Tribal Elder Marce Norwest walks on

Marcellus John Norwest

May 8, 1929 - May, 22, 2011

Tribal Elder Marcellus "Marce" John Norwest, 82, a resident of Grand Ronde, died Sunday, May 22, 2011, in McMinnville, Ore. He was born on May 8, 1929, in Klamath Falls, Ore., the son of Leo and Mary Duvall Norwest.

He served proudly during the Korean War from Feb. 18, 1953, to Nov. 5, 1955. He married Sharon Rae Lilly in Reno, Nev., and they have been together for 45 years. He worked as the fire warden in Chiloquin and worked in lumber mills in Ketchikan, Alaska, St. Johns, Ore., and Fort Hill and retired as the Forestry Patrol Officer for the Grand Ronde Tribe at age 79.

He was a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. He was in charge of the Veterans Powwow for many years and getting the West Valley Veterans' Memorial in Grand Ronde erected. He loved to tinker, do bead work, hunt, fish, draw and cut wood. 

He is survived by his wife, Sharon of Grand Ronde; children, Lyndel Norwest, Robin Norwest, LaDonna Norwest, Daniele Powley and Johnny Norwest of Grand Ronde, Shirley Norwest of Salem and Jackie Brown of Benton City, Wash; sisters, Marcella "Deedee" Selwyn and Marilee Davis Norwest of Grand Ronde; half-brother, Duane Wheeler of Rose Lodge; along with 16 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by children Marcellus Jr., Andrew, Lonnie and Carmen; stepson Lyle Johnson; brothers Gregory, Oscar, Kenny and Frankie; and sisters Janice Knight, Vernetta Harris, Jeanette Bob and Juanita Curl. 

Viewing will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 26,^, in the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, May 27,^, in the Grand Ronde Tribal gym.  Interment will be in the Grand Ronde Tribal Cemetery.

To leave an on-line condolence for the family, go to www.dallastribute.com.