Dewey Clark Olinger

Dewey Clark Olinger, a 55 year resident of Burney, passed away peacefully at his residence in Johnson Park (Burney), California on Thursday, September 11, 2014. He was 84 years old. Dewey was born November 28, 1927 in Morrison, Illinois to Samuel Calvin Olinger and Emma Olivia Olson Olinger. He joined the US Navy, at the age of 17, in 1944. He served in the Pacific aboard the USS Zeal and USS Salt Lake City. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Following his return from his Navel service, Dewey met and married Lois Irene Read, of Westwood, California, on January 11, 1947 in Reno, Nevada. They were happily married for 48 years before her passing on June 1, 1995. In 1955 they moved from Westwood to Burney.

Dewey worked in the lumber industry beginning as a logger at the age of 19. He worked for the famous Red River Lumber Company in Westwood, CA, as well as, the Lorenz Lumber Company and he became a certified lumber grader and a supervisor for Louisiana Pacific Mill. On March 13, 1981,he received the prestigious award, "Master Certificate", from the Western Wood Producers Association for outstanding service and commitment to the higher ideals of the Western Lumber Industry. Less than 200 people have received this award. After 46 years Dewey retired from the lumber industry in 1993.

Dewey was an avid golfer, fisherman, hunter, and was the first range master and charter member of the Pit River Pioneers Muzzle loaders (Black Powder Shooting). He was a former member of the Burney Volunteer Fire Department, Burney Basin Day's Committee, Mt. Burney Sashsayew Square Dancers, a member of the Burney V.F.W. Post #5689, Fall River Golf Club, Ducks Unlimited, National Rifle Association, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Survivor's include; his daughters, Leslie Olinger Scott (Gary C.), Philipsburg, Montana and Kristine Olinger Smith (James E.), Reno, Nevada; son, Danny Clark Olinger, Woodhill, Oregon; brother, William S. Olingher (Donna), Reno, Nevada; half brother, Ralph Olinger (Patricia), Sterling, Illinois; half sister, Ida Olinger Nusbaum (Gail), Rock Falls, Illinois; his significant other of 18 years, Serena Patricia Gumbmann of Burney and her one son and two daughters and her grandchildren; grandson, Michael Clark Olinger (Amy), Sarasota, Florida; granddaughter, Kristy Olinger Larson (Shayne) Bakersfield, California; step-grandson, Eric C. Scott (Marjorie), Anaconda, Montana; step-granddaughters, Rhinda Scott Whitt, Reno, Nevada and Theona Scott Dufer, Redding, California; 17 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, as well as "more than neighbors", Roy and Shirley Plumhoff and family of Johnson Park.

In addition to his wife, Lois, and her parents, Lester S. Read and Helen Bollinger Read, Dewey was predeceased by his father, Samuel and step-mother, Leilo Olinger; his mother, Emma Olivia Olson Olinger Farrell and step-father Emmet Robert Farrell; sisters, Nona Olinger Howard (and her husband Earl S.) of Quincy, Illinois and Janet Olinger Chappius (and her husband, Raymond) of Susanville, California; half sister Sarah Olinger Hurst, Tennessee; brother-in-law, Dino Giannini; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Donalee Read Volonte and Charles Volonte; nephews Michael Robert Olinger and Robert Giannini; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Read Giannini.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Intermountain Hospice (through Mayer's Memorial Hospital) or to the VFW Post #5689 of Burney.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life planned for Saturday, September 27th. The venue is TBD, so please check back for updated information or call McDonald's Chapel in Burney (530-335-2247) for updated information, as it comes available. If you would like to bring a potluck dish to share, a potluck lunch will follow the Celebration of Life.

Arrangements under the direction of McDonald's Chapel, Burney, CA.