Obituary of Gary Wartella

Gary J. Wartella was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 25, 1940 to Emma and Rudolph A. Wartella and peacefully passed away on July 27, 2011 at his home in Vancouver, WA. He spent his younger years in the upper peninsula of Michigan with siblings, Thomas J. Wartella, Rudolph A. Wartella (now deceased), Mary A. Olin (now deceased), and extended family. As members of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, they loved their heritage. In 1958 he joined the Marines and proudly served his country overseas before marrying and settling down with his family as an upholsterer in Los Angeles, California. He worked his way from the bottom to an executive position in the furniture industry and was personally chosen to be plant manager for several companies improving production wherever he went. His work took him from California all over the country including North Carolina, Florida and Washington state where he decided he wanted to stay. He was passionate about sports his whole life. He especially loved softball and played well into his fifties. Gary is survived by his wife of fifty years, Frances L. Wartella; sons, Bill L. Clark and Gary J. Wartella; and daughters, Diana L. Logan and Julie A. Kemp; as well as many friends. Military services will be held at Willamette National Cemetery, in Portland, Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. Family and Friends are welcome to attend. Flowers may be sent to the family through Brown's Funeral Home in Camas, Washington. Brown's Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Camas has been entrusted with arrangements.