Home > United States of America > Washington > Pacific County > Naselle > Peaceful Hill Cemetery > Ben Wirkkala

Ben Wirkkala

Birth	:	23 May 1920 Naselle, Pacific County, Washington, USA
Death	:	27 Apr 2010 Astoria, Clatsop County, Oregon, USA
Burial	:	Peaceful Hill Cemetery, Naselle, Pacific County, USA
Coordinate	:	46.3678017, -123.7994003
Description	:	The Chinook Observer May 4, 2010 BEN WIRKKALA May 23, 1920 - Apr. 27, 2010 NASELLE - Ben Wirkkala, 89, a lifelong resident of Naselle died in Astoria, on April 27, 2010. One of 15 children born to Finnish immigrants Andrew and Hilda (Korpela) Wirkkala, he was born at home in Naselle on May 23, 1920. He grew up on the family farm and attended Naselle grade school. While a teenager he began working in the woods as a fireman on steam donkey engines. The spirit of adventure hit in 1939 and he traveled to Alaska where he worked for a year in fish... Read More	The Chinook Observer May 4, 2010 BEN WIRKKALA May 23, 1920 - Apr. 27, 2010 NASELLE - Ben Wirkkala, 89, a lifelong resident of Naselle died in Astoria, on April 27, 2010. One of 15 children born to Finnish immigrants Andrew and Hilda (Korpela) Wirkkala, he was born at home in Naselle on May 23, 1920. He grew up on the family farm and attended Naselle grade school. While a teenager he began working in the woods as a fireman on steam donkey engines. The spirit of adventure hit in 1939 and he traveled to Alaska where he worked for a year in fish canneries. He took a coastal steamer to San Francisco, returning to Naselle, where he resided the rest of his life. He and INEZ JOHNSON were married in Naselle on Aug. 8, 1941. He worked in the woods for Johnson Brothers previous to he and his brothers forming Wirkkala Brothers Logging. The company logged in Naselle, Deep River and Grays River before selling to Weyerhaeuser Timber in 1955. Mr. Wirkkala, along with his brothers and some neighbors formed the South Fork Water Company, the first community water system in Naselle. With his logging days behind him, he began a new a career in oil exploration and leasing in Texas and South Dakota. He obtained his private pilot's license and flew his plane from Wirkkala Airport in Naselle. He and several partners also owned the Oregon Motor Hotel in The Dalles, Ore., for a number of years. He was one of the developers of Western Wahkiakum Telephone of Rosburg, where he was serving as board member and treasurer and was proud of his record of having never missed a board meeting. A man of strong Christian faith, he was a lifelong member of the Assembly of God Church in Naselle and served in various capacities. He also served as a trustee of Northwest Bible College in Seattle in years past. A man of many abilities, he took particular pride in his mechanical and machinist skills. He literally could make any machine part from scratch and held several patents for logging, boating and aviation parts. He was an avid reader, fisherman, hunter and a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. No matter the circumstance, he was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was one of the last remaining members of the greater Naselle community who was well versed in the traditions and history of the area. Besides his wife of nearly 69 years, survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Cathy and Rick Verbarendse of Shelton and Sharman and Rick Horvath of Meridian, Idaho; his sons and daughters-in-law, Russell and Sirkka Wirkkala of Naselle and Wally and Maria Wirkkala of Naselle; his grandsons and their spouses, Regan (Sara) Wirkkala, Tim Wirkkala, Lamar (Rebekkah) Wirkkala, Ryan (Erin) Wirkkala, Guy (Jenny) Wirkkala, Lee (Rachelle) Verbarendse, Greg (Towhee) Verbarendse, Dale Verbarendse and Michael Horvath; his great-grandchildren, Hannah Wirkkala and Nathaniel Verbarendse; a brother, Hannes Wirkkala of Vancouver; two sisters, Eva Pellervo of Naselle and Aimee Carathers of Vancouver; and numerous others members of his extended family. He was preceded in death by a son Jimmy; his sister Elizabeth Lindholm; and brothers Arne, Oiva, Howard, Edwin, Lauri, Albert, Martin, Paul, Fred and Urho Wirkkala. A funeral service was held on Saturday, May 1 at the Assembly of God Church in Naselle with concluding graveside services followed by a reception held at the church. Memorials may be made to either the Naselle Assembly of God Church or The Gideons in care of Penttila's Chapel, P.O. Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. His guest book is available at (www.penttilaschapel.com).

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Ben Wirkkala's memorial?
Ben Wirkkala's memorial is located at: Peaceful Hill Cemetery, Naselle, Pacific County, USA.
When did Ben Wirkkala death?
Ben Wirkkala death on 27 Apr 2010 in Astoria, Clatsop County, Oregon, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Ben Wirkkala's memorial?
Latitude: 46.3678017
Longitude: -123.7994003

Family Members:

Parent

Andrew Kusti Wirkkala

(1879 - 1944)

Hilda Marie Korpela Wirkkala

(1883 - 1967)

Spouse

Inez Marie Johnson Wirkkala

(1924 - 2013)

Siblings

Arnie Andrew Wirkkala

(1904 - 1928)

Oiva Carl Wirkkala

(1906 - 1993)

Edwin Anselm Wirkala

(1909 - 1988)

Lauri Bernard Wirkkala

(1910 - 1990)

Albert Raphael Wirkkala

(1911 - 1999)

Hannes H. Wirkkala

(1913 - 2011)

Martin Sydney Octavus Wirkkala

(1915 - 1988)

Frederick “Fred” Wirkkala

(1919 - 1989)

Urho Matthew Wirkkala

(1923 - 2007)

Eva Wirkkala Pellervo

(1925 - 2015)

Children

James D. Wirkkala

(1947 - 1991)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

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Wahkiakum County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3578630, -123.7178340

2. Salmon Creek Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.3634000, -123.7164000

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6. Grays River Old Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.3210130, -123.6440080

7. Grays River Grange Cemetery
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8. Eden Valley Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.3018270, -123.6254030

9. Lone Fir Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.3622017, -124.0175018

10. Ilwaco Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.3180008, -124.0227966

11. Briscoe Family Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.3867690, -124.0541310

12. Astoria Pioneer Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.1819000, -123.8264008

13. Fort Stevens National Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.1949997, -123.9597015

14. Ocean Park Cemetery
Ocean Park, Pacific County, USA
Coordinate: 46.4903970, -124.0427580

15. Greenwood Cemetery
Astoria, Clatsop County, USA
Coordinate: 46.1371994, -123.8028030

16. Warrenton Pauper Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.1572266, -123.9399033

17. Forest Hill Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.1591988, -123.6472015

18. Ocean View Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.1519800, -123.9372400

19. Oysterville Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.5478670, -124.0337350

20. Knappa Prairie Cemetery
Knappa, Clatsop County, USA
Coordinate: 46.1741982, -123.5824966

21. Bay Center Cemetery
Bay Center, Pacific County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5986490, -123.9355650

22. Fern Hill Cemetery
Skamokawa, Wahkiakum County, USA
Coordinate: 46.2891998, -123.4552994

23. Maple Hill Cemetery
Lebam, Pacific County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5653150, -123.5671480

24. Maplewood Cemetery
Clatsop County, USA
Coordinate: 46.1775017, -123.5519028