Doris Fae Walser O’Neill

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Doris Fae Walser O’Neill who was born to Verdi Loran and Thelma Fae (Emert) Walser in Spokane, Wash., Oct. 12, 1928, and passed away Jan. 19, 2019.  She was the granddaughter of Andrew Jackson Emert and Lillie Mae Miller Emert and Evan C. Walser and Nellie Celia Hughart Walser. She moved to Salem, Ore., with her parents and sister, Betty when she was four years old.

She attended Grant Grade School, Parrish Junior High School and Salem Senior High School. She attended Willamette University where she pledged Delta Gamma and graduated with a degree in music education in 1950. She married fellow music major, Robert Hugh “Bob” O’Neill Aug. 27, 1950, and making their home in Centralia they enjoyed 68 years together. 

In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a homemaker, Doris was involved with many activities. She taught piano lessons in her home and served as a den mother for her son’s cub scout troop. She belonged to Eastern Star, Daughters of the American Revolution, P.E.O., and Ladies of the Round Table. Doris was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School, and served as a deaconess, choir director, soloist, organist and bell ringer. Doris and Bob spent many happy hours exploring the country in their R.V. and enjoying the sunshine of their winter home in Palm Desert at Oasis Country Club. Doris’s hobbies included roller skating, bowling, skiing, oil painting, ceramics, doll-making, sewing, knitting, travelling, gardening, trying to play the violin and learn the computer.

Doris developed an interest in genealogy at about age seven or eight, when a discussion on what she should call her maternal grandmother led to many stories about her family’s exploits in the Washington territory. She was especially proud of having proven a connection to Revolutionary War soldier, Frederick Walser, her fourth great-grandfather, (Verdi Walser, 1901 to 1981; Evan C. Walser (Nellie Hughart) 1870 to 1944; Solomon Walser, 1849 to 1920; Henry Thomas Walser, 1822 to 1902; Thomas Walser, 1798 to 1864; and Frederick Walser, 1760 to 1837) after seven years of researching. One of the legacies she leaves for her descendants is decades of research documenting their roots.

Doris leaves behind her husband, Bob; son, Robert H. O’Neill Jr. (Loretta); daughter, Debra Jo Pine (Richard); seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m., Feb. 16, 2019, at Mountain View Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be sent to Mountain View Baptist Church, 1210 Belmont Ave, Centralia, WA 98531.