May 11, 2017 at 6:02 p.m.
Imel honored with an ovation
The community bid farewell with a standing ovation.
As the last notes of a virtuoso marimba performance of “After You’ve Gone” faded away, spontaneous applause began among those present in the pews at First Presbyterian Church.
Seconds later, everyone in attendance was standing and putting their hands together for the man who had made the recording, Portland favorite son Jack Imel, who died last week at his home in California at age 84.
Wednesday’s service was marked by tears and laughter but mostly by music, including two recorded performances by Imel, who performed for millions weekly on The Lawrence Welk Show on television from the 1950s to the 1980s.
“Jack now dances in the presence of our Lord,” said the Rev. Stan Gockel. “He brought joy to millions. … You couldn’t meet Jack and not be touched.”
From the Great American songbook to Beethoven to an old Shaker tune, music was the theme connecting the Imel services.
Arts Place executive director Eric Rogers played a series of standards that were regular fare on the Welk show on the piano before the service, songs like “Just the Way You Look Tonight,” “Misty,” “The Tennessee Waltz,” “Moonlight in Vermont” and “Stardust.”
“Lord Jesus is in this very room,” sang the Lennon Sisters, via a recording.
Jennings Imel, a grandson, read a poem by the late Max Rathbun about Jack Imel and his ties to Portland.
“He had such natural talent, there were few things he couldn’t do,” Rathbun wrote. “Although he traveled everywhere, he still called Portland home.”
“He was all about Indiana,” said his son Tim. “He was all about Jay County.”
Then it was time for Imel to take the stage at his own funeral with a recording of his signature piece “Old Bones,” singing as he played the spoons.
“I love life,” he sang. “I’d like to do it again. I’d like to do it again.”
Imel is survived by his wife Norma Jean (Denney) Imel, two sons, two daughters, 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Burial was in Green Park Cemetery with military rites performed by the honor guard of American Legion Post 211.
Williamson and Spencer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
As the last notes of a virtuoso marimba performance of “After You’ve Gone” faded away, spontaneous applause began among those present in the pews at First Presbyterian Church.
Seconds later, everyone in attendance was standing and putting their hands together for the man who had made the recording, Portland favorite son Jack Imel, who died last week at his home in California at age 84.
Wednesday’s service was marked by tears and laughter but mostly by music, including two recorded performances by Imel, who performed for millions weekly on The Lawrence Welk Show on television from the 1950s to the 1980s.
“Jack now dances in the presence of our Lord,” said the Rev. Stan Gockel. “He brought joy to millions. … You couldn’t meet Jack and not be touched.”
From the Great American songbook to Beethoven to an old Shaker tune, music was the theme connecting the Imel services.
Arts Place executive director Eric Rogers played a series of standards that were regular fare on the Welk show on the piano before the service, songs like “Just the Way You Look Tonight,” “Misty,” “The Tennessee Waltz,” “Moonlight in Vermont” and “Stardust.”
“Lord Jesus is in this very room,” sang the Lennon Sisters, via a recording.
Jennings Imel, a grandson, read a poem by the late Max Rathbun about Jack Imel and his ties to Portland.
“He had such natural talent, there were few things he couldn’t do,” Rathbun wrote. “Although he traveled everywhere, he still called Portland home.”
“He was all about Indiana,” said his son Tim. “He was all about Jay County.”
Then it was time for Imel to take the stage at his own funeral with a recording of his signature piece “Old Bones,” singing as he played the spoons.
“I love life,” he sang. “I’d like to do it again. I’d like to do it again.”
Imel is survived by his wife Norma Jean (Denney) Imel, two sons, two daughters, 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Burial was in Green Park Cemetery with military rites performed by the honor guard of American Legion Post 211.
Williamson and Spencer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
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