Jesse E. Main Jr., 98, Orofino

Jesse E. Main Jr. was born July 10, 1924 in Casper, Wyoming to Jesse Sr. and Kathrine Main. His mother passed away when Jesse was 10 years old. His father remarried Elvira who Jesse loved very much. He was the oldest of 15 siblings whom he helped raise.

Jesse passed away March 17, 2023. He was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 77 years. Ethel. Also, his parents, stepmother, and twelve younger siblings.

He married Ethel Cole December 5, 1945 in Payette ID. while on leave from the Army during WWII. Soon after they settled in McCall ID. where they raised their five children Joyce (Dan) Malone, Dianna (Jim) McLeod, Jesse E. Main III, Calvin ( Vickey) Main and Lila Nealand.

He is survived by the aforementioned children, 12 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 15 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jesse loved to hunt, fish, pan gold and go camping with his family. He loved working with wood and building with his hands. He also enjoyed gardening and making a variety of wines.

Jesse worked as a Foreman for Brown Lumber Mill in McCall until it sold to Boise Cascade, which he retired from after over 25 years.

Then he went to work for Louisiana Pacific in Post Falls as a plainsman, eventually retiring with all his fingers intact.

Jesse and Ethel settled in Orofino in 1993.

One event that changed Jesse’s life was his baptism as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1992. Jesse became an active Brother of his congregation in Orofino. He also had a strong belief that he and Ethel will be resurrected in the coming Paradise, where they will walk together hand in hand here on the earth as a youthful couple; as promised in the scriptures.

Services are arranged for Saturday April 1, 2023 11 a.m. at the Orofino Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Dinner will be served at Orofino Senior Citizens Hall 930 Michigan Avenue immediately following services.