Obituaries for Feb. 24, 2010

By Calvin Hall

The Gresham Outlook, Feb 24, 2010

Robert Walter Geary

Dec. 9, 1938-Feb. 17, 2010

East County resident Robert Walter Geary, 71, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, in Gresham.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 S.E. Mount Scott Blvd., Portland.

Robert was born Dec. 9, 1938, in Anaconda, Mont., to Joseph and Eva (Beausoleil) Geary. He graduated from Anaconda High School in 1957 and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He trained as a rifleman in California. He was honorably discharged on June 30, 1958, with the rank of private first class.

On Dec. 19, 1958, he married Florence Krizan in Anaconda. They had two children and later moved to California. They moved to Oregon in 1969 and resided in East County for 30 years. Florence preceded Robert in death in 1996. Robert married Geraldine Schoen in Portland on Sept. 10, 1999.

Robert was a huge NASCAR fan and spent much of his time watching and cheering for his grandson, B.J., who has been racing since a young age. Robert was proud of his grandson’s accomplishments and admired his dedication as a racecar driver for charity.

Survivors include his wife; son, David Geary of Portland; daughter, Debbi Brown of Vancouver, Wash.; stepdaughters, Kim, Stephanie and Paulette; brothers, William Geary and Charles Geary; son-in-law and caregiver, Brad Brown Sr.; and eight grandchildren.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Oregon Humane Society, P.O. Box 11364, Portland, 97211-0364.

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Elsie Jean Larson

June 11, 1929-Feb. 18, 2010

Gresham resident Elsie Jean Larson, 80, died Thursday, Feb. 18, from cancer at her home.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at East Hill Church in the Youth Center building, 701 N. Main Ave. Interment will be at Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland.

Elsie was born June 11, 1929, in Salem to John and Annabelle Douglas. She graduated from high school in Salem. She resided in the Portland-metro area for the last 49 years.

On March 3, 1949, she married Richard Larson in Salem.

Elsie was an artist and a published author of five fictional novels, one non-fiction devotional and four children’s books, including the “Women of Valor” and the “Bombus the Bumblebee” series.

Elsie received several awards and honors for her work including a 1986 scholarship to the Illinois Wesleyan University Writers Conference, a 1988 win at the Guidepost Writers Workshop, the 1994 Writer of the Year award from Oregon Christian Writers, as well as lifetime membership in 1996 for her service to the organization. In 2001, she was named Writer of the Year at the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference.

Elsie’s interests included painting, drawing and photography.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Floyd Douglas and George Douglas; and by her sisters, Dorothy Kilber, Edith Bates and Lois Waddle.

Survivors include her husband; sons, Robin Larson of Vernonia and Paul Larson of Hillsboro; daughter, Diane Linden of Oregon City; sister, Alice Parker of Albany; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions can be made to Pure Desire Ministries International, P.O. Box 2310, Gresham, 97030.

Cornerstone Funeral Services & Cremation is handling arrangements.

Nick Hessler

Jan. 26, 1954-Feb. 18, 2010

East County resident Nick Hessler, 56, died Thursday, Feb. 18, after a battle with cancer.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Gresham Memorial Chapel, 257 S.E. Roberts Ave., followed by a reception. A gathering will then be held from noon to 5 p.m. at Wrenegade’s Bar & Grill, 1585 N.E. Division St.

Nick was born Jan. 26, 1954, in Sutherlin to Americo and Vivian (Mathers) Nicolazzi. He was raised in Reno, Nev., and in Placerville, Calif., where he began his career as a plumber.

On Sept. 14, 1985, he married Ginger Roediger in Reno. They moved to Oregon in 1987.

Nick was a plumber for more than 30 years and was a member of Local 290. He worked for Dial One West Coast Plumbing, Interstate Mechanical and Portland Mechanical. Nick owned and operated Pure Commercial Plumbing since 2008.

Nick enjoyed a good laugh and a cold beer, and he was always there to give a helping hand when needed.

Survivors include his wife; daughters, Nicole Bowles of Boring and Jamie Hessler of Portland; son, Jesse Hessler of Portland; brothers, Walt Jaeger and Tom Jaeger of Sacramento, Calif.; sisters, Cheri Gaudet of Stockton, Calif., Candy Krogh of Citrus Heights, Calif., Cyndi McAleer of Sacramento and Heidi Miller of Sacramento; and two grandchildren.

Gresham Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.

Herb Lehmann

Sept. 27, 1927-Feb. 19, 2010

Troutdale resident Herb Lehmann, 82, died Friday, Feb. 19.

At his request, no services will be held. Private burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Herb was born Sept. 27, 1927, in Portland to Franz and Eugenia (Kechter) Lehmann.

In 1963, he married Lucylle Rugg.

Herb worked as a longshoreman. He enjoyed fishing.

Survivors include his wife; daughter, Cathy Ann Shields of Grand Coulee, Wash.; and stepdaughter, Kathleen Mae Knez of Bouse, Ariz.

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Robert “Bob” Keith Preas

March 30, 1947-Feb. 22, 2010

Troutdale resident Robert “Bob” Keith Preas, 62, died Monday, Feb. 22, in Gresham.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 1, at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 400 S.W. Walters Drive.

Bob was born March 30, 1947, in Walla Walla, Wash., to Robert and Violet (Philpott) Preas. He attended grade school in Milton-Freewater and Pasco High School in Pasco, Wash. He moved to Portland in 1964.

On Sept. 5, 1965, he married Linda Behrent in Weiser, Idaho. They resided in Portland and raised two daughters. They moved to Troutdale in 1994.

Bob worked for Portland Wire and Iron as a welder for 10 years. He became a supervisor and welder for Oregon Iron Works in 1976. He retired in 2000.

Bob had a passion for classic cars and enjoyed restoring them. He was known as a compassionate, loving family man and was always willing to extend a helping hand.

Survivors include his wife; daughters, Carie Dickison of Troutdale and Shelly Preas of Troutdale; sister, Lois Jean Schafer of Milton-Freewater; and four granddaughters.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association, 380 S.E. Spokane St., Suite 110, Portland, 97202.

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Charles “Chuck” Harmon Reaman

Nov. 30, 1946-Feb. 15, 2010

Former Gresham resident Charles “Chuck” Harmon Reaman, 63, died Monday, Feb. 15, in Clackamas.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 5, at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, 520 W. Powell Blvd.

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