Lyle Wilson Cornforth

Featured in: August 2017

CORNFORTH — Lyle Wilson, 90; born June 25, 1927, Aberdeen, Idaho; died April 4, 2017, Portland, Ore. Surviving: daughters, Reneé Buell and Pamela Greenlaw, both of Oregon City, Ore.; Tara Sprague and Carla Ringering, both of Troutdale, Ore.; sister-in-law, Betty Cornforth; nieces and nephews, Cheryl Beck, LeAnn Crawford, Kay Johnson, Betty Jean Teeter, Maxine Young, Charlie Cornforth III, Lorraine Nichols, Charlie Smith, Bill Ferguson, Brent Cornforth, Ann Huxby, Vicky Morrison, Bob Hurst, Ann Burt, Annette Stanwick, Chris Cornforth and Rick Cornforth.; 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Lyle Wilson Cornforth was born to Charles and Nettie Cornforth on June 25, 1927. His twin brother, Leon Moore Cornforth preceded him in death on Dec. 19, 2010. They were born at their home on the ranch in Aberdeen, Idaho. Lyle grew up in Aberdeen and went to Aberdeen High School and Gem State Adventist Academy in Caldwell, Idaho. He attended higher education at Pacific Union College in California, Walla Walla College in Washington State, the University of Southern California, and the University of Maryland where he received a Doctor of Education, specializing in Human Development. 

Lyle became an ordained minister and was a pastor of several churches and was principal of Milo Adventist Academy in Days Creek, Ore., assistant principal of Columbia Adventist Academy in Battle Ground, Wash., and director of the Counseling and Guidance Center at Walla Walla College in College Place, Wash. Lyle was affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Family Services; he enjoyed working with the hearing impaired. He did private marriage and family counseling.

Lyle married Ardyth Helen Krause on Dec. 31, 1951 in Pocatello, Idaho. Ardyth preceeded him in death on Aug. 13, 2013. They had one son, Kent Lyle Cornforth who also passed away.

A memorial service was held on April 22, 2017.