July 17, 1919 - June 9, 2009

Howard M. Borland, 89, of Lebanon, died June 9, 2009, at Samaritan Albany General Hospital.

A graveside service was held June 13 at the Lebanon I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

He was born July 17, 1919, in Lacrosse, Wash., to Earl and Helen (Washburn) Borland.

He moved to Oregon City, then to Lebanon in the early 1940s.

During World War II he operated a taxi and later was a troop bus driver between Portland and Camp Adair. He worked for the Griggs Plywood Mill, (Willamette Industries) for 35 years until retiring in 1981.

Mr. Borland married Elva Thomas on Sept. 16, 1967, in Jefferson.

The couple formed the music group "The Joymakers," which also included their children. They performed at the Fourth of July Street Dance at Camp Sherman for 27 years and were the longest running band to play at American Legion Santiam Post 51 in Lebanon. As their children grew up and moved away, they left the group. The couple performed together for 37 years.

He was a member of the Eagles Lodge for 40 years and belonged to Lacomb Grange 907.

Mr. Borland is survived by his wife Elva Borland of Lebanon; daughters and sons-in-law Nelida and Dale Bottin of Yuma, Ariz., and Glee and Don Stewart of Sun City West, Ariz.; daughter Tammy Swanson of Lebanon; sons and daughters-in-law Mike and Marcia Borland of Portland and David and Marilyn Mills of Mt. Hood; brother and sister-in-law Don and Amanda Borland of Seaside; 27 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren with another due soon.

His sons Tom Mills and Dusty Mills, brothers Dan Borland and Richard Borland, sister Fern Herrings and his parents died before he did.

Contributions may be made to The Special Olympics and sent in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon OR 97355.