Wernli, Jeroma & Donald E. (Died 2003)

WERNLI, HAHN, BECKER, KUNKEL

Posted By: Lin Ziemann (email)
Date: 4/19/2005 at 15:56:00

SALEM, Ore. -- Jeroma (Jeri) M. Wernli, 87, of Salem, Ore., died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, at Newberg Hospital in Salem. Donald E. Wernli, 86, of Salem, Ore., died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2003, at Newberg Care Center in Salem.

Don Wernli was born Sept. 7, 1916, in Le Mars, the son of Otto and Dora (Hahn) Wernli. He graduated from Le Mars High School in 1933.

Jeroma (Jeri) M. Wernli was born April 26, 1916, in Le Mars, the daughter of Francis A. and Clara (Becker) Kunkel. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1933.

Don and Jeri were married May 18, 1937, in Le Mars. Don worked in the Royal Theatre as projectionist and then as manager. The couple moved to Vancouver, Wash., in 1943, where Don worked in the shipyards for a couple years.

They moved to Dallas, Ore., and managed two indoor theaters. In 1953, the couple built the Motor-Vu Drive-in Theater, and years later purchased the Rio indoor theater.

The couple retired in May 1979. They moved to Salem Town in June of 1988 where they enjoyed playing golf, playing cards, entertaining friends and traveling.

Surviving to honor them are their three children, Donald J. Wernli of Tacoma, Wash., Keith W. Wernli of Hillsboro, Ore., and Gerald L. Wernli of Newberg, Ore.; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Friday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. at Restlawn Funeral Home in Salem, with burial following in Restlawn Cemetery.

Memorial contributions made be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.