Obituaries: Steven L. Neva

ILWACO – On Dec. 3, 2009, the Pacific Ocean claimed the life of Steven Lee Neva, 33, of Ilwaco. He died doing what he loved, fishing at sea. He was born Feb. 28, 1976, in Astoria to Ronald and Terri (Orrell) Neva. He grew up in Seaside and graduated from Warrenton High School.

He was first and foremost a commercial fisherman, crabber and clam digger, but he was also the proud owner of Austin Gutters of Ilwaco.

On Dec. 2, 2003, he married Colette Doney, and became an excellent father to his children, Austin and Devlynne and cherished the time spent with them. He was an experienced hunter and fisherman.

He is survived by his wife Colette, son Austin and daughter Devlynne of the family home; father, Ron Neva of Astoria; mother, Terri Orrell Neva of Warrenton; brother, James Neva of Austin, Texas; sisters, Laura Orrell of Seaside and Sarah (JD) Poe of Warrenton; stepfather, Frank (Jody) Orrell of Warrenton; grandparents, Lorenzo and Joanne DeBellis of Federal Way and Gordon and Milly Neva of Raymond.

A funeral service will take place Friday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m., on the back deck of the F/V Aleutian Ballad which will be moored at the Warrenton Boat Basin. Public viewing will be held at Penttila’s Chapel by The Sea in Long Beach on Thursday, Dec. 10, from noon until 5 p.m., and at the service Friday. Following the service there will be an open reception at The Rogue at Pier 39 in Astoria. Private burial will be at Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton.

The family has requested that donations be made in his name to a fund to create a memorial for commercial fishermen who have lost their lives at sea or a trust fund to be established for hischildren, both in care of Penttila’s Chapel, P.O. Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. His guest book may be signed at (www.penttilaschapel.com).