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Obituaries for February 14, 2008 |
Lawrence Edward Hunter, 93, OrofinoOrofino loses another old-timer
Like other Old Timers, Lawrence matured during the depression years, where nickels and dimes were earned by long hours of sweat and blisters at whatever jobs could be found. He became a Marksman at an early age knowing that having meat on the table required dropping a pheasant on the wing or hitting a running whitetail with a minimum of shots. In 1934 he married Alma Strait of Wells Bench. Using salvaged lumber from a nearby sawmill he built their home on his in-laws property. They lived in the same house until 1952. Their son, Cleve joined them in 1936. In early summer of 1935 Lawrence worked for Morrison and Knutson Construction clearing right of way for what later became Highway 12 between Greer and Kamiah. He was then hired by the Forest Service on another road right of way clearing job at Pete’s Fork near the headwaters of Lolo Creek, lasting until fall. He worked at an assortment of jobs joining the WPA in 1938 working on diverse projects including the Orofino Park rock wall, several rock crushers and road clearing. Good fortune smiled in 1941 when he was hired by the Cement Plant in Orofino, remaining there until 1946 when the plant closed. Afterward his work included Speck and Beeson gas station, located where the current Sunset Station stands; and the Orofino Rochdale and Haines Brothers Equipment. He operated the Glenwood Shell and lastly became a heavy equipment mechanic for Clearwater County in 1965 remaining until retirement in 1979. Not one to sit still, he drove the local senior citizens bus from 1979 until 1994 when failing eyesight forced a second retirement. He was councilman for Orofino City Council in 1983-1984. Lawrence moved his family from Lower Wells Bench to Orofino in 1952 where he built a house on Kalaspo Ave. Alma passed away in 1967. Later he married Cora (Babe) Price in 1968, who shared his life until her health required the services of a care home in the fall of 2003. After suffering a severe stroke in the spring of 2004 Lawrence spent his remaining years at Clearwater Health and Rehabilitation. Avid OutdoorsmanUntil the loss of his eyesight, Lawrence was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying ammunition reloading, fishing and hunting, with chukar shooting being his favorite. He began a love affair with the Buffalo Hump country in 1954 lasting for the next 47 years, ending with a three day camping trip in the summer of 2001 when he bid farewell to this majestic country where he had hiked, motorcycled, fished, explored old mines and just enjoyed. Lawrence had the uncanny ability to absorb geography, never getting lost on his many treks into unknown country along with being able to remember the names of every creek, its headwaters and where it emptied. His memory retained the name of roads, ridges, knobs, lookouts and other reference points for most of the Clearwater watershed country. Next to being outdoors he liked to dance. He was a charter member of Wilderness Campout Jam sessions when they danced on the blacktop campground roads lubricated with rubber particles ground from old tires and under umbrellas when it rained. In addition to being a proficient dancer, he guided others by calling the Virginia Reel, square and round dances. His favorite venue was the Clearwater Grange Hall where he danced and called for over 30 years. Among his many activities Lawrence will be remembered for his mechanical abilities and inventiveness such as when after a snowfall, sounds from his Popping Johnny powered snow plow could be heard in the early morning around town as he cleared sidewalks and parking areas. He built this unique machine from as assemblage of parts taken from several makes of cars and tractors in addition to the self fabricated parts holding the whole shebang together. SurvivorsLawrence is survived by his wife, Babe, son Cleave and wife Roberta of Orofino; three grandsons, Mark of Walla Walla, WA, Brad of Sandy, OR, and Gregg of Lilburn, GA; plus three great-grandsons and three great-granddaughters; two step-daughters, Gail and husband Bill Williams, and Donna and husband Gene Mullikin all of Orofino; eight step-grandchildren and numerous step-great-grandchildren. Siblings include Wallace (deceased 1930), Edith Bowles (deceased 2001), Jamie and wife Anne of Kamiah, Lowell and wife Dorothy (deceased 2002), Rhoda (deceased 1983), Dwight and companion Mary E. Brown of Lewiston and Vollie (Dude) and wife Helen of Colbert, WA. A memorial service was held Feb. 13 at Pine Hills Funeral Chapel in Orofino. |
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Gerald William Philpot, 66, Orofino
Jerry graduated from Orofino High School and attended a year at the University of Idaho. He worked many summers during high school for the Forest Service working on the road crews in the Bungalow area. Jerry was an avid trap shooter and belonged to the Orofino Pierce Gun Club. On Aug. 15, 1965 he married Frances (Fran) Williams of Orofino and became the father to Vicki Williams Schneider and Doug Williams Philpot whom he later adopted. Fran and Jerry were divorced in 1980.
He enjoyed hunting and
fishing and spent many years boating on the Dworshak Reservoir. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Clearwater Humane Society of Orofino, Orofino Fire Department or Clearwater County Ambulance in Orofino. |
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Memorial open house for June E. Seasor A memorial open house will be held Saturday, Feb. 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 846 Walrath in memory of June E. Seasor, who died Feb. 2, 2008. Please come and share your memories of June with her friends and family. |
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Elsie A. Stillman, 87, former Weippe resident Elsie A. Stillman, 87, formerly of Weippe, died Monday, Feb. 11, 2008 at Clearwater Health and Rehabilitation in Orofino. Services are pending with Trenary Funeral Home, Kooskia. |
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Diana Mae Latch, 53, Stites
Diana was born on Feb. 14, 1954 in Sterling, IL to parents William and Marilaine (Anning) Appenzeller. She graduated from Sterling High School in 1972 and married her husband of 36 years, Albert Vincent Latch, shortly after. Diana and Al became an inseparable couple, and moved to Idaho together to pursue their dreams. Diana attended the University of Idaho and received an undergraduate degree in business and marketing, then moved briefly to Las Vegas where she received a Masters in Business Administration degree from UNLV. Diana then put her education to work successfully running an outfitting business with Al for over twenty years. Her downhome hospitality and excellent cooking left a lasting impression on many during that time and more than a few clients quickly became lifelong friends. Diana was a member of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association and also a member of the Clearwater Valley chapter of the IOGA. Always one to seek out opportunity, Diana also founded and managed Anadromous Enterprises in 1993. She and her crew enjoyed themselves and provided a valuable service as they traveled to hatcheries up and down the Columbia River Basin clipping and tagging steelhead and salmon smolts for release. Diana will be especially remembered by all who knew her for her kindness, generosity and above all, her drive and enduring, unbreakable spirit. Even when faced with cancer, Diana always kept a positive outlook and faced each new challenge with a smile. She was never one to waste an idle moment and always had a new goal or hobby to keep her looking forward. She was extremely talented and many of her meticulously crafted gifts grace our homes and our hearts today as a constant reminder of Diana. Her courage is admired and will service as a source of inspiration to those of us whose lives are richer for knowing her. She will truly be missed. Diana is survived by her loving husband, Albert Vincent Latch, her parents William and Marilaine Appenzeller, her mother-in-law Elizabeth Latch, brothers Tom and Dick Appenzeller, and sisters Billie Rawot and Linda Whitver. In remembrance of Diana, a Rosary was said Feb. 14, at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, 407 7th Street, Kamiah. Following the Rosary was a mass and a potluck. In lieu of flowers the family is asking that a donation be made to ICARE, a nonprofit foundation which helps share costs with local area families who are actively receiving treatment for cancer. Donations can be sent to: ICARE, 4088 Canyon Creek Road, Orofino, ID 83544. Arrangements are by Trenary Funeral Home in Kooskia. |
Gerald (Jerry) William Philpot, a lifetime Orofino resident, passed away
Wednesday Feb. 6, 2008 at 
Diana Mae Latch, a longtime resident of the Southfork Valley, passed away
quietly in the early morning hours of Feb. 6 at St. Joseph Regional Hospital in
Lewiston from complications with cancer. Loved ones and friends were at her side
at the time of her passing and were deeply saddened at the sudden loss of such a
great person a week before her 54th birthday.