Obituaries
James French Spokane
Service for James M. French, 80, is planned for 1 p.m. today at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7th Ward. Burial will follow at Fairmount Memorial Park. Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. French, who was born in Indianapolis, died Friday.
He served in the Army during World War II.
Mr. French had lived in Spokane for 32 years and worked as district executive for the Boy Scouts of America for 28 years. He retired in 1977.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mr. French is survived by his wife of 57 years, Thoris; three sons, James and Richard French, both of Spokane, and John French of Colville, Wash.; a daughter, Janet Crisp of Chewelah, Wash.; a brother, Gerald French, and a sister, Wilda Mace, both of Ellensburg; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Adult Day Health or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Harold Maxey Spokane
Visitation for Harold L. Maxey, 84, will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. today at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Funeral Mass is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Trentwood.
Mr. Maxey, a 52-year Spokane resident, died Saturday.
He was born in Richmond, Kan., and served in the Navy during World War II.
Mr. Maxey owned and operated service stations for 32 years and a feed and garden store for 10 years.
He is survived by his wife, Ruby; five sons, Clifford Maxey of Otis Orchards, Gary Maxey of Spokane, Darold Maxey of Greenacres, Michael Maxey of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Thomas Maxey of Federal Way, Wash.; a sister, Beulah Adreon of Klamath Falls, Ore.; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Building Fund.
Alice Durheim Spokane
Visitation for Alice L. Durheim, 79, will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Thornhill Valley Funeral Home. Service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Pines Cemetery.
Mrs. Durheim, who was born in Lewiston, died Friday.
She served in the Marine Corps during World War II and graduated from Kinman Business College.
Mrs. Durheim moved to Spokane from Kamiah, Idaho in the 1940s and worked for Grinnell Fire Protection Systems Co., Boyle Fuel and Bright Motors for more than 35 years as a secretary and bookkeeper. She retired in 1973.
She was a member of the Elks Lodge and various bowling leagues in Spokane.
Mrs. Durheim volunteered with Opportunity Elementary School teaching special education classes.
Her husband of 49 years, Alvin Durheim, died in 1996.
Survivors include a daughter, Phyllis Bewley of Spokane; a brother, John Moore of Grandview, Wash.; a sister, Flora Keith of Seattle; three grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Melvin ‘Mr. Motorcycle’ Griffith Spokane
Funeral Mass for Melvin T. “Mr. Motorcycle” Griffith, 74, was Monday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Burial followed at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Mr. Griffith, a lifetime Spokane resident, died Thursday.
He graduated from Lewis and Clark High School and served in General Patton’s 3rd Armored Division during World War II.
In 1948 he entered the Spokane Police Academy. He served in the Spokane Police Department until his retirement in 1980. During that time, he taught pursuit driving to the department’s motorcycle police officers.
Mr. Griffith was a national motorcycle hill climb champion and was involved in coaching various sports and activities.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mercedes; two daughters, Carol Anderson and Valarie, both of Los Angeles; a son, David Griffith of Los Angeles; and a sister, Virginia Steinmetz of Spokane.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Clare Nuns.
Vivian (Rogers) Higgins Spokane
Service for Vivian (Rogers) Higgins, 94, is set for 1:30 p.m. today at Schanzenbach Funeral Home in Chewelah, Wash. Private interment was at Chewelah City Cemetery.
Mrs. Higgins, who died Friday, was born in Asotin, Wash.
She moved to Chewelah in 1910 and graduated from Jenkins High School. She also graduated from Cheney Normal School.
In 1934 she married Clarence Higgins.
Mrs. Higgins taught school in Chewelah for 38 years and was honored as Teacher of the Year in Stevens County in 1972. She retired that same year.
She moved to Spokane a few years ago.
Her husband died in 1980.
She is survived by a son, Dennis Higgins of Camano Island, Wash.; a daughter, Gail Stolp of Spokane; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
John Bogle Spokane
Memorial service for John Lambert Bogle, 75, will be at 11 a.m. today at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home. Private inurnment will be held.
