Weldon and Marie Scheel

 

Weldon and Marie Scheel

 

Marie Ulrica Saviniemi Scheel
October 4, 1914-February 21, 2015)

Marie Ulrika Saviniemi was born October 4, 1914, to Maliakias (1874–1926) and Lempi M. Kivela (December 11, 1879–January 19, 1943) Saviniemi in Hancock, Michigan. Marie's parents were both born in Finland. Records below show that Lempi was born in Parkano, Finland, and that her sister and brother later also immigrated to the US. Marie is show at right in 1915.

Marie’s Mother
Kivelä, Lempi Maria Joosefintytär
Parkano church records
born 11.12.1879 Parkano
Parents: Farmer Joosef Antinpoika Yli-Lammentausta, Kivelä b. 19.10.1839 Parkano, d. 2.1.1888 Parkano and Ulriikka Karoliina Kaarlentytär Karhuluoma b. 30.10.1843 Parkano
Pastor´s certificate for a passport to America 27.5.1899
Declared dead 21.9.1977, date of death 1.1.1977
Passport record 2.6.1899, born 11.12.1879
Occupation in Finland: Farmer´s daughter
No passenger record from Finland found.

Marie’s Maternal Uncle
Kivelä Aleksius Joosepinpoika (Alexius Josefsson)
Parkano church records
b. 28.7.1882 Parkano
Parents: Farmer Joosef Antinpoika Yli-Lammentausta, Kivelä b. 19.10.1839 Parkano, d. 2.1.1888 Parkano and Ulriikka Karoliina Kaarlentytär Karhuluoma b. 30.10.1843 Parkano
Passport record 17.2.1905
b. 1882
Occupation in Finland: Farmer´s son, single
Passenger record 1.3.1905
From Hanko on Arcturus, age 22 years
Plans to continue 9.3.1905 on Tunisian, Allan Line
Destination: Hancock MI. Arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia with $15.
A death record for miner Alex Kivela, Feb. 18, 1910 at Quincy Township., Houghton, MI, is likely his. Father listed:Alex (probably an error–Mel Oakes) Mother listed as Kuta Karlinia, (I think a bad corruption of Karoliina Karhuluoma.–Mel Oakes)

Marie’s Maternal Aunt
Kivelä Ilona Aleksandra Joosefintytär (She married John H. Merila (1878-1929), a tailor, in 1909 in New York City. They later lived in Berkeley, CA. She was caterer. Ilona died May 16, 1962 in Sonoma, CA. Daughter Alice Ingerie Merila (1909-?). Alice went to U. California-Berkeley–Mel Oakes)
Parkano church records
b. 21.10.1886 Parkano d. 1962 California
Parents: Farmer Joosef Antinpoika Yli-Lammentausta, Kivelä b. 19.10.1839 Parkano, d.2.1.1888 Parkano and Ulriikka Karoliina Kaarlentytär Karhuluoma b. 30.10.1843 Parkano
Pastor´s certificate for a passport to America 7.7.1903
Passport record 16.7.1903 to America
b.1886
Occupation in Finland: Farmer´s daughter, single
Passenger record 22.7.1903
From Hanko on Arcturus, age 16 years
Plans to continue 28.7.1903 on Ivernia, Cunard Line
Destination: Boston MA (There is ship’s manifest with Elma Kivela that seems to match. She has cousin Sandra Heclainen

Marie’s Maternal Half-Uncle
Hellgrén aka Kivelä Oskar Anselm Juhanpoika, his wife was Hellgrén Anna Kaisa Matintytär (b 24.9.1879-1938) Isojoki. Oscar and Anna became dairy farmers in Oulu, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, where both are buried with children Maume M. (1916-41) and Sylvia (1916-16)
Parkano church records
b. 27.3.1871 Parkano
Parents: Juha Hellgrén and Ulriikka Karoliina Kaarlentytär b. 30.10.1843 Parkano
Wife: Anna Kaisa Matintytär b. 24.9.1879 Isojoki. Married 13.3.1899
Pastor´s certificate for a passport to America 30.3.1899
Declared dead 21.9.1977, date of death 1.1.1977

Marie’s Paternal Uncle
Santeri (Alexander) “Sam” Saviniemi
Picture at right.

