Zoie McLean, 106, Orofino

   Zoie McLean passed away July 7, 2011 at her residence at Brookside Landing in Orofino. She was 106.

   She was born Nov. 2, 1904 at home on her parents’ horse and cattle ranch near Creston, WA. She rode her horse to school the first few years.

   She graduated from Creston High School and then on to WSC where she obtained a B.A. in Education. Her first teaching job was at Hunters, WA. There she met and eloped to marry Clair McLean. Her last three years of teaching was at Kettle Falls, WA and at age 103 was able to go to the class reunion, ride in the parade and dance the night away.

   She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Elizabeth Mangis; sister Lena Hauger; brother Orville Mangis; great-grandson Travis McLean and great-granddaughter Heather McLean Lougee.

   She is survived by two sons Courtney McLean and wife Evelyn, Orofino and Douglas McLean and wife Leota, Redwood City, CA; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

   A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, July 30 at 11 a.m. at the Senior Center building, 903 Michigan Ave, Orofino with a luncheon to follow.

William G. Crutcher, 81, former resident

1930-2011

   William G. (Bill) Crutcher, Walla Walla, WA, passed away July 9 in Walla Walla. He was 81.

   He was born in Ahsahka to James and May Crutcher “in the little house up on the hill that looked over the river.” He was raised in the Orofino area.

   As a youngster, Bill loved to fish in the area where Dworshak Dam is now located. He would also hunt the area behind the dam for deer. His father always told him “you can catch a fish where there aren’t any fish and find a deer where there aren’t any deer.”

   Bill served in the Korean War returning in 1954. He had gone to a movie and stopped off for a cup of coffee at the Empire Café where he met “a little bubbly red-head” named Marilyn Williams. He escorted her home every night after that until they married in June. With this bond came three children, twins Jan (Johnson) and Jill (Murphey), and a third daughter, Judi Crutcher. Though now divorced, Bill and Marilyn remained very good friends.

   As a young man Bill worked at the Riverside Mill in Orofino. From 1967-1971, he served in the Idaho State Senate from District 7. He moved his family to Boise where he became Director of the Disability Determinations Unit. Later, he spent years managing various motels in the Northwest area, ending up in Walla Walla.

   Bill was involved in many civic, fraternal, and governmental organizations, including Jaycees, Odd Fellows, Eagles, Elks, AMVETS, Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club to name a few. He was also involved with the Orofino Little League as coach and umpire for 17 years, one of the favorite “jobs” that he ever had.

    He was involved with OCI (Orofino Celebrations Inc.) For 40 years, he was the auctioneer at the Orofino Lumberjack Days. He loved this because he would prank many of his friends such as selling a box of cigars worth $7 for $45 or selling a hair permanent to a bald guy.

   Bill was preceded in death by his brother Jim.

   He is survived by his angel, Bernice Charlton (Miss Kitty) of Weston, WA, daughters Jan Johnson, Jill Murphey and Judi Crutcher, all of Boise; sister Mary Ellen Starkey, Arizona; ex-wife and friend Marilyn Williams, Boise; four grandchildren, Stephanie Hendrickson, Dustin Strickland and his wife Heidi, Riley Johnson, all of Boise and Janelle Ritchey and her husband Dave, Scottsdale, AZ and great-grandchildren Austyn Mason and Trevor Strickland.

   A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

   Contributions in Bill’s honor can be made to a charity of your choice.

   Bill is back in his “little house up on the hill that looks over the river.”

Janet Kingen, 63, Fraser

   Janet Louise Stevens Kingen was born in Orofino on Nov. 1, 1947 to Ken and Eva Stevens. She died July 9, 2011.

   Janet attended Orofino High School in the early 60’s. She married the man of her dreams, Pete Kingen, on Jan. 2, 1965 in Orofino. They made a home in Weippe and later moved to Pete’s family ranch in Fraser. Their daughter Julie was born in 1966 and a second daughter, Deann, was born in 1969. 

   They moved to Lewiston in 1974 and raised their family. Janet was a very good loving wife and mother. She traveled to various road construction jobs with her husband before retiring back to the family ranch in Fraser in 1997. 

   She loved to cook, clean, play pinochle, do puzzles and watch movies. She enjoyed her grandkids. Janet loved to help people and she never met a stranger. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Pete Kingen; her daughters, Julie Woods of Post Falls, Deann and her husband Greg Sanders of Canal Winchester, OH; her grandsons, Brandon Woods and Colter and Caleb Sanders. 

   She was preceded in death by her father, Ken Stevens, mother Eva Stevens, and sisters Joan Ann and Linda Montambo.

