Obituary: Pillers, O. Elbert
Age 84
Oren Elbert Pillers was born to Maurice and Stella (Dolen) Pillers on December 23, 1929, at Byron, WA., the middle child of three brothers and three sisters.
His family moved to Elk, WA., in 1937 where he spent most of his childhood on the family ranch.
Elbert attended grade schools in Mabton, Prosser, Camden and Elk, and his freshman year at Newport High School, graduating from Riverside High School near Chattaroy, WA.
During this time he developed a lifelong interest in photography.
Elbert married Laura Marie Horn on December 19, 1953, in Sumas, WA.
The couple had two children, a son Marvin and a daughter Bernice.
Elbert served in the US Army as an equipment operator building the Yakima Firing Center.
He was honorably discharged in 1955.
In 1959, the family moved to Sprague, WA., where they began their long career in printing and publishing.
Elbert was the youngest publisher in the state when they bought the Sprague Advocate.
Later they also published newspapers in St. John and Medical Lake.
In Sprague, Elbert was a member of the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce.
He was also an active member of the Sprague Fire Department and Sprague Ambulance.
He was very active in 4-H programs, attending the National Convention in 1949, as the representative from Pend Oreille County.
He continued serving as a 4-H leader for two 4-H clubs, one being photography, while in Sprague.
The family enjoyed weekends at the lake, spending many hours water skiing.
Elbert had the pleasure of teaching over 200 people to water-ski.
Elbert started collecting postage stamps at the age of seven and maintained a collection throughout his life that he and Laura worked on together.
In 1973, they purchased the Palouse Republic and moved to Palouse in 1974.
There they expanded their printing and publishing business.
Over the years, the couple published 7 different newspapers.
They sold the Whitman-Latah Record newspaper in 1982, and continued operating Precision Printing until their retirement in January 1, 1995.
In 2000 the couple served as Grand Marshalls for Palouse Days.
In 2001, Elbert and Laura moved to Hill-Ray Plaza in Colfax, where they lived the remainder of their lives, thoroughly enjoying the Hill-Ray family they were welcomed into the first day they arrived.
They also enjoyed their Nazarene Church family both in Palouse and Colfax, finding great comfort in their faith.
Elbert was preceded in death by his wife Laura of 59 years, his parents, and one brother Lee.
He is survived by brothers, Charles of San Jose, CA., Lauritz of Portland, OR., sisters Vera Pillers, Alice Pillers and Etta Tederman all of Spokane, WA.
He is survived by his son Marvin (Annie) Pillers of Palouse, daughter Bernice (Mike) Manning of West Covina, CA., one grand-daughter Mary (Fred) Wendt of Olympia, WA, two great-grandsons Austin and Kyle, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 9, 2014, 2:00 P.M. at the Church of the Nazarene, 1103 N. Morton St, Colfax, WA., with Pastor Don Moore officiating.
Potlatch Post # 10300 VFW and the United States Army Honor Guard will participate.
Memorials can be sent to the Whitman County Chaplaincy, Box 66, Colfax, WA., 99111 or to the Palouse Fire Department, Box 250, Palouse, WA 99161 Kramer Funeral Home, Palouse, WA., handled the arrangements.