Shirley Ann (Koppenhafer) Dyal, 84, went to be with Jesus on November 30.
She was born into the family of Frederick Koppenhafer and Ida Ellen Carver, on April 25, 1936 in Cortez, Colorado, the 10th of 11 children. When Shirley was 10, the family moved to Scappoose for 1 year and then to Parkdale for 2 years. The family then moved to Sandy, Oregon where Shirley attended Sandy Union High School graduating in 1954.
In August 1954, she enlisted in the Army as a Medical Specialist and attained the rank of PFC before being Honorably Discharged in January 1956. While Shirley was home on leave from the Army in September 1955, she met Ned Dyal, while visiting with his younger sister, Millie. Ten days later the two were married on September 18, 1955 at Sandy Baptist Chapel. They were married 62 years before his death on Feb 25, 2018.
The couple moved to Ft. Benning, GA so that Shirley could complete her military assignment. After her discharge from the Army, they lived a short time in Sandy before moving to Springfield, OR where Ned would attend the University of Oregon. While living in Springfield, Shirley’s niece and nephew, Rose Marie and Emmett Gibson, came to live with them. It was in Springfield that Shirley gave birth to the couple’s two children, Richard and Barbara. After Ned’s graduation, they moved to Astoria. Ned and Shirley returned to the Sandy area in 1963 where Ned opened a private CPA office, which he operated until his retirement in the mid-eighties. Shirley worked with him in his office during the tax season.
Shirley opened an antique shop called Collector’s Cottage in 1977. Collecting antiques was a passion that both she and her husband, Ned shared. They enjoyed operating the shop together for many years.
Shirley was very involved in the Sandy community. She was a founding member of the Sandy Garden Club and had been honored for her work at beautifying the City of Sandy. She started the Gresham Chapter of Christian Women’s Club and then the Sandy and Estacada Clubs as well. She was a member of the Glass Club. She was also active helping in the Kiwanis Club while her husband was alive.
She was a member of Sandy Baptist Chapel for many years before changing to Gresham First Baptist Church where she attended for over 40 years. She loved serving and you could usually find her in the church kitchen preparing meals for special events and Prime Timers or getting the Fellowship time ready for Sunday morning. She enjoyed Bible Study and was a part of the Dorcas Circle, sewing quilts and clothing for the ministry.
Shirley enjoyed many activities. She loved to quilt, crochet, sew, garden and cook. She loved to plant a big garden and canned all sorts of fruits, vegetables and meats. She also participated in Ned’s hunting adventures and became a hunter herself. She enjoyed landscaping and working in the yard.
Shirley is survived by her kids; her son Richard Dyal (Janelle) of Sandy and her daughter Barbara Davenport (Joe) of Vancouver, WA. She has five grandkids, Matthew Dyal (Brooke), Tressa Nicholls (Jason), Winston Davenport (Abbey), and Spencer Davenport. Laura Dyal Silva preceded her in death. She also has seven Great-Grandchildren, Logan, Carson, Brandon, Jordan, Olivia, Benjamin and Zachary. She has two remaining siblings Alvin (Elsie) Koppenhafer, Sandy OR and Fritz Koppenhafer, Madras OR.
Her burial will be held at Willamette National Cemetery on Tuesday, December 15. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Shirley would have wanted any contributions to be given to the Youth Group at First Baptist Church of Gresham.