   Funeral Services were held at Pine Hills Funeral Chapel in Orofino on Wednesday, July 13 with Pastor Don Blain officiating. Burial was at Fraser Cemetery, followed by dinner at the Fraser Community Center. Pine Hills Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.

Doris Lyda, 77, Orofino

   Doris Bonner Lyda, 77, passed away Friday July 8, 2011, at St Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston within a month of a cancer diagnosis. She died peacefully with her loved ones by her side.

   She was born in the family home in Orofino, to Blaine and Cleta Bonner on January 6, 1934. She lived her life to the fullest in the beautiful Clearwater County.

   She met her life’s partner when she opened the family door to a disheveled but handsome young man needing help with a deer. Doris and Perk Lyda were married July 15, 1949, in Orofino, and would have celebrated their 62^nd Anniversary this Friday.

   The young couple spent their honeymoon years living at Johnson’s Mill where Perk worked, while Doris honed her wonderful cooking skills. It was at this time their loving daughter, Kathy Ann, was born. She died in 1996.

   In the late 50s, Doris wanted to follow her dream of becoming a nurse and attended school in Lewiston. She discovered she was much too tenderhearted for this and happily moved into cosmetology where she delighted in visiting with her clients as she met their beauty needs.

   She loved being outdoors whether to work or play. Perk became a professional fishing guide on the Clearwater River and they met many wonderful, some famous, people from all over who came here to fish with them and enjoy Doris’ great cooking.

   These lasting friendships led to many interesting traveling experiences, several to Nashville where they often were invited backstage at the Grand Ole Opry. But Doris was happiest when at the ranch they bought on Grangemont where they nurtured a commercial Christmas tree farm for 26 years, rode 4-wheelers in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter.

   Her close-knit cousins are more like sisters and brothers and she loved spending time with them on trips to Montana, the Oregon Coast, at the Clearwater County Fair, and at the Bonner Mountain Music Festival. Also precious to her, were the times spent with friends, especially the campouts at Wilderness Gateway, playing cards or Bunko, and at weekly jam sessions she and Perk hosted.

   Doris was always kind and generous, and patriotic to the bone; she was also spunky and never afraid to speak her mind. She endeared herself to many and will be missed by all who knew her.

   She is survived by her husband Perk and dog Buffy at their Orofino home of 55 years, her “girls” Cheri Jenks and Karen/Bird Goodwin, and many cherished cousins and friends.

   Doris was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Kathy; and brother, Glenn Bonner.

   A memorial service will be held this Saturday, July 16, at 11 a.m. at the Orofino Riverside Cemetery, just below the American Flag. Phil Bonner will officiate and a small dinner for family only will follow.

   In lieu of flowers a donation to the Clearwater Humane Society, PO Box 2063, Orofino, ID, is suggested.

Gordon J. Boyd, 66, Orofino

   Gordon James Boyd died June 29, 2011 due to complications from surgery for stomach cancer. He was granted his last wish, which was to die at home. He was 66.

   He was born July 13 1944 to James Boyd and Stella Clausen Boyd in Lewiston. He married Lynne Young in 1964 and they had five children. They were later divorced.

   He married Sherry Farance in 2005. They were later divorced but continued to live together until his death.

   He was preceded in death by his parents and his bonus son, AJ Swandic.

   He is survived by his ex-wife Lynne Boyd, Orofino; sons James Boyd and partner Tammy Clark, Orofino and Dan Boyd, Lewiston; daughters Mary and husband Galen Kuykendall, Orofino, Michelle and husband Kevin Keenan, Lewiston, and Nicole Curtis, Lewiston; sister Gayle and husband Pete Young, of Montana; uncle Ken Clausen, Clarkston, WA.

   He is also survived by his partner of 20 years, Sherry Boyd at the family home in Orofino; bonus children, John Cermak, Jr. and wife Debbie, Lewiston, Darrell Cermak and wife Sherree, Lewiston and Anne Cermak and partner Mike Baker, Clarkston, WA; 13 grandchildren and seven bonus grandchildren.

   Services were held July 8 at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Orofino.

   Gordon was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Jeffrey Ott, 53, Pierce

   Jeffery Paul Ott, of Pierce, died Sunday, July 10, 2011 at home. He was 53. Services are pending with Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory in Orofino.

Ferice Childers, 85, Orofino

   Ferice B. Childers, age 85, passed away at his home in Orofino, on Monday, July 4, 2011. Orofino’s former police chief is survived by sons, Stephen F. Childers of Orofino and Charles Childers (location unknown).

Gordon Boyd, 66, Orofino

   Gordon James Boyd died June 29, 2011 at his home in Orofino. He was 66.

   Memorial services will take place Friday, July 8 at 11 a.m. at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, with reception to follow in the Little Flower Room.

   Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in care of arrangements.

Robert Decoria, 65, Orofino

   Robert Euguen Decoria died Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at his home in Orofino. He was 65. No services will be held at this time. Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in care of arrangements.

Ronald Ray Trieb, 57, Clarkston

   Ronald Trieb, of Clarkston, WA, passed away suddenly of a heart attack Monday, June 27, 2011. He was 57.

   He was born April 27, 1954, in Elgin, N.D. to Peter and Agnus Trieb.

   He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1972 and from the American Institute of Baking on Dec. 13, 1974.

   He married Judith Recio Dec. 31, 1986, at the Hitching Post in Coeur d'Alene.

   Ron spent nine years in the baking industry. He also worked as a truck driver and dispatcher for Coca-Cola and Canyon Creek. He lived in the valley most of his life; the past 25 years being in Clarkston.

   He was a volunteer for the Latah County Fire Department. Ron was very involved with restoring old cars. He also owned numerous jet boats and loved to fish.

   Survivors include his wife, Judith, at their Clarkston home; a son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Jamie Recio of LaGrande, OR.; daughter, Amy Recio of Coeur d'Alene; an adopted daughter, Jennifer Trieb; two brothers, Russell and Tammy Trieb of Weippe, and Reggie and Pam Trieb of Mandan, N.D.; he leaves behind numerous grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, who were all very special to him.

   He was preceded in death by his mother, Agnus, Nov. 1, 1973; his father, Peter, Jan. 12, 1994; and his brother, Rodney Dean Trieb, Nov. 1, 2003.

   A wake will be held in memory of Ron's life at 2 p.m. July 16 at 528 12th St. in Clarkston, WA.

Arletha Phillips-Bell, 68, Pahrump, NV

    Born in Twin Falls, May 6, 1943, to Glen D Phillips and Ardith I Robbins-Phillips, Arletha I (Lea) Phillips-Bell, age 68, passed away of a sudden heart attack at her Pahrump, NV home Sunday, June 19, 2011

   Growing up, Lea traveled extensively throughout the United States as her dad pursued a career in construction with Peter-Kewitt, Morrison-Knudson, Murphy Bros. and many others.

Living for a short time in Orofino in the early 60's while her dad work on the road to Dworshak Veiwpoint and the diversion tunnel for the future Dam, she work at the Old Idaho Inn on Riverside for Mary and Carl Peterson.

   In 1963, she moved to Las Vegas, NV.  Lea married David P Bell in 1965 and from this union brought her son, David L Bell. Lea's working career included managing a motel in West Yellowstone, MT; cocktail waitress, cashier. Long-haul truck driver (who would have thought), hostess/bookkeeper, retiring from Allen-Albert's Lobster Restaurants in Las Vegas. She moved to Purcell, OK shortly after to live with her sister Bobbey. In 2007, she moved to Pahrump, NV.

   Most recently she enjoyed a family reunion over memorial weekend at her sister's place on Rudo Rd, Orofino.

   Lea was preceded in death by her dad, Glen D and mom, Ardith I Phillips of Orofino in 1974.

   She is survived by her son David L Bell, grandsons Brenden and  Brady of Arlington, TX; brother, Del (Melodie) Phillips; nephew Carmon (Linda) and family, Onalaska, WA; sisters, Edna (Bobbey) Phillips, Purcell, OK and her three adopted children, WA; Evelyn C Wilson, Orofino;  nephews, Jim and Rory Wilson, CA; niece Robbie Wilson and son, Lewiston; Robin Phillips-Hofmann (Pat); niece Logan of Washington, OK;  aunt, Darlene Cash, Molt, MT and several cousins. At her request cremation took place. A private memorial will be held at a later date.

Fern Moore, 89, Clarkston, WA/Yuma, AZ

   Grace Fern Moore, better known as Fern G. Moore, 89, passed away on Friday, July 1, 2011; at her daughter’s home in Yuma, AZ from effects of old age.  Fern was born October 29, 1921 in Branson, MO, to Levi Newton Haggard, and Emma Victoria (Snapp) Haggard.

   Fern is survived by her daughters; Delores E. Phillips and husband Charles of Huntsville, AR and Teresia E. Gould and husband Randy of Yuma, AZ; seven grandchildren, Charles Phillips Jr., Dee Ann Phillips, Carl Phillips, Tricia (Gregg) Dominguez, Crystal Carter, Earl Phillips, Amanda Gould, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, who live in the states of Arkansas, Washington, Montana, Idaho and Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews.

   Fern came from a very large family of seven children; her parents and other siblings all preceded her in death in addition to two grandsons, Billy Joe Phillips and Babe Phillips.  Fern attended Oak Grove School (Grade 1-8), then Branson School District.

