Ernest Alonzo Gatchell, 77, of Happy Valley OR, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2020. He was born on January 4, 1943 in Staples, Minnesota, and later graduated from Mara Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, California before serving in the US Army Reserves.
Ernie worked for over 40 years in funeral service in the Portland area and will be remembered as a friendly funeral director, a gifted embalmer and will be missed by many colleagues. He served his apprenticeship at Skyline Memorial Funeral Home before completing Mortuary College in San Francisco. He then worked several years at Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes where he spent time as manager. Ernie took some time to operate Tire City in Beaverton and worked at Milwaukie Tire and Oregon Wilbert before returning to funeral service in 1988 at Young’s Funeral Home in Tigard. Ernie continued his career as manager at Gables-Parkrose Funeral Home, funeral director at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home and retired from Portland Funeral Service in 2014.
Ernie married Grace Ann Cooley on September 2, 1984 in Portland, Oregon. Together, they traveled extensively and were active with the Gateway Elks. Over the years, he enjoyed fishing, bowling, golfing, and was an active member of a Hood to Coast walking team. Most of all, he was an avid Oregon Ducks Football fan, and season pass holder. His favorite place to spend his free time at, was the Oregon Coast with family.
Ernie is survived by his wife Gracie Gatchell of Happy Valley OR; son Eric Gatchell (Beth) of Sandy OR; daughters Wendy Smith (Craig) of Happy Valley OR and Nichole Nilson (Gary) of Macomb MI; sister Marlene McGinnis of Portland OR; niece Shannon Prince (Doug) of Portland OR; grandchildren Marques Gatchell (24), Ashabel Gatchell (24), Denali Tervo (23), Paige Smith (19), Gary Nilson (17), Lousara Gatchell (17), Jenna Nilson (15), Jack Nilson (14), and great granddaughter Zayla Mae Tervo (9mo).
A private interment will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Gresham, Oregon. A Celebration of Ernie's Life will take place as an Open House from 3:00pm to 7:00pm on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 13205 SE Tumbleweed Court, Happy Valley OR 97086. Contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at alzfdn.org in his name. Arrangements entrusted to Bateman Carroll Funeral Home in Gresham, Oregon