Mr. Bogle, a lifetime Spokane resident, died Thursday.
He graduated from Gonzaga University in 1940 and served in the Air Force from 1942 to 1946.
Mr. Bogle worked in the construction industry for many years.
He is survived by a four daughters, Debbie Diotte of Auburn, Wash., Helen Bogle of Spokane, Karen Devlin of Post Falls and Janet Smith of Anchorage, Alaska; a son, Greg Bogle of Spokane; a sister, Betty Randall of Spokane; and nine grandchildren.
Kelly Irgens Spokane
Service for Kelly L. Irgens, 47, was Monday at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home. Private inurnment was held.
Mrs. Irgens, who was born in Browning, Mont., died Friday.
She had lived in Spokane for more than 40 years and was a homemaker.
Survivors include a son, Dennis Carter; a daughter, Jody Dienger; her father, Chester Irgens; and a brother, Chester B. Irgens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.
Kathryn (McCarthy) McDonald Bremerton
Service for Kathryn Frances (McCarthy) McDonald, a former Spokane resident, was Monday at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be in Libby, Mont.
Mrs. McDonald, 91, died Wednesday.
She was born in Libby, Mont.
She moved to Kalispell, Mont., and married Allan McDonald in 1936. They moved to Spokane in 1942.
Mrs. McDonald was a homemaker and moved to Bremerton in 1993.
Her husband died in 1950.
Survivors include a son, John McDonald of Bremerton; two daughters, Martha DeCastro of Columbia, Md., and Mary Kalenius of Hoaquiam, Wash., and five grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern Washington Chapter.
Edna Weiber Spokane
No service will be held for Edna M. Weiber, 92. Burial will be at Greenwood Memorial Terrace. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Weiber, who died Thursday, was born in Summerset, Ky.
She was a Spokane resident for 79 years and was co-proprietor of the JogInn Tavern.
Her husband, Andrew “Jack” Weiber, died in 1975.
Survivors include a daughter, Beverly Heft of San Jose, Calif.; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Bessie Robertson Harrington, Wash.
Service for Bessie B. Robertson, 81, was Monday at Harrington Nazarene Church. Burial followed at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Harrington.
Mrs. Robertson, who was born in Asotin County, Wash., died Friday.
She was a homemaker and was a member of the Harrington Nazarene Church.
Her husband, Lester, died in 1964.
She is survived by two sons, Donald Robertson of Edgewood, Wash., and Leonard Robertson of Harrington; a daughter, Darlene Robertson of Monroe, Wash.; and a stepgranddaughter.
Raymond Reed Hayden
Visitation for Raymond Reed, 77, will be today from 4 to 8 p.m. at Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d’Alene. Service is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Forest Cemetery.
Mr. Reed, who was born in Culver Spur, Idaho, died Saturday.
He grew up and attended school in Sandpoint and later lived in Osburn for 25 years before moving to Hayden.
Mr. Reed worked as a logger for 45 years and then worked as a maintenance worker at Coeur d’Alene Homes before retiring in 1993.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Frieda; a son, Harland Reed of Post Falls; a daughter, Diana Whaley of Coeur d’Alene; three brothers, Robert Reed of Raymond, Wash., Albert Reed of Smelterville, Idaho, and Archie Reed of Oroville, Wash.; a sister, Belle Hickey of Spokane; and three grandchildren.
Howard Nixon Newport, Wash.
Memorial service for Howard William Nixon, 81, will be held at a later date in Wilbur, Wash. Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Newport is in charge of the arrangements.
Born in Colville, Mr. Nixon died Thursday.
During Prohibition he ran moonshine.
Mr. Nixon joined the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression and helped to improve parks in wilderness areas.
In 1940 he married Lenore Thompson.
During World War II he built camouflaged airplane bunkers along the West Coast.
Mr. Nixon operated a freight business in Wilbur.
His wife died in 1993.
