Obituaries

Newton Wendell Bohanan, Jr., Wewukye takanin (Elk Traveler), 55, has made his journey to the Spirit World. He was born September 14, 1965, in Palo Alto, California to Marian and Newton (Josh) Bohanan Sr. Junior was an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe and a descendant of Old Chief Lookingglass and Chief Timothy.

He was known as Junior to many family members; relatives and friends sometimes called him “Juice”. He attended Kamiah school and then boarding school at the Intermountain Intertribal Indian High School in Brigham City, Utah.  He later earned his general education diploma.  Junior was very smart, he read a lot of books, and was very knowledgeable about Nez Perce history.

As a young individual he attended pow wows and was a well-known fancy dancer. He won many contests throughout the northwest. Many of his outfits were made by his brother Ron Pinkham. Wewukye takanin was given to him at the Chief Lookingglass Pow Wow in 1977.

Later he attended Bible college in Joplin, Missouri and Missouri State for his studies in Communication.  He made a lot of friends throughout his travels in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Washington.

Junior also worked at many different places such as at a TV studio, restaurant cook, manager at a Wifi coffee shop, the Nez Perce Tribe Fire Management, and fire work stands.

Wherever he lived or worked he had the love and support of the many friends that he made during his excursions.  Junior enjoyed fishing for salmon, drawing, stickgaming, making frybread for his nieces, and spending time with his family. It was said that Junior had nine lives.

Junior is survived by his brother and sisters Ron Pinkham and Renita Brien (Pat Brien, Sr) of San Jose, California, Carol Holt and Joanne Bohanan of Kamiah. Aunts Melva Major of Spokane, Washington and Melvina Kills Crow, and Uncle Raymond (Fred) Major of Kamiah.  Nieces Ayisha Bohanan (Shawn Wheeler) of Lewiston, Felicia Kilbane (James Kilbane) of Avon, Ohio, Antoinette Picard (Matt Enick) of Lapwai and nephews Patrick Brien Jr of San Jose, California, Robert Carbajal of Vancouver, Washington, and Shane, Ryan, Joel Holt of Oklahoma. Junior especially loved his grandchildren William Kilbane, Kendrick Wheeler, David Wheeler JR, Edmond (Baby Juice) Bohanan-Wheeler, Christopher (Bear) Carbajal, JayD Enick, Jo Enick. Katie Kilbane, Grace Kilbane, Marian Kilbane, Selin Bisbee, and Jaylah Enick.

He is preceded in death by his parents Marian and Newton Bohanan Sr; maternal grandparents Lillian Oatman-Major and Oswald Johnson; paternal grandmother Selin Billy; brothers Edmond Bohanan, Melvin Pinkham, and Wayne Pinkham; Aunt Laura Major; grandson Sun Enick; and Beaverslide Cousin-Uncle RC Oatman.

Services will be held 2pm Thursday September 2nd at the Life Center in Kamiah with Kelly Lineberry officiating, followed by burial at the Nez Perce Tribal Cemetery on No Kid Road. To go meals will be provided after the burial, Paula Moody is the Head Cook.

Melvin was born on the home place at Harpster on April 6, 1925, to Andrew and Rose Gribble. Andrew died when Melvin was 15, and he became the man of the family for the next two years. At 17, he was called from a fire by Uncle Sam. He traveled to Spokane, WA and joined the Marine Corps. His unit fought on the island of Okinawa, where he was wounded. He was awarded two purple hearts ands pent six months in the Naval Hospital at Pearl Harbor.

After he mustered out, he came home and eloped with long time girlfriend Eileen Kidder on July 22, 1946. Melvin began a logging career that lasted until 1964, when he went to work at Ida-Pine Mills for Arley Haener. In 1973, he was called to help tear down the Zellner sawmill at Kooskia, and helped engineer and build the Clearwater Forest Industries Mill, at the behest of long-time friend, Bob Warren. In March of 1980, Melvin was injured on the job and his injuries retired him at age 55. Melvin had worked in the woods for Everett Cox, Potlatch Forest Industries, Pierson Logging Co, and numerous other gyppo loggers. Oldest son Bob was born April 5, 1948. Younger son, Jim, was born June 7, 1959.

His great passion was hunting elk and deer, and he taught his sons how to hunt and fish, along with other skills that we still use today. Having to be in the Veterans home in Lewiston didn’t set well with him, but he knew he couldn’t live alone anymore. Earlier this year, he began the decline that ended his battle of life. So long for now, Dad. We’ll meet again in Heaven.

Robert Paul Gering, known by his family and friends as Bob, the Patriarch of the Gering Family, entered into the arms of Jesus on July 24, 2021.

