Edward Frank Pemerl, 95, passed away, April 18, at Prestige Post-Acute and Rehab Center, in Centralia, Wash.
Ed was born April 28, 1922, in Three Hills, Alberta Canada to Louis and Katherine Pemerl. The family moved to Chehalis, when he was two years old. He graduated from Chehalis High School and worked at Boeing in Seattle, until he met and married, Jean Kieszling, on June 17, 1944. They celebrated 62 years together until she passed away in 2006.
Ed owned and operated Pemerl’s Shoe Repair, in Chehalis, for 31 years. He was a dedicated and hard-working Chehalis citizen, who spent his life serving his community. In 1986, he helped establish the Port of Chehalis, was elected as one of three first Port of Chehalis commissioners and served in that capacity, for 13 years. He received the Washington Public Ports Association’s Outstanding Service to the Industry Award, in 2000, the highest honor available for a port commissioner. Upon his retirement from the Port, he was recognized by the Chehalis City Council, the Lewis County Commission, and Port of Chehalis, as the ‘Founding Father’ of the Port of Chehalis.
Ed enjoyed volunteering in numerous capacities in the community. He was a past president of the Chehalis Chamber of Commerce, past Grand Knight of The Knights of Columbus, past president and charter member of Twin Cities Sertoma and an usher at St. Joseph Catholic Church for over 50 years. He served as one of the first directors of the Chehalis Industrial Commission and received the Volunteer of the Year award from United Way of Lewis County. He assisted at the Chehalis Food Bank for several years and was an active supporter of Walk N Knock. Ed was an active member of the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Association and traveled to Mineral for 2½ years to work on the restoration of Engine 15.
Traveling, bowling, camping and fixing anything new or old to make it better for himself and his friends, were a few of his favorite pastimes. At age 85, he restored his 1937 Model A pickup. His most cherished times were spent with his family and friends laughing and telling stories.
Ed is survived by children, Dan (Karen) Pemerl of Richland, WA, Neil (Betty) Pemerl of Chehalis, and Mary Kay (Glen) Nelson of Chehalis. Ed will be fondly remembered by his five grandchildren, Jana (John) Samuelson, Amy (Eric) Myhre, Annalee (Carl) Tobey, Julie (Jeremy) Gray and Bonnie (Dale Chang) Nelson, and his 11 great-grandchildren; Andrew, Matt, Jason, Audrie, Brayden, Katie, Megan, Luke and Lyla.
Ed was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jean, his parents, and siblings; Louis Pemerl Jr., Fred Pemerl, Katie Henricksen and Anne Laurenson.
The family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Cooke and his staff, the staff and friends at Woodland Village, where he lived and enjoyed his home for ten years, and the staff at Prestige Post-Acute and Rehab Center, in Centralia, where they kept him comfortable until the end of his life.
A viewing is scheduled for Wednesday, April 25th, from 4-7p.m., at Sticklin Funeral Chapel (1437 South Gold St. Centralia). The Rosary will be recited at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Chehalis, at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, April 26, Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will be held at Claquato Cemetery following Mass. A reception will be held at Riverside Golf Club, at 1451 NW Airport Way, in Chehalis, following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 157 SW 6th St. Chehalis, WA 98532 and the Chehalis Community Renaissance Team, P.O. Box 191, Chehalis, WA 98532.
