Eddie "Gritter" Grabeel

Eddie “Gritter” Grabeel was born August 17, 1948 in Ava, Missouri the son of Scolan and Loeta (Elliott) Grabeel. He passed away in Richland, WA on Wednesday December 27 at the age of 69.

Eddie moved from Missouri to Pendleton, Oregon in 1954. He moved to Hermiston in 1960 and he graduated from Hermiston High School in the class of 1966. In 1968, he was drafted into the Army where he served as an Army Ranger in the 75th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge in 1970, he returned to Hermiston where he has resided since. Eddie worked in several careers such as; a lineman, for Union Pacific Railroad and as a  construction worker for Local 121.

He enjoyed riding motorcycles, making canes and knives and watching jeopardy.

Eddie married Kathryn in 1972, from this union three daughters were born, Karen, Kimberly and Karra. The couple later divorced.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Loeta.

He is survived by his three daughters; Karen (Gabriel) Owen of Lexington, Kimberly (Marco) Lopez of Hermiston, Karra (Earl) VanFossen of Hermiston; parents, Scolan and Beverly Grabeel of Hermiston; brothers, Charles Grabeel of Hermiston and Keith (Cindy) Grabeel of Wenatchee, WA; and eight grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday January 5, 2018 at the Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston. Burial with military honors will follow in the Hermiston Cemetery. A 
Celebration will follow at the Cozy Corner Tavern (198 E. Main St. Hermiston, OR).

Family suggest memorial donation in Eddie’s memory be made to the Hermiston V.F.W. Post 4750. His family wishes to offer a special thank you to care giver Glynis Newman.

To leave an online condolence for the family go to www.burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

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