Obituaries
Aaron Mertens Spokane
Vigil service for Aaron Gabriel Mertens, 24, will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Aloysius Catholic Church with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Eastern Washington University will also hold a memorial service for students and staff members.
Born in Spokane, Mr. Mertens died Saturday in an automobile accident.
He was a 1990 Shadle Park High School graduate and was attending Eastern Washington University, working toward a technical engineering degree. EWU will present his parents with his degree, which he was scheduled to receive in January.
He was in the 161st Mechanical National Guard Unit in Colville, Wash., and had worked at Yoke’s Pac ‘N Save.
Last summer he completed an internship at the Naval Surface Warfare Center and Acoustic Research Detachment in Bayview, Idaho.
Survivors include his parents, Richard and Anne Mertens of Spokane; three sisters, Roseanne Miller and Mary Pat Mertens, both of Spokane, and Teresa Al-Nafie of Saudi Arabia; and a brother, Rick Mertens of Redmond, Wash.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gonzaga Preparatory School or Morning Star Boys Ranch.
Samuel Heywood Deer Park
Service for Samuel Andrew Heywood, 30, will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Open Door Congregational Church in Deer Park. Burial will be at Woodland Cemetery in Deer Park. Lauer Funeral Home in Deer Park is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Heywood died Saturday in Spokane after an automobile accident.
He graduated from Deer Park High School in 1984 and had served in the Army Special Forces.
He was employed at American Dry Ice Company in Spokane and was a member of the Washington Army National Guard.
Mr. Heywood is survived by his mother, Barbara Heywood of Deer Park; his father, Paul Heywood Jr., of Palm Bay, Fla.; a brother, Brian Heywood of Deer Park; and his grandmother, Patsy Infranca of South Pasadena, Calif.
Sigwell Knudsen Liberty Lake
Memorial service for Sigwell A. Knudsen, owner of Sig’s Resort at Liberty Lake, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Liberty Lake Community Church. Private burial will be at Saltese Cemetery. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Spokane, Mr. Knudsen died Friday. He was 95.
He had lived at Liberty Lake, where his family arrived in 1889 from Norway and homesteaded.
He had owned the The Pok-A-Long, a sightseeing boat on Liberty Lake in the 1920s. He was also a farmer and had worked as a carpenter. He helped build Kaiser Aluminum plant in Trentwood and the Naval Supply Depot.
Mr. Knudsen was a charter member of Liberty Lake Community Church and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a musician and played at the State Line Gardens.
His wife, Thelma, died in 1981.
Survivors include two sons, Ronald of Liberty Lake and Clifford of Beaverton, Ore.; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mona Wallis Spokane
Memorial service for Mona L. Wallis, 83, will be at 10 a.m., Thursday at Pines Cemetery Chapel. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Wallis, who was born in Coutts, Alberta, died Friday.
She grew up in Rathdrum, Idaho, and moved to Spokane in the late 1930s.
She had worked as an office clerk at Rena Distributors.
Mrs. Wallis is survived by her husband of 39 years, Jack Wallis; three daughters, Peggy Hammerbeck of Clarendon, Pa., Clara Woodruff of Spokane and Florence Robins of Newman Lake; a son, Richard Cuddy of Spokane; two sisters, Dona Watson of Coeur d’Alene and Bell Howard of Worley, Idaho; 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane.
Mildred Allen Spokane
Memorial service for Mildred L. Allen, 79, is set for 10 a.m. Friday at Bethany Presbyterian Church. Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-South is in charge of cremation.
Miss Allen, who died Sept. 23 at home, was born in Spokane.
She graduated from Lewis and Clark High School and Washington State University.
She worked at the Naval Supply Depot, for the Air Force at Geiger Field, and with the city Planning Commission.
After she retired, she was office manager for the General Store.
She kept a cottage at Lower Twin Lakes in Idaho, was a musician, had obtained a pilot’s license at age 55, and learned to windsurf when she was 73. She was in the process of writing a book of family history.
Miss Allen was a member of White Rose Chapter No. 230, Order of Eastern Star, for 57 years, and El Karnak Temple No. 6, Daughters of the Nile, for 34 years, and was a member of the Past Grand Representatives Club of Eastern Washington. She was also a member of Spokane College Women’s Association and was the current president of the Twin Lakes Improvement Association.
Miss Allen is survived by a sister, Ruth Lawson of Spokane; and a brother, Leslie Allen of Van Nuys, Calif.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington State University Scholarship Fund or Eastern Star Training Awards Religious Leadership.
Elmo Thomas Usk, Wash.
