Fern Eileen Jones, 76, of Kamiah, died March 10, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Cottonwood. Trenary Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Obituaries
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James Allen Crawford
James Allen Crawford 85, of Kooskia, Idaho, passed away in his home on February 26, 2019. Jim was born January 13, 1934 in America, Oklahoma to DeWitt and Minnie Crocker Crawford. His family moved to California, like many other families during the Dustbowl era. The Crawford family picked cotton in the fields to make ends meet. With the population growth, Jims father built houses and Jim was right there by his side. He learned all aspects of building homes but he really enjoyed the wiring and electrician work. Little did he know his knowledge of electricity and building would shape his life. While serving in the United Sates Marine Corp. Jim was a radio man during the Korean War. Following the war Jim came back to California he worked at a Carbon Plant and got his Electrician License. It wasn’t long until Jim started his own Electric Company. After visiting with a good friend from Idaho Jim thought it would be a good place to live, that was 53 years ago. He worked at the mill in Lewiston and transferred to the mill in Kamiah and had his own electrical business, Jim’s Electric. James went on to work for U.S. Fish and Game as a maintenance man at the Kooskia Fish Hatchery in the mid 70’s and eventually retired from there. He was an active member of the V.F.W. and the community. Jim was loved by his vast family and the entire community. He will be greatly missed. We will hold a Celebration of Jim’s Life at a later date. He is preceded in death by his parents Dewitt and Minnie Crawford, his brothers Hershel and Ernest, sister Joyce, sister Grethal and her husband Bud Jobe, brother-in-law Bill Himes. His wife Shirley Darlene Weddle in 1979. Son Joseph Wayne Crawford, Son James, Edward Crawford and daughter-in-law Lisa Crawford. Step son Jim Williams and his wife Joyce in 2018 His is survived by sister Aletha Montene Himes, daughter Jayme Watson and her husband Dale, step-son Tom Laws and his wife Kelly, Jim and Vicky Lycan. Grandchildren Tonya Lycan Patterson and her husband David, Jennifer Huffman, Cheryl Lycan Hughes and her husband Greg. Matthew Bratcher and his wife Maggie, Casy Crawford Kozsalka, Jason Crawford, Brent Laws, Bradley Laws and Kelby Laws. His 14 great grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews. The Weddle clan and many many friends.
Betty Jean Gunter of Clearwater
Betty Jean Gunter passed away Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, due to complications of aging. She was born Aug. 24, 1928, on Wells Bench, above Orofino, to Walter and Ellen Schenck. Upon her father’s death, her family moved to Grangeville, where her mother married Keith Cash. On May 4, 1949, Betty married Lester Gunter. They moved to Clearwater and began putting the ranch together with a lot of hard work and determination to succeed. Betty worked hard beside her husband on the ranch. Together they raised three children: John, Leland (Lee) and Margaret (Maggie). She loved her garden and flowers, and, yes, she was a typical ranch wife and one of the best cooks in Idaho County. In addition, Betty loved to crochet — crochet and then rip it out because she made a mistake. Dad would chuckle and shake his head at her. She loved the old-time music, and she loved to dance. What a fine dancer she was. She even taught her grandkids to dance right in her kitchen. Betty was a member of the Grange Hall for many years, helping in the kitchen with the Thanksgiving dinners. She was most proud of her children and grandchildren. They were her world and she loved every one of them with passion and in her own way. She was blessed by their visits during the last days of her life. She is survived by her son and daughter, John (Kathy) Gunter and Margaret Gunter Eacret (Maggie), who both reside on the family ranch. She also is survived by her sister-in-law, Judy (John) Sinclair of Asotin; 10 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many cherished friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Gunter; her mother, Ellen Cash; her father, Walter Schenck; son Leland Gunter (Lee); and beloved sister, Ruth Moody. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. March 15 at Trenary Funeral Home Chapel in Kooskia. Services for her farewell will be at 1 p.m. March 16 at the same location. Graveside services will be held at Clearwater Cemetery in Clearwater. Following graveside services, please join us at the Clearwater Grange Hall for a potluck dinner. Those who would like to come, please bring a dessert or salad. Come help us celebrate Mom’s life.
Theresa A. Shells Derr
A spark that was an imp named Theresa A. Shells Derr left this physical plane on Sunday, February 10, 2019. She was reunited with her parents and beloved brothers who proceeded her to the journey beyond. She was born November 30,1951 in Ashtubula, Ohio. Theresa moved to Idaho in 1970 where she met her two best friends for life-Karen Cox and husband-Charles Derr.
