Obituaries
Julia ‘Julie’ Corbett Spokane
Service for Julia Ann “Julie” Corbett, 40, will be at 1 p.m. today at Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.
Mrs. Corbett, a 14-year Spokane resident, died Wednesday.
She was born in St. Helens, Ore., and graduated from Flathead High School in Kalispell, Mont.
Mrs. Corbett worked as a beautician on cruise ships in Alaska and the Caribbean.
In the early 1980s she moved to Spokane and worked for Cascade Airways in the accounting department until the mid-1980s. She then worked in customer service for Consolidated Freightways.
Mrs. Corbett was a member of the Teamsters Local 582 and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of which she was a former treasurer.
Survivors include her husband, John; a son, Patrick Corbett at home; a daughter, Colleen Corbett at home; her mother, Carol Lane of Montana; two sisters, Susan Christman and Leslie Lane, both of Montana; and a brother, Greg Lane of Montana.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children.
Jenny (Stiles) Hudson Potlatch, Idaho
Graveside service for Jenny Lynn (Stiles) Hudson, 21, will be at 11 a.m. today at the Lyman (Wash.) Town Cemetery. Memorial service will follow at noon at First Baptist Church in Hamilton, Wash. Kramer Funeral Home in Palouse, Wash., is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Hudson, who was born in Sedro Woolley, Wash., died Wednesday as a result of a car accident near Oakesdale, Wash.
She graduated in 1994 from Sedro Woolley High School. In December, she received a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Washington State University.
In 1996 she married Tipton Hudson in Hamilton. They lived near Troy, Idaho, and moved to Potlatch in December.
Mrs. Hudson did farm work, worked for Nutrena Feed Company in Burlington, Wash., as a research intern, as a youth director for Mountain View Presbyterian Church in Marysville, Wash., and as a legislative intern for the Washington Cattlemen’s Association.
At the time of her death, she was working as a deputy director for the Eastern Washington office of Sen. Slade Gordon in Spokane.
She was a member of Chinook Swim Team, the Sedro Woolley High School and Skagit Valley College choirs, was an active member of the Her-Ang-Dus 4-H Club, Skagit Valley College Ag Club, Post-secondary Ag Students, Washington State University Block and Bridle Club, Washington State University Livestock Judging Team, Washington Cattlemen’s Association and the Washington State Junior and Senior Limousin associations. Mrs. Hudson raised Limousin beef cattle and enjoyed showing them throughout Washington state.
Survivors include her husband; her parents, Wayne and Lori Stiles of Lyman, Wash.; a brother, Jeremy Stiles of Lyman; and her grandmother, Mamie Stiles of Lyman.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jenny Stiles Hudson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Washington Cattlemen’s Association, P.O. Box 96, Ellensburg, WA 98926.
Michael Lazorik Spokane
Visitation for Michael John Lazorik, 64, will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at Heritage Funeral Home. Parastas will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity. Burial with military honors will follow at Spokane Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Lazorik, a 45-year Spokane resident, died Tuesday.
He was born in Mellen, Wis., and served in the Air Force.
Mr. Lazorik worked as a Realtor.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Louise; two daughters, Barbara Laing and Tina Lazorik, both of Spokane; a brother, George Lazorik Jr. of Mellen; a sister, