Baker City, Oregon
Willis Emil Foersterling, 78, a longtime Baker City resident, died March 2, 2004, at his home.
His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Private interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. The Rev. Susan Barnes of the First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Masonic Ritualistic Rites and military honors also will be conducted. Visitations will be from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Willis was born on July 30, 1925, at Baker City, to Willis Herbert and Zelda Mae Sparks Foersterling. He was educated at Sisley Creek near Durkee and at El Segurdo, Calif. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force at Walla Walla, Wash., and served in the European Theater.
He was honorably discharged on June 19, 1946. He married Helen Foersterling in the early 1940s and they made their home in Baker City until her death in 1984.
He started working in sawmills and at various other jobs until going to work for Ash Grove Cement in 1974. He remained there until his retirement in 1987. On July 30, 1985, he married Vivian Johnson at Baker City.
Mr. Foersterling enjoyed fishing, camping and traveling. He was a member of the McEwen Masonic Lodge, American Legion, La Grande Knights Templar and Eastern Star, No. 11.
Survivors include his wife, Vivian of Baker City; sons and daughters-in-law, Terry Lee and Janyce Foersterling and Fred and Linda Foersterling, all of Baker City; stepsons, Ron Rounsville and his wife, Sandy, of Baker City and Bob Rounsville and his wife, Darlene, of Florida; half brother George B. Morton of Baker City; half sister, Erma Mosier of Seattle, Wash.; eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Helen; a son, Roger Larry; and two brothers.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice or the Shriners Hospital for Children through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, March 5, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor