Dolan Ray Ellenberger

    Dolan Ray Ellenberger passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, on the evening of March 2, 2023. He was born March 11, 1942, in Adin, California, to Gib and Tommie Ellenberger, and was the oldest of four boys: Dolan, Tommy, Dearld and Larry. 

    Dolan grew up in Big Valley, loving the out-of-doors, and hunting and fishing throughout the area with his brothers, cousins, and the extended family his parents took in, including, John Mulholland, Tom Farber, and Ray Bennett. Dolan learned at an early age the value of hard work, kindness, and accountability.

    He graduated from Big Valley High in 1961, and married Juanita Fay Stanfield on December 7, 1963. They have two daughters: Sydney (John Spradley), and Nicole (Bret Vickerman).

    Dolan led a very active life! In his early days he and Fay lived in Alturas, California, where he began his saw filing career, and over the years he performed saw filing and consulting services for numerous saw/lumber mills, from Alaska to Valdivia Chile. Then, in 1969, Dolan moved his family to Chiloquin, Oregon, where he continued saw filing at Chiloquin Forest Products. He worked there until the mill closed, but his entrepreneurial spirit led him to begin filing saws out of his home shop and opening an excavating business. Dolan operated the excavating business throughout the Chiloquin area until the early 1980’s.

    In 1986, Dolan, Fay and Nicole moved to Lakeview, Oregon, where Dolan got back into the saw filing trade and worked for Lakeview Lumber Company. Dolan worked there until the mill closed and-never one to be idle- he opened and operated a saw sharpening business specializing in sharpening and repair of carbide-tipped round, and band mill saws. This led to numerous travel opportunities during which he provided consulting services, assisting numerous mills in repair and setup of their saw systems. After 40 plus years in the lumber Industry Dolan retired in 2006.

    In retirement Dolan and Fay moved back to their residence in Chiloquin, and he enjoyed their time renovating their home and working on their property. Dolan loved to visit and socialize with family and friends, and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren; Raelea (Britt Doughty, Natalie, Lawrence, Mavrik, Callen), Leta (Ethan Pace), Mattee (Cole Stevenson, Emmett, Liam), Alena Vickerman and Basil Vickerman.

    Dolan was preceded in death by his father and mother, Gib and Tommie Ellenberger, and great grandchild Cleo Stevenson.

    Dolan led a very adventurous life! When he wasn’t working or spending time with family, he loved to hunt and fish. He hunted caribou, Dall sheep, and Blacktail deer in Alaska, and Mule deer, Elk, Bighorn sheep and Antelope in Oregon, Nevada, and California. Dolan also hunted waterfowl and upland birds; and had a special passion for chasing chukar with his favorite dog throughout the desert country of Oregon and Nevada, joined by many friends. When there wasn’t hunting to be had, Dolan also loved fishing the streams, rivers, and lakes of California, Oregon and Alaska.

   Dolan's many interests included flying (and crashing), fly-tying, reloading, shooting, beekeeping, woodworking, knife-making and gardening. He enjoyed watching and supporting the Oregon Tech Basketball teams. He was quite handy with equipment and in construction, and remodeled several homes and assisted many others as well.

    The Family is planning a private service for immediate family members at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Klamath Hospice or planting a tree in memory of Dolan.

   Please sign the guest book found on this obituary page.