Velma May Cardin

Velma May Cardin, a Prineville resident, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2022. She was 90 years old.

A short graveside service will be held on Saturday October 29, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. at the Juniper Haven Cemetery in Prineville, Oregon for family and close friends. Later that afternoon at 1:30 PM, a public memorial service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located at 2315 SE Paulina Highway in Prineville.

Velma was born in Prineville, Oregon on November 1, 1931, the daughter of Thomas L. Smith and Dorothy H. (Shroy) Smith. She lived her entire life in Prineville. Velma graduated from Crook County High School in 1950. Shortly after High School she married Donald Cardin on September 29, 1950. About 10 days after they were married, Donald received his notice to report to the U.S. Army. With her husband in the Army, Velma went to work, as many wives did then. Her first job was with Prineville Plumbing and Heating, then she went to work for Westberg Jewelry in Prineville, where she sold records of all things. Around 1952 she started working at Sprouse Reitz in Prineville as a checker. She proved to be one of their most dependable workers and even earned a ten-cent raise, which was a pretty nice raise in those days. She continued to work at Sprouse Reitz until her first son, Phil, was born in 1955. She then devoted the next three decades to being a full-time wife and mother. Her second son, Tim was born in 1957, followed by Todd in 1961, then Casey in 1964. Her first daughter Lisa was born in 1968, followed by Linda in 1971. Despite having a large family, Velma had the unique ability to make each child feel special and loved. 

In 1974, Velma received a visit from a woman named Bobbie Bloom, who was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was immediately impressed by the answers she received from the Bible and the wonderful hope for the future that was shared with her. She soon shared what she was learning with her best friend Pauline Opatz and about a year later, the two of them were baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses at a District Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses held in Pendleton, Oregon. Velma loved sharing the Bible’s message with all whom she met. Even as her health failed in later years, she wrote well over 1,000 letters to residents of Prineville and beyond, sharing an encouraging thought from the Bible, many of whom wrote back expressing appreciation for her encouraging letters. 

Velma loved to knit and crochet, and she spent countless hours making unique gifts for all her friends and family. When you came for a visit, you were sure to be going home with one of her special creations. 

Even when she was not feeling well and had to spend time in the hospital, she seemed to always keep a smile on her face. Many nurses who cared for her often told her children that “Your Mom has to be one of the sweetest ladies we have ever met.”  She truly was! 

Velma is survived by all six of her children. Phil Cardin and wife Susan of Medford, Oregon. Tim Cardin and wife Kathy of Prineville, Oregon. Todd Cardin of Redmond, Oregon, Casey Cardin and wife Tammie of Prineville, Oregon. Lisa DeMoe and husband Brent of Dallas, Oregon and Linda Holland and husband Dan of Bend, Oregon. Grandchildren include Melissa (Cardin) Hopwood, Amy (Cardin) Topete; Megan Barnes, Tyler Roberts, Mariah Vasquez, Spring Vincent, Sierra Cardin, Elijah Cardin; and Izaac, Brenden, and Camren DeMoe and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Donald Cardin, her father, Thomas Smith, her mother, Dorothy Smith-Demaris, her sister Clara McCallister and her brother, Thomas Smith Jr.

Arrangements are in the care of the Prineville Funeral Home. 

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