1920 Census lists: Sam (San) Saviniemi
Born 1878 in Finland
Immigrated in 1903
Widowed
Copper Miner in boarding house in Hancock, MI
Married Ida K. Rajaniemi (b. 1875) on July 15, 1911, in Calumet, MI.
Father: Herman Saviniemi
Mother Maria Kovanen
Ida’s Father: Antti Rajaniemi
Ida’ Mother: Puiisa (sp) Muttanen
Witnesses: Ilona Saviniemi, Erland Upari (sp)
Pastor A. J. Heideman

 

 

 

 

 

Marie’s father came to the US in 1889 (or 1892) and her mother in 1897. Her father worked in the copper mines around Hancock, a city in Houghton County, located on Copper Island, which is part of the Keweenaw Peninsula. He worked for the Quincy Mining Company. The couple met after arriving in the States. A 1903 ship’s passenger list includes Oskar Wikander, arriving from Liverpool. He listed Lempi as his friend and destination. This puts Lempi in Michigan at that time. Marie’s parents lived through very difficult times. There is no census record for them in 1910. They likely lived in the Quincy Mining Company housing and could have been missed by the census taker. Finns were often given the lowest and most dangerous jobs in the mines. The companies constantly reduced salaries to lower cost and increase profits. The miners were not well organized and usually had to accept what was offered. Strike leaders were usually fired after the strikes were settled. In 1913, a major strike was launched, led by the Finns and the Italians. To reduce the physical violence heaped on striking miners, miners brought their wives and children in hopes that the strike breakers would be more benevolent. At a Christmas celebration in Italian Hall, filled with women and children, someone yelled fire and a stampede occurred. Seventy-three women and children were trampled to death in the stairwell as they tried to open doors that only opened inward. Sadly, the strike was broken by the recruiting of over 500 Russian, Polish and German miners. However, it was a Pyrrhic Victory for the Quincy Company, as many miners left mining. The approach of WWI created jobs and better salaries and conditions, especially in Detroit. Unable to recruit cheap labor in large numbers, many mines were forced to close. Marie’s father continued to work for the mining company until his death in 1926. The family lived on Shafter Street in Hancock, only a mile from the mine and just a few blocks from Suomi College, a place that Marie would come to know quite well.

 

Maliakias and Lempi were married August 19, 1909, in Hancock. The record of their marriage with family information is shown below.

A family grave marker, seen below in the Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock, includes a child by the name of Kaarlo Kustaavi Saviniemi. She was born in 1910 and died at the age of seven in 1917. Below is a baby picture of Kaarlo taken in Hancock in 1910.

Marie was born in 1914, five years after her parent's wedding. Her brother, Rafael, was born three years later, November 7, 1918.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1926, while riding in a double-drum hoist which brings miners in and out of the mine shaft, there was an accident. In these hoists, two skips (open cages in this case) were used. As one skip is raised, the other skip is lowered. The two balance each other and require less energy and torque to operate. The skips were open and apparently had little, if any cover. A fellow miner fell from the upper skip and landed on Maliakias, breaking his back and resulting in his death. Lempi became a janitor at the Hancock high school in order to support the family. A photograph of Mine Shaft 6 of the Quincy Mining company is included at the end of this page.

Marie’s middle name was Ulrika, from her grandmother, Karoline Ulrika Kivela. Mel and Pat Oakes, during a visit with Marie, noticed two tintypes on her dresser. They were exceedingly dark, and Marie was unable to make out who they were. She said the two pictures had remained on her mother’s dresser for as long as she could remember. She agreed to let Mel take them and see what he could do to make them visible. He carefully removed the photographs from their frames, fortunately, the metal had not merged with the glass. Scanning and enhancing the images in Photoshop, he was able to bring out the figures. Marie was delighted and thought the woman was her Finnish maternal grandmother, Karoline Ulrika Karhuluoma Kivela. Karoline was married to Joseph Kivela. Marie was unsure as to the identity of the little boy (or girl) in the second photo. A likely candidate would be Aleksius Joseph, born 1882, immigrated in 1905.

 

 

 

Marie attended Hancock High School. It was a K-12 school with about 900 students. She graduated in 1932. At Hancock, she played the violin and participated in basketball and ice hockey. Washington’s Birthday was a big day; streets were closed permitting kids to skate on the streets. Following graduation, she completed the three-year program at Suomi College in Hancock, between 1932-35. She was selected by the faculty for the Sampo Society, a very exclusive honor group at Suomi. Suomi College was founded on September 8, 1896 by J. K. Nikander (b. 1855, Hämeenlinna, Finland d. 1919). During the 1880s, large numbers of Finns immigrated to Hancock to labor in the copper mines and the lumber industry. As a mission pastor of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, headquartered in Hancock, Nikander observed that Swedish and Finnish immigrants along the Delaware River did not train new ministers, and he feared a loss of Finnish identity. The college's role was to preserve Finnish culture, train Lutheran ministers and teach English. During the 1920s, Suomi College became a liberal arts college and in 1958, the seminary separated from the college. On July 1, 2000, Suomi College changed its name to Finlandia University. We can imagine the memories that were invoked in Marie when she led the Austin congregation in “Be Still, My Soul” or “This Is My Song.”

 

 

 

 

After completing her work at Suomi, Marie enrolled in the Sherwood Music School in Chicago. It was located across Michigan Avenue from the lake. She was there from 1935 to 1940. Her first singing gig in Chicago was at a Greek Orthodox Church. She was paid $1.50. While at Sherwood, Marie was a protege of Mme. Else Harthan Arendt, a noted soprano, born in Odessa, Russia to German parents. Else is seen at left. Else’s father was Hans Harthan, a well known composer. Else had a Texas connection, having previously been married to a noted Dallas physician, Dr. Eric Arendt. She later married Edwin Stanley Seder, however, she retained her professional name. As seen in the programs below, Else became Vice-President of Sherwood while Marie was there. Marie was awarded a bachelor’s degree in voice in 1939. Documents below point to her musical excellence and to the appreciation by the faculty of her extraordinary talents. The first document is a 1936 commencement program. Note, Marie Saviniemi is soloist and recipient of a Teacher’s Diploma. Marie also served on the junior faculty as a voice instructor and gave private lesson to support herself. She lived in the home of her voice teacher and was a soloist at the Oak Park Congregational Church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marie continued her education at Sherwood until 1940. A 1938 commencement program listed her again as a soloist.

While at Sherwood, Marie became friends with a younger pianist by the name of Phyllis Ada Driver. Marie remembered her quirky sense of humor. While there, Phyllis eloped with Sherwood Diller, had six children and the rest is history.

It was during her time in Chicago that she met Weldon B. Scheel. She said, “I was impressed that he could pronounce my name correctly.” One of her obligations as junior faculty was to greet new students. Weldon had come from Lockhart, Texas to study music and she remembers thinking as she showed him around, “I wonder if I should marry this man.” Weldon said, “I went to Sherwood for just the summer and ended up staying three years.”

Weldon ushered at Symphony Hall and could get season tickets.

At the end of Weldon’s three years, they were married in LaGrange, Illinois, on August 31, 1940. The wedding took place in the beautiful living room of her teacher, Else. None of Weldon’s family was able to attend. They had a one-night honeymoon at a hotel on Michigan Avenue and rose early the next day to take a train to Austin. To save money, they sat up all night on the train. Weldon’s parents met them at the station and drove them to Lockhart. It was Marie’s first trip to Texas, and she found the heat almost unbearable.

 

 

 

The couple moved to Nixon, Texas where Weldon was appointed the band director and then to Carrizo Springs where Weldon had been the band director before Sherwood. They were there until the start of WWII when Weldon left for Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Marie took over his job and later joined him. Weldon attended officer’s training school and spent 3 ½ years in the Army with 10 months in India. Marie worked for a time at Kelly Field as a librarian in the Ordinance Office. She also sang with the San Antonio Opera Company. While Weldon was away, Marie lived with Dorothy Arendt, the second wife of Dr. Eric Arendt—they were separated, never reconciled.

Weldon and Joe Castle met at the Fort Sam Houston Reception Center where the post commander introduced them, and ordered the personnel office to give them regular jobs and encouraged them to form an orchestra on the side. Weldon played bass and piano. On Sundays, Weldon played in the base chapel and was also leader of a dance band. He and Marie found a farm house to rent across Salado Creek next to the Reception Center. Florence and Joe Castle put their trailer near the house and shared Weldon and Marie’s indoor plumbing. Marie and Florence did many concerts together while Joe and Weldon played together in various bands and orchestras. Florence Castle’s mother would sometimes come from LaSalle, IL to visit.

Weldon was sent to the officers’ training school at Camp Lee in Richmond, Virginia. Marie worked at a department store there. Next came Killeen and Camp Hood, where they lived at the officers’ trailer park. After Weldon was sent to India, Marie lived with his parents in Lockhart and then resumed her job at Kelly Field.

Weldon was on a ship in the Red Sea when Hiroshima was bombed. The other two ships in the convoy were ordered to turn back, but Weldon’s ship went on to Calcutta, where he was stationed for nine months.

Marie’s brother, Rafael, married Elvi Miriam Hill in South Range, Houghton, Michigan, on April 10, 1943. He had enlisted in the US Army two days before. After the war, Rafael studied electrical engineering at Michigan College of Mining and Technology in Houghton, Michigan. His senior picture is at right. He ran a floor covering business in Southfield. He and Elvi had two daughters, Ann and Lois. As of this writing, he is 96 and, like Marie, in full control of his faculties.

Furthering her education, Marie attended St. Mary’s College in San Antonio during 1945–46. In 1946, following Weldon’s return, they paid a visit to Austin in June, and happened to go into J. R. Reed Music Company. Friends persuaded them to see the Austin Independent School District superintendent, Dr. Russell Lewis, whose office was upstairs, just around the corner on Ninth Street. It turned out the superintendent was the same one they had served under in Carrizo Springs. Both walked out with jobs—Marie as choral director at old University Junior High School and Weldon at old Allan Jr. High School. Weldon served as a member of the AISD band program for 29 years. Marie taught for many years with AISD.

Marie took piano lessons from Florence Castle, wife of Joe Castle. It was Florence who introduced the Scheels to the Congregational Church of Austin.

Marie served as a soloist with the Central Christian Church from 1950-54 and with the Tarrytown Methodist Church from 1954 to 1960. There, she led two children’s choirs, and the senior choir. During this time, Weldon faithfully attended the Congregational Church, and Marie, Florence and Joe “came home” after their many gigs were over.

For almost thirty years, Marie led the choir at the Congregational Church of Austin. Marie, along with Florence Castle, Lucile Mick, and Earl Cornwell, provided the members a music experience unparalleled in Austin.

Weldon died in 2006. He and Marie had been married for sixty-five years. Marie continued to live in their home in South Austin. Two kind neighbors, Don Stuchly and Richard Jellison, provided her with invaluable help. Marie retained her sound mind, good judgement and willingness to learn new things (e. g. email and the internet) until the very end. She especially enjoyed her 100th birthday party with family and friends.

From Marie’s obituary, “Marie was a member and past president of the Wednesday Morning Music Club and a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma sorority. Always proud of her Finnish heritage and Michigan roots, Marie enjoyed love of music, family and friends throughout her life. Marie leaves behind her brother and sister-in-law Rafael and Elvi Saviniemi of Southfield, MI; niece Ann Saviniemi of Southfield, MI; niece and nephew Lois and John Sefcovic; great-nephews Matthew and Ryan Sefcovic of Southfield, MI; and countless good friends.”

 

Weldon Branch “Dutch” Scheel (September 4, 1911–January 1, 2006)

Weldon Branch (Dutch) Scheel passed away on January 1, 2006, at the age of 94. He was born September 4, 1911, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Carl (or Charles) and Bertha Longbein Scheel in Lockhart, Texas. William worked with the Fire Department in Lockhart. Weldon’s brother was Alvin William Scheel (1913–71).

Weldon started piano lessons under one of the sisters at St. Mary’s Catholic School during his first 3 years of school. He played bass in the Boy Scout Band (before there was band in the public schools). Following graduation from high school in 1938, Weldon attended the University of Texas. He graduated from the Journalism school in 1933. He played bass in the University of Texas Longhorn Band. He became involved in Dance Band groups.

 

 

