Donald Lavern Bartlett

Donald Lavern Bartlett, 82, of Knappa, died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, in Astoria.

He was born April 16, 1929, in Astoria, to Samuel Leo and Sarah Helen (McDonough) Bartlett.

Raised on his parents’ chicken farm in Svensen, he graduated from Knappa High School in 1947.

He served in the Oregon National Guard for eight years.

On Sept. 25, 1948, he married Carolyn Allen in Brownsmead. She survives, residing in Knappa.

Mr. Bartlett worked at Bradwood Lumber Co. for six years as a blacksmith and mechanic. He then worked for local logging companies, mink ranches and heavy equipment companies in the area. He later owned and operated his own company, Bartlett Equipment Repair in Astoria, for 25 years, retiring in 1993.

He was one of the founders of the Knappa Svensen Burnside Fire Department, and served on the Knappa School, Astoria Rescue Mission, Knappa Water and Boy Scouts boards. He was a member of the Knappa Assembly of God Church.

Family members said he enjoyed any mechanical challenge. He also enjoyed family gatherings and spending time with his friends, children and grandchildren, driving, traveling, bird and wildlife watching, music, attending church, gardening and carpentry.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four sons and three daughters-in-law, Donald J. and Doris Bartlett, Daniel and Dianne Bartlett and Ben and Carol Bartlett, all of Knappa, and David A. Bartlett of Luanda, Angola, Africa; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Sarah Jones of Knappa, Mary and Albert Notter of Oregon City and Rebecca and John Rodli of Azores, Portugal; a sister, Laura Long of Salem; 15 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Knappa Prairie Cemetery, followed by a memorial at 2:30 p.m. at Knappa Assembly of God Church.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Astoria Rescue Mission, 62 W. Bond St., Astoria, OR 97103 or Knappa Assembly of God Church Foreign Mission Fund, 41767 Old Highway 30, Astoria, OR 97103.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at caldwells mortuary.com