Obituaries: Virgil Marcus Powell

Virgil Marcus Powell, 96, of Prineville, died June 29, 2009 at Country Spice Residential Care Facility. A graveside service was held Monday, July 6, at Juniper Haven Cemetery in Prineville.

Mr. Powell was born Sept. 23, 1912 in Prineville to Lloyd and Lenora (Houston) Powell.

On Sept. 6, 1931, he married Elda Birdsong in Prineville. They made their home on McKay Creek, ranching and working at Pine Products Sawmill until 1950.

Then they moved to Powell Butte where they ran a dairy for a year. However, they couldn’t dig a post hole for corral because of rocks, so they sold out and moved to Prineville. There he worked for the City of Prineville for 26 years, retiring in 1974 as superintendent of streets.

Survivors include his sister, Emogene Church of Gresham; brother, Donn Powell of North Bend; daughter, Winona (Ash) White of Tacoma, Wash.; sons, Stan (Bonnie) Powell and Larry (Pauline) Powell, both of Mt. Vernon; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years; his parents; and his two brothers, Willard and Bob.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Mountain Hospice through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.