National Clothesline

Cleo H. Stephenson, founder of New Era Cleaners in Tacoma, WA, died May 27. He was 92 years old

He started New Era Cleaners in 1930 and owned and managed it for 30 years until 1960 when he sold the business to Jack Andersen, who still operates the business today.

In 1960, he began a new venture known as New Era Equipment Co., a distributor of drycleaning and laundry equipment throughout the Northwest.

In 1986 health concerns forced his retirement but he kept an active hand in the business until 1998 when the business was sold.

He took pride in the fact that he never missed a convention and the opportunity to meet others in the business and prided himself on the contacts he made and the friendships he built with them.

Mr. Stephenson is survived by his son, Norman, and his wife Deloris, his daughter, Janet and her husband, LeRoy Hart; eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren, all who knew him as “Papa.”

Murray B. Dessel, cofounder of Des-L Industries, died last month at Beth Israel Hospital Medical Center in Newark, NJ,

He started as a drycleaner, founding the Dessel Dry Cleaners in Irvington, NJ, in 1953, and later opening a tuxedo rental shop and bridal shop.

In 1960 he cofounded Des-L Packaging, which later became Des-L Industries. He was president and its chief executive officer until his death. Des-L Industries sells drycleaning packaging nationally and worldwide.

An Army veteran of World War II, he served as a signal corp operator in the European theater and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He was also a talented musician who played the clarinet and saxophone with the Army band. After the war, he toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Mr. Dessel is survived by his wife, Pauline, two daughters Cynthia and Lori, and a sister, Elaine Tiss.