John F. Walchli died on Sept. 26, 2018 at his home in Hermiston at the age of 84.
He was born on July 26, 1934 in Stanfield to Ernest and Maria Pauline Federer Walchli.
John was raised and attended schools in Stanfield, where he played football and basketball. He graduated from Stanfield High School in 1952 and had already started his farming career raising watermelons. John was united in marriage to Marjorie E. “Marge” Chrisman on Aug. 10, 1953 in Lewiston, Idaho. Through the years their farm continued to expand, raising watermelons, potatoes, asparagus, wheat, alfalfa, cattle and buffalo. They have a potato shed for fresh pack potatoes.
He was a member of the Hermiston Elks Lodge #1845, Oregon Wheat League, Oregon Cattleman’s Association, Safari Club International, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Oregon-California Potato Marketing Committee, Umatilla County Farm Bureau, National Potato Promotion Board, Farmers Home Administration Board and Oregon Potato Commission. He served on the board of directors for both PGG and Inland Empire Bank. John won the Oregon Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year award in 1969. In 1979 and in 1981 he received a Soil and Water Conservation award.
John loved hunting and enjoyed traveling, NFR, old cars and tractors. You could always find John working around the farm. He was always willing to lend a hand to help others and was a great supporter of countless projects.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marge Walchli, Hermiston; sons, Phillip (Michelle) Walchli, Hermiston and Gregg (Cheri) Walchli, Woodinville, Wash.; daughters, Diane (Charlie) Fetterhoff, Hermiston and Cherie Walchli (Hal Smith), Lynnwood, Wash.; brother, Skip (Sherry) Walchli, Hermiston; sister,
Betty (Ron) Furrer, Stanfield; sister-in-law, Irene Walchli, Hermiston; grandchildren, Billie, Lauren, Sarah, Kyle, Mick, Dru and Dylan; six great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
John was preceded in death by his parents; brother, George Walchli; and sisters, Margaret Robertson and Mary Ann Moore.
Visitation will be on Thursday, Oct. 4 and Friday, Oct. 5 from 3 until 7 p.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel, Hermiston.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 at 1 p.m. at EOTEC, Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road, Hermiston.
A private family burial will be held at the Hermiston Cemetery.
The family requests those who wish may make contributions in John’s memory (in lieu of flowers) to the Agape House or Vange John Memorial Hospice Education Fund, in care of Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, P.O. Box 289, Hermiston, Ore., 97838.
Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
John was a great friend. Will be missed by many.
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