The Columbian, Vancouver, WA., June 23, 1942, page 1

MAN DROWNS NEAR ELLSWORTH

     The drowning of Earl Hoke, Portland, while he was engaged in towing operations in the Columbia near Ellsworth, was reported today by Clark County Coroner Ronald E. DuFresne. Hoke lived at 2438 N.E. Hoyt.
     DuFresne said that he had no details on the accident which caused the drowning. He stated Hoke worked for the Russell Towboat company and the body had not been recovered because of the swift currents.

The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., June 26, 1942, page 1

EARL HOKE DROWNS IN RIVER AT VANCOUVER

     Friends of Earl Hoke, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Keys, were saddened this week by the news of his drowning while working on a tow-boat near Vancouver Monday night. His fall into the water was unseen, and it is expected that he fell and injured himself while attempting to tie-up to a dredge in the river.
     Earl had been working on the river for just one week when the accident occurred.
     Efforts have been made continuously to find the body with grappling hooks but had proved unsuccessful up to the time of this writing.
     Earl had been an employee of the Nordby Lumber and Box Company for several years, and about a year ago was forced to give up his work because of illness. However, he was able to return to work in the local mill a few months ago, but found the sawdust disagreeable to his health and went to Portland where he was studying for defense work.
     Earl had been a member of the local aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles for a number of years and during that time took an active interest in the work of the order. During the past winter he acted as chairman of the last series of pinochle parties.
     He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Earl Keys; his step-father, Earl Keys, two sisters, Mrs. Wm. Haman, Mrs. Bob Bearden; a brother, Elwood Hoke of Pasadena; a half-sister, Mrs. Kemit Simmons; and a half-brother, Kermit Simmons; and a half-brother, Charles Keys, also a step-brother and step-sister, V.E. Keys of North Bonneville and Mr. Roy Howell of The Dalles.

The Columbian, Vancouver, WA., July 8, 1942, page 1

DROWN MAN'S BODY FOUND

     The body of Earl Hoke, 36, who drowned when he fell off a tugboat near Ellsworth June 22, was recovered floating near the Kaiser shipyards on July 6 and was positively identified last night by friends, Deputy Sheriff Pat Morrow announced today.
     The body was taken to the Stoller funeral home in Camas.

The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA. July 17, 1942, page 5
"Trout Lake Valley"

     Graveside services for Earl Hoke were held at the local cemetery last Thursday morning, where he was buried beside his father. He was born in Trout Lake.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer