From the Corvallis Gazette-Times:

Wilbur Holderread

January 08, 2003 12:00 a.m.

Oct. 8, 1917 - Jan. 4, 2003

January 08, 2003 12:00 a.m.

Wilbur H. Holderread of Philomath, formerly of Corvallis, died Saturday at his home. He was 85.

He was born in Cushing, Okla., to Henry and Minnie Fillmore Holderread, the 10th of 13 children. He received a degree in animal husbandry and agricultural education from Oklahoma A&M University. He had also attended Texas A&M University.

In 1943, he went to Puerto Rico with the Church of the Brethren where he did alternate military service at a rural hospital near Adjuntas. There he met and married Rachel Schiffler. They returned to the U.S. in 1946 and he taught vocational agriculture and provided leadership in the Future Farmers of America in Emmett and Buhl, Idaho. In 1955, he and his family returned to Puerto Rico where he was director of an experimental dairy farm. When they returned to the U.S. in 1959, he obtained a master's degree in secondary Spanish education from the University of Oregon. He taught Spanish at Corvallis High School until his retirement in 1980. He and his wife lived on a small acreage in Corvallis where they enjoyed raising ducks, fruit, flowers and vegetables. They spent winters in Yuma, Ariz. Following his wife's death in 1999, he moved to his son's farm in Philomath.

He was an active member of the Albany Mennonite Church and for many years taught an adult Sunday school class there. He supported many Christian organizations, including the Mennonite Central Committee, Drift Creek Camp and Western Mennonite School. He enjoyed walking every day, helping out on his son's farm and reading.

Survivors include his children: Carolyn Heggen of Kathmandu, Nepal; Cathryn Passmore of Corvallis; David of Philomath; and Marilyn Pulgar of West Covina, Calif.; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by seven siblings.

A service will begin at

1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Albany Mennonite Church. Pastors Lynn Miller and Matt Friesen will officiate. Private interment will be at Fairview Mennonite Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to Drift Creek Mennonite Camp, Mennonite Central Committee or Western Mennonite School in care of DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home, 815 N.W. Buchanan Ave., Corvallis, OR 97330.

 

-Thank you to Rose Westwood Merrick