If you have a Belfair obituary you would like to share, please email it to me.

Died at Union City, November 7, of bloody flux, Mr. James G. Dodge of Lilliwaup, aged about thirty-five years. He has been a resident of Lilliwaup for about fourteen years, where he was married to Miss Nina Knowles in September 1902. We understand that he contracted the disease a few years ago, while in Alaska, and never fully recovered from it. About four weeks ago he was taken much worse, and week before last was brought to the Union City hotel in order that a physician could more conveniently reach him, but it was too late for medical assistance to be of avail. He leaves a wife and one child, and his wife's parents at Lilliwaup and two brothers in Alaska to mourn his loss. He was taken to Lilliwaup on Tuesday to be buried by the side of his father who died several years ago.

return to index

Died at Lilliwaup, December 12, of disease of the brain, Merie, youngest son of O.A. Furness and wife, aged ten years last April. He has been failing for several months and was taken to Seattle recently for medical assistance. Three physicians were consulted, and one an expert of diseases of the brain; but while they did not agree as to what was the matter with it, all did agree that the difficulty was in the brain and also that they could not cure him. The funeral was held at Lilliwaup yesterday. Rev. M. Eels officiated, basing his remarks on the words: 'Underneath are the everlasting arm.' He was laid by the side of his sister, Esther, who died in 1893. The neighbors made much effort to show their sympathy with the sorrowing ones, for although the day was very windy and rainy, they came to the funeral, although the waves were so rough as to frighten some, and others walked for miles through the brush, overhanging the trail, because they could not pull about against the waves. The deceased leaves besides his parents, two brothers, Victor of Seattle, and Amos of Aberdeen, and two sisters, Mrs. Lillian Bailey of Aberdeen, and Miss Grace, who lives with her parents to mourn his loss, Fortunately all of these were able to be present at the funeral as well as Mrs. Victor Furness and their child. Mrs, O.A. Furness and Miss Grace expect soon to go to Aberdeen with Mrs. Bailey, when she will return home to spend a few weeks.return to index

He was born Dec 19, 1895 in Island County, served in the Army in Word War I, and was married to the former Mary Larson of Belfair Oct 21 1922 in Seattle. They came to Belfair, where he bouth out the first grocery store, in 1926. He ran this store, moving and expanding, until he retired in 1945. Mrs. Theler died in 1950.

In retirement Mr. Theler was an avid hunter and had investments in the stock market and land. He donated land for the Belfair Grade School, on which the landmark Belfair Chalet was built, the playfield across the street from the school, the Masonic temple, and both churches.

He was a member of several Masonic lodges, a Shriner, and a life member of the Bremerton Elks Lodge 1181.

Mr. Theler is survived by a sister, Mrs. Clara Fisher, of Santa Rosa, Calif

Services will be announced by Lewis Chapel.

Second obit probably Bremerton Sun:Theler, Samuel B. - A resident of Belfair for 43 years, passed away August 24, 1968 at Harrison Memorial Hospital. Mr. Theler, who was born on Guemes Island, Washington on December 29, 1895, was a retired grocery store owner in Belfair. He was a member of the Hood Canal No. 288 F. & A.M., York Rite Bodies of Seattle, Afifi Temple of Shrine of Tacoma, Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washington, Belfair Chapter No. 241 OES, Funeral Serices will be at the Lewis Funeral Chapel Wednesday, Aug 28, 1968 at 11 a.m. with Reverend Wendell L. Harder officiating, Private Interment at Twin Firs Cemetery, Belfair.

Mr. Theler was born in 1895 in a log cabin on Guemes Island, Wash. He attended school in Seattle and served in the Army during World Was I. He married the former Mary Larson of Belfair in 1922 and in 1926 he bought out the first grocery store in Belfair which at that time was located across from the old school building near Union River. The Thelers built a home on South Shore in 1936. He remained in the grocery business until 1945. after several times moving and expanding the store.

Mr. Theler was one of Belfair's most ardent boosters. The playfield across from the school, the Masonic Temple and both churches are located on lots donated to the community through Mr. Theler's generosity. The site of the Chalet and the fire hall were other civic contributions and the Tacoma Girl Scouts were given permission to camp on the Theler grounds each summer.

He was a life member of Elks Lodge No. 1181 and Seattle Chapter No. 3 Royal Arts Mason and a member of Eastern Star. Afifi Temple and Hood Canal Lodge.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and in recent years had traveled extensively. His wife, Mary, died in 1950.

He is survived by a sister. Mrs. Clara Fisher of Santa Rosa, CA. return to index