He played with Bill Faris’ group, the “Lone Star Five” (all eight of em). He had the Dutch Scheel “All University Band” while at the University of Texas. He played with Woody Parker, Van Kirkpatrick, Ben Young, the Reception Center Orchestra at Ft. Sam Houston during WWII and later the Herb Fields Orchestra in Austin. He went to Chicago in the late 1930s to Sherwood Music School (now Sherwood Conservatory of Music) to attend certain band classes. There, he met Marie Saviniemi, a native of Hancock, MI, a voice major and instructor. They were married in La Grange, Illinois on August 31, 1940. They moved to Texas where he became band director in Nixon, Texas and then on to Carrizo Springs until WWII. He spent 3-½ years in the Army with 10 months in India. Weldon’s brother, Alvin, had enlisted in March of 1941. After the war, they returned to Austin where he became a member of the Austin Independent School District band program for 29 years. After his retirement he joined the group “The Silver Strings” playing piano. He also had his trio called “Old Tunes Connection.” After 12 years of volunteer programs for residents of nursing homes, retirement homes, church groups and “Mature People,” he retired. Weldon also tuned pianos. He was preceded in death by his parents Mr. & Mrs. W. C. Scheel of Lockhart and his brother Alvin of Houston. He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Marie; a nephew Bill Scheel of Sugarland; sister-in-law Jenny Scheel of Houston; brother and sister-in-law Rafael and Elvi Saviniemi of Southfield, MI and Florida; niece Ann Saviniemi of Southfield, MI; niece and nephew John and Lois Sefcovic; great-nephews Matthew and Ryan of Southfield, MI and countless good friends. He was a member of ARTA, the Wednesday Morning Music Club, and, for many years, the Congregational Church of Austin (U.C.C.). Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 6, 2006 at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Congregational Church of Austin, 408 West 23rd, Austin, Texas 78705, Austin Retired Teachers, or to a charity of your choice. Obituary and guestbook on line at wcfish.com. Weldon is buried in the Lockhart Municipal Burial Park, as are his parents.

Acknowledgement: Special thanks to Pat Oakes and Nodie Murphy for making available their interview notes with Marie. Also many thank to Lois Sefcovic and Ann Saviniemi for making available family photograph.. Also, the Parkano information on Marie’s mother and her siblings was provided by Merja Syrjämäki who maintains a web site on emigrants from Parkano to USA. Rafael Saviniemi, Marie’s brother, provided information about his father death. Thanks to Lois Mallory for proofing this entry.—Mel Oakes.

Below is a gallery of photos.
University of Texas Cactus Yearbook for Weldon include years 1931–33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weldon and Marie Scheel Photo Gallery

 

Santeri “Sam” Saviniemi’s Story

Santeri “Sam” Saviniemi was the brother of Marie Savinieni’s father, Maliakias Savinieni (1874–1926). Both were born in Finland and came to Michigan to work in the copper mines. Sam was born December 25, 1877. Maliakias died tragically in a mining accident in 1926. In going through Marie Scheel’s family pictures, I found a number of pictures that related to Sam Saviniemi. These pictures had been given to Marie in 1992 by Lila K. Juntunen of Ontomagon, MI. I was fascinated by a comment made by Marie’s brother, Rafael, that Sam had gone to Russia. After assembling a timeline of facts, I have pieced together a story that, surely, has holes and errors which I hope others will fill in and correct. Sam’s story is built around the family photo from Lila shown below, at left.

The first task was to identify the man in the picture. Marie’s collection included the picture at right . He is identified as Sam Saviniemi. The photographer, P. M. Juntunen, had a studio in Hancock, MI from 1906–1912. Sam had come to Michigan from Finland in 1903. He married Ida K. Rajaniemi on July 15, 1911, in Calumet, MI. Ida, born 1875, had emigrated from Finland in 1905. She returned to Finland for a visit in 1906. Her younger sister, Mary, born 1888, came in 1910.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One’s first impression was that the picture is of Sam, Ida and their children; however, Sam’s nephew, Rafael Saviniemi, said that he did not remember any girls in the family. Lila’s pictures also contained the following pictures labeled “Osmo” and “Osmo and an Erickson girl. She is from Hancock originally.” Osmo was the son of Sam and Ida. Clearly, Osmo is the boy in the picture above. He appears to be five or six years of age. Ida died in 1913; her death certificate points to childbirth complication. This would suggest that Osmo was born in 1913. If so, then the family picture is in about 1918 or 1919. The woman, then, is not Ida and the other children are not her children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obviously, with Sam in the copper mines everyday, he would be unable to care for a new baby. In 1918, Sam registered for military service. He states he is a widower and a miner. His nearest relative is his son, Osmo. Osmo is living on Pine Street, while Sam is in a boarding house on Ryan & Shafter Streets. Sam is working for the Hancock Mining Company.

Ida’s sister Mary married a Finnish shoemaker, Arthur Tuominen. Arthur had come to the US in 1909. He and Mary married May 12, 1912. Apparently Sam gave Osmo to his sister-in-law, Mary, to care for. By 1920, Arthur and Mary have adopted Osmo. They also have a son of their own, Arno. The 1920 census lists Osmo as 6 years old and Arno as 4.