Graveside service for Elmo Benn Thomas, 89, is planned for 2 p.m. Thursday at Newport (Wash.) Cemetery. Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Newport is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Thomas, who died Thursday, was born in Wardner, Idaho.
He graduated from Kellogg High School and the University of Idaho, where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
In 1939, he married Lillian Sands in Newport.
He worked for Bunker Hill as a research geologist.
Mr. Thomas served in the Marines during World War II and was a member of the Kellogg Country Club.
Survivors include his wife and a sister, Lavernon Tuson of Coeur d’Alene.
Paul Devine Spokane
Memorial service for Paul T. Devine, 80, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Sunset Mausoleum at Fairmount Memorial Park. Riplinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Devine, who died Sunday, was born in Spokane and graduated from North Central High School.
He worked in sales and property management and retired from Reugh Construction in 1993.
He had served as president of the Spokane Junior Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Manito Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Bodies and the El Katif Shrine.
Mr. Devine is survived by his companion of 30 years, Margie Brinks; a son, Tom Devine of Spokane; Margie’s son and daughter, Jeff and Toni; and two grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.
John Williamson Spokane
Graveside service for John S. Williamson, 68, was Tuesday at Riverside Memorial Park.
Mr. Williamson, who died last Wednesday, was born in Denver.
He had lived in Spokane for 13 years and worked in the asphalt paving industry.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
He is survived by two sisters, Martha King of Trenton, Mich., and Jane Ann Wayne of Phoenix, Ariz.
Albert Baker Spokane
Private memorial service will be held for Albert A. Baker, 82. Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Baker, who was born in Eagle Point, Ore., died Sunday, He had lived in Spokane for 22 years and was a mechanical engineer. He worked for the Continental Baking Co. for many years. After he retired, he continued working and was self-employed.
Survivors include his wife, Lois.
Beatrice Olund Spokane
Funeral Mass for Beatrice A. Olund, 76, will be at 9 a.m. Thursday at St. Paschal Catholic Church. Burial will be in Billings, Mont. Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-South is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Olund, who died Saturday, was born in Kolin, Mont, and had lived in Spokane since 1968.
She worked in sales for the Fuller Brush Co. and was a member and choir member at St. Paschal Catholic Church.
She is survived by a brother, Frank Vovrovsky of Kolin, Mont.; her former husband, Ruben Olund of Spokane; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Robert Harvey Spokane
Service for Robert L. Harvey, 77, is set for 2 p.m. Thursday at Heritage Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.
Mr. Harvey, a World War II prisoner of war, died Friday.
He was born in Milton-Freewater, Ore.
Mr. Harvey retired form the Air Force in 1965 after 22 years and had lived in Spokane for 26 years.
After his retirement he worked for six years for White Shoe Shop as a shoemaker.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Irene Harvey; two sons, Larry Harvey of Everett and Ron Harvey of Spokane; a daughter, Bonnie Crawford of Atlanta; a brother, Donald Harvey; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Elmer Heimbigner Spokane
Service for Elmer H. Heimbigner, 87, will be at 1 p.m. today at Philadelphia Congregational Church in Ritzville, Wash. Burial will follow at Ritzville Memorial Cemetery. Danekas Funeral Home in Ritzville is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Heimbigner, a lifetime Ritzville, resident, died Sunday at the Life Care Center in Ritzville.
He graduated from Dryden High School and from Whitman College with a degree in economics.
He married Elizabeth Benzel in 1933.
They farmed near Ritzville for 17 years before Mr. Heimbigner went to work for Adams County as a recorder in the auditor’s office.
In 1959 he began working as a master accountant for Big Bend Electric Co-Op, retiring in 1969.
Mr. Heimbigner was a member of Philadelphia Congregational Church and the Ritzville Lions Club.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Ronald Heimbigner of Dunwoody, Ga.; a brother, Alvin Heimbigner of North Bend, Wash.; two sisters, Anna Benzel of Harrington, Wash., and Margaret Gilliam of Tucson, Ariz.; and four grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church.
George Meier Spokane
Service for George Thomas Meier, 90, will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home with two of his sons, the Revs. Roland and Lawrence Meier officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Park.
Mr. Meier, born in Peck, Idaho, died Sunday.
He was raised in Idaho and served in the National Guard for eight years. He worked for Western Fruit Express Railroad for 40 years and retired in 1971.
He was a 70-year Spokane resident and was a member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church.