Survivors include a daughter, Sheryl Cameron-Portch of Oldtown, Idaho; a sister, Rose Laugerberg of Seattle; three grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Lyle White Spokane
Memorial service for Lyle E. White, 55, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. White, a lifetime Spokane resident, died Friday.
He graduated in 1960 from West Valley High School and served in the Army in Germany.
Mr. White worked for 35 years as a partner at White Block Company in the construction industry.
He is survived by his wife, Donna; a daughter, Wendy Smith; two sons, Paul and Todd White; his parents, Ed and Ruth White; a brother, Wayne White; and 11 grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Frank Michels Spokane
Memorial service for Frank J. Michels, 73, will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Charles Catholic Church. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Michels, who was born in New England, N.D., died Friday.
He was a World War II Army veteran and was stationed in New Guinea. He was also part of the Philippine Liberation Force, receiving two Bronze Stars.
Mr. Michels moved to Spokane 43 years ago and worked as a stationary engineer and farmer.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Anne; two sons, Michael Michels of Walla Walla and Anthony Michels of Spokane; a daughter, Linda Leyde of Spokane; a brother, Edward Michels of Spokane; a sister, Ethyl VanLeuven of Oregon, Ill.; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children.
Cora ‘Code’ Monger Spokane
Memorial service for Cora I. “Code” Monger, 88, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Heritage Funeral Home.
Mrs. Monger, a 39-year Spokane resident, died Sunday.
She was born in Mason City, Iowa, and lived in Butte, Mont., for many years Mrs. Monger worked as an accountant for R.J. Martin and retired in 1989 from Inland Hardware.
She was a member of the Insurance Women, Sons of Norway and the Brotherhood of Friends.
Survivors include two daughters, Sue Habberstad and Carol Kelp, both of Spokane; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Viola Fischer Spokane
Service for Viola B. Fischer, 92, was Monday at Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home. Burial followed at Fairmount Memorial Park.
Mrs. Fischer, who was born in North Dakota, died Thursday.
She had lived in Spokane since 1941 and was a homemaker.
She was a member of the Golden Age Eagles Lodge No. 2.
Her husband of 65 years, Anton Fischer, died in 1991.
Mrs. Fischer is survived by three sons, Gordon, Merlyn and Guerin Fischer; four daughters, Ardell Glover, Audrey Hunt, Britta Hulbert and Venita Dupree; a sister, Edith Carlson; and numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or Parkinson Educational Program.
Angela Baird Spokane
Funeral Mass for Angela Louise Baird, 19, will be at 10:30 a.m. today at Mary Queen Catholic Church. Burial will follow at at Holy Cross Cemetery. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Miss Baird, who was born at Fairchild Air Force Base, died Thursday after falling off a 60-foot cliff near Santa Barbara, Calif., while hiking with other students.
She worked with Life Line Ministries Pro Life Program, Prison Ministries and organizing sidewalk counseling at St. Thomas Aquinas College where she was a student.
Miss Baird had been a resident of Spokane for 11 years and was a member of Saints Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church.
Survivors include her parents, Margaret and Michael Baird of Spokane; three brothers, Bryan Baird of Falls Church, Va., and Joseph and Anthony Baird, both of Spokane; and six sisters, Patricia Barbiero of Tappan, N.J., Christine Durka and Mary, Susan and Madalene Baird, all of Spokane, and Kathryn Baird of Dallas.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Angela Baird Memorial Trust Fund, c/o Spokane Teachers Credit Union.
Robert Hutsell Spokane
Private service will be held for Robert Hutsell, 73. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Hutsell, who was born in Gem, Idaho, died Friday.
He was a volunteer teacher of arts and crafts at the Spokane Rehabilitation Center for more than 20 years.
Mr. Hutsell was selected Spokane Handicap Man of the Year in 1975.
He is survived by a brother, William Hutsell of Spokane, and two sisters, Mabel Guidry and Leanna Presley, both of Bremerton.
, DataTimes