Wahkiakum County Eagle-April 1996

Millard Fillmore Penttila
 
  Life-long Naselle resident, died at his home.  He was born in 
Naselle, the son of pioneer residents Frank and Helga (Riippa) 
Penttila.  He grew up in Naselle and graduated from Naselle High School 
in 1944.
  He served with the US Army from Dec. 1944 until Nov. 1946.  He was 
stationed in the Philippines and in Japan with the Army of Occupation, 
33rd Infantry Division.  Following his military service he married 
Frances Nelson on Dec. 21, 1946.  He worked for Art Andring of Art's 
Garage as a mechanic until May 1958 when he and his brother-in-law 
Leonard Vaughn purchased the business and renamed it L &
M Garage, specializing in repair of logging and heavy equipment.  He 
retired from the business in 1982.
  He was a member of Deep River American Legion, Naselle Post Veterans 
of Foreign Wars, and was a confirmed and life-long member
of Naselle Lutheran Church.  A past-president of the Naselle Comets 
Booster Club, in years past he was also very active with the Naselle
Fire Department.  For many years he was a member of the Naselle VFW 
Basketball team which played locally in the years following WWII.
  An avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoyed trips to Canada and eastern 
Washington.  Time spent outdoors was special to him and he often shared 
his experiences with others.  In spite of illness, he attended Naselle 
Comets sports events, supporting the team and his grandchildren.  His 
family will remember his sense of humor and his wisdom of life that he 
shared with others.
  He is survived by his wife, Frances of Naselle; son and daughter-in-
law Gayle and Steve Gacke and children Marc and Wendy of Naselle; 
brother Harte Penttila of Montesano; sisters Lila Gray of Seaview and 
Nellie Kilponen of Salmon Creek.  He was preceded in death by a son 
Francis; brothers Laurie, Louis, Rueben, Herbert, Richard and Paul 
Penttila; and sisters Stella Peterson and Nonnie Nixon.
  Graveside services were at Naselle followed by a Celebration of Life.
  Penttila's Chapel by the Sea was in charge.


Peaceful Hill Cemetery-Naselle, Wa.
01 Sep 1926-25 Apr 1996
(As transcribed by the Wahkiakum County Historical Society Museum)