Gerald Lee Sandlin

Gerald Lee Sandlin, 77, of Hermiston and formerly of Joseph died March 21 in Hermiston. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Prairie Creek Cemetery near Joseph.

Mr. Sandlin was born Dec. 5, 1928, to Nicholas and Inez Sandlin on Praire Creek. He attended school in Enterprise and Hill Military Academy in Portland but graduated in 1946 from Enterprise High School. He served in the Marines and on March 7, 1947, he married Velma Arlene Habiger in Santa Ana, Calif.

He spent most of his life farming on Praire Creek. He was active in the community and served on the Joseph School Board, worked with FFA and helped his neighbors and other farmers. After his wife died in 1998 he moved to Hermiston to be closer to his family. On Feb. 25 of this year he married Leilani Davis.

Survivors include his wife of Hermiston; a sister, Betty Jo Talley of Friona, Texas; children and their spouses, Doug and Grace Sandlin of Irrigon, Larry and Pat Sandlin and Rick and Pam Sandlin, all of Boardman, Mike and Sheryl Sandlin of White Salmon, Wash., and Kathy and Steve Wagner of Atwater, Calif.; 17 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, stepchildren, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren and other relatives. Three brothers, Homa, Hubert and Melvin Sandlin died earlier.

Memorials may be made to any charity of choice.