Promoted to Glory

Lt. Colonel Minnie Belle Shennan was promoted to Glory on January 14, 2003 from St. Agnes Memorial Hospital in Fresno, Calif. Born July 24, 1914 in Ontario, Oregon to officer parents, Minnie Belle was a third generation Salvationist.

Entering training from the Long Beach #1, Calif., Corps, Minnie Belle was commissioned as a probationary lieutenant in 1937 from the San Francisco Training College with the Guardian of the Covenant Session. In early appointments she served as assistant in San Jose and Fresno, Calif.

From 1939-1959 Minnie Belle had appointments at THQ as assistant youth director and as territorial guard and corps cadet director. During this time she obtained her B.A in psychology, with honors, from the San Francisco State University and her MSW at UC Berkeley School of Social Work.

In 1959, she was transferred to the Intermoutain Division as divisional young peoples’ secretary. Seventeen months later she was appointed director of the Children’s Facilities in Honolulu, later becoming administrator. While there she developed a residential treatment program for emotionally disturbed teenagers.

She returned to THQ as the youth secretary. In this position, Minnie Belle developed the Salvationist Service Corps, still an important program of the youth department. She was also instrumental in introducing the psychological testing program for prospective officer candidates.

In 1973, Lt. Colonel Shennan was appointed the staff secretary and later the same year, the secretary for personnel. She retired early due to illness in 1977 from her last appointment as territorial secretary for program.

A memorial service was held at the Fresno Citadel Corps with Major James Hood officiating. Messages may be sent to Minnie Belle’s nephews Bill Shennan at 34204 Road 223, Northfork, CA 93643 and Bob Shennan at 3450 Stevely Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808.

In honor of her Native American heritage and her lifelong devotion to youth, Minnie Belle requested that donations be made to the following organizations: St. Labre Indian School, Tongue River Road, Ashland, MT 59003 or St. Joseph’s Indian School, P.O. Box 100, Chamberlain, SD 57325.

Major James Schaal was promoted to Glory January 16, 2003 from his home in Anacortes, Wash., after suffering a sudden massive heart attack.

Born February 15, 1928, Jim was raised in an or-phanage until his adoption at age five by a Christian family in Seattle.

Jim served in both World War II and the Korean War, where he served with distinction as a radio operator on “Pork Chop Hill,” receiving three bronze stars.

In 1949, he married Phyllis Soper, the love of his life. Jim and Phyllis moved to Stockton, Calif. in 1956, and the next year adopted their first son, Randall. They were active in The Salvation Army and soon Jim became youth director at the Stockton Corps.

In 1958 they entered the training college and were commissioned in 1959 with the Pioneer Session. During their first appointment in 1960 at the Marysville Corps, they adopted their second son, Timothy.

Other California corps appointments included Modesto, Richmond, Chico, and Fresno. They also served in Colorado Springs and at the Seattle White Center. In 1977 Jim was appointed to Northwest DHQ as finance trainee, becoming divisional finance secretary the next year. He also held this position in the Intermountain and Hawaii Divisions.

In 1988 the Schaals were appointed to THQ, where Jim served as territorial audit secretary until retirement in 1993. They then settled in Anacortes, Wash.

A memorial service was held at the Anacortes Corps with Lt. Colonel Terry Griffin officiating, assisted by Corps Sergeant Major Bob Bearchell.

Major Schaal leaves behind his wife Phyllis, sons Randy of Hawaii and Tim of San Pedro, Calif., and two grandsons, Jimmy and Brian. Messages may be sent to Mrs. Major Phyllis Schaal, 3306 “K” Ave., Anacortes, WA 98221.