Stanley Neitling

Stanley J. Neitling, 95, formerly of Klamath Falls, Ore., passed away at the Washington State Veterans Home in Walla Walla, Wash., on Oct. 31, 2023.

Stan was born in Hillsboro, Ore., on Jan. 19, 1928, to Frances (Dunwald) and Joseph George Neitling. He attended the School of Pharmacy at Oregon State University on an ROTC scholarship. Following his graduation in 1950, he enlisted in the Navy and became active duty that June. His first assignment was on a troop transport ship, the USS George Clymer, which carried Marines from the West Coast to Korea. He was next assigned to the amphibious group on the USS LSM-58 and was commissioned to Lt. JG in June 1952. His ship dropped troops and supplies onto the beaches at Inchon and also transported evacuees and refugees. 

Upon returning to the United States, Stan married Mary Vandenberg in Klamath Falls, Ore., on April 6, 1953. They lived in San Diego until he finished his commission and was discharged at the end of May 1953. 

The young couple then moved to Corvallis, Ore., where Stan began his pharmaceutical career. His two oldest children were born in Corvallis. He took a new job in Portland, where baby No. 3 was born. 

In 1958, Stan and Mary moved to Klamath Falls, where he began a long and successful career with PayLess Drug Stores. He worked at all three locations, beginning as a pharmacist at 808 Main Street. He transferred to the new Town and Country PayLess as its manager. When the Jefferson Square PayLess opened, he became the manager there. During this time, two more daughters were born. The only child from Hillsboro multiplied the nest many times over!

While at the Jefferson Square PayLess and with multiple kids in college and of working ages, Stan bought a Baskin Robbins franchise that was located next door. The novelty of multiple flavors of ice cream made it a very successful store in the Klamath area.

Stan was an active member of the Klamath Basin community. He was a Paul Harris Fellow in the Klamath Basin Rotary Club. He also thoroughly enjoyed the Rotary BBQ at the fair each year. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Knights of Columbus. Giving back to the community was very important to Stan. He served on several boards, including Sacred Heart Academy, United Way of Klamath County and the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce.  

After retiring in 1993, Stan not only donated to but also drove and delivered Meals on Wheels for several years. He was also an active member of the St. Pius X Catholic Church and cherished spending time at his cabin at Lake of the Woods.

Stan and Mary enjoyed community theater and supported the Ross Ragland Theater in Klamath Falls. They also made a few trips to Branson, Mo., and liked visiting Leavenworth, Wash., for plays and musicals. They enjoyed traveling, making two church trips to Germany that were highlighted by attendance at the Oberammergau Passion Plays.

Mary died following a long illness in 2009. They had been married for 56 years.

In declining health, Stan moved to Walla Walla in February 2017. There, he was able to spend and enjoy time with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was always the highlight of their trips to Walla Walla. They have many fond memories of their time with him there. 

Stan leaves behind five children: Stanley Neitling Jr. of Lake Oswego, Ore.; Mary Ann Richards (Jim) of Walla Walla, Wash.; Jamie Coleman (Ron), also of Walla Walla; Kathie Vaughn (Larry) of Meridian, Idaho; and Shelley Anderson (Steve) of Parker, Colo. Stan is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was deeply loved and will be missed!

Stan’s life will be celebrated on Nov. 17, 2023. A recitation of the rosary will take place at 10:30 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Klamath Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00. A graveside service with military honors will be conducted at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery at noon. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church or the Klamath Basin Senior Citizens’ Center for Meals on Wheels.