Elmer Eichler
March 10, 1937-April 3, 2013
Gresham resident Elmer Eichler died Wednesday, April 3. He was 76.
Visitation will be held from noon-1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, at Gresham Memorial Chapel, followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. Private interment will be at Willamette National Cemetery.
Elmer was born March 10, 1937, in Portland to Henry and Pauline (Albert) Eichler. He was raised and educated in Portland, graduating from Jefferson High School.
He served in the United States Army as a teletype operator stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. After his honorable discharge in 1962, Elmer worked for Coats and Clarks as a shipping and receiving clerk.
Elmer is survived by his sister, Florence Smith of Gresham; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gresham Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. The family suggests contributions to the American Heart Association.
Robert J. Rossmiller
Sept. 30, 1924-April 5, 2013
Troutdale resident Robert J. Rossmiller died Friday, April 5. He was 88.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 13, at St. Henry Catholic Church, 346 N.W. First St., Gresham. Military Honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 15, at Willamette National Cemetery.
Robert was born Sept. 30, 1924, in Pomona, Calif., to Joseph and Helen (Schmelze) Rossmiller. He enlisted in the Navy March 1943 and served during World War II. While in the service, he met and married Yvetta Laughlin. Robert worked as an aerospace machinist.
He was preceded in death by his sister and a daughter. Robert is survived by his wife, Yvetta; sons, Joe Rossmiller and Michael Rossmiller; daughter, Roberta Cockeram; sisters, Mary Figlioli and Janet Millsap; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Gresham Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.
Benjamin H. Thomas
March 19, 1924-April 1, 2013
Gresham resident Benjamin H. Thomas died Monday, April 1. He was 89.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, April 12, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 1015 S.E. 182nd Ave., Portland. Private interment will be at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery.
Benjamin was born March 19, 1924, in Lebanon, Ky., to Benjamin and Anna Louise (Wathan) Thomas.
In 1942, Ben married Margaret Bible in Walla Walla, Wash. In 1943 he enlisted with the United States Army, participating in the Normandy invasion. Ben was honorably discharged in 1946.
He worked for 39 years as a pressman in the advertising department for The Oregonian, retiring in 1989.
Margaret died in 1981. In 1984, Ben married Vivian Boggan, who died in 2006.
Ben is survived by his daughters, Sherrel Thomas and Paulette Fisher; sisters, Eleanore Rickle and Molly Thorten; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Gresham Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.
Julian F. Gildersleeve
Feb. 12, 1991-April 2, 2013
Former Gresham resident Julian F. Gildersleeve died Tuesday, April 2, in Salem. He was 22.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, April 12, at Gresham Memorial Chapel, 257 S.E. Roberts Ave., Gresham.
Julian was born Feb. 12, 1991, in Portland to Jon Gildersleeve and Katherine Melo. He was raised in the Portland and Gresham areas, attending Pathways High School in Gresham.
Julian loved his furbies, music and movies. He enjoyed shopping, walking and biking.
He is survived by his mother and father; brother, Lucas Sipe; grandparents, Richard Richard Sandra Melo; and an aunt, uncles and cousins.
Gresham Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.
Emilie Jo Jackson
June 29, 1943-April 2, 2013
East County resident Emilie Jo Jackson died Tuesday, April 2, in Portland. She was 69.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Gresham United Methodist Church, 620 N.W. Eighth St.
Emilie was born June 29, 1943, in Moline, Ill., to Donald and Eula (Diamond) Jackson.
Emilie attended public schools in Rock Island, Ill., and graduated from Augustane College. She was a member of the Black Hawk Hiking Club and a volunteer at a childrens museum.
In Oregon, Emilie was a member of Gresham United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband, John Andersen; sister, Susan Jackson; her brother-in-law; and a niece and nephew.
Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling arrangements.