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Obituaries

Chester Skeels Colville, Wash.

Service for Chester W. Skeels, 57, is set for 11 a.m. Thursday at the Addy (Wash.) New Life Christian Center. Cremation will follow. Danekas Funeral Chapel is in charge.

Mr. Skeels, who was born in Colville, died Saturday.

He was a graduate of Jenkins High School in Chewelah and attended Spokane Technical and Vocational School. He taught welding at the Colville campus of Spokane Community College for two years and operated a private welding school in Colville.

He formed Skeels Enterprises, a logging and trucking company, and also operated the Orient Tavern for several years.

Mr. Skeels was a retired logger, welder, boilermaker and diesel mechanic and was a member of the Colville Eagles Lodge.

Mr. Skeels is survived by his wife of eight years, Marilyn; two daughters, Kelly Skeels of Orient, Wash., and Jenny Skeels of Coeur d’Alene; a stepdaughter, Amy Brown of Concord, Calif.; two sons, Gregory Skeels of Addy and Shannon Skeels of Colville; five stepsons, Wayne and Gene Leaman, and Andy Hydorn, Jerry Neilon and Matthew Sanders, all of Addy; three sisters, Mona Tweedy and Donna Cunningham, both of St. Maries, and Annette Watson of Springdale, Wash.; six brothers, Al, Timothy and Randy Skeels, all of Colville, Harvey Skeels Jr. of Addy, Tommy Skeels of St. Maries and Donald Skeels of Addy; and 20 grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Fred Hoerner Spokane

Funeral Mass for Fred V. Hoerner, 85, will be at 7:45 a.m. today at St. Aloysius Catholic Church. Burial will be at the Holy Cross Cemetery. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Hoerner, who was born in Dickinson, N.D., died Saturday.

He moved to Spokane in 1934 and worked for a meat-packing firm. He then served in the Army as a military meat inspector and buyer.

Mr. Hoerner worked as a salesman for a chemical company for 18 years in Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Spokane before he and his wife, Lee, opened Hoerner’s Specialty Meats in Spokane. They also produced Lusty Saddlebraut sandwiches, using a special recipe with German sausage on a bakery bun, that they sold throughout Eastern Washington.

He was a member of St. Aloysius Parish, Spokane Valley Elks Lodge No. 2328 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter No. 6.

His wife preceded him in death in 1980.

Survivors include his companion, Rose Dunn of Spokane; a son, Gerald Hoerner of West Hills, Calif.; three brothers, Louie Hoerner of Spokane, Val Hoerner of Dickinson, N.D., and John Hoerner of Spokane; five sisters, Elizabeth Kiefel, Ann Kelsey and Lena Klein, all of Spokane, Ida Jeffries of Garland, Texas, and Claudia Helmer of Edmonds, Wash.; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Aloysius Catholic Church.

Karen Russell Spokane

No service will be held for Karen R. Russell, at her request.

Mrs. Russell, 56, died Friday. She was born in Tacoma.

She was a resident of Spokane for 29 years and worked as an attendant in the health care field.

She is survived by a son, Rusty Russell of Spokane; and two grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Harvey Stejskal Spokane

Visitation for Harvey E. Stejskal is scheduled from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-North. Service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Fourth Memorial Church. Burial will be at Fairmount Memorial Park.

Mr. Stejskal, 67, died Saturday.

He was born in Grand Rapids, Minn., and served in the Army from 1947 to 1948, and moved to Spokane in 1949.

He worked as a carman for the Great Northern Railway and Burlington Northern Railroad, retiring in 1983 due to his health.

He was a member and elder at Fourth Memorial Church, and was a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Marvella Stejskal; four daughters, Linda Stejskal, Bonnie Mulvey, Debbie Hieber and Valerie Block, all of Spokane; two sisters, Donna Gilbert and Betty Stradley, both of Spokane; three brothers, Leonard Oberg of Spokane, Joseph Stejskal of Grand Rapids and Bob Stejskal of Portland; and eight grandchildren.

Memorial contributions to Fourth Memorial Church Building Fund.

George Meusy Inchelium, Wash.

Burial Mass for George F. Meusy, 90, will be at 10 a.m. today at St. Michael’s Mission in Inchelium. Burial will follow at Hall Creek Cemetery in Inchelium. Danekas Funeral Chapel in Colville, Wash., is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Meusy, who was born in Inchelium, died Saturday.

He graduated from Hunters (Wash.) High School and worked in the shipyards in Oakland, Calif., during World War II. He had worked as a surveyor in the construction of Grand Coulee Dam. He also worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 33 years as a forester on the Colville Indian Reservation.

His wife, Genevieve (Marchand) Meusy, died in January Mr. Meusy is survived by a daughter, Mildred Swan, and a son, Melvin Meusy, both of Inchelium; a brother, Lawrence Meusy of Spokane; four sisters, Dorothy Fredendahl of Chewelah, Wash., Estella Gallagher of Spokane, Viola Kaddatz of San Antonio and Bea Fifer of Inchelium; 15 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Cora Armstrong Nine Mile Falls

Service for Cora Mills Armstrong, 86, is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett, Idaho. Burial will follow at Emmett Cemetery. Riplinger Funeral Home in Spokane is in charge of arrangements.