Bob was born to Aaron and Cora Gering on February 17, 1944 at their home in Kirkland Washington. The young family lived in a home that was part barn, part house. He always enjoyed telling people he was “born in a barn”! Bobby was the second of three children. Older brother Benjamin welcomed Bobby with much delight and later joining the family was younger sister Patricia. Benny and Bobby made a great team; filling any family outing with laughter and pranks. As for Bobby and Patricia, especially in later years, no closer bond could be found between a brother and a sister.

Growing up in Post Falls, the family enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. Huckleberry picking was one of the Gering family’s favorite pastimes. Bobby graduated from Post Falls High School and was excited to face what the world had to offer. However those plans would be altered in a most wonderful way when he met and encountered the love of his life – Judy Darlene Frizzell.

Bob and Judy were truly a match made in heaven; a love story to which songs could be written. On June 3, 1966 the couple was married in Dallas, Texas; and so the love story began. Over the years, the family lived in Dallas Texas and North Central Idaho. Their union would bring 7 children; Jeremy Paul, Timothy Aaron, Amanda Maree, Matthew Robert, Esther Darlene, Jonathan Adam, and Deborah Abigail Faith.

Bob was definitely a family man. His wife and children were the very life line that made his heart beat! He was by all accounts, a man among men! Hard work was something that Bob was never afraid of. He was a diligent provider for his family; from owning a construction company with his brother Benny, to delivering bread for Snyder’s Bakery and ultimately, retiring from the Idaho Department of Corrections (Orofino) in 2009. His love for his family continued until his dying day; he was a constant presence and support at his son’s church, he endured any kind of weather to attend his kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events, and his face radiated with joy when he was surrounded by his family at birthdays and holidays!

All aspects of Bob’s life revolved around his faith in Jesus. He was a worshiper beyond all worshipers. He would bring down heaven with the way he would praise the Lord! Prayer was powerful in Bob’s life. Through life experiences, Bob saw the power of God at work in the form of answered prayers. He knew God was always faithful and brought up his children to love the Lord God with their whole hearts. Bob always said he was the richest man on earth with his quiver full of life’s greatest blessings – his 7 children, 26 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.

Welcoming Bob at heaven’s gate was his father Aaron, mother Cora, brother Benjamin, wife Judy Darlene and grandchild Jonah Alexander Tillman.

Bob leaves behind his sister Patricia (Jeff Baldwin) of Kooskia, his children Jeremy (Christy), Timothy (Kari Kay), Jonathan (Angel), Deborah Schmidt (Rob), all of Orofino, Amanda of Dallas Texas, Matthew (April) of Post Falls, and Esther of Plaza Wash.; as well as 26 grandchildren; Justin (Tiffany), Megan Weeks (Clay), Makinze, Walker, Caleb (Emily), Hannah, Chloe, Elesia, Josiah, Kia, Tyrell, Jayden, Logan, Morgan, Nolan, Lezli, Rachael Slotemaker (Quincy), Nathan, Natalie, Savannah, Ethan, Samuel, Hunter, Andrew, and Sawyer; and 11 great-grandchildren; Zachariah, Adalaide, Paisley, Paxton, Pryor, Carter, Kennedy, Titus, Hank, Gareth, Theron.

The service will be held on Saturday July 31, 2021 at Christ Church located at 1115 Idaho St. Kamiah Idaho 83536. Service time is 1:00 P.M. followed by a family graveside service, a potluck dinner and a time of worship afterward.

On July 10th, 2021 Loretta passed away. She was born on September 28, 1936  to Frederick W. DeGroff & Kathryn M. Ackley DeGroff in Queens, Long Island, New York. Loretta was raised in a large family of 2 brothers and 6 sisters. She attended school in the New York area. The DeGroff family later moved to Saxtons River, Vermont. While working at Miss Bellows Falls Diner, Loretta met Burton C. Bashaw. They began their 56 year marriage on August 5, 1956. Together they had 3 children, Burton Jr., Brenda and Kathryn. In the early years Burton and Loretta moved from the East coast to the West coast several times, eventually making Kooskia, Idaho their home. 

Loretta enjoyed music and dancing, her family meant everything. She took many pictures and never missed an event or get together. She had many dogs throughout her life and adored them all. She loved gardening, canning, cooking and especially baking. Loretta was known for a full cookie jar and a heart of gold. She always had homemade cookies for all. Her favorite part of sharing her cookies was the thank you and big smiles. She cherished those moments. Loretta was an incredibly giving and loving person. She opened her home and heart to all. 

She is survived by her brother Roger DeGroff of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her daughter Kathy (Rob) Bergman of Kooskia, 10 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and her dog Cecil. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Frederick & Kathryn, daughter Brenda, son Burton Jr, brother Herb and sisters Joan, Dolores, Janet, Patricia & Diana.

