2017

Rollon O. Wilson
Born November 11, 1944 died October 4, 2017
Rolley was born in Buhl, Idaho, November 11, 1944 to Woodrow and Sarah E. (O’Neal) Wilson. The family moved around until permanently establishing a home in the Kooskia area around 1960. He joined the Navy in 1962 then returned to the Kooskia area where he worked as a cowboy, a logger, a mechanic and truck driver. He crisscrossed the U.S. as a long-haul trucker and had stories to go with nearly every state. He was also part of the first class to graduate in the Diesel Mechanics program at LCSC.
He was married a short time to Diane and had a son. He later married Patricia for twenty two years and five children. Then married Mary Ellen in which they later divorced.
Rolley was outgoing and outspoken, and well liked wherever he went. Family was always important to him. He used to hunt and camp and always looked forward to the adventures with his kids and grandkids.
Rolley is will be greatly missed by his kids Tom Finnell (Cathy), Scott Wilson (Leslie), Patrick Wilson (Laura), Rolley Eugene Wilson, and Kathren Wilson (Pete), 15 grandkids, several great grandkids, his sister Doris Oswold, brother Ronnie Wilson (Geraldine), and his many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Acey, George, and Pat; sisters Christine and Virginia; daughter Doris (Wilson) Crocker Cochran.
There will be a graveside service Monday, October 9 at 10:00AM at Pine Grove Cemetery in Kooskia, Idaho and a dinner following at the Kooskia Community Center.

Montie Dale Haight decided to quietly slip from this world Friday night, September 29, 2017 knowing his son was holding his hand and his “family” were happily sharing memories of his escapades around his hospital bed.

I haven’t met many people who have crammed so much living into 69 years of life, but Montie managed to live life authentically and to the fullest. He was born to Chet and Doris Haight December 29, 1947 and spent a wonderful childhood growing up in the wilds of the Harris Ridge country with the Clearwater Mountains out his back door. By the age of 6 he was helping his dad with farming by cutting hay with the tractor. He talked of how his dad sent him down the Harris Ridge grade and on into Kamiah with the tractor in low range, first gear when he was very young as well. In the late 50s, early 60s he rode his pinto, Queenie, helping drive cattle between the home place and their Eldorado Creek allotment.

Family vacations were often spent along the Lochsa with his parents and grandparents camping, fishing and hunting. Montie knew the North Fork of the Clearwater prior to the construction of Dworshak and hunted mountain goat in the Skull Creek area in his teens. Old family photos show many pack trips into back country with family members and friends. He would often bring his Grandma Mattoon on sight seeing trips and even took her into Buck Meadows on a motorcycle when she was quite elderly.

Even in his childhood pictures he dressed neatly in a western shirt, cowboy boots and hat. Unless he was hunting or cutting wood, this is how you would see him dressed. Montie could be a gentleman, schooled in the old ways you hardly see anymore.

I guess you could say Montie died of a well-used heart. I never knew him to turn from someone in need, whether it was someone short of money or food. He loved his grandparents, his parents, his wives and his children. He loved the mountains, his dogs,Snickers bars, country western music, Pall Mall, yard sales, guns, cutting wood and drinking with his friends, not necessarily in that order. I’d like to say he sometimes had his priorities wrong.

Saying Montie had a wild side is an understatement. His tales were peppered with pranks and practical jokes in Pat McManus style. Fishing with Dupont spinners, maneuvering huge dozers up mountain sides, pushing snow over the hood of his truck coming out of hunting camp, wrecks he survived, trees he felled, elk he poached. I should tell you one of his requests was that his obituary be true. So I guess we could add here as well that he could be a stubborn, ornery SOB too. But we loved him just the same. His feelings of self worth and belonging were not negotiated with other people. He walked his own path in life knowing that attempting to fit in was to betray his heart.

Montie taught me many things; how to run a saw and fall timber, how to shoot and put up meat, the history and stories of the country he loved. The greatest thing he taught me was to forgive. I think this is true for many people in his life.

Montie is survived by his children Clint Haight of Nezperce, Patti Dale Basshaight of Clarkston, and Tamara Saarinen of Seattle; his loving companion Julie Pfefferkorn of Kooskia; his brother Gary Haight of Kamiah; as well as his “favorite ex-wife” Stacy Van Steenwyk and “honorary granddaughter” Molly Van Steenwyk, both of Harpster.

His family would also like to extend their gratitude to Dr Jones and Cathy Ward, who’s care and compassion helped Montie reach the age of almost 70.