   Earl M. Moore and G. Fern Haggard were married April 20, 1940 until Earl’s death on October 21, 2003 (63 ½ years). Fern’s first paid job at ninety cents an hour was at a Branson Manufacturing Co., sanding black walnuts to be made into novelties to be sold to tourists (1952-1953).

   Fern, Earl and Delores then traveled to Idaho (1953) where they had stopped to visit some of Earl’s cousins with plans to travel onto California, but Earl was offered a job at a local saw mill and they decided to make Orofino their home.

   In Idaho, Fern was a housewife, mother, and homemaker, where she gardened, canned and harvested a very large raspberry patch every year for extra money to help purchase material to sew clothing and beautiful handmade quilts. She was an excellent seamstress and a good cook. We all miss her homemade bread, biscuits, cinnamon rolls, pies, and canned goods.

   Fern loved hunting, camping, fishing, rock hounding and jeep rides into the wilderness country of Idaho with family and friends. We’ll miss all the stories she told. Fern was a Cook (May to Sept. 1963) for PTPA at Camp 40 while Earl ran the crew of young men. She also worked as a housekeeper in the 1970’s, first at Konkolville Motel, then the Hacienda Lodge, and last at the Ponderosa/Lewis-Clark Motor Inn until it closed.

   She belonged to a Ladies Club in Missouri then a Ladies Club in Grangemont until they purchased a home closer to Orofino on the Grangemont Road. Since she didn’t drive at the time, she no longer attended meetings. In 1974, Earl and Fern moved from Orofino and made Clarkston, WA their home.

   Graveside services will be at Lewis Clark Memorial Gardens at 2 p.m. July 8 with viewing on the same date from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Mountain View Funeral Home on 8^th & Cedar. A potluck gathering for family and friends will follow after the service at the Lions Club, 1205 8^th Ave. in Lewiston.

   Any donations can be made in her name to the Lewiston or Yuma Animal Shelters.

Donna Rueppel, 83, Peck

   Donna Lorraine Rueppel, of Peck died Thursday, June 30, 2011 in Spokane, WA. She was 83. Services are pending. Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in care of arrangements.

Ethel V. Luke, 95, Clarkston, WA

July 11, 1915 July 2, 2011

   Ethel V. Luke, of Clarkston, WA, passed away in the late evening of Saturday, July 2, 2011, at Evergreen Estates in Clarkston, WA. She was 95.

    Ethel was born in Bismarck, N.D., July 11, 1915. She was one of twin daughters born to Henry and Ethel Marble Schilling.

   Her mother passed away the day after the twins' birth, leaving the twins and three siblings. Ethel's maternal grandmother, Ella Marble Farris, raised Ethel until she was 16. Her twin sister and her older sister were raised by an aunt, and the two boys were raised by their paternal grandmother. At age 16, Ethel went to live with her father on his ranch near Regan, N.D. She had a wonderful life with her dad and relatives.

   Ethel loved to dance the popular dances of the time including the polka and round dancing.

   She graduated from high school in 1933 in Williston, N.D. She left that summer for Portland, Ore., and enrolled in nursing school. While in nursing school, friends introduced her to Henry Luke. He was a great dancer, very handsome and owned a yellow convertible. She had many good memories of the courtship and the great times they had. Henry and Ethel were married in Vancouver, WA when he was 33 and she was 20.

   They made their home in several towns around the Northwest and finally settled in Clarkston. Henry was employed as a foreman in the automotive business and Ethel began her nursing career at the old White Hospital in Lewiston, then later worked at Tri-State Memorial Hospital in Clarkston.

   In 1957, they left the valley to move to a small ranch at Peck. Henry raised cattle, and Ethel went to work at the Orofino hospital. While at this hospital, she especially loved being a surgery nurse and head of central supply. She also worked as an office nurse at the Orofino clinic. She retired from nursing in 1978.

   Henry and Ethel were married 49 years when Henry passed away in March 1985. Since then she has lived in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, where she continued dancing, walking, playing cards, and enjoying the company of friends and family.

   She is survived by her four children, Gordon Luke, Virginia Flores and Sandra Boyer, all of Lewiston, and Michael Luke of Nezperce; 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

   Ethel would want to be remembered for her strong support of her family and friends, and her dedication to her nursing career. She had a great sense of humor and quick wit, which stayed with her all of her life. She was "good company." She liked watching sports on television, especially football. She loved to attend the events in which her children and grandchildren were participating and was known for enthusiastic vocal support.

   Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Henry, a grandson, Eric Montgomery, one sister and one brother.

   She will be interred in the Orofino Cemetery in Orofino.