HAROLD GENE WICHERS
Prosser Funeral Home
Harold Gene Wichers, age 87, entered into rest on April 17, 2011, in Prosser. He was born Jean Harrold Wichers, on October 27, 1923 to H. J. and Adrianna (Jenny) Wichers at home in Downs, Kansas. In 1982, he had his name changed to Harold Gene Wichers. The family lived in Iowa for a short while, returned to Kansas and then moved to Washington, stopping three months in Idaho in 1937 during the Dust Bowl days. They lived east of Granger and Grandview where his dad farmed. He had a little schooling in Kansas and Granger.
In 1950, he married Anna Marie Smith in Lynden, Washington, and they had five children.
Harold had general labor jobs, four times at Hanford and he retired from there in 1988. He worked six years for the city of Prosser in the parks. He started the River Park, taking it out of weeds and started the lawn. He was a volunteer fireman for fourteen years and spent a short time in the military. After retirement he had a small business doing custom mowing and tilling.
His first love was God and going to church to worship Him. He very seldom missed unless he was sick. He also loved Bill Gaither tapes and had nearly 50 of them which he played frequently. He loved going to Prosser football games until he had walking problems. He loved to talk and told people of the Dust Bowl days and how he and his brother Eldon built a tractor. Also, he loved to witness and talk of God's love.
Harold is survived by his wife, Ann; three sons, Dale (Linda) of Ellensburg; Roger (Laurie) and Robert; and his daughter, Julie, all of Yakima. He is also survived by two grandsons, David (Christy) of Ellensburg; and Jon (Jenni) of Crockett, Texas; six great-grandchildren; his brothers, Eldon of Arlington, Washington; Bertus of El Mirage, California; Marvin of Louisville, Kentucky; Lester and Cornel of Prosser; and sister, Cora Whitlatch of Richland.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, one brother, and one sister.
Viewing will be held at Prosser Funeral Home on Thursday, April 21, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Graveside services with Full Military Honors will be held on Friday, April 22, at 10:45 a.m. in the Prosser Cemetery with a memorial service that will follow at 12:00 Noon at the Grandview Church of The Nazarene. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Yakima Union Gospel Mission or Grandview Church of The Nazarene. Prosser Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
Published in Tri-City Herald on April 20, 2011