John E. Newhouse

Lifelong resident of the Sunnyside-Mabton area John Ellis Newhouse passed into the arms of his Savior on October 26, 2023 surrounded by his family. John was 91. He was born to Dutch immigrants John and Tina Newhouse on August 28, 1932, the seventh of their ten children. He was preceded in death by six brothers and two sisters and is survived by his sister Mary Jane Swynenburg of Cannon Beach, OR.

John is survived by his beloved wife Beverly (Shockley) Newhouse of seventy-one years and his five children: Kimberly Graybeal (Rich Stretch) of Battle Ground, Kristen Tillett and her husband Tom of Zillah, John Thomas (Tom) Newhouse (wife Edie deceased) of Mabton, Justin Newhouse and his wife Nora of Mabton, and Justina Vasquez (husband Anthony deceased) of Phoenix. John was also blessed with ten grandchildren, Alyssa and Ryan Graybeal, Jared Tillett and Nicole Torres, Derek Newhouse, Justin and Justice Newhouse, and Joshua and Caleb Vasquez and Isaac Vasquez (deceased), as well as four great-grandsons: Kaiden, Benjamin, and Dominic Torres, and Riley Graybeal.

John graduated from Sunnyside High School, served his country in the army in Korea and then returned to farming in the Valley. He was a decades-long hop farmer and served on the Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District Board of Directors for many years. His family recalls how much he and his wife, Beverly, enjoyed entertaining their extended family and friends, traveling, bowling trips with John’s brothers, and landscaping, especially planting trees. His children particularly appreciated his kindness, sense of humor, intellectual curiosity, and his love of books, electronics, and gadgets. He enjoyed life to the fullest.

Graveside services with Military Honors will be held Wednesday November 1st at 2:00 p.m. at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at Smith Funeral Home.  Memorial donations may be made to the Union Gospel Mission.  Those wishing to sign John’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com     Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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