Willmer Roy Van Vleet Jr.

Willmer Roy Van Vleet Jr. October 2, 1923 February 8, 2010 Stayton, Oregon Willmer Roy Van Vleet Jr., age 86, passed away February 8, 2010 in Astoria, Ore. Willmer Roy Van Vleet Jr. was born to Willmer Roy Van Vleet Sr. and Eleanor Whitmore, October 2, 1923, in Bend, Ore. Willmer was raised in Bend, and graduated from Bend High School. He proudly served his country in World War II from 1942 to 1945 in the Army Air Force. Willmer married Rosanna Agnes Eaton in May of 1948. They started their life together in Hillsboro and then moved to Stayton in 1955, where they raised five children. Willmer and Rosanna were married 53 years until Rosannas passing in 2001. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, May 1998, at the Stayton United Methodist Church, Stayton, Oregon. Willmer purchased the Stayton Cleaners on Washington Street shortly after he and Rosanna moved to Stayton and owned and operated the business for over 30 years until his retirement in 1986. Willmer spent his life serving his family, community and his country. In addition to his military service, he dedicated over 30 years of service to the Stayton community, including time on the City Planning Commission, City Council and two terms as Mayor. His accomplishments as Mayor were many and included making the dream of a community pool in Stayton a reality. He was also a member of the Stayton Lions Club and a Charter Member of the Stayton JCs. Willmer has left his print on Bend, Ore. where he grew up and his beloved community of Stayton, Ore. He has gone Home. He enjoyed Community Service, the Oregon Coast, the Fourth of July, and parades in Oregon, traveling around the country, gardening, fishing, his family pets and his beloved family. Preceding him in his passing are his wife, Rosanna Van Vleet; and his sister, Mary Hobbs. Willmers survivors are his daughters, Jennifer Brown of Astoria and Melanie Norman of Salem; and sons, Ben Van Vleet of Beaverton, Nick Van Vleet of Portland and Ron Van Vleet of Escondido, Calif. He is also survived by 17 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren (10 in March 2010) and nieces and nephews in Oregon and around the country. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, February 12, 2010, at the Stayton United Methodist Church, Stayton, Ore. Interment will follow the service at the Lone Oak Cemetery, Stayton, Ore. Viewing and last respects will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, February 11, 2010, at Weddles Funeral Services, Stayton, Ore. In lieu of flowers the family wishes remembrances to the Willamette Valley Hospice, the Willamette Valley Humane Society, or the Stayton United Methodist Church, in memory of Willmer Van Vleet. Arrangements entrusted to Weddle Funeral Services Stayton, Oregon.