The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., August 16, 1956, page 3

ZACHARY NIEMELA

     Zachary Niemela passed away at the Klickitat Valley Hospital August 3, 1956 after a lingering illness at the age of 74.
     The son of Peter and Gustava Niemela, he was born March 19, 1882 at Calumet, Michigan. At the age of two he came west with his family and they settled on a homestead in the Klickitat Valley near Centerville.
     He was confirmed to the Apostolic Lutheran Church as a young man whose faith he followed all his life.
     On June 1, 1907 he was united in marriage to Hilda Lehto and to this union and three children were born; two of whom, Alice and Wilbert, preceded him in death.
     Mr. and Mrs. Niemela operated a wheat and cattle ranch in the Warwick area until 1939 when they moved to Goldendale where he engaged in the carpenter business.
     As a young man he was very active in community and civic affairs, and he was a charter member of the Goldendale branch of the Eagles Lodge.
     On August 14, 1949 his wife passed away after a long illness.
     He is survived by one daughter, Elma Adams of Camas, four grandchildren, Gene Adams of US Navy stationed at San Diego, Shirley Fryberger of Camas, James Adams of Camas and Robert Niemela of Centerville. Also eight great grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Hilda Erkkila of Centerville, besides many other relatives and a host of friends who will long remember him as a devoted and loving husband and friend.
     Funeral services were conducted from the Phillips Funeral Home August 6, 1956 with Rev. P. Glen Garner officiating. Interment was in the Centerville Grange Cemetery. Pallbearers were Lorrence Heikkel, Alvin Randall, Alvin Eshelman, Harold Eshelman, Arnold Hoikka and Wilbert Crocker.

Calm and peaceful he is sleeping,
Sweetest rest has followed pain,
All who love him sadly missed him,
But trust in God to meet again.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., August 9, 1956, page 1

ZACHARY NIEMELA, PIONEER RESIDENT, INTERRED MONDAY

     Zachary Niemela, 74, pioneer resident of the community, was laid to rest Monday at the Centerville Grange Cemetery after funeral rites at the Phillips Funeral Home. The Rev. P. Glen Garner of the First Baptist Church officiated.
     Zachary, who was born in Calumet, Michigan March 19, 1882, died at the local hospital last Friday.
     He came west with his parents at the age of two years when the family settled near Centerville. He was wed to Hilda Lehto on June 1, 1907, and to this union came three children. Two children and his wife preceded him in death.
     Survivors include a daughter, Elma Elaine Adams of Camas; four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
     Mr. Niemela spent his life as a farmer in the Centerville area until he moved to Goldendale 17 years ago.
     He was a member of the Lutheran Church and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
     Pallbearers were Lorrence Heikkel, Alvin Randall, Alvin Eshelman, Harold Eshelman, Arnold Hoikka and Wilbert Crocker.

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