With the death last week of Flo Arbeiter, Corvallis has lost a community member who will be fondly remembered by many for her joyful outlook on life, and the joy she brought to others with her music and her smile.

“She just radiated happiness,” recalled Cynthia Mars, who was employed at DeMoss Durdan Funeral Home when Arbeiter was “the preferred vocalist” for services.

“Flo was an icon,” Mars said. “She was full of life and full of joy.”

Known as the “Singing Checker” during her 25-year career at Albertson’s, it seems Arbeiter provided entertainment and cheer to audiences both impromptu and conventional on an almost constant basis.

Long-time Albertson’s shopper Janet Lystra remembers the effect Arbeiter’s “unbelievable” personality could have on her customers.

“You never saw her down,” Lystra said. “When you went in there, you could be in your own place in your mind, and you’d look at her and she’d kind of snap you out of it.”

Arbeiter’s soprano voice, often lifted in an extemporized litany composed of the grocery items and prices she checked, “had a unique tone to it,” Lystra added. “And she wasn’t quiet!

“She loved what she did and she loved people.”

In turn, Arbeiter was “well loved,” Debbie Turner, her co-worker at Albertson’s, said. Turner remembers the lines of customers who “stood and waited” to come through Arbeiter’s checkout.

“She had a charismatic personality that just drew people to her,” Turner said, recalling how Arbeiter would stop checkout traffic to inspect her customers’ egg cartons for breakage.

Although her customers were saddened by Arbeiter’s retirement in 1986, Turner said, it was time for the singing checker to dedicate her life to the many activities and performances she loved.

Arbeiter’s singing partner for many years was Mitch Hider of Monroe, well known for his expertise in whistling. The two met in 1978 when they were both on the program at a Corvallis Women’s Club event.

“I immediately liked her,” Hider, 67, said. “With her wonderful sparkling personality, her voice, and her sense of humor, we just clicked right away.”

Hider and Arbeiter sang duets in harmony, in the style of film stars Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, with “Indian Love Call” among their favorite numbers.

The pair performed for more than 20 years in countless programs for “practically every organization” locally, including retirement communities, churches, service groups, the State Fair and smaller fairs, OSU, and they were regulars in the Valley Vaudeville and the Red Stocking revues.

At the height of their partnership, Hider said they probably performed “more than a couple of times a week.”

“I had a wonderful time singing with Flo,” Hider said. “She had a beautiful voice.”

“She was delight,” said Barbara Manbeck, director of the O.K. Chorale, one of the last groups Arbeiter sang with. Her fellow singers “felt bad” when Arbeiter withdrew from the group two years ago because of health problems.

“Flo loved to sing, and she always sang with a smile,” Manbeck said.

At a glance

Florence Loretta Arbeiter died Nov. 30. She retired in 1986 from her Albertson’s checking job, where she was known as “The Singing Checker,” and was active in local musical groups, such as the O.K. Chorale, St. Mary’s Traditional Choir and the Corvallis One and Only Recycling Band. Arbeiter sang the national anthem three times for Portland Trail Blazer games and man times for American Legion baseball games and Oregon State University games.

A memorial service for Arbeiter will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at St. Mary’s.