July 2010

Peter Brunelli, Jr.

Peter Brunelli, Jr., 83,  died peaceful at his home in Lakeview on Monday, July 19, 2010. 

Peter was born to Pietro and Marie (Schlueter) Brunelli in Glendale, Calif. on Oct. 18, 1926. He grew up in Glendale and graduated from Glendale High School and later earned an Associate Degree from U.C.L.A.

He served in the Air Force during the later part of World War II as a co-pilot.

Pete married Shirlee Hupp in Big Bear Lake, Calif. on April 19, 1975.

He had two different careers, the first being with Lockheed Martin for 34 years. Much of his time was spent working under Kelly Johnson doing classified work behind the Iron Curtain. After retiring from Lockheed, he became a real estate broker. He moved to Lakeview in 2003 and thoroughly enjoyed his retirement years working in his wood shop. He was a 37-year member of the B.P.O.E..

He is survived by: wife Shirlee of Lakeview; son Peter Brunelli, III of Glendale, Calif.; daughters Nina Davis of Roseburg, Texas, Suzanne Himmler of Winona, Minn., Wendy Tassone of Grass Valley, Calif. and Danetta Brunelli of Burbank, Calif; brother Nino Brunelli of Los Angeles, Calif.; sister Julietta Brunelli; eight grandchildren.

To honor Mr. Brunelli’s request no service will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeview Home Health and Hospice, 700 S. J St., Lakeview 97630 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Desert Rose Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Kenneth C. Metzler

Kenneth C. Metzler, 87, died in Lakeview on Wednesday, July 21, 2010. 

Kenneth was born to Edward and Ann Metzler in Bonanza, on March 2, 1923. The family moved to Lakeview and both parents died when Kenneth was 13 years old. He stayed in Lakeview and later went to the University of Oregon in Eugene until he enlisted into the Navy CB’S. He served for three years and took part in the Normandy invasion.

He was the logging superintendent for American Forest Products for a number of years. He then moved to California where he built and sold two Veneer plants; after selling, he was the Log Procurement and Logging manager for Masonite Corporation. He retired and returned to Lakeview in 1980.

He was a long time member of the Lakeview B.P.O.E. Lodge #1536.

He was preceded in death by his parents in 1935; wife Rosalie in 2000; granddaughter Julianna Allin; step-son David Allin.

He is survived by: wife Lucille of Lakeview; sister Laverne Patterson of Mtn. Home, Ark.; daughter and son-in-law Linda and David Eitner of Lakeview; step-son and wife Charles and Rosemary Allin of Medford; daughter-in-law Duffy Allin of Lakeview; six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren. 

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at the Lakeview Elks Lodge. Military honors were provided by the Layne Clifton V.F.W. Post 4070. Private family interment was in the Sunset Park Cemetery.

Contributions in the memory of Mr. Metzler may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Desert Rose Funeral Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.

Bertha Dodson Neece

Bertha Dodson Neece, 93, passed away on Wednesday, July 14, 2010. 

She was born in Lakeview on Feb. 2, 1917, the youngest of six children, and the only girl. She lived in the Lakeview and Klamath Falls area most of her life, finishing high school in Klamath Falls.

In 1938 she married Arthur Neece and they moved to Prineville where he was employed in the lumber business.

Art and Bertha were married for 47 years. During that time they had two children, raising their family in Prineville and Klamath Falls. Bertha loved sewing, decorating, and making a home. She especially loved quilting with her friends at the Lutheran Church. Her other favorite hobby was golf. She played as often as she could and enjoyed competing in tournaments and taking her grandson around as he competed. She was active in a bridge club, and liked playing many kinds of cards. She and her husband often went dancing, camping, and traveling. After his death she traveled with the Elks RV group and good friends. She had a keen enjoyment of life and enthusiasm for many things. She was a loving parent and will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

In 1998 she moved to Salem to be near her children. She continued with her golfing and quilting with friends there.

Bertha is survived by: her son Jim Neece; daughter and son-in-law Jane and Patrick Parks; three grandchildren; one great-grandson. 

A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 29 at 1 p.m. at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4440 State St., Salem. 

Memorial Contributions may be made to Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.