Verle Leaman Burnett

Verle Leaman Burnett, 70, of Hermiston, died May 30 from a heart attack at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston. A graveside service will begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Hermiston Cemetery. Following the service, there will be a gathering for friends and family at Skip Walchli's farm.

Verle was born October 2, 1936, in La Grande to Orval Virgil and Grace Loraine (Thompson) Burnett. Verle attended elementary school at Mount Emily Camp west of La Grande and graduated from La Grande High School. On October 2, 1956 he married Marlys Myers and they had three children, Tari, Michael and Cherice. In 1968, Verle married Frances Leeper Schoenhals. They had a son, Verle Dean, and a daughter, Deona. Verle worked in the auto parts business until he retired in 1998. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and drives in the mountains. He also enjoyed playing pool, chewing on a toothpick and meeting with the gang for coffee at Eastside Market each morning hoping to solve the world's problems.

Survivors include his children, Tari McBride of West Richland, Waahington, Cherice Ellig of Hermiston, Verle "Dean" Burnett of Hermiston and Deona Hodges of Lexington; stepfather, Ken Sleeth of Kennewick and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Grace Burnett, son Michael Burnett and second wife, Frances.

Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.