Ernest “Dale” Beerbower, a longtime East Grays Harbor resident, passed away Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Morton at the age of 90. Dale was born on Aug. 20, 1929, in Garland, Kansas, to Ernie and Mattie Beerbower and moved to Washington at the age of 12.

He attended and was graduated from Elma High School in 1949. Dale went on to serve his country during the Korean Conflict as part of the U.S. Army Fifth Engineers Combat Battalion stationed in Germany. Upon returning home, he married Mary Louise Boyer on 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. Dale helped build and was a charter volunteer fireman for the Porter Fire Department. He also lived on and operated a farm in Porter.

Dale had varied interests; forestry, farming, carpentry, playing pinochle, 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 and uncle. He lived by his word and never turned away from a hard job. Dale had a contagious smile. He was a long-time Seattle Mariners fan and he could tell you what would happen next in the scenes of western movies.

Dale was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Mary “Ba,” his 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, Marissa and Mike DeLamatter; ten great-grandchildren; a sister, Edith Soller; a brother, Bob, numerous nephews and nieces and special companion of 12 years, Pat Siesser.

A viewing will be available on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Coleman Mortuary, 422 5th Street in Hoquiam.

A celebration of life will be held at the Summit Pacific Wellness Center’s Ortquist Room starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. 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 at 122 Porter Creek Road, Elma, WA 98541.

Arrangements are entrusted to Coleman Mortuary, 422 5th Street in Hoquiam.

Please take a few moments of your time to record your comments for the family by signing the online register at www.colemanmortuary.net.