Marion Arlie Kirchem's Obituary
Kirchem, Marion Arlie 94 October 7, 1922 - March 7, 2017
Marion Arlie Kirchem passed away peacefully at his residence in Gladstone, OR. Arlie was born to Marion J. and Pearl K. Kirchem at the family home in the Lower Logan area of Oregon City. Arlie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He grew up on the family farm with two younger brothers, Darwin and Merle. He graduated from Oregon City High School in 1940. Arlie married Dorthy Frances Moore in Arkansas on October 8, 1943, they had 5 children and were married for 73 years. He worked for Babler Brothers driving truck, before enlisted in the army, December 1942. He was a proud Veteran of WWII, where he drove a Jeep for Officers, and a M3 Halftrack. After his military service he attended Willamette University for more than a year, were he majored in Physical Education, and taught wrestling at the School for the Blind. He then went to work for the Southern Pacific Railroad as a Brakeman, and retired after 34 years of accident free service. After he retired he and his wife, Dorthy bought a large Honda motorcycle and joined an over 40 age group motorcycle club called the "Retreads". Later, do to international interest, Arlie and Dorthy started the "United Motorcycle Club International" (UMCI). During their travels on the motorcycle they visited 48 of the 50 states, and toured the full length of Canada. Arlie loved the outdoors, enjoying hunting and fishing, and this was passed on to all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also had a great love of sports. When there were no organized sports programs for his daughters, he started a girls' softball team, at the Oregon City Jr. High and it was later called the Oregon City Orphans. He coached them for many years and won numerous titles and trophies. He then went on to coach his sons baseball team, which also did very well. In his later years he was a very proud grandfather, when his granddaughter, Megan Kirchem was written up in the papers for her pitching skills while playing for the Oregon City Girls Softball Team. Arlie was a "Born again Christian", and was very active in his church, and served as Youth Director for many years. He loved to sing and sang in the choir, duets with his daughter, and performed an occasional solo. Marion Arlie is survived by his wife Dorthy, his children Caroline Schlichtman, Judith Dyck, Constance Day (preceded him in death Jan. 2017), David Kirchem, Karl Kirchem, grandchildren Teresa Underwood, Tim Dyck, Jeff Dyck, Amy Bergren, Brad Day, Christina Kirchem, Danielle Miller, Amanda Pace, Megan Kirchem, Andy Kirchem, Kimberley Knopf, Corinna Wells , and 20 great-grandchildren and 2 on the way. Funeral Service will be held at 10 am on March 16, 2017, at Holman-Hankins-Bowker & Waud in Oregon City. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to any Cancer Cure Research program.
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