MARTHA VAINIKKA
Martha Elizabeth (Niska) Vainikka, 84, died July 17, 2007, in Vancouver.
Vainikka was born Jan. 13, 1923, in Superior, Wisconsin, and grew up in Minneapolis, MN.
Vainikka was a lifetime member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church.
Vainikka was preceded in death by brothers Melvin, Ralph and Samuel, sisters Ruth, Helen Nelson, Lillyan Kaski, Alma Bellikka and Esther DoBrava, and great-grandson Cameron Prouty. Survivors include sons Lars-Levi Vainikka and Gaius Vainikka, both of Minnesota, Joel Vainikka of Snohomish, and Martin Vainikka, Gunnar Vainikka and Evald Vainikka, all of Vancouver, 21 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends.
Burial was at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens in Minneapolis, MN, with Layne’s Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

TOIVO VAINIKKA
Toivo Vainikka, 78, died Nov. 8, 2006, in Tampare, Finland.
Vainikka was born June 23, 1928, in Viipuri, Finland, lived in Vancouver for 14 years, and the rest of his life in Finland. He worked as an accountant. He was a lifelong member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church.
Vainikka was preceded in death by brother Martti Vainikka in 1983, and two infant sisters.
Survivors include wife of 49 years Mariatta Vainikka of Finland, daughters Anne Thomas and Johanna Anderson, both of Maryland, Helena Abernathy of Yacolt, Virpi Wirtanen, Katri Witzel and Marika Sarkkinen, all of Battle Ground, Minna Erickson of South Dakota, and Maarit Hurkett of Great Britain, son Markku Vainikka of Finland, brothers Pentti Vainikka, Raimo Vainikka and Tanno Vainikka, all of Finland, 43 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Services were held Nov. 18 in Finland.

RALPH VALENTINO
Ralph Joseph Valentino, 82, died June 22, 2007, in Battle Ground.
Valentino was born Jan. 9, 1925, in Pittsfield, MA, and lived in Battle Ground for 15 years. He served in the Army during World War II. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He enjoyed golfing, bowling and fishing. He worked as an insurance agent for Liberty Mutual for 35 years.
Survivors include widow Patricia Valentino, at home, brother Samuel Valentino of California, sister Barbara Caparelli of California, and brothers-in-law Brian Skiffington of California and Michael Skiffington of Oregon.
Memorial mass will be held Tues., June 26, 11 a.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Battle Ground, with Layne’s Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

SALLIE VANDEVENTER
Sallie (Lucore) VanDeVenter, 74, died Jan. 10, 2007, in Vancouver.
VanDeVenter was born May 9, 1932, in New York and moved to Ridgefield when she was 13. She graduated from Ridgefield High School and moved to Camas/Washougal area where she worked as a weaver for the Pendleton Woolen Mills. She was later a part owner of Van’s Chevron and Grocery in Washougal. She was a member of the Peninsula Quilt Guild in Long Beach.
VenDeVenter loved her dogs, her home at Ocean Park, baking, her stitching groups, and her friends and family. She was a fan of the Food Network. She enjoyed the holidays.
Survivors include daughters Susie Berkley of Vancouver, and Terri Fry and Becki Wallace, both of Washougal, sons Lloyd Fry of Washougal and Doug Fry of Ocean Park, eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
VanDeVenter was preceded in death by her beloved Pug and Boxer dogs.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Washougal Cemetery, with Straub’s Funeral Home and Columbia River Cremation in Camas in charge of arrangements.

LEWIS VANMETER
Lewis Francis VanMeter, 88, died Jan. 4, 2008, in Vancouver.
VanMeter was born Sept. 21, 1919, in Hamley Run, OH, lived in Oregon City, OR and moved to Vancouver in 1978. He also lived in Long Beach.
VanMeter served in the Army 1942-1945, earning Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.
VanMeter worked for Alpine Fuel Co. in Portland for seven years, and Safeway in Portland for 30 years.
VanMeter was preceded in death by his first wife, Myrtle Marie Spindler, and second wife Cleo Scrivner. Survivors include sons Lewis VanMeter Jr. of Woodland, Steve VanMeter of Arizona, and George VanMeter, William VanMeter, Michael VanMeter and Donald VanMeter, all of Vancouver, daughters Frances Ueltschi of Ridgefield, Nancy Lewis of Oregon, and Kathleen Nein and Mary Winter, both of Vancouver, 25 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Interment was at Memory Memorial Park, Vancouver, with Layne’s Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

FRED VANONI
Fred Herman Vanoni, 52, died Feb. 19, 2008, in La Center.
Vanoni was born July 26, 1955, in Waltershausen, East Germany, and lived in Clark County for 10 years, the last three months in La Center.
Vanoni served in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed working on cars, fishing, woodworking, writing poetry, building things, attending church and spending time with his children and granddaughter. He also enjoyed his dog, Flash.
Vanoni worked as an auto technician.
Survivors include widow Deborah Vanoni of Kalama, daughters Sarah Vanoni and Briana Vanoni, both of Kalama, sons Michael Vanoni and Christopher Vanoni, both of Kalama, brother Robert Vanoni of California, sisters Manuela Vanoni of Texas, and Lorraine Vanoni and Kathleen Younce, both of California, and granddaughter Emily Vanoni of Kalama.
No services were held, with Layne’s Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

GEORGIA VAVROSKY
Georgia (Janousek) VavRosky, 85, died Feb. 12, 2008, in Battle Ground.
VavRosky was born April 24, 1922, in Grafton, ND. She enjoyed camping, cooking, canning and spending time with her family.
VavRosky retired in 1977 from Jantzen Knitting Mills after 25 years of employment.
VavRosky was preceded in death by sisters Josephine VavRovsky, Beatrice Schildberger, Julia Dub and an infant, unnamed sister, and brothers Bill Janousek, Peter Janousek, Roman Janousek and Jimmy Janousek. Survivors include widower Pete Nosko of Battle Ground, sons Dennis VavRosky of Portland and Darrell VavRosky of Battle Ground, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Evergreen Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, was in charge of arrangements.