The mystery family picture would appear to be in about 1918 or 1919. Close examination of the photo reveals that Sam likely has a wedding ring on his left hand. Ida has been dead for five or six years. Occasionally, men might continue to wear their wedding ring if they had no interest in marrying again. I think it unusual that Sam would do this for so long a period. One scenario would be: Sam married for a second time, a woman with two children, and we are seeing a family portrait. Unfortunately, no marriage record of such a union has surfaced. Another suggestion is that the woman might be Mary, Sam’s sister-in-law; however, I can’t find any record of her having two young children. One additional possibility would be that the other two children are Marie and Rafael, however, they are four years apart in age—too much for the picture. I recently contacted a grandson of Mary’s, Victor Juntunen. He has kindly agreed to look in the family albums for a picture of Mary. That would be immensely useful.

In January of 1924, Arthur Tuominen died, leaving Mary with two children to support. On May 3, 1924, Mary married Joseph Juntunen. Joseph is a friend of Sam’s and a shoemaker, maybe even a coworker of Arthur’s. We see Sam Saviniemi and Joseph Juntunen in the photo at right; Sam is on the left. Joseph Juntunen was born April 13, 1895, in Suomussalm, Oulu, Finland. In the 1918 draft registration records, Joe was single and a bartender in Mass City, MI, working for Frank Unstila (?). He was 5’8”, medium build, blue eyes and light hair. Joseph served in WWI. He enlisted May 25, 1918, and was discharged honorably December 28, 1918. He was a private in the 338 Infantry, 85 Division, Company K, 160th Brigade. He also served in Company L.

Following the marriage of Joseph and Mary, Mary’s son Arno took the Juntunen name.

Joseph died September 15, 1941. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Ontonagon, MI.

 

As the decade of the 1920s ended, the economy of the area suffered. Following WWI, many worker abandon the mines for safer and higher paying jobs in Detroit. Many mines closed. The depression hit the area especially hard. Sam Saviniemi decided to take his son Osmo and emigrate to Russia, hoping that there would be opportunities there. In 1931, Osmo sent a postcard to his adopted brother Orno Juntunen. The picture postcard has a photo of the Pyramid Fountain at the Peterhof Palace located in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The photo below, left, was sent by Osmo. The photo at right is a modern view of the fountain. A scan of the back of the card is also shown.

It is my hope that Victor Juntunen can shed light on what became of Osmo. Apparently, they stayed in touch for a number of year. Sadly, many Finns that went to Russia became disillusioned and protested. Large numbers were executed. Of course, those that served in WWII were likely among the 20 million Russian soldiers who gave their lives to defeat Germany.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another picture sent by Lila to Marie is shown below. It is a picture postcard dated September 30, 1912. It was sent by Mary Kovanen to Mr. and Mrs. Sam Saviniemi. It is a picture of five young women. The middle one is Mary Elizabeth Kovanen. Mary was born in 1897 to Henry and Sanna Helgren Kovanen. In 1918, she married Walter (Evald) Victor Tuomela (1892–1965). Walter was a Finnish miner who came over in 1913. He and Mary moved to Detroit, where he worked for the auto industry. They retired to Florida. Victor’s parents were John and Marie Tuomela. Mary died in 1965. She and Walter are buried in Pinecrest Cemetery in Lake Worth, Florida.

 

Weldon Scheel’s Orchestra Photos

Weldon Scheel was a very active member of the Austin music scene. He played in quite a number of orchestras. Below are some photographs which chronicle his involvement.

Woody Parker Orchestra

Woody Parker Orchestra, Austin, Texas, ca 1950. L to R: Unknown, Victor “Vic” Williams, unknown (bass), Herb Fields, Barbara Anderson Gloria Gay “Gogie” Parker (singer), Weldon Scheel on piano. William Woodrow “Woody” Parker (1914–?) was sales manager at J. R. Reed Music Store. (wives: Lucile (divorced) and Gloria" Gogie" Anderson Parker, married 1948, divorced in 1975).

Woody Parker Orchestra, Austin, Texas, ca 1950. L to R: Unknown (trombone), unknown, unknown (sax), Woody Parker (drums), Victor “Vic” Williams (sax), Herb Fields (sax), unknown (bass), likely Gloria Anderson “Gogie” Parker (singer-wife of Woody Parker), Weldon Scheel on piano.

Woody Parker Orchestra, Austin, Texas, ca 1950. L to R: Unknown, Woody Parker (drums), Unknown bass, Herb Fields (sax) (see below), Victor “Vic” Williams (clarinet), Gloria Anderson “Gogie” Parker (singer), Weldon Scheel on piano. Vic Williams, picture at right, graduated from Texas Tech and taught band in Austin for many years. He played tenor sax and clarinet in the band. Here is link to more information about Vic, more... (Thanks to Linda Mills for identifying Woody Parker in the photos. Linda’s husband, Donald Mills, was a nephew of Woody Parker.

At left, is a Christmas card received by Scheels from Victor Mannie Williams (1921–2006), Billie Edd Proctor Williams (1927–77), son, Gary Williams (1950–) and daughter, Vicki Williams (1957–).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture below is of sax player seen above in Woody Parker Orchestra. believed to be Herb Fields, who later had his own orchestra that Weldon Scheel played in. They had regular gig at Commodore Perry Hotel. Picture at right of Herb Field from Big Springs Daily Herald, 1944 newspaper. Note the hollow area in the cheek in both pictures as well as hair line and eyebrows.

 

 

Herb Fields, above, (aka Hubert E. Overfield Jr.), was born in Cleveland, OH in 1921. He attended Shaw High School in Cleveland, graduating in 1939. He enlisted in the US Army in January of 1942. He was married to Pauline J. Carson. He earned a masters and a doctorate in education from the University of Texas. He served as a teacher and principal at Robert E. Lee Elementary School in Austin. In addition to his music career, he served as a consultant on innovative teaching programs to the Ford Foundation and the US Office of Education. In 1970, he was appointed Coordinator of the new Joe C. Thompson Conference Center at UT. He died in 1987.

 

 

 

 

Herb Fields, foreground, Unknown (trombone), Unknown (trumpet), Woody Parker, drums.

L to R: Unknown, Unknown, Vic Williams, Unknown, Herb Fields, Woody Parker (drums), Likely Gloria Anderson “Gogie” Parker (wife of Woody Parker), Unknown (bass) .

Don’t know name of orchestra. Singer is Remolo "Joe" Picciandra (1921–2014), also known as Joe the Barber, as he cut hair at the Westgate Building and had a barbershop quartet. Thanks to Jane Ann Parker, daughter of Woody and Gloria Parker, for identifying him. Weldon Scheel on piano in distance, maybe Woody Parker on drums, maybe Vick Williams, third from left on sax.

From the mid-1960s until 1980, Picciandra cut hair across the street from the Capitol. His gregarious nature and penchant for singing while cutting hair endeared him to senators, representatives, governors and even President Lyndon Johnson, who called him out personally to the LBJ Ranch for a trim.

Joe joined the US Navy in 1942 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He proudly served for six years as a machinist mate on the USS Savannah and the USS Vicksburg. The USS Savannah, while on combat, was sailing at Salerno, Italy where it was struck by enemy bombs, putting it out of commission. He was then on the USS Vicksburg, the third ship behind the USS Missouri for the surrender of Japan in 1945. He was awarded eight medals and was honorably discharged on July 26, 1948. He was married to Jessie Mae Guidrey on June 28, 1947 after meeting her, at the USO, where he danced all night with her. Together, they had eight children.

 

Singer below: Gloria Anderson. She married William Woodrow “Woody” Parker. Her professional name was “Gogie.” Information provided by Martha Bernhardt, niece of Woody Parker. Gloria and Woody divorced, but later reunited.

Gloria was born on March 26, 1926, in Dallas, grew up in San Antonio and later in Austin, where she attended Austin High School. Her siblings included Hallowell Anderson, Bill "Bikkie" Anderson, Gilbert "Boy Blue" Anderson, Phyllis Hand and Ann Sampson. Her two children are daughter Jane Ann Parker, and son Gilbert Andrew Parker.

Gloria attended the University of Texas where she studied music. She was an accomplished singer of all types of music from popular dance music, standards, to opera. She and Woody had a dance band, The Woody Parker Orchestra, in Austin during the 1940s and 50s. They performed at the Officer's Club at Bergstrom, The Tower Club, Dessau's, and The Austin Club, to name a few.

In the 1950s, Gloria worked for KTBC, doing radio and television. Lady Bird used to call her "Ms. Audio" because of her beautiful speaking and singing voice.

