Ellis W. Rainwater, 96, of Albany, Oregon (formerly of Sweet Home) went to be with the Lord on Saturday. He was born in Verboort to Martin and Vada C. (Huber) Rainwater.

He lived in Oregon his entire life. His family is native to Oregon since 1850. He grew up in the Vernonia area and moved to Sweet Home in the late 40s and then to Albany in the 90s.

Ellis married Marilyn Bellamy on April 5, 1942.

One of his first jobs was splitting wood for a steam donkey. He worked in the woods until the late 50s. He finished his working career at local saw mills.

He enjoyed wood working, fishing, and hunting. He especially enjoyed his time fishing at Green Peter. Ellis was an excellent carpenter and did wood working most of his life. Many of the Christmas gifts for family would be his wood turnings. He was a great father.

Ellis is survived by: his son, Norman, and his wife Kathy Rainwater; daughter Joyce and her husband Dick Bates; grandsons Marty Bates, Brian Rainwater, and Gary Rainwater; granddaughter Tammi Rainwater; 10 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; sisters Bonnie Jackson and Thelma Bergerson; and brother Virgil Rainwater.

He was preceded in death by: his wife, Marilyn; parents; granddaughter Nora(Bates) Prior; and brother Glen Rainwater.

Memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 26, 2014 at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.