt. Angel since 1919 & Silverton since 1924. Always available at your time of need 190 Railroad Ave. • Mt. Angel 229 Mill St. • Silverton 503-845-2592 503-873-5141