Orville LaVerne "Vern" Klump

Orville LaVerne Klump, 84, of Longview passed away at home Oct. 6, 2023, due to cancer and injuries from a fall.

He was born Feb. 16, 1939, to Wilber Jacob and Nellie Lenora (Carpenter) Klump, and raised in Portland. Vern attended David Douglas High School in Portland, graduating with the class of 1957. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oregon in 1961, and moved to Longview the following year.

Vern married Sharon Koepke Feb. 11, 1967, in Chehalis, Wash. She survives him at home. Also surviving are two children, Jonathan Klump of Phoenix, Ariz.,  and Julie Anne Chernoff of San Francisco, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Nadia and Nathan Chernoff, and Ella L. Klump.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilber in 1960 and Nellie in 1985; and two sisters, Arless James in 1992 and Helen Kay Buck in 2023.

Vern served in the Marine Corp and sold auto, home and life insurance. He was a member of the National Association for Life Underwriters, the Longview United Methodist Church, the Marine Corp League, Castle Rock American Legion, and the Cowlitz County Veterans Service Center. He also enjoyed several years with the Cascade Players Group and the Longview Police Reserves Association.

A service is planned for 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at the Longview United Methodist Church. Private interment will take place at Longview Memorial Park.

Vern was able to stay with Sharon in their home with the help of Eden Hospice and Chesterfield Services.

Final arrangements have been entrusted to Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park & Crematory.