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About Us
Our History
While Penttila's Chapel was established in 1955, its history can be traced back over eighty plus years when in 1929, E.B. Hughes 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 in Naselle of Finnish ancestry. Following graduation from Naselle High he went to work for Hatton's Funeral Home in Cathlamet, serving as an apprentice until 1942 when he enlisted in the Navy. He served as a medical corpsman and was honorably discharged in 1946.
Following his service Eldred attended San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He returned to Cathlamet and in January 1948 he moved to Long Beach to open the branch of Hatton's on the Peninsula. Eldred returned to serve his nation during the Korean Conflict.
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 with Eldred as 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 Hatton's with Eldred as manager.
Penttila's Chapel by the Sea
In 1955 Eldred purchased the Long Beach location from Hughes-Ransom. The building at that time consisted of a living quarters and small chapel area. These buildings were former barracks that were moved to Long Beach from Fort Canby in the early 1950s. 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 September 29, 1980, Eldred Penttila died at the young age of 57. He and Dorthy are both buried in the Penttila family plot at Peaceful Hill Cemetery in Naselle.
Following Eldred's death, his wife Dorthy continued the operation with Don Birge as manager assisted by Harry Dunlap. By 1983 Dorthy's deteriorating health dictated that the funeral home be sold. She died December 23, 1983.
The Sonnenbergs
Mike and Gail Sonnenberg purchased the business in early 1983 and operated Penttila's for the ensuing five and a half years.
The Hyltons
After graduating from Centennial High School, Liz worked several jobs before deciding to attend mortuary school. Later, Liz and her RN husband, Ron, moved to the Peninsula, where they bought a funeral home, now Penttila’s Chapel by the Sea. Liz holds a Master of Science in teaching, and taught math classes at Ilwaco and Knappa high schools before being hired as a math lecturer at Clatsop Community College in 2001. In her free time, she enjoys quilting, pinochle, and playing the guitar and mandolin. Liz and Ron live in Chinook and have two grown children, Lindsey and Geoff. Ron has served Pacific county for countless years as a funeral director, celebrant, and deputy county coroner. He is quite the character with an amazing knowledge of the history of the Peninsula's death care.
July 2020. Eric Anderson becomes the owner.
Eric is a loving father of two daughters named Bella and Olivia, and a son named Drew.
They continue Penttila's Chapel as a family owned funeral home and have a single focus; providing the best quality service and value their families and friends.
