Malin M. Doles

Malin M. Doles, age 75, of Summerville, died July 19, 2009 at a local care center. At his request there will be no services, but condolences may be sent to Ina Doles, Grande Ronde Retirement Residence, 1809 Gekeler Lane, La Grande, Oregon 97850 or those who wish may sign the on-line guest book at www.danielsknopp.com.

Malin was born December 4, 1933, in Fromsberg, Montana, to Frank and Grace (Bolick) Doles. Maline moved with his family to Summerville in 1945 and graduated from Imbler High School in 1953. He volunteered for service in the United States Army, spending about a year of his enlistment in Germany. After receiving an honorable discharge, he married Ina Glee Wilmoth on February 22, 1959, in Cove and became an apprentice lineman with California Pacific Utilities. He later worked at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington before returning in 1963 to the family farm in Summerville and beginning a 32-year career as a car man and later a relief car and derrick foreman with Union Pacific Railroad in La Grande. His UP co-workers recall Malin's hard-working habits combined with a keen sense of humor that resulted in many good-natured pranks being played on others and himself. Some co-workers remember, in particular, Malin's amazing combination of strength and technique that allowed him to lift a set of boxcar wheels by himself.

After retiring from the railroad in 1995, he continued to work with a private firm operating heavy machinery on te clean-up of railroad derailments. His love for mechanized equipment led him to restore several older bulldozers and tractors, including a World War II-vintage R4 Caterpillar and a D4 Cat. He often used his equipment to plow neighbors' driveways after winter snowstorms and to assist friends in the completion of construction projects.

Perhaps Malin will be best remembered by his many friends for the kindnesses he offered, his willingness to assist those in need and his good-natured teasing and enjoyment of being teased in return.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ina; his son, Don Doles, daughter-in-law, Linda Doles and grandchildren Clint and Amber Doles, all of Sweet Home; his son, Craig Doles of Hermiston; his sister, Sharon Pulliam of Needville, Texas; and a cousin, Dan Doles of Billings, Montana.

He was preceded in death by two daughters, Denise Diane Doles, who died as an infant in 1960, and Dara Diane Doles, who died in 1989 at age 21.

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