She loved Chuck “to the moon and back”, but nothing was as important to her than her kids…………… Lisa, Angie, Vi. These were the children that she taught how to be kind and compassionate to others. She taught by example of how to work hard for what you wanted in life and the courage to change things you didn’t like. Theresa showed her daughters that money was not all important nor could it replace personality traits such as: integrity, honesty, responsibility, gratitude, teamwork and education. All her daughters grew up knowing that learning and applying that learning to life was the way out of the physical and emotional poverty they lived- “Make good choices and think before you act”. Theresa did not allow her children to watch television, but taught them how to play cards and board games- “Anyone up for a game of Hong Kong Rummy”? She believed that all problems could be solved over a jigsaw puzzle in the early morning hours with hot cocoa. Theresa would serenade all who were staying over with piano and guitar music each night. Mom’s greeting of “Hey Lady” will be sorely missed by all. Theresa believed “I am a jack of all trades, but master of none”. Those that were fortunate to know her well knew there was nothing she could not accomplish- maestro on the piano, guitar, and clarinet- one hell of a dancer, building saddles, sewing new garments and altering old, farming, canning, remodeling houses, fixing old muscle cars and trucks, running a chain saw, baling hay and rescuing abused animals and people. She returned to school in later years to achieve two degrees in accounting and business management. When able she rode her ATV and swam in her beloved South Fork. In later years she loved to go for rides and sit and listen to the water as it flowed by- “There is nothing more soothing and calming than my river”. Her most notable achievements by her standards were: dancing with a wolf she helped rescue with Animal Arc- “I am a dancer with wolves”; being blessed to live in America- “We are blessed to live in a country where you can become anything you put your mind to”; keeping her family together and connected- “It is not that difficult to roll up your sleeves when you have help!”; teaching all her daughters how to make Grandma’s famous pidogies!! and lastly her grandchildren- Kevin, Charley, Alexis, Elizabeth, Jasmine, Jordan, Benjamin, and adopted kids-Tammy and Jody. “We’ll keep on fighting to the end. We are the champions, no time for losers cause we are the champions of the world.”!
Theresa is survived by her husband, Charles A. Derr, all five daughters, sister- Ann M. Fronk, brother Mark A. Shells and Micheal Haynes & Susie Shells.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations in Theresa Derr’s name be made to Tri-State Hospital Dialysis Center, 1221 Highland Ave., Clarkston WA 99403. Thank you for helping us give some other family extended time with a loved one. A private service will take place in the summer for family and friends.
Robert Lee Hutchins
Robert Lee Hutchins of Kamiah, Idaho, joined the angels in Heaven on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Bob was born May 5, 1944, in Sonora, California, to Wilger and Vera Adams Hutchins. He attended school in Sonora and later joined the U.S. Navy. Bob was married to Sandra Williams and they had four children, Sandra Lee, Christine Louise, Lucille Marjory, and Christopher Allen. After Bob and Sandra divorced Bob and his girls moved to Idaho where he met Patricia McPherson and her daughter Fay LaRae. Bob and Pat blended their families and spent many happy years together. Bob was a retired logger. He worked for many years in the Kamiah-Kooskia area and then he worked for Columbia Helicopter where he traveled all over the west. Bob and Pat also owned the Kooskia Inn for many years and when Bob was layed off from logging you could find him working there. When Bob finally retired from logging and moved back home to Kamiah he dedicated ten years of outstanding customer service to the Nez Perce Tribe Gaming Enterprise, It’se Ye Ye, Casino, as a floor person. Bob made many more friends at the Casino. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Bill. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, his sisters, Karen, Diane, and Linda, his daughters, Sandra, Chris (Darren), LaRae (Kelvin), Lucy and his son, Christopher. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Harry, Eben, Kasha, Brandon, Robert, Cassie, John, Caiden, Joshua, and Macqoy. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren with twins due in June. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved him dearly. Cremation has taken place with Trenary Funeral Home handling the arrangements and the family will have a Celebration of Life later this spring.
Roy Gustavson
| Roy Doane Gustavson was born February 16, 1953 at the Cottonwood Hospital and lived the beginning of his life at Camp 58 in Harpster, Idaho, moving with his family to Kooskia shortly after. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing. He worked for the Moose Creek Forest District in the summers- after he graduated from Kooskia – Clearwater Valley High School. He served Our Country as a Marine Corp Sergeant – Auto Mechanic Division at the San Francisco Military Base (from April 5, 1973 till his Honorary Discharge in Aug. 10, 1977). He went on to work at the Kamiah Potlatch Mill. He is survived by his sisters Mavis Wallace and Betty (Bob) Beckman., 3 Nieces and 4 Nephews (Audrey (Mike Drobnock), Kolane(Mike) Gilbert, Sandy Gustavson (Rob-Johnson), (Ryan(Amanda) Beckman, Andrew (Katie)Wallace, John and Chuck Gustavson. 8 Great Nephews and Nieces – Malcolm and Olivia Beckman, Scott and Alexandra Wallace, Bobbie and Sophie Johnson, and Jazz and Zoey Gilbert. He is preceded in death by his Parents – George and Anna Gustavson, Stepmother- Fanny Knight Gustavson, Brothers – John and Miles Gustavson. The Family wishes to express their Gratitude to the wonderful caring staff at Lakeside Residential Care, Syringa Hospice, and the caring physicians at St. Mary’s Hospital and Clinics. Viewing will be Thursday, February 21, 2019 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Trenary Funeral Home in Kooskia. The Funeral Service will be 11:00am Friday, February 22, 2019 at Pinegrove Cemetery. Donation can be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project. |