Vernon Ernest Eerkes, 90, died Feb. 8, 2004, at St. Joseph Hospital, Bellingham. He was born Nov. 17, 1913, in Stillwater near Fall City, the oldest of three children. As a young boy, he moved to Oak Harbor with his family. They settled in the Monroe Landing area, the current location of Oak Harbor Air Park.

Vernon was married Oct. 29, 1936 to Celia “Sally” Balda in Oak Harbor. Vernon worked for the Oak Harbor School District as a custodian for many years. He was also a farmer, well digger and water-witcher or “dowser” as they are now known. During World War II, he served as a member of the Beach Patrol.

Mr. Eerkes loved hunting and fishing. He and Sally enjoyed camping in a tent as well as in their RV. They often traveled to Okanogan County to pick cherries and apples. For many years, Vernon and Sally worked as volunteer cooks at the Oak Harbor School District sixth grade Camp Moran trips each year.

Vernon was a life-long member of Christian Reformed Church of Oak Harbor, as well as a deacon of the church. He was also a charter member of the San DeFuca Volunteer Fire Department, an amateur rock hound and member of the Gem Club and the Fircrest Cemetery Board. He enjoyed making jewelry and making windmills from aluminum cans.

Mr. Eerkes is survived by five children and their spouses: Betty J. Embleton of Everett; Donna and Les Dams of Oak Harbor; Linda and Maynard Bos of Oak Harbor; Loretta “Cheech” and Fred Hamm of Lynnwood; and Pastor Ron and Amanda Eerkes of Oak Harbor; by his sister, Eleanor “Ellie” and Bill Shinkle; by 17 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He also leaves behind his loving care-givers, Mark and Michele McKinley from the North Whidbey Adult Family Home where he lived and his caregivers, Andrea, Amanda and Anna. His wife, Sally, and his brother, Lawrence, preceded him in death.

Funeral services for Vernon E. Eerkes will be held Thursday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. at Christian Reformed Church of Oak Harbor with the Rev. Harold Veldman officiating. Graveside services will be held at Fircrest Cemetery at 1 p.m. A reception will follow the services at the church fellowship hall. Viewing for family and friends will be Wednesday, Feb. 11, from noon to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel.

Memorials may be made to the Oak Harbor Christian School Foundation. Arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.