Ernest “Dale” Beerbower, 90, a longtime east Grays Harbor resident, passed away Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Morton, Wash. He was born Aug. 20, 1929, in Garland, Kan., to Ernie and Mattie Beerbower and moved to Washington at the age of 12.
Dale attended and graduated from Elma High School in 1949, and went on to serve his country during the Korean Conflict as part of the United States Army Fifth Engineers Combat Battalion stationed in Germany. Upon returning home, he married Mary Louise Boyer Aug. 8, 1953.
Dale first started as a carpenter’s apprentice before being hired to work at the Simpson Mill in McCleary, working the majority of his 42 years in the plywood plant. He helped build and was a charter volunteer fireman for the Porter Fire Department. Dale also lived on and operated a farm in Porter.
He had varied interests, such as forestry, farming, carpentry, playing pinochle and listening and dancing to country music. Throughout his life he was dedicated to his family, either as a son, son-in-law, brother, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather or uncle. Dale lived by his word and never turned away from a hard job. He had a contagious smile. Dale was a longtime Seattle Mariners fan and he could tell you what would happen next in the scenes of western movies.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Mary “Ba”; parents; and a sister, Lucille.
Dale is survived by his two children and their spouses, Jim and Cathy Beerbower of Porter and Debbie and John Hill of Shelton; six grandchildren, Jenny and Jeff Monroe, Brad and Tessa Beerbower, Brian and Julia Beerbower, Jonathan and Katie Hill, Eric and Ruby Hill and Marissa and Mike DeLaMatter; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Edith Soller; brother, Bob; numerous nephews and nieces; and special companion of 12 years, Pat Siesser.
A viewing will be available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, at the Coleman Mortuary, 422 5th St., Hoquiam, WA 98550. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, at the Summit Pacific Wellness Center’s Ortquist Room. A potluck social gathering will immediately follow the celebration of life. A private family interment will be conducted at the Elma Masonic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Porter Sunday School, 122 Porter Creek Rd., Elma, WA 98541. Arrangements are entrusted to Coleman Mortuary, 422, 5th St., Hoquiam, WA 98550. Please take a few moments of your time to record your comments for the family by signing the online register at www.colemanmortuary.net.
