Darwin L. Ake
Nov. 10, 1954-Feb. 5, 2013
East County resident Darwin L. Ake died Tuesday, Feb. 5, in Portland. He was 58.
No services are planned at this time.
Darwin was born Nov. 10 1954, in Tulare, Calif, to Russell and Maurine Ake. Darwin began his early years in California, later moving to Oregon and graduating from Klamath Union High School.
Darwin began his career working for Weyerhaeuser Industries in Klamath Falls as an industrial pipe fitter. Darwin married Darlene Miller on April 1, 1996, in South Lake Tahoe.
Most recently, Darwin was employed in the HVAC industry. He enjoyed fishing and camping.
Darwin is survived by his wife; children, Brandon Ake, Hannah Williams, Chris Miller, David Gamble and Jenny Fotland; sister, Patty Chace; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and four nieces.
Gresham Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.
Donald James Eilrich
Aug. 29, 1928-Feb. 8, 2013
Gresham resident Donald James Eilrich died Friday, Feb. 8. He was 84.
No services are planned.
Donald was born Aug. 29, 1928, in Chicago to William and Melva Eilrich. He graduated from West Chicago High School in 1946.
In 1950, Donald enlisted in the United States Navy, serving during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge in 1954, Donald studied accounting at DePaul University.
On May 17, 1958, Donald married Marion Bork in Bensonville, Ill.
Donald worked as an accountant for Address A Graph MultiGraph in California until his retirement in 1991. He and Marion moved to Gresham in 1993.
Donald is survived by his wife; son, Jeffrey Eilrich; daughter, Kristin Eilrich; and two grandchildren.
The family suggests contributions to Greater Gresham Baptist Church or the Alzheimers Association.
Gresham Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.
Delmar Floyd Olson
June 30, 1932-Feb. 6, 2013
East County resident Delmar Floyd Olson died Wednesday, Feb. 6. He was 80.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home. Internment will follow at Willamette National Cemetery.
Delmar was born June 30, 1932, in Seaside to Walter and Viola Olson. He served in the Navy aboard the USS Jupiter during the Korean War.
Upon his returned, he married, Patricia Ann Wilson. Delmar worked at Portland Road and Driveway as a heavy equipment operator, retiring in 1995.
He served as a minor official for the Portland Winterhawks and often could be found working on a project for his children, grandchildren or the backyard critters.
Delmar is survived by his wife; daughters, Diane Riddell and Janet Kilgore; sons, John and Mike Olson; seven grandchildren; and three sisters.
Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Charles Halton Jones
Dec. 29, 1949-Feb. 8, 2013
Former Sandy resident Charles Halton Jones died Friday, Feb. 8, in Rockport, Texas. He was 63.
Charles was born Dec. 29, 1949, in Kalamazoo, Mich., to Clyde and Opal Jones. He graduated from Marysville High School and owned CHJ Construction with his father.
On Sept. 21, 1990, Charles married Kathleen Flory Jones in Boring. He enjoyed woodworking, drawing, raising birds with his wife and painting. Charles also owned a satellite video store.
He was preceded in death by his wife and his brother, James Jones. Charles is survived by his daughter, Misty Sutton-Wilcox; sons, Keith Sutton and Daniel Jones; brothers, Wayne Jones and Major Jones; and sisters, Dorothy Hayden and Julie Baggs.
Charlie Marshall Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Paid obituaries
Lucile Iris (Kummel) De Witte
Dec. 8, 1914- Feb 6, 2013
Lucile Kummel DeWitte passed away peacefully of age-related causes early Wednesday morning, February 6, 2013. She was born Dec. 8, 1914 in Gresham, Oregon, the youngest of four children of Henry and Lena (Hoyer) Kummel. In 1915, her mother entered her in the Most Beautiful Baby contest at the Multnomah County Fair where she won first prize, receiving a blue ribbon. As a young girl, she enjoyed Hoyer family reunions in Castle Rock, WA where her maternal grandparents lived, after having moved from Kansas in 1890. She attended Lynch Grade School and Gresham Union High School, graduating in 1932. The Class of 1932 of GHS continued to have reunions and luncheons regularly until several years ago, which Lucile always helped organize and participate in.
Lucile worked for Meier and Frank Company from 1933-1950, starting in sales, and working most of her years there as the private secretary to Allen Meier. In 1946, she accompanied Mr. Meiers mother, Mrs. Abe Meier to New York City on the train, where she saw many sights, including the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. A few years ago, she was lucky enough to see the Rockettes perform again when they visited Portland. While at RCMH, she met Irving Berlin and Fatty Arbuckle in an elevator, where she obtained Mr. Berlins autograph. The trip was a highlight of her early years and she had many fond memories of working at Meier and Frank where she made many life-long friends.
In 1949 she married Theodore DeWitte of Gresham and they had one daughter, Carol. After becoming a mother, Lucile retired from M&F and became a dedicated homemaker. She was a devoted mother and enjoyed working with her husband, Ted, on the family farm. She was an avid gardener, the love of gardening learned from her mother. She was married to Ted until his death in 1975. She was a life-long Gresham resident, her parents having settled in the area in 1900. In 1925, her father built a new home on 181st and Powell across the street from the original home that Lucile was born in. She lived in this home for 84 years, until forced to move for health reasons. In recognition of her lengthy life and deep roots in the community, Lucile and her only surviving sister, Mildred, were chosen as Grand Marshals of Greshams 100-Year Celebration Parade in May 2005. Lucile was 90 and Mildred was 94 at the time. It was one of the highlights of their lives.
Lucile was a kind-hearted and giving person who always thought of others before herself, and who always enjoyed being useful to people. She especially loved her family, her home, gardening, and trips to the beach. Although she would have described herself as a homebody, she also enjoyed several trips to Hawaii and one to Europe with her daughter in 1982. She
maintained a large flower and vegetable garden every year until the age of 94 when she had to move to assisted living. When asked the secret to her longevity, she said it was probably good genes, walking one and a half miles to school and back every day, and her mothers homemade oatmeal in the morning. Lucile was a product of the Great Depression from which she learned hard work, frugality, perseverance and the love of a simple life. She lived her entire life in a two square block area until one month ago.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ted; brother, Quinton Kummel; sisters Irene Hendricksen and Mildred Arvidson. She is survived by her loving daughter, Carol Bowles and son-in-law, Bill, of Gresham; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Luciles family wishes to especially thank Lilianas Home Care where Lucile was lovingly cared for as a family member the last month of her life. Lucile will be buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Gresham next to her beloved husband, Theodore DeWitte. Per Luciles request, there will be no funeral service. Remembrances may be made to the Salvation Army or charity of your choice. Arrangements by Gresham Memorial Chapel.
Eleanor Edstrom
October 17, 1923-February 5, 2013
Eleanor leaves behind her sons Wallace Edstrom of Gresham, and Mark Edstrom of Tualatin; daughter Sharon Wattenbarger of Boring; grandchildren Stephen Frame, Kristina Gonier, Daniel Edstrom, and Shanda Edstrom; great-grandson Chance; brother Eugene Standberg and sister Bernice Siebenthal. She was preceded in death by her husband John Edstrom. A memorial service will be held at Willamette National Cemetery on Saturday February 9th at 2:00pm.
Carol Ann (Olson) Gangstad
July 8, 1946 - January 16, 2013
Born in Portland Oregon July 8 1946 to Cora [ Stephenson] and Lloyd Olson. Passed away January 16, 2013, at home in Central Oregon after a short battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Jerry Gangstad, her sister Diana and brother·in law Ross Bates, as well as many nieces, nephews and loving friends.
Carol was a respected senior escrow officer for over 30 years in the Portland and Gresham area. After she and Jerry retired they sold their ranch in Sandy and moved to central Oregon. They traveled to Arizona for the winters joining friends to go four wheeling through the desert. Carol also enjoyed craft and exercise classes at the local club house. They returned home in spring to fish, plant a huge garden, traveled to Portland to visit friends and relatives and the Oregon coast for crabbing. They also made trips to Sacramento to visit Diana, Ross and family.
Carol loved her flowers and garden and animals, plus her many craft projects. She was a beautiful person who made life beautiful for those around her.
Carol will be sorely missed but loved always in our hearts.
There are no services planned. Donations to the American Cancer Society are suggested if you wish.
Robert Lee Bob Parnell
Aug. 10, 1928 - Feb. 4, 2013
Robert Lee Bob Parnell passed away, unexpectedly, at his home on Monday February 4th, 2013.
Bob was born August 10, 1928, in Midwest, Wyoming to Harry and Aleene Parnell. He attended high school in Colorado and Washington graduating in 1946 from Wapato High School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp where he served from 1946 – 1948 spending time aboard the USS Philippine Sea aircraft carrier.
Bob graduated from Central Washington College of Education with a Masters degree in Education. He began his teaching career in Astoria, Oregon at Astor Elementary School, first teaching English and social studies and then becoming principal in 1953. In 1959 he moved to Astoria High School where he was principal until 1966 moving to Gresham High School where he was principal until his retirement in 1985.
During his early career in Astoria, Robert met Ruth Fransen and they were married in 1954. Robert enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and all outdoor activities. Bob was a long term season ticket holder for the Portland Trailblazers. He had a special love for the Oregon Coast maintaining a vacation home in Cannon Beach from the late 1950s until his death. Bob enjoyed spending time with friends and family including his brothers, sister, children and grandchildren. After retirement, Bob became a snow bird traveling each winter from 1985 through 2012 to the Palm Springs area.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Leon, Ivan and Vern, and sister Peggy. Survivors include his wife Ruth, brother Ted Parnell (Pat) of Yakima, WA, sister Shirley Mikkelsen (Ray) of The Dalles, OR, sister-in-law Annette Parnell of Richland, WA, daughter Paula Swift and her husband Rick Swift of Gresham, OR and son Brian Parnell of Federal Way, WA. Also surviving are grandsons Daniel Swift of Gresham, OR and Ryan Swift of Camas, WA.
Celebration of Life
Saturday, February 16, 2013
1:00 p.m.
East Hill Church Youth Center
50 NW 5th
(corner of 5th and Main)
Gresham, OR 97030
Private burial Friday,
February 15, 2013
Willamette National Cemetery
Portland, OR
The family suggests that remembrances may be made to the
Mt. Hood Hospice.
Betty (Agnes) Chaney Schrab
August 25, 1932 - January 21, 2013
Betty Schrab, aka Agnes Chaney Schrab died January 21, 2013. She was 80.
Betty was born on August 25, 1932 to Elvis Leroy Chaney (Pete) and Elizabeth Jane Chaney.
The family moved from Denver, Colorado to Portland, Oregon in 1942. Betty graduated from Commerce (Cleveland) High School in 1950. She was captain of the boys swim team and broke a state swimming record.
She married Harlan Leo Schrab in 1954. They had five children. Her two surviving daughters were Judy Cloo and Darlene Schrab, both of Gresham, OR.
She was able to purchase her home in Gresham in 1971, where she raised her family and has remained since.
She worked at Carnation Milk Company in the mid 1960s and followed her boss to OECO Corp from 1968 until she retired.
She took annual trips to Reno with family and friends for many years. She enjoyed monthly meetings with a group of prior fellow employees. She loved to eat and play at Heidis Restaurant in Gresham. She will be missed by many.