The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Arnold E. Wirkkala, 87, of Cathlamet, died August 8, 2015 at home. He was born in Deep River on June 15, 1928 to Henry and Martha (Juselius) Wirkkala. He was a lifelong Wahkiakum resident, attending school in Deep River and Naselle.

He married Carol Carnes on March 24, 1954 and she preceded him in 2005. Arnold joined the Army and was stationed in Korea during the Korean War. After returning home Arnold worked as a logger all of his working life. He was employed by Ray Burton Logging from 1959-1981 and Willapa Logging for 10 years prior to retiring in 1992.

In 1961 he and Carol moved to Cathlamet from Skamokawa and raised their family there. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Bruce Holland; two brothers Melvin and Richard Wirkkala, and a sister Lorraine Lawrence; six grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and friend and caregiver Cathy Tuttle. Arnold was preceded in death by Carol, a daughter Vickie Francisco, great granddaughters Zoe and Arianna, three brothers Willard, Lester and Leslie and four sisters Aune Magnuson, Signe Ellsworth, Lillian Zeller and Elna Browning.

A Memorial service will be held at Dowling Funeral Chapel in Cathlamet on Thursday August 13, 2015 at 11 a.m. Memorial donations in Arnold’s name may be made to Salmon Creek Cemetery C/O Paul Bjornsgard 535 Salmon Creek Rd., Naselle, WA 98638. Dowling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.