John Paul Niels Sr., 89, Central Park resident, died Saturday morning, Feb. 2, 2019, at his home. John was a hard-working father of nine who was known for putting his family first and his tenacious work-ethic.

John was born on Jan. 21, 1930, in Mena, Arkansas to Richardus and Louise Niels. John was the eldest of four siblings and found himself head-of-household and family farm at age seven when his father passed away unexpectedly.

At the ripe-age of 17, John and a couple of colleagues loaded up his truck in search of jobs and new-beginnings. Upon their arrival in Portland, Oregon, his travel companions took his truck and belongings leaving him only with the clothing on his back and the watch on his wrist.

Despite his unlucky beginning in the West, he made his way to McCleary, Washington. There, John pawned his watch for a room at the McCleary Hotel until he found a job at the Simpson Timber Company. Due to John’s pride for his work in the local timber trade, he continued to work for Simpson for the next 40 years – ultimately ending his career as a lead man.

On Dec. 10, 1949, John married the love of his life, Edna Irene Coker in Olympia, Washington.

When John wasn’t working swing-shifts at Simpson, he could be found driving his early-morning milk route for Darigold and working on their 20-acre farm in Elma. Despite these demands, John never waivered from his “family-first” mantra.

John enjoyed farming, going to old car shows, family road-trips, casinos, riding horses, shooting the breeze, and telling stories.

John is survived by his wife of 69 years, Edna Niels, his children: Mary (Andy) Backman of Sioux City, Nebraska, Cecilia Swantak of Elma, Washington, Viola Lawr of Montesano, Washington, Pauline (David) Whipple of Elma, Washington, Johnny (Tina) Niels Jr. of Satsop, Washington, Susan Holcomb of Central Park, Washington, Debbie (Rick) Rowell of Hoquiam, Washington, James Niels of Aberdeen, Washington and Jackie (Tim) Martin of Aberdeen, Washington; a brother, Richard Niels Jr. of Texas and two sisters: Mary Reilly of Oklahoma and Dorothy Novak of New Mexico; 24 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

There will be a visitation on Sunday, Feb. 10, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elma. Burial to follow in Elma Catholic Cemetery.

A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.