Obituary of Edith Schoonover

Edith Schoonover, 99 11/12 years old, peacefully passed away on December 29, 2010 at Mountainview Assisted Living Facility in Camas, Washington. She was born in Green Ridge, Missouri on January 19, 1911, one of eleven, to Minnie Mae and George Purchase. In her young years she was a member of the United Methodist Church and taught Sunday school which started her love of teaching children. She graduated from Green Ridge High School in 1928 and attended Central Missouri University in Warrensburg, Missouri and received her teaching permit. She taught directly out of high school in a one room school teaching all eight grades and was responsible for the janitorial duties also. She taught in Green Ridge for 9 years. In 1937 the family moved to Goldendale, Washington and she attended Ellensburg Normal (CWU) and obtained her Washington Teaching Certificate. Her teaching career consisted of teaching in the following school districts: Packwood, Washington 1939-1941; Wapato, Washington 1941-1946; Yakima, Washington 1946-1948; Forest School in Chehalis, Washington 1958 (teaching Special Education and transporting her students in her own car) and then in the original Chehalis High School; and Cascade Elementary teaching 2nd grade until her retirement in 1975 after 34 ½ years. In 1948 she married Kenneth Schoonover in Chehalis, Washington and they were married for 46 years until his death on July 13, 1994. They were both active members of the First Christian Church in Chehalis where Edith still holds her membership. In 2007 she moved to Camas, Washington and then attended the Zion Lutheran Church with her family. Her continual trust in the Lord was evident until her final days. Edith was known for her quilting, sewing, crafting skills and loving her family and grandchildren. She received many awards/ribbons for her fair entries. Prior to her move to Camas, she quilted at the Salvation Army each Wednesday in Centralia, Washington. Her hand quilting skills continued through last year. She was a member of Retired Teachers Association and Delta Kappa Gamma. She was preceded in death by her parents Minnie Mae and George Purchase; husband Kenneth; sisters Oreen Rank, Margaret Loges, Helen Fisher, Estalyne Chappell, Evalyne Vivian, Beulah Lee Smith, Cleo Gange and brothers Elmer and Marvin Purchase. She is survived by her sister Virginia Christopher of Yakima, Washington and daughter and son-in law Susan and Doug Danielson, grandchildren Brooke and Derek all of Camas, Washington. A special thank you to the caregivers at Mountainview for caring for Edith with love and compassion. A service will be held on Tuesday, January 4 at the First Christian Church in Chehalis, Washington at 11:00 o'clock with graveside services following at Claquato Cemetery. Luncheon will follow at the church. Donations may be made to the First Christian Church "Building Fund" or The American Diabetes Association. Viewing will be held on Monday, January 3 at Newell-Hoerling Mortuary in Centralia, Washington. Brown's Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Camas has been entrusted with local arrangements.