Born in Canyon County, Neb., Mrs. Armstrong died Monday.

She was a former longtime resident of Emmett and moved to Nine Mile Falls in 1961. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Armstrong is survived by a daughter, Gelene Griffiths of Nine Mile Falls; a son, Kenneth Mills of Deming, N.M.; a sister, Irma Massengale of Pasco; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Orin Hanson Spokane

Family service for Orin C. Hanson will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at 7211 W. 47th. Riplinger Funeral Home is in charge of cremation.

Mr. Hanson, 83, died Sunday.

He was born in Banks, N.D., and had lived in Spokane for 45 years.

He had worked for Kaiser Aluminum in Mead until 1976.

Mr. Hanson was preceded in death by his wife, Naomi.

Survivors include two sons, Milton Hanson of Otis Orchards and Everett Hanson of Deer Park; a sister, Ruth Nelson of Williston, N.D; a brother, Everett Hanson of Kennewick; his companion, Marie Olbright of Spokane; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Virginia Mottern St. Maries

Evening prayer service for Virginia M. Mottern, 85, will be Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Yates-Hodge Funeral Home in St. Maries. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Maries. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Mrs. Mottern, who was born in San Francisco, died Sunday.

She grew up in Spokane and graduated from Holy Names Academy before moving to St. Maries in 1938.

Mrs. Mottern was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the St. Maries Mothers Club, Home Demonstration Club, the Garden Club and the St. Maries Eagles Auxiliary.

Her husband, Joseph, died in 1985.

Survivors include four sons, Edwin Mottern of Plummer, Idaho, Joseph Mottern of Tacoma, R. Bruce Mottern of St. Maries, and John Mottern of Coeur d’Alene; two daughters, Carol Mottern of St. Maries and Judith Berglund of Spokane; 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to BetterCare, in care of Benewah Community Hospital, 229 S. Seventh St., or Hospice of Benewah County, P.O. Box 531, St. Maries, ID 83861.

Lyle Naset Spokane

Memorial service for Lyle O. Naset, 72, is planned for 4 p.m. today at the Riplinger Funeral Home.

Mr. Naset, who died Sunday, was born in Oriska, N.D.

He had lived in Spokane for more than 40 years and worked as a mechanic for Wendle Ford for 26 years.

Mr. Naset served in the Army during World War II and received a Purple Heart.

He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Commanders Club and the Boy Scouts of America.

Mr. Naset is survived by his wife of 45 years, Claire Naset; a son, Clifford Naset of Spokane; three daughters, Monica Eutsler and Melinda Cotter, both of Spokane, and Marjorie Naset of Phoenix, Ariz.; three sisters, Arlean Foren of Fargo, N.D., Vivian Weist of Medford, Ore., and Jean Mikkelson of Sanborn, N.D; a brother, Dale Naset of Kansas City, Kan.; and a half-sister, Bernita Brown of Bismarck, N.D.; and nine grandchildren.

Josie Drinkard-Milner Spokane

Graveside service for Josie R. Drinkard-Milner, 89, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Pines Cemetery. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Drinkard-Milner, who died Tuesday, was born and raised in Almira, Wash.

She graduated from high school in Almira and attended Washington State University.

She was a 55-year Spokane resident and a member of Shadle Park Presbyterian Church.

She was preceded in death by two husbands, Cecil Drinkard in 1969 and Logan Milner in 1981.

Survivors include a daughter, Claudine Reed of Stanwood, Wash.; three sons, Gerald Drinkard of Roseville, Calif., James Milner of Spokane and Calvin Milner of Pasco; a sister, Bertha Hughes of Davenport, Wash.; nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Lillian Johnson Kellogg

Private family service for Lillian B. Johnson, 88, will be held later. Shoshone Funeral Service in Kellogg is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Johnson, who was born in Bremerton, died Monday.

She had lived in Washington and Montana before moving to the Silver Valley, where she graduated from Kellogg High School. She was a longtime Silver Valley resident and was a homemaker.

Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by her husband, Russell, in 1988.

Survivors include a brother, Thomas Alway of Oregon; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Senior Center of Kellogg.

Lorraine York Spokane

Service for Lorraine B. York, 70, will be at 11 a.m. today at the Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home. Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Park.

Mrs. York, who was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, died Saturday.

She was a 35-year Spokane resident and a homemaker.

Mrs.York is survived by her husband of 30 years, Ray York; five sons, John Downey of Portland, Charles Downey of Spokane, Billy Downey of Whitefish, Mont., William York of New Castle, Wash., and Travis York of Orting, Wash.; five daughters, Inez Keith of Chester, Mont., Mary Flint of Spokane, Margie LaBuff of Browning, Mont., and Kenalee Lively and Debbie Devereaux, both of Orting; three brothers, Nick DeFellippis of Idaho Falls, Earl DeFellippis of Rupert, Idaho, and Lewis DeFellippis of Portland; 27 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.