At Loretta’s request there will be no services. Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to Trenary Funeral Home.

November 28, 1953 ~ June 18, 2021

A forever resident of the Clearwater Valley passed away suddenly of a heart attack.

He was born to Billy G and Addie Mae (Baldwin) Kirkland on his brother Lenny’s, 1^st birthday. At the age of 6, the Kirkland’s moved their family from Syringa to Kooskia where he lived until  the day of his new journey.

Joe went all 12 years of school in the Kooskia school system. His working career began as soon as he was “taller than the huckleberry brush”. He logged with his dad and “Uncle Buster”on the Clearwater and NezPerce National Forests in the summers from grade school thru high school.   Joe played sports in school but really enjoyed the  Ham Radio  Club the most.  He joined the Air Force “to see the world” after graduating CVHS in 1971. He was stationed at Mtn. Home AFB in Southern Idaho the entire time….small world? Honorably discharged from the AF, it was back to the South Fork homestead and he bought it from his parents. He went to work for Clearwater Forest Industries immediately and was the Pitcher for The CFI men’s soft ball team. They won several Championships and were “The team to beat”. Joe cherished the bonds he had with those team mates. In the mid 1980’s Joe traveled to Alaska thinning trees, and then back to the lower states to work construction for a few years in Colorado and Wyoming. He was struck with cancer in 1993, and was told he had a narrow margin of surviving the surgery or treatment after. With family support, he was determined it would not get the best of him and it didn’t. He moved in with his cousin Debi and her kids in Boise and was a model out patient at the VA hospital for many months. Finally, South Fork bound again, he decided to expand on his electrical abilities. He studied hard and got his electrician license. He mainly worked on sawmill circuitry and electronics.   In 2010,  another reroute to his “world” ensued due to a new cancer development. He and Debi flew to Stanford Medical center in Ca. He found out he had a fractured spine and a brain tumor that went from the back of his eye into his a brain. The medical team was astonished at all the things he had been  doing.. The very first thing they did was slap a full support back brace on him.. He joked about how it was like something a pro football player wears….they said it was.. The week before the brace, he had climbed to the top of the Highest peak in the Kirkskills of Northern Idaho. He said he felt like he was in heaven. Little did he know it really “could” have been, that day.  This time, he retired.  His failing eyesight because of the tumor made it impossible to see the hair size wire and the spine injury caused his back to spasm and hurt to much to crawl through tight spaces. Joe was an avid reader, loved to hike, watch soccer, (sometimes on two TV’s at the same time)  root for the KC Chiefs, read and write letters to the editor and spend time with his cousin Deb and her family. His Christmas traditions were especially looked forward to. Thanksgiving began the planning for the smoked beast. Followed by which new liquor would he be trying. And the final event of Christmas Eve….the White Elephant Exchange always guaranteed to bring bantering and laughter.  It culminated to sleeping much of the day Christmas Day. If you knew Joe, you knew he was quiet and a deep thinker.

His parents, two brothers, Billy and Lenny, and his “Uncle Bus” (Bill Baldwin) are among the many loved family members and friends to greet him in his new world.  Missing him in this world are His sister, Deone (Bob Beveridge)their children Soni (Todd Kimsey) and Sean Beveridge, brother Jim Kirkland of Stites, Debi (Joe Venneman) her children, Ember, Riley, Reydon and Rowen (who called him, Uncle “Apple” Joe) and his “like a brother” and best friend Alf Thomsen as well as numerous cousins and fabulous friends. He was a “Gem of an old Idaho Hippie.”                 

The memorial for Joe will be at a later date and posted on Facebook.

Around age 12 the family moved to Boise, Idaho and he attended Ustick School and then Boise High School. After not attending regularly and riding his motorcycle down the hallway, he and the school parted ways prior to graduation. He later completed his GED and attended Boise Junior College. He earned a degree in welding and excelled in that field. He was a jack-of-all-trades. He was a welder, logger, truck driver, and millwright. 

He was married twice before he found the love of his life Merry in 1975. They married at Church of the Wildwood in Featherville, Idaho on March 21, 1976. As newlyweds, they followed work with the truck, moving 10 times in 18 months throughout Utah and Arizona before returning to Idaho. Their first daughter April was born in Boise in 1979 shortly before moving to Alaska for the first time. He enjoyed driving truck for a living and he was proud to drive the largest and longest lowboy that was in Alaska at the time. They returned to Boise where their second daughter Amanda was born in 1982 and then back to Alaska the family went until 1985 when they settled down in Kamiah, Idaho for good. He worked as a millwright for a number of years at the local lumber mill. 

