Wahkiakum Eagle-May 1999 WIRKKALA, Albert R. Age 87, a life-long Naselle resident, died in Ilwaco. He was born in Naselle, the son of pioneer Naselle residents, Andrew and Hilda (Korpela) Wirkkala, both of whom were Finnish immigrants. He graduated from Naselle High school Class of 1930. A logger, he was partner in Wirkkala Brothers Logging Company for a number of years and later managed his timber holdings. A self-professed student of the word of God, he took pride in spreading the Gospel. Among his many travels he had traveled around the world twice and had spent a year teaching Bible seminars in Finnish Mission Stations. He was Superintendent of Finnish Pentecostal Churches in Canada and the U.S. from 1972 until 1997 when he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. Erkki Ahonen of Vancouver, B.C., who will speak at Mr. Wirkkala's funeral. He was a life long member of the Naselle Assembly of God Church. For 44 years he presented the weekly Finnish Gospel Program on radio station KVAS in Astoria, giving the message in Finnish. He enjoyed the outdoors and in younger years was an avid hunter. He and Hilma Savolainen were married in 1936 and she died in 1955. In 1963 he married Eva Marie Ahola and she survives, living in Naselle. Also surviving are brothers, Hannes of Brush Prairie, Ben of Naselle and Urho of Cosmopolis; sisters, Elizabeth Lindholm and Eva Pellervo, both of Naselle and Aimee Carathers of Vancouver. He was preceded in death by brothers, Arnie, Paul, Martin, Edwin, Fred, Howard, Laurie and Oiva. Funeral services were Thursday at Naselle Assembly of God. Penttila's Chapel by the Sea, Long Beach, was in charge. Peaceful Hill Cemetery-Naselle, Wa. 12 Jun 1911-07 May 1999 (As transcribed by the Wahkiakum County Historical Society 2007 from original newspaper collection.)