Bernard (Barney) Hershal Wortman
Bernard (Barney) Hershal Wortman was born Aug. 17, 1920, at Imnaha, Ore. He died Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at Orofino. His parents were Virginia Carper Wortman and Charlie Wortman. He had five brothers and two sisters.
He married Inez Isaacson in 1941. They settled at Big Cedar near Kooskia and had nine children. Numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren survive him. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Fred, Stan, and Ray; his twin sister, Bertha; a son, Timothy; and a daughter, Carol.
Bernard worked at many jobs in his lifetime. He worked at most of the small lumber mills in the area. He herded sheep in the Oregon mountains in his youth. He worked as a ranch hand in Oregon. He worked for Potlatch in Lewiston for awhile. Before he retired, he worked for the Forest Service.
Bernard was a horseman, hunter, fisherman, musician and artist. He will be remembered by his hearty laugh, his handmade hatbands and his fiddle playing. He could play the fiddle, the harmonica and dance all at the same time. He hunted antlers all over the mountains near his home at Big Cedar after he retired. Then he made hatbands and necklaces out of the antler pieces. He handed these gifts out to everyone he came into contact with. You could track Barney down by listening for his laugh. When Inez sent one of the kids to find him in town, that's how we tracked him down.
He spent the last part of his life in the Clearwater Health and Rehabilitation Center at Orofino. He was 91 years old. He will be cremated, and his ashes will be buried on the Big Cedar home. Family will honor Barney with a gathering at a future date.
Lewiston Tribune, February 29, 2012, p. 5C
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock
Note: Inez Isaacson Wortman passed away on March 7, 2009.