Scollan Ovid Grabeel died on Oct. 11, 2019 at his home in Hermiston at the age of 93.
He was born on Jan. 31, 1926 in Ava, Mo. to Ervin and Zella Brixey Grabeel.
Scollan was raised and attended school in Missouri. He served in the Army from 1944 to 1946 as a rifleman with the 188th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne Division on occupation day in Japan. He took glider infantry training in Japan and guarded government buildings and military installations of occupation area. He received the World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Army of Occupation Medal.
After he came home, he bought some land to farm along with cattle, got married, and had three sons. He then moved his family to Pendleton and went to work at the saw mill in Pilot Rock. Shortly after that he got a job with the Union Pacific Railroad and moved to Hermiston. His first marriage ended in 1977. He remarried in 1979 to Beverly. He worked for the railroad for 30 years and retired in 1989. Then he and Beverly moved back to Ava to work his farm and raise cattle.
Scollan and Beverly moved back to Hermiston in 2013 where they made their home, enjoying visits from their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly; his sons, Charles Grabeel of Hermiston and Keith Grabeel and wife Cindy of Wenatchee, Wash.; his stepdaughter, Teri Allstott and Bryan of Hermiston; Sherry Fischer of Kennewick, Wash.; 10 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; one niece; and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Wilma; brother-in-law, Russell; and son, Eddie Max.
A graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Those who wish may make contributions in Scollan’s memory to www.stjude.org.
Please share memories of Scollan with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
