Vera M. Sidwell

TURNER - Vera Mae Sidwell, age 89, passed away March 30, 2012 in Salem, Oregon. She was born August 9, 1922 in Lewistown, Montana and later lived in Copper and Kansas, Oklahoma. In 1935 she moved to Brownstown, Washington and then to Turner, Oregon in 1936.

Survivors include one daughter, Janice Sidwell (and husband Todd Bennett) and two grandsons, Chad and Jameson Bennett of Bellevue Washington; brothers Trent Hendren of Salem, Theodore Hendren of Salem; sisters Elva Killinger of Portland, Jane Johnson of Lake Oswego; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husband Loyd; two sons, Ronald, and James, twin of Janice; two brothers, Eugene and Leo Hendren; and one sister, Evelyn Haynes.

Mrs. Sidwell graduated as salutatorian from Turner High School in 1941. She married Loyd Wesley Sidwell on August 16, 1942 in Turner Assembly of God Church. Following Loyd’s military service in the US Air Force from 1942 to 1946 they lived in Turner, Oregon until 1997.

Vera was a Sunday School teacher and member of Turner Assembly of God Church. She was an expert seamstress. Vera belonged to the Turner Garden Club and Turner Sunshine Club. She was a Turner High School Alumnus and Honorary Lifetime Cascade High School Alumnus. Vera was a founding member of the Turner Festival and secretary for 10 years. She and Loyd were parade chairpersons for five years, members of Wally Bynum Airstream Club and professional photographers.

A graveside service was held at Twin Oaks Cemetery, Turner, Oregon. Memorial Service on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 1:00 pm at Church on the Hill, 2707 Maranatha Court SE, Turner, OR 97392. As a tribute to her life, the family requests attendees wear pink. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vera’s name to Cherokee National Historical Society, PO Box 515, Tahlequah, OK 74465. Arrangements made by Howell Edwards Doerksen Funeral Directors.