Donald B Thelin

April 15, 1927, Ocheyedan, Iowa ~

March 15th, 2012, Forest Grove, Oregon

Donald B. Thelin was born to parents Harry J. and Alma O. (Floan) Thelin on April 15th, 1927, in Ocheyedan, Iowa. At the age of nine, in 1936, his family moved to Cornelius, Oregon. Donald was one of four children. He had two brothers, Alvin and Kenneth; and a sister, Lois.

As a youngster, Donald began developing a very special affinity for things mechanical and enjoyed working on engines, cars, and tractors. He graduated from Forest Grove High School in 1945.

Following graduation from High School as WWII drew to a conclusion, Donald served as a merchant Marine. Following that, he served in the US Army.

Don exchanged wedding vows with Dorothy M. Bolopue on June 16th,1948, in Emanuel Lutheran Church in Cornelius, Oregon.

Don and Dorothy had three children; a daughter, Darlene; and sons Dan and David.

His first business was a service station in Hillsboro, after that Don became an electrician and a member of Local 48. From 1964, until his retirement at the age of 62, he was the owner and chief operator of Bud's Electric Incorporated.

He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Don will be remembered as a true "Jack-of-all-trades". He built three homes. In 1971, he purchased property in Prineville, Oregon. He built a cabin on that property and also constructed a pond. Don enjoyed building roads and moving dirt. Don also enjoyed spending time tinkering and building things in his shop at his home in Forest Grove.

This has been said by a good friend of Don - "Watching Don at work, he never looked like he was up to much, but at the end of the day, he certainly had a whole lot done."

He is predeceased by his parents Harry and Alma, a brother, Kenneth and a daughter Darlene. Survivors include his loving wife of 63 years, Dorothy; and sons Dan Thelin of Gales Creek, Oregon, and David Thelin of Seattle, Washington; a brother, Alvin Thelin of Medford, Oregon; a sister, Lois Ganoe of Tigard, Oregon; two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Service and Public Reception will take place in Skyline Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, March, 31st at 1pm,

Please visit Don's Internet memorial and online guestbook at: www.skylinememorialgardens.com

Memorial donations in Don’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society: online at Cancer.org or by calling 1 800 227-2345, a donation specialist will assist you so that your gift will be donated for Prostate Cancer Research, code #PRR. Mail a donation to: American Cancer Society, 0330 SW Curry St., Portland, OR 97239, please write Donald Thelin, 48660 NW Hillside Rd., Forest Grove, OR 97116 and the code #PPR on your check or on a separate piece of paper.

Arrangements entrusted to Skyline Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home (503) 292-6611