Nov. 10, 1937 – Jan. 13, 2009
Donald R. Sills, 71, of Salem, formerly of Lebanon and Sweet Home, died at home in Salem on Jan. 13, 2009.
He was born Nov. 10, 1937 in Baker City to Richard and June (Dotson) Sills.
He moved to the Sweet Home area in 1949 at the age of 12. He worked for the Willamette Industries plywood mill in Sweet Home until going to work for Boise Cascade. He moved later to Lebanon where he worked for U.S. Plywood.
Mr. Sills moved to Salem in 1980. He married Eleanor “Ellie” Gould on June 2, 1983 in Salem and worked as a car salesman in Salem for several years until retiring in 1990 due to health reasons.
He enjoyed hunting and camping. He also loved to read and spent many hours reading his Bible and inspirational books.
He attended the Peoples Church in Salem.
Mr. Sills is survived by his wife Eleanor “Ellie” Sills of Salem; children Debra Martinez of Portland, Steven Sills and his wife Jan of Portland, Teresa Shirey and her husband John of Portland, Tami Kjerulf and her husband Jason of Albany, and Kathleen Edwards of Vancouver, Wash.; brothers Ronald Sills of Sweet Home, Delbert Sills of Bozeman, Mont., and Gordon Sills of Star, Idaho; sisters Delores Shafer of Meridian, Idaho, Norma Kaping of Sweet Home, Shelda Desjadon of Lebanon, Ronda Cooley of Roseville, Calif., and Glenda Nelson of Stayton; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr. Sills was preceded in death by sons Keith and Karl Gould; infant brother Charles; and his parents.
At his request, no services will be held. Private burial is at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Lebanon.
The family would like to thank Willamette Valley Hospice for their kindness and exceptional care given to Mr. Sills over the past several weeks. His family requests contributions be made to Willamette Valley Hospice sent in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon, OR 97355.