Hannes Wirkkala

Hannes Wirkkala, age 97, passed from this life on Feb. 3, 2011 at his home in Vancouver, WA. He was born March 16, 1913 in Naselle, WA, to Andrew K. and Hilda Wirkkala, both immigrants from Finland. Following graduation from the Naselle school, Hannes was in partnership with three of his brothers in Wirkkala Brothers Logging and then Salmon Creek Logging. He then attended the Assembly of God Bible School in Kirkland, WA. Hannes then volunteered to serve our country in the Army Air Corp. While stationed at Gieger Field in Spokane, WA, he met Anita Haynes. They married on May 13, 1944. Over a span of 46 years they pastored churches in Brooklyn, Connecticut, Spokane, Ilwaco and the greater Vancouver, WA area, retiring at the age of 92 after 26 years at the Yacolt Community Church, Yacolt, WA. During the major portion of his pastoral career with small churches, house painting was often the sole source of income. Hannes is survived by his sisters, Eva and husband, Henry Pellervo of Naselle, WA and Aimee Carathers of Vancouver, WA; daughters, Janis and husband, Robert Blake of Vancouver, WA and Pat and husband, Richard Weidenaar of Hockinson, WA; son, David and wife, Sylvie Wirkkala of Vancouver, WA; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by one sister; eleven brothers; and Anita, his wife of 66 years, in June of 2010. Services will be held Saturday, February 12, 2011 at the Naselle Assembly of God, Naselle, WA, at 2:00 p.m. with a reception following. Interment will be at Peaceful Hill Cemetery in Naselle, WA. Please visit his guest book at: www.penttilaschapel.com