Ralph J. Killian

1920 - 2010

Ralph J. Killian, 89, passed away May 19, 2010, in Longview.

Ralph was born in Hayesville, N.C., in 1920 to the late Melvin and Lenar Killian. He moved from Hayesville to Johnsonville, Wash., in 1929, where he would eventually raise four children with his wife, Jeanette, in nearby Vader.

Ralph served in the Navy from 1942-1946 during which time he was a first class petty officer aboard the USS Raleigh. Ralph was a member of the Little Falls Mason Lodge in Vader and a pioneer in the logging industry. Ralph served as a logging supervisor for Weyerhaeuser Company for almost 30 years, experiencing a long progression of logging technology, including tree rigs to the first steel towers to GT Towers and beyond.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, camping and, most of all, spending time with his family.

Ralph was preceded in death by a son, John Garland Killian; two brothers, Teddy Ray Killian and Robert Grant Killian; and a sister, Myrtle Mathis.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jeanette Killian; three daughters, Judy O'Neill (Danny) of Kelso, Charlene Merzoian (Dave) of Toledo, and Marlene Bickar (John) of Kelso; six siblings, Fred Killian of Vader, Ruby Allison of Longview, Jewel Godwin of McKinnleyville, Calif., Ferman Killian of Yacolt, Jessie Godwin of Kelso, and Homer "Bud" Killian of Lacey; five grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Ralph's life, including a potluck, will take place at 1 p.m. May 29 at the Cowlitz Prairie Grange in Toledo.

Donations may be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Community Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632.

Arrangements are by Dahl-McVicker Funeral Home.

Please sign the guest book at www.tdn.com/obits.


This obituary was originally published in The Daily News (Longview, WA).