His first wife of 53 years, Pearl Meier, died in 1983.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Meier, who lives in Apple Valley, Calif., with her children; six sons, Leonard Meier of Mead, Lawrence Meier of Hayden Lake, Idaho, Roland Meier of Nine Mile Falls, Wash., Burton Meier of Woodinville, Wash., and George and Darrell Meier, both of Spokane; two stepsons, Dennis Brazil of Central Valley, Calif., and Gary Brazil of Otis Orchards; a daughter, Lois Long of Plummer, Idaho; three stepdaughters, Loretta Severson of Redding, Calif., and Marsha Kelley and Kathy Saabedra, both of Apple Valley; two sisters, Muriel Berry of Pullman and Pearl Anderson of Butte, Mont.; a brother, Eddie Meier of Pullman; 25 grandchildren, numerous stepgrandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chief’s Chapel Assembly of God Church, Route 1, Box 40, Plummer, ID 83851.
Irene Anderson Deary, Idaho
Memorial service for Irene Mae Anderson, 59, will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the Deary Community Church. Private family graveside service will be later. Short’s Funeral Chapel of Moscow, Idaho, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Anderson, who was born in Yuba City, Calif., died Saturday of cancer.
She grew up and graduated from high school in Harrison, Idaho, before moving to Lewiston in 1956. She moved to Deary in 1969 and operated a farm.
She became co-owner of Deary Automotive in 1979 and recently managed the business.
Mrs. Anderson was a member of the Women’s Bowling Association, attending four national tournaments, and served as past president. She had also belonged to several local saddle clubs.
Survivors include her husband, Bill; two daughters, Deborah Swenson of Deary and Sonja Anderson of Alabama; her mother, Belva Pederson of Lewiston; twin brothers, Edward Nolte of Reno, Nev., and Everett Nolte of Spokane; and one granddaughter.
Memorials may be made to the Deary Ambulance Fund, Latah Home Health and Hospice, or the Idaho Youth Ranch.
Dale Dahlin Newport, Wash.
Private service for Dale Wayne Dahlin, 62, was held.
Mr. Dahlin, who died Sunday at home, was born at Four Mound Prairie, Wash., on the family homestead.
He owned the Eloika Feed Store in Newport, and was an independent auto and home insurance agent.
Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Bobbie Adams; two sons, Steve Dahlin of Seattle and Andrew Dahlin of Corpus Christi, Texas; a daughter, Bonnie Fay of Wenatchee; his mother, Marion Dahlin of Spokane; a brother, Lane Dahlin of Spokane; four sisters, Marilyn Ryan and Willa Dahlin, both of Spokane, Bonnie Dahlin of Coeur d’Alene and Diane Abenroth of Walla Walla; and nine grandchildren.
Roy Bialkowsky Thurston, Wash.
Memorial service for Roy M. Bialkowsky, 85, will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Thornhill Valley Funeral Home.
Mr. Bialkowsky, retired general manager of Ryerson Steel Co., died Sept. 24.
He was born in Franklin, Wash., and graduated from Washington State University with a degree in business administration.
He was a 28-year Spokane resident and retired from Ryerson Steel Co. in 1973 after 40 years.
A few years into his retirement, he and his wife moved to Pacific Beach, Wash. Two years ago they moved to Thurston.
After he retired he worked with the International Executive Service Corps Inc., of New York City, to develop steel distribution centers in the Philippines and Indonesia.
He served on the board of trustees for The Spokane Club and was a member of the Masonic Lodge, El Katif Shrine Temple, Arab Patrol, Palomino Patrol, and Divan and was potentate in 1963. He was also a member of the board of governors for the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.
He is survived by his wife 59 years, Vera Bialkowsky; a son, Bill Bialkowsky of Veradale; two daughters, JoAnn Pittman of Olympia and Carol Ross of Pacific Beach; seven grandchildren and one-great grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.
James Ellis Spokane
No service will be held for James J. Ellis, 69. Riplinger Funeral Home in charge of cremation arrangements.
Mr. Ellis, who died Sept. 22, was born in Kingsley Place, Iowa.
He Served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and worked as a carpenter.
He had lived in Spokane for 17 years.
He is survived by two brothers, Rod Ellis of Seal Beach, Calif., and John Ellis of Long Beach, Calif.; and two sisters, Sandra Oakley of Clinton, S.C., and Leta Felling of Mesa, Ariz.
Gaetano Reno Sr. Spokane
Service for Gaetano Joseph Reno Sr., 53, was held.
Mr. Reno, who died Thursday, was born in Spokane.
He served in the Coast Guard and worked in sales and marketing for a food brokerage company.
He was a Boy Scout leader.
Mr. Reno is survived by his fiancee, Janet Walker; two sons, Gaetano Reno Jr. and Christopher Reno; five daughters, Joetta Reno Davis, Ashley Reno, Courtney Reno, Devon Reno and Brianne Reno, all of Spokane; a sister, Roberta Grummer of Richland; and two grandchildren.
, DataTimes