Gary was known for his incredible sense of humor and his hilarious stories of life’s adventures. He had a big heart and especially had a soft spot for animals and kids. He loved family, restoring classic cars, camping and fishing, country music, good Westerns, and he hated horses and ladders. He was a dreamer and a schemer where he tried his hand at gold mining and raising ostriches, always looking for the next “get rich” opportunity. 

He was preceded in death by his father Frank, his mother Matilda, his sisters-in-law Connie and Abby, and brother-in-law Steve. He is survived by his wife of 45 years Merry, which was his longest relationship aside from his iconic mustache. He is also survived by his daughters April (Keith Blankenship) in Kamiah and Amanda (Keith Benz) in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. In addition, he is survived by two daughters from a previous marriage, Mike and Connie. Also surviving Gary are his seven siblings: Dale (Rose), Glen (Dani), Beth, Demma, Jack, Kim (Joy), and Ruth (Mike), lifelong friends Kathy Clymens and Curtis Purdy, and a very extensive family. He was also preceded in death by his pet bobcat, BC. 

A celebration of his life will take place on June 19, 2021 in the Kooskia City Park at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Animal Ark of Idaho County, P.O. Box 412 Grangeville, Idaho 83530. 

“By God, Woodrow; it’s been one hell of a party.” -Gus McCrae

His mother died in a car wreck when he was four and he lived for a short time with his Pentecostal grandmother who taught him about Jesus Christ, and never gave up praying for him and claiming him for Jesus.

Mel lived a checkered youth and was living on the streets at the age of 14. He was in and out of foster homes, tried the hippie thing for a few years, went so far as going to San Francisco in a micro mini bus. Then he figured higher education was the key, and he would find what he was looking for there.  Though he never finished high school he went to college. He went to two colleges in Portland area, on to St Louis, then to Boise State.  Though he went far and wide searching in higher education, looking for something to satisfy his inner soul, he never found it there.

It wasn’t until Mel went to prison that he finally found what he was looking for.  He came to know his Lord and his Savior and from that point on he couldn’t keep quiet about what God had done for him.  Mel never allowed being in prison to define his life.

Mel moved to the Stites area in 1994 and not long after went to work for the Senior Nutrition Program in Kooskia and later when they merged he continued baking in Kamiah.  Though he retired from baking at the Kamiah Mealsite in February this year, he was still manager of the kitchen.  He was well known for his famous cinnamon rolls, he even had orders for them from California.

On November 4, 1994, Mel married Robin (Hall) and two days later he was ordained in Valley Christian Assembly in Emmett, Idaho. Mel and Robin, (Robin played the piano and sang), started their ministry together, first back into the prisons “from whence he came”, going to Boise, Orofino and Cottonwood.  He also began doing Search for Truth Bible Studies in homes, training Christians with an over view of the Bible.  He was passionate about people getting a clear understanding of the Bible.  He implemented a twelve-step program, ministering to the addicted and dysfunctional. Soon they were traveling around Idaho and preaching in different churches even as far as New Jersey.

In 2005 when several people came together and asked if he would do a Bible Study, He entered into another chapter of His life where he began his Pastor/Shepherding ministry.  We began to meet together in our home from that Hope Fellowship was birthed. Mel always told his church he was just one of the sheep, just like you, only God had put a bell around his neck and said lead.

Mel’s favorite saying was “I’m not going to back up, give up, or shut up, until God takes me up.” On May 27, 2021 Mel’s voice was silenced when he was taken up to be in the presence of Jesus.

He is survived by his wife, Robin, step children Tracy & Tom Horak, Dallas & Jane Baldwin, Grandchildren Dylan, Bailey, & Josie, his brother Orrin & Charlotte, step-sister Mona, nieces and nephews, and a large church family that Mel loved as much as his own family.  Much to Mel’s regret he was never able to build a relationship with his children Lori, Jeff, and Christy, after moving to Stites..

Due to his background he had a heart and compassion for the prodigals, He was that father that never gave up, always looking down the road for the prodigal.  He never pulled a punch, even sounding harsh at times and yet they always knew he loved them. He never held on to bitterness in his heart but was always looking to win them over to Christ. Mel was quick witted with an answer for everybody.

Mel had a vibrant passion for God, he was a Bible thumping, ever preaching, loving no matter where you were physically-mentally-spiritually, grace giving, fun loving, gun packing, charismatic, servant to all.  If he wasn’t dressed up in his suit for Sunday you would find him in one of his Hawaiian shirts.

He will leave a hole in our hearts and in the community and will be greatly missed. We love him very much.

His graveside service (planting, Ro 6:4, 1 Cor 15:52), will be at the Harpster Cemetery 10:30 June 5, 2021. His Celebration Service will follow at 12pm the Gospel Lighthouse Church, 406 Main St, Stites ID. There will be a potluck following at the Kooskia Elementary School.