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Ralph R. Hartley, longtime Hermiston resident, died on March 11, 2017 in Hermiston at the age of 97.
He was born on Dec. 28, 1919 in Oregon, the oldest child of Harold Ralph and Sadie (Heiberger) Hartley. Ralph grew up on the Siletz River near Lincoln City and was the valedictorian of his class at Siletz High School. Following graduation in 1937 he joined his family in Hermiston where his father owned the Happy Thot Dairy. A big part of Ralph’s younger years was spent milking cows and processing milk for home delivery.
In 1946 Ralph married Virginia Borthwick and they had six children: Dennis, Scott (Donna), Brad, Marcia Sherris, Janis (Terry) Williams and Harold (Pat). They divorced in 1978. Ralph was married to Pauline Kombel from 1982 until her death in 2011.
In 1950 Ralph became a member of the laborer’s union. He worked building highways and dams, such as I-84 and McNary Dam, until his retirement in 1985. For many of his retirement years, until almost the age of 90, Ralph went to the forest and cut, hauled and delivered firewood. He supplied numerous customers in Hermiston with their winter wood supply. Besides cutting firewood Ralph enjoyed fishing, hiking in the Wallowa Mountains and, most of all in his later years, actively managing his investments.
Ralph was preceded in death by his wife Pauline, his parents, brothers Russell and George, sister Marie Franek and great-grandson Trevor Page. In addition to his six children and spouses, Ralph is survived by 13 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to Vange John Memorial Hospice or a charity of choice.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday March 17 at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
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