Montie will be buried by his immediate family on Harris Ridge, close to his childhood home. An open house celebration of his life will be held Saturday, October 14 beginning at 1 pm and lasting into the evening at the Kamiah Legion Hall, 618 Main in Kamiah. Bring a snack or appetizer to share, beer and beverages will be provided. This will be a time to sit and share memories of Montie with friends and family.

Jay Bennett Wilson passed away at the home of his son Stephen Wilson and his daughter-in-law Bea, (where he has been residing for the past 2 years), in Anderson, California on Wednesday, September 20, 2017. Jay was an only child, born on November 22, 1929 to James Bennett Wilson and Ruth Alice Marshall in Colon, Panama, C.Z. U.S.A.
Jay married his sweetheart Mary Lee Shaw on February 7, 1953. They cherished 61 years together before Lee passed away on August 27, 2014. They were sealed as Eternal Companions in the Oakland California Temple on April 9, 1976. Jay and Lee enjoyed a full life of, hunting, canoeing, sailing, skin diving, riding four wheelers and just being together. Jay is survived by their 4 children – Stephen (Bea), Guy (Andra), Vaughn (Becky) and Valerie (Wilson) McGill, 33 grandchildren, 76 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren, his brothers-in-law Vernon John Shaw, Leslie Allan Shaw, Marlin Dale Shaw and his sister-in-law Vera Nadine (Shaw) Baker. Jay was preceded in death by his wife, his brother-in-law Dean Robert Shaw and his parents.
Jay served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America from April 10, 1951 until January 10, 1953 where he received a Purple Heart and 2 Bronze Stars. He was transferred to the Army reserve until August 23, 1956.
Jay worked for AT&T until he retired in 1985. He was on the Contra Costa County Sherriff’s reserve as a diver until January 1, 1978 and served for a number of years with the Idaho County Sheriff’s Posse. He taught Hunter’s Safety, swimming, skin diving, Judo and scuba diving for many years and loved being a member of the Moby Dick Skin Diving Club. He loved the Scouting Program (BSA) and spend a good part of his adult life serving in that organization.
He had an amazing mind and enjoyed making things with his hands. He loved carving, drawing, boat building and general tinkering. He made beautiful knives, and rifle stocks and created an amazing aquaponics system in his greenhouse. His family cherishes many pieces of his handiwork. He loved sharing stories of his life experiences – and his listeners loved hearing of his amazing adventures! He was truly a man of many talents and will be greatly missed. Jay was loved and cherished as a Husband, Father, Grandfather, Relative and Friend.
Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Kamaih, Idaho on Friday, September 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. The church is located 2.5 miles east of Kamiah on Highway 12.

Tracy Ann Schiedler 42
Taken from this world far too soon, Tracy Ann Schiedler died tragically in a car accident on Sept. 12, 2017.
Tracy was born to Ken and Sharon Schiedler on July 21, 1975, in Portland, Ore.
Tracy graduated from Centennial High School in 1993.
She is survived by her parents, Ken and Sharon, brother Troy, sister-in-law Kim, niece Kelley, nephew Kyle, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended Kamiah family, and life-long friends from Portland.
Tracy was preceded in death by her grandparents Clem and Agnes Schiedler, Martin and Edith Lukas, and uncle Terry Lukas.
Tracy moved to Kamiah in 2004 with her parents. She started working at The Hub Bar and Grill as a cook and worked there until 2007. Tracy then began working at Cloninger’s Harvest Foods in July of 2007. She was a valued employee at Cloninger’s as a courtesy booth clerk. When the community thinks of Cloninger’s, they think of Tracy. She was always there with a smile, laugh and helping anyone in need including customers and vendors. It is evident in the amount of flowers and painted rocks accumulating in her honor.
Before moving to Kamiah, Tracy worked at La Casita, Hot N’ Now, Taco Time, and many years at Blockbuster in Portland.
Tracy was passionate about the outdoors. She loved fishing and camping. Tracy was not a hunter but loved going and spending time with her father in the woods.
She shared her beautiful voice through many hours of karaoke, something she loved to do with family and friends.
Tracy was a very generous soul always giving of herself, helping friends and family, whether it was chores, projects, homework, relationship issues, or money troubles. Even when she did not have it in her, she managed to get it done. That was just the kind of person she was.
You will forever be in our hearts and missed everyday. We love you Tracy Ann.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3.16.
Where will you spend eternity? John 3:36. This verse was close to Tracy’s heart.
A Celebration of Life will be held at The Life Center Church on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 11 a.m. It is located off Highway 12 between Kamiah and Kooskia. The service will be followed by a potluck.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Kamiah EMTs and Kamiah Fire Department.
Trenary Funeral Home of Kooskia is helping with arrangements.