EUGENE LLOYD BISTLINE, 96, a resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away on Monday July 25, 2005 at Home Place Special Care in Burlington.
He was born on February 1, 1909 in Minneapolis, Kansas, the son of George W. & Mary E. Scheider Bistline.
He was raised and attended school in Minneapolis after which he attended Central College in McPherson, Kansas.
In 1931 he was united in marriage to Javene Poutre and they made their home in McPherson where Gene worked for Kansas Power as a meter reader and lineman. In 1942 they moved to Portland, Oregon where Gene worked for an ice company for a time and during WW II he worked as a civilian for the U. S. Government installing radar equipment on battleships at the Portland Shipyards. In 1947 he began work with Portland General Electric as a lineman and meter reader. He retired from working from P.G.E. in 1974 after 23 years of service, but continued working as a custodian for a real estate brokerage for several more years.
Javene, his wife of 54 years, preceded him in death in 1985. On February 14, 1987 he married Myrtle Spurling in Sedro-Woolley, they have made their home there since 1990.
Gene enjoyed watching football, traveling and working in his yard and garden.
He was a very meticulous person and considered a gentleman’s gentleman.
He was a longtime member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Union Local 125 in Portland and a member of Northern Peaks Christian Fellowship Church in Sedro-Woolley.
Gene is survived by his wife, Myrtle of Sedro-Woolley. A daughter, Marilyn Bistline of Portland, OR. 2 grandsons and their wives, Michael & Lisa Bistline of Lynnwood and Patrick & Brenda Bistline of Alger. 3 granddaughters and their husbands, Jane & Rich Denbow of Evergreen, CO, Ann Marie & Mark Close of Tonasket, WA and Mary & Clay Rife of Port Angeles, WA. 3 step-children, Sheri Bode Hank of Glendora, CA, Pat Lindstrom Art of Aptos, CA and Donna Swanberg of Seattle. 2 daughters-in-law, Margie Bistline of Port Angeles and Evelyn Bicksler of Indianapolis, IN and numerous nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and extended family.
Besides his first wife, Javene, he was also preceded in death by his son, Gale Bistline, 2 brothers and 2 sisters.
Gene’s family request memorials be made to the Northern Peaks Christian Fellowship Church in Sedro-Woolley.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday July 30, 2005 at the Greenhills Memorial Cemetery in Burlington at 2:00 pm followed by a Life Celebration at the Northern Peaks Christian Fellowship in Sedro-Woolley at 4:00 pm. Pastor Kirby Bertholf will be officiating. Visitation available at and services under the direction of Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley.