Orville Ernest Tannahill

Obituary Orville Earnest Tannahill Ernie (Chief), born in Franklin IL on August 27, 1921, died peacefully in his home on December 10, 2008 in Tacoma WA at the age of 87 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. He was also a cancer survivor. He was preceded in death by his wife Bernice, of 55 years, seven brothers and five sisters. He was the youngest of thirteen children. He is survived by four children, Gary Tannahill (Judy) of Gig Harbor, WA, Loretta Chamberland (Jan) of University Place, WA, Carol Lamb (Larry) of Camarillo, CA, and Steve Tannahill of Gig Harbor, WA, ten grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. As a veteran of WW II and the Korean War, he retired from a 20 year career in the US Navy on June 20, 1960. During WW II, he was deployed in both the Atlantic and Pacific, surviving the sinking of three Naval ships. He spent the next ten years employed at Fort Lewis, and retired as a superintendent of one of the boiler plants. He and his wife, Bernice spent the next 35 years, living their dreams of retirement traveling to Mexico and Arizona during the winter months, as well as a trip to Europe and many road trips in the US. He was an avid fisherman all of his life, and enjoyed golf during most of his retired years. He was a longtime member of the Elks, Masons and Shriners. Many thanks to Karen Allard and his caregivers from Sound Options, most notably, Evelyn McGruder, who was with him for three years, and to the Franciscan Hospice nurses who assisted in keeping him comfortable during his last few days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.