In Loving Memory of Virgil Bluhm: 1937-2023

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On Feb. 17, 2023, we lost a husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Virgil Lee Bluhm was born Nov. 23, 1937, in Onalaska, Washington, to Erwin and Lillian (Neitzel) Bluhm. The youngest of five kids, he spent the first years of his life in Seattle. When he was in the first grade, he was honored to have his picture in The Seattle Times commemorating Thanksgiving, a holiday he often shared his birthday with. At age 10, he went to live with the Russell Morton family in Napavine, Washington. He excelled in sports, playing football and basketball.

Toward the end of his junior year, he started dating Janet Senne, who he later married in October 1955. Together they had three sons. He enlisted in the Navy in 1955 and was stationed in San Diego, California, serving on three different ships. His Naval service took him to Japan, Australia, China and the Philippines. Upon receiving his discharge, he moved back to Napavine. He was employed at the Goodyear tire plant for several years. Eventually, he became a building contractor where he built homes, apartments and various government projects. One of his favorite projects was remodeling the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Chehalis where he and Janet were attendees for over 50 years.

He was an involved community member, assisting coach the Centralia College Trailblazers Basketball team and Little League baseball. In recent years, he was honored for all his work with Chehalis Little League where a booth is named in his honor. He was also a member of the Lions Club in previous years.

He and Janet enjoyed traveling to Arizona and watching the Mariners at spring training. In later years, they volunteered at the sports complex in Peoria for over 10 years. His great grandchildren were very important to him and he tried to attend all of their activities.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Janet Bluhm; sons, Steven (Raelene) Bluhm, Kevin (Tracey) Bluhm; and Brandon Bluhm; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Melvin (Jean) Bluhm and Leroy (Bertha) Bluhm; and a sister, June Laird.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Arthur Bluhm; and sister, Dorothy Riley.

The family would like to thank Cheri Buchanan for being a compassionate caregiver over the last year.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 349 N. Market Blvd., Chehalis. Remembrances can be made to the church or Chehalis Little League.