After having children, she devoted her time to raising them, while also spending time with her trusty foursome at Lion's Municipal Golf Course. Once her children were grown, she returned to singing, where she performed dance music at The Sheraton Crest, again at Dessau, and Lakeway Resort.

Gloria Gay "Gogie" Parker passed away peacefully on January 28, 2016 in Austin, TX. (Some information excerpted from her obituary in the Austin American Statesman.–Mel Oakes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sister of Woody Parker

Josie Leona Parker Mills, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and sister left us for her Heavenly life, Wednesday, August 3rd 2005, 6 weeks before her 94th birthday. Josie Leona Parker Mills was born in Bastrop, Texas on September 17, 1911, to parents Joe Parker and Nola Lowden Parker Witter, who preceded her in death. She lived most of her life in Austin, Texas, until ill health two years ago brought her to Cedar Park, Texas to be near family. Others preceding her were, husband Roger Q. Mills; sisters Cleona Ransdell and Jewel Flythe; brothers Woodrow Parker and Gene Parker; son Gene Mills; daughter Billie Jo Bass; two grandsons Mike Mills and Donald Richard Mills; and one great-granddaughter Christiana Bandeira de Mello. She is survived by her devoted son Donald H. Mills and wife, Linda, and their daughters Lisa (Tommy) Webb, and Gina (Paul) Alvis. Other granddaughters Diane (Dee Dee) Schott, Debbie Bandeira de Mello, and Donna Campbell; grandsons Steve Buck (Janann), Mark Buck (Holly), Matt Buck (Jewell), 21 grandchildren and one great-great grandson. She also has a sister Norma Brannon, four nieces Martha Barnhardt, Wanda Scott, Peggy Manos, and Pat Schultz; four nephews, Thomas (Rusty) Ransdell, Sam Mills, Rodney Mills and Greg Mills; cousins, L.E. Davis and Angie Lee Pollak.

Roger and Josie were married December 24, 1930, and raised three children in Austin. She worked for 17 years at Scarbrough’s Department Store on Congress Avenue. She attended a local Methodist church with her widowed mother until her mother's death at age 103. In 1996, she joined Hillcrest Baptist Church, where she had many wonderful friends and took special bus trips with them. She also sang in the Sonshine Singers Choir. For many years, Josie met with “the girls” for games of “42” and lunch; often they played until the wee hours. Her family was her passion, and she hosted many family gatherings in her home. We would love her famous pies, chicken salad, and enchiladas. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 5, 2005 at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 3838 Steck Ave. Private interment will follow. Special thanks to Dr. Diane Nye, nurse Carolyn, Sagebrook Nursing Center, Odyssey Hospice and The Pointe at Cedar Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials requested to go to the Salvation Army, or to a charity of your choice. Obituary and guestbook available online at wcfish.com

Herb Fields Orchestra

Members: Bobby Noton—drums, Phil Manning—sax and clarinet, Tom Jenkins— trumpet, Herb Fields—organ and piano, Weldon Scheel—organ and piano.

Herb Fields Orchestra

Left to Right: Weldon Scheel, Tom Jenkins, Bobby Noton, Phil Manning, Herb Fields.

Left to Right: Weldon Scheel, Tom Jenkins. At right, is a picture of Tom and his son Matthew, also a trumpet player. Tom served in the 1960s as Assistant Dean of Students at University of Texas at Austin. More about Tom can be found at TomJenkinsMusic.com

 

 

 

 

Dal Farris—guitar, Phil Manning—sax & clarinet, Bobby Noton—drums, Herb Fields—organ & piano.

L to R: Dal Farris—guitar, Dick Goodwin, unknown, Phil Manning, Herb Fields and Weldon Scheel. Gordon "Dick" Goodwin received his doctorate in composition from the University of Texas at Austin. He was a professor of music at the University of South Carolina. He played trumpet, piano and flugelhorn. He was a member of the Goodwin Quintet along with Frank Thornton, David Sloan, Jim Hall and Jim Mings. Goodwin and Sloan were instrumental in initiating the jazz program at the University of Texas at Austin. Sloan, a bass player, served as chair of the music department at the University of Texas at the Permian Basin.

Maybe Barbara Robinson, Marie Scheel, Unknown, Mrs. Phil Manning, Phil Manning, Unknown.

Herb Fields, Weldon “Dutch” Scheel, LaFalco “Corky” Robinson, Unknown, maybe Barbara Frances Tramel Robinson

Album released by Herb Fields Orchestra in 1966.