Mary Veltry Spokane

Memorial service for Mary J. Veltry, 76, will be at noon Wednesday at Country Homes Christian Church. Private burial will precede at the Greenwood Memorial Terrace. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Veltry, who was born in King Hill, Idaho, died Sunday.

She came to Spokane in 1953 and worked as a secretary in the construction industry.

She was a member of Country Homes Christian Church.

Mrs. Veltry was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Frank Veltry.

Survivors include two sons, John and James Cox, both of Plummer, Idaho; a brother, A.D. Luke of Nampa, Idaho; 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Country Homes Christian Church.

Clyde Holmes Spokane

Visitation for W. Clyde Holmes, will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home. Memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Friday at Salem Lutheran Church. Private burial will be at Spokane Memorial Gardens.

A lifetime Spokane resident, Mr. Holmes died Saturday.

He graduated from North Central High School and had worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps. He also worked as a bank teller, truck driver and liquor store manager.

He retired from the Spokane Water Department in 1970 after 28 years.

Mr. Holmes’ wife of 67 years, Georgia Holmes, died in 1994.

Survivors include two daughters, Doris Strong and Diane Barr, and a son, Don Holmes, all of of Spokane; nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Tillie Alley Spokane

Visitation for Tillie V. Alley, 82, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-North. Service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Cremation will follow.

Mrs. Alley, who was born in Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Sunday.

She moved to Spokane from Illinois 55 years ago and was a homemaker.

Mrs. Alley was a member of the Ladies of the Moose and the Order of the Eastern Star and served as a grand guardian of Job’s Daughters. She was also a bowling league member and a member of the 600 Club, a bowling organization.

Her husband, Arnold Alley, died in 1994.

She is survived by a son, Robert; a daughter, Tillie Klitzke of Spokane; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Selma Surby Spokane

Service for Selma Nicholina Surby, 94, will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Coffelt’s Moon Chapel in Sandpoint. Burial will be at the Pinecrest Memorial Park in Sandpoint. Coffelt Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Surby, who was born in North Dakota, died Thursday.

She lived in Westmond and Selle, Idaho, before settling in Sandpoint in 1928. In 1976 she moved to Spokane.

Mrs. Surby was a member of Sandpoint First Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church of Spokane.

Her husband, Roy, preceded her in death.

Survivors include a daughter, Lucille Nilsby of Seattle; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Luella Perkins Greenacres

Graveside service for Luella M. Perkins, 92, was held at the Fairview Cemetery in Rockford. Mrs. Perkins, who was born in Kansas, died April 5.

She had lived in the Millwood area for the past 10 years and was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection.

Mrs. Perkins recently moved to Good Samaritan Village.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James, in 1980.

Survivors include five daughters, Alberta LaShaw of Rockford, Maxine Bridger and Linda Johnson, both of Post Falls, Janice Stearns of Rock Island, Wash., and Sharon Jameson of Texas; two sons, James and David Perkins, both of Oregon; 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Danny Cheatham Athol, Idaho

Memorial service for Danny Loyd Cheatham, 32, will be today at 11 a.m. at the Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d’Alene. Mr. Cheatham, who was born in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, died Saturday in an automobile accident.

He lived in Bonners Ferry before moving to Texas in 1978. He returned to North Idaho in 1988 and lived in Post Falls before moving to Athol.

Mr. Cheatham had worked as a carpenter.

Survivors include his wife, Jenny; a son, Alexander Cheatham, at home; his parents, Wayne and Mary Cheatham of Post Falls; three brothers, Archie Cheatham of Texas, and Jerry and John Cheatham, both of Post Falls; a sister, Vicky Cheatham of Post Falls; and his grandmother, Etta Worley of Otis Orchards.

Charles Morin Spokane

Memorial gathering for Charles E. “Charlie” Morin, 54, is planned for noon Saturday at his shop. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of cremation.

Mr. Morin, who was born in Spokane, died Saturday.

He raced on the NASCAR and Northwest Super Stock circuits for many years and built race cars.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Morin; two stepsons, Jeff Sander of Mead and Scott Sander of Spokane; a daughter, Tracy Capaul of Spokane; two brothers, James Morin of Spokane and William Morin of Sausalito, Calif.; a sister, Nancy Gardner of Spokane; and five grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane.

Pamela Troup Spokane

Service for Pamela Kay Troup, 39, will be held at a later date. Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Troup, who was born in Houston, died Monday from complications due to a short illness.

A longtime Spokane resident, she was a cosmetology graduate of Spokane Community College and a homemaker.

Survivors include two sons, Michael and Kenneth Stapleton Jr., both of Spokane; two daughters, Philicia Allen Troup of Airway Heights and Krista Bushnell; and her father and stepmother, Phil and June Coan of Liberty Lake.

, DataTimes