Alfred Buell

Alfred (Al) Buell, 89, quietly passed away at the VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, Friday, November 9, 2012. He was born in Lyle, Washington on March 1, 1923 to parents, Otis Hiram & Mary Elizabeth Buell. He was a lifelong resident of Oregon; growing up in Eastern Oregon he was a resident of Hermiston where he later raised his family; later moving to Spray in the John Day valley; and Salem in the Willamette valley. Al was a member of the generation that proudly defended his country. He joined the U.S, Navy and was severely wounded when a Kamikaze plane crashed into his battleship, the U.S.S. New Mexico, during the battle of Okinawa. He was awarded the Purple Heart. After returning home he married Betty Louise Marker on April 7, 1946 in Hermiston and they remained a couple for over fifty years, until her death in 1997. They had three children, Carolyn (Disselbrett)(who died in a plane accident in 2003), Larry and his wife Kathleen Riordan of Nampa ID and Leavenworth KS, and Diana of Salem OR. They had three grandchildren (David Disselbrett and his wife Heather of Anchorage AK, Brandon and his wife Theresa Disselbrett of Salem OR and Aidan Riordan-Buell of Boise ID. They also had two great grandchildren Lilly and Justine Disselbrett. Granddaughter in law, Theresa Disselbrett; sister in law Jean Buell. Al was devoted to his family and worked hard his whole life to assure them a good home and a promising future. He was known to take a sip of whiskey, a chew of Copenhagen and to reminisce once in a while. But most of all Al will be remembered as a devoted family man, a proud American, a proud Oregonian, and a vocal Democrat.

Al was a member of the Masons, & Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Al was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Dixon & Rachel Johnson; Two brothers, Clayton Buell & Herald Buell.

A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held on Wednesday Nov. 14, 2012 at 1200 Noon at the Hermiston Cemetery. A celebration of life & reception will follow at the Desert River Inn at 705 Williamette Ave. Umatilla, OR fron 1:00 to 3:00PM

Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.

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