Wallace E. Shearer Sr., 84, of Tonasket passed away Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at North Valley Extended Care Nursing Home after an extended illness.

Mr. Shearer was born in the Zenkner Valley of Centralia, Wash., on Aug. 17, 1925 to Earl and Ann (Ingalls) Shearer. Wallace was born on the family homestead/dairy farm where he later worked with his father and brother, Dale. He was particularly proud of providing milk to the soldiers at Ft. Lewis during WWII. He served in the signal corps during the Korean conflict from 1952-1954. In 1953, Wallace’s family moved the dairy operation to Granger where he returned to farm after being discharged from the service.

During the early 1950’s, Shearer and Sons dairy received certificates of recognition for high milk production from the Washington Readers Guernsey Association as well as several dairy herd improvement awards. The brothers sold the farm in 1968 and Wallace moved his family into the town of Granger. He worked at the U & I sugar plant until it closed and then at Pistoresi’s as a welder and finally at Yakima Bait, from which he retired.

Wallace was an avid hunter and fisherman as well as a famed teller of tall tales. He was also an active member of the Lions Club, the Outlook Grange and the Masonic Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Ann Shearer; and brother, Dale.

He is survived by his son, Wallace (Kim) Shearer Jr; and daughter, Katherine (Danny) Soto; five grandsons: Brendan and Blaine Shearer and Derek, David and Nicolas Soto; and one granddaughter, Ivy Shearer; and also ex-wife, but still best friend, Maria Shockley.

Services were held on Wednesday, March 10 in Centralia, Wash., at Newell-Hoerling’s Mortuary, 205 W. Pine St., Centralia, Wash.

Bergh Funeral Service of Oroville/Tonasket in care of arrangements.