Erling Dellabalma
March 18, 1939 - Dec. 20, 2025

Dad left us unexpectedly on December 20, 2025. He was 86 old.

Dad was born on March 18, 1939 to Natale and Mary Dellabalma of Orick.

In 1944, his parents bought a dairy farm in Elk River, where Dad worked with his father, and brothers, Donald, Raymond, John, and James. He attended St. Bernard’s Elementary School, then went to Eureka Senior High School so he could enroll in the building trades classes. He graduated in 1958.

After graduation, Dad worked as a carpenters apprentice. In 1959, Dad’s parents gave him a plot of land to build a house. Dad married Mom, July 3rd, 1960. A little over a year later, the first of five children was born.

In October of 1961, they moved into the house they had built, and lived there together for over 64 years.

Dad was a loving father, and husband.

Dad worked at three different lumber mills, Vandenor Lumber, Georgia Pacific, and finally at Schmidbauer Lumber , where he started as a loader operator, and later was promoted to timber buyer, and made many friends.

In 1989, Dad and Mom purchased the Sullivan Ranch in Elk River and started a dairy. After several years, the decision was made to sell the dairy cows, and start raising beef. After almost 35 years, Dad retired from Schmidbauer Lumber, and became a full time rancher.

Dad loved making hay.

Dad was very generous, always ready to lend a hand, and a friend to all. It was not uncommon for Dad to run into someone he knew wherever he went. Dad loved family get togethers, his home, ranch, and Christmas.

He was a lifelong member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Sons of Italy, and Native Sons of the Golden West.

Dad was preceded in death by his parents, Natale and Mary, his brothers, Raymond, John, and James, and his youngest son, Kevin. He is survived by his wife of over 65 years, JoAnn, his daughter Macheal Haskins (Dan) and his sons, Michael, Robert, and Tim. His grandchildren, Sarah, Katie, Matthew, Dylan, Rebekah, Aleksandra , Clarence, Samuel, and Elizabeth. Great-grandchildren, Ella, Abel, Solomon, Noel, Elora , Mathias, Iden, and Elijah.

There will be a rosary at 9:30 a.m., and Mass at 10 a.m., both at St.Bernard’s Catholic Church, in Eureka, on January 14, 2026. In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable contribution to St. Bernard’s Church.

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The obituary above was submitted by Erling Dellabalma’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.