John Lewis Dunton Sr.
Date of birth - May 23, 1912
Date of death - September 2, 1982
HISTORY
We are gathered here this morning to remember John Lewis Dunton, Sr. On May 23rd 1912 John Lewis was born the eldest son of pioneer family Victor and Eda Vick Dunton on Vick Road near Molalla. In 1929, he moved 3 miles to his present home on hwy 213 in Liberal where he passed away September 2, 1982.
He married Marjorie C. Schoenborn on May 26, 1939 at Stevenson, Washington and from that union was born 5 children. Lawrence Martin of Petaluma, California; Doris Eileen Pence, Molalla; Joan Irene Deardorff; Molalla; John Lewis Jr.; Gladstone; and Sandra Kay Metcalf; Portland.
John along with his late brother Elmer did custom farm work in his early years. He later became a sub mail carrier with the Molalla Post Office prior to moving inside to become a postal clerk. Then he became the rural route 2 regular carrier until his retirement in 1972 after 42 years of service.
Yes, John retired from the post office but not from an active life. He was always available to friends and family to help when called upon. He built miles of fences for son-in-law Gary Deardorff, helped son-in-law Don Pence build cabinets for daughter Joan's new home; he moved every family member at least once and some two and three times. He kept their firewood bins full, raised and cut their meat and along with his wife Margie grew the vegetables, fruit and nuts and supplied many Molalla families with fresh apple cider.
John loved to drive truck and with his wife by his side he spent many happy hours hauling vegetables to the cannery for neighbor Steve Koch.
To relax in the evenings John would enjoy the challenge of a picture puzzle or a crossword puzzle. He also enjoyed Sunday afternoons following church services with his family sharing popcorm, the weeks news and just having a good time.
John was a lifetime member of the Evangelical Church at Liberal. He was a man who believed in God and the Golden Rule. He gave himself to others and shared his talents when they were needed. He was a member of Molalla Grange #310 from his youth and was treasurer at his death, a member of the Order of Odd Fellows for more than 40 years and a member and past district treasurer of the Rural Letter Carriers Association.
John leaves behind eight grandchildren.
Michael Lynn Dunton and wife, Denise, Petaluma, California
Deborah Eileen Dunton, Petaluma, California
Eric, Julie, & Kevin Deardorff, Molalla
Leah, Jason & Joshua Dunton, Gladstone
_____________________________________
[Published in the Molalla Pioneer, September 8, 1982]
Lifetime Liberal resident John L. Dunton, Sr., passed away September 2 at his home after working all morning reroofing the Liberal Church parsonage. He was 70.
He was born May 23, 1912, the elder spn of pioneers Victor and Eda Dunton. He farmed with his brother Elmer for years prior to joining the Molalla Post Office where he worked for 42 years, retiring in 1972. He worked as a postal clerk and later as a rural route carrier on Route 2, Molalla.
He leaves his wife Marjorie, whom he married May 26, 1939; a son Lawrence, Petaluma, Calif.; daughters Doris Pence, and Joan Deardorff, Molalla, son John Jr., Gladstone and daughter Sandra Metcalf, Portland, grandchildren Mike and Debbie Dunton, Petaluma, Calif.; Eric, Julie and Kevin Deardorff. Molalla; Leah, Jason and Joshua Dunton, Gladstone, two sisters, Mildred Millsap, Lincoln City, Wilma Elkins, Canby and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Wednesday Sept. 8, 1982 at 10 a.m. at Everhart & Kent, Molalla chapel.
Contributions to a memorial fund can be given to the Liberal Evangelical Church in lieu of flowers.