History

While Penttila's Chapel was established in 1955, it's history can be traced back almost eighty years when in 1929, E.B. Hughes Astoria Mortuary established their North Beach Mortuary in Ilwaco. That building still stands and is located across the street from Ocean Beach Hospital on the west side of First Street

Eldred Penttila

Eldred Penttila was born Jan 29, 1923 in Naselle. He grew up there and graduated from Naselle High School in 1941. Following gradution, he went to work for Hatton's Funeral Home in Cathlamet, serving as an apprentice until December 1942 when he enlisted in the Navy where he was trained as a medical corpsman. He served until 1946.

Following his service, he attended San Francisco College of Mortuary Science and graduated in 1947. He returned to Cathlamet and in January 1948 he moved to Long Beach to open the branch of Hatton's here.

Hatton Funeral Home

In February of 1948, Hatton Funeral Home of Cathlamet opened a branch in Long Beach on the site of present day Penttila's. Eldred was named manager. Mr. Hatton was involved in a serious automobile accident and the decision was made to sell the Long Beach branch.  In 1953 Hughes-Ransom (formally EB Hughes) bought out Hattons and Eldred remained as manager.

Penttila's Chapel by The Sea

In 1955, Mr. Penttila purchased the Long Beach location from Hughes-Ransom.The building at that time consisted of a small living quarter and a small chapel area. These building were former barracks that were moved to Long Beach from the old Fort Canby.  In 1971 the first of two additions here added. This first one was for an enlarged chapel.

The next and final addition was started in 1980 and added an arrangement room, business office and expanded garage space.

On Sept 29, 1980, Eldred Penttila died at the young age of 57.

The Sonnenberg's

Following Eldred's death, his wife Dorothy continued the operation with Don Birge in the capacity of manager. In 1983 Dorothy's deteriorating health dictated that the funeral home be sold. Mike and Gail Sonnenberg purchased it and ran it for the next five years.

New era begins

On April 1, 1988 Portland natives Ron and Liz Hylton purchased the funeral home and continue to operate it to this day. Liz obtained her Mortuary Science degree from Mt. Hood College and Ron served his apprenticeship at Kilingsworth Chapel of the Chimes in Portland.