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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 2017)
12 obituaries/classified ads september7 2017 In Memory of... Ralph Edwin Keasey Ralph E. Keasey, 89, a lifelong resident of the Ver- nonia community, died August 19, 2017, at the Bonaventure of Tigard Assisted Living Center, following an extended illness. A private family gathering will be held. Ralph Edwin Keasey was born February 29, 1928, in Vernonia, Oregon, to Theodore and Hilda (Tucker) Keasey. His great grandfather, Eden Ke- asey, settled five miles up Rock Creek from Vernonia in 1888. The Keasey homestead is a des- ignated Century Farm with the present two story home added on to the original cabin in 1896. Ralph received his education for the first three years at the one-room Rock Creek School near the family home. He com- pleted his studies in Vernonia and graduated from Vernonia High School in 1946. Already known in high school for his intelligence and quiet manner, Ralph was elect- ed student body president his senior year. He led the Student Council project to purchase the school’s first public address system. He also participated in the Glee Club and school athletics. The 1946 Memolog yearbook noted that he was a two year letterman in foot- ball, managed the noon-hour championship basketball team, was a member of the school’s winning three mile relay team in track competitions, and a “great miler.” He attended Oregon State University where he re- ceived a Bachelor of Science degree in geology which re- mained a lifelong interest. In 1951 he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean conflict and served in 44 th Engineering Construction Battalion for two years in Ko- rea and Japan. He was honor- ably discharged at the rank of Sergeant in 1952 and received the Korean Service Medal, two Bronze Service Stars and the United Nations Service Medal. Returning to Verno- nia, he worked at the chainsaw shop started by his father until 1960 when he became the sole proprietor. He earned a second Bachelor of Science Degree in 1958 from Oregon State in Agriculture and Husbandry. Ralph taught small engine re- pair and forestry for a few years at Vernonia High School. After selling the saw shop in 1975, he became a paid employee of the Keasey Family Corporation and managed its several hun- A Trusted Name in Funeral Service Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral Home & Crematory 2308 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove 503-357-2161 741 Madison Ave., Vernonia 503-429-6611 Jeff & Kathryn Hoyt Family Owned & Operated Formerly Prickett’s Mortuary Forest Grove Memorial Chapel 503-357-3126 To sign the online guest book or to send a condolence to the family go to www.fuitenrosehoyt.com Angel Memorials Headstones Granite Markers & Monuments 971-344-3110 Locally owned in Vernonia Serving NW Oregon All Cemeteries Accepted Order drawing at no charge online www.angelmemorialsheadstones.com dred acres of forest land. He married Carolyn June Zinn on December 19, 1964, in the Vernonia First Christian Church. Carolyn preceded him in death on Octo- ber 12, 2013, after celebrating forty-eight years of marriage. Both were involved in many community activities and were honored as Citizens of the Year at the 1997 Vernonia Friend- ship Jamboree. Ralph was a member of the Vernonia Lions Club and served on the Vernonia Memorial Cemetery Beautifi- cation Committee, the Verno- nia Health Center Board, and the Vernonia Pioneer Museum Board for many years. His knowledge of local history made him a valued docent at the museum. He and Carolyn were instrumental in the con- struction of the new Vernonia Health Center that was named the Carolyn Keasey Memorial Building in her honor. Even after his retire- ment, Ralph continued to enjoy working on the Keasey Fam- ily Farm. A great pride was the thousands of seedlings he planted, creating a forest leg- acy for generations to come. The Keasey Family Corpora- tion was awarded the Colum- bia County Small Woodlands Association Tree Farmer of the Year in 1992. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, two broth- ers, two sisters, a granddaugh- ter, a son-in-law, and most re- cently, his daughter, Mary Ke- asey-Marguth, in 2016. Survi- vors include his four children: Marcie (Rick) Keasey-Gwin of Vernonia, Tim (Sandy) Con- roy of Vancouver, Washing- ton, Debbie Conroy-Deiner of Donald, Oregon, and Dewey (Ortensia) Conroy of Newberg, Oregon; two sisters, Barbara Memovich of Tigard, Oregon, and Bertha (Glen) Eades of Redmond, Washington. Also surviving are his eight grand- children, their spouses, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. The family suggests that remembrances be made to the Vernonia Pioneer Museum, PO Box 26, Vernonia, Oregon 97064, in his memory. To sign the online guest book or to send a condolence to the family, please go to www. fuitenrosehoyt.com. Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral Home in Vernonia is entrusted with the arrangements. Lucille Mary Titus In Loving Memory of Lucille Mary Titus Born: January 15, 1940 Died: August 13, 2017 Married: February 6, 1956 to William (Bill) George Titus, Jr. (Later Divorced) Employment: Worked at Tex- tronics for 42 years. Lucille was an avid reader who loved flowers. Children: Linda Naeve (Husband, Shawn), Vernonia, Oregon Cathy Warner, Wrangell, Alaska Richard Titus, Vernonia, Oregon Daniel Titus, (Wife, Jana), Ver- nonia, Oregon 13 Grandchildren (2 preceded death) 6 Great Grandchildren FOR SALE Player Piano for Sale. Comes with 100 rolls of songs. Make offer. Call Jack (503) 528-4904 Property for Sale by Owner - 60x100 lot, no flood. (503) 429-4091 SERVICES FREE RESUME or RESUME RE- VIEW. No matter your age a good re- sume is essential. I will draft an original for your editing & final copy or review what you’re currently using. Yes, FOR FREE. “1st Come Basis” contact me via email with the word RESUME in the subject line. you_nique81@yahoo. com Remember: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. HELP WANTED Clear Tansey Plant from Pasture $18 per hour. (503) 739-3500 9-1-1 COMMUNICATIONS SPECIAL- IST Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District (C911CD) is conducting a hiring process for full-time 9-1-1 Dis- patchers (Communications Specialist) to join our training program as limited training slots become available. Log on to www.columbia911.com and click on ‘Careers’. For any questions call (503) 366- 6976. Vernonia’s Voice is published on the 1st and 3rd Thursday. Look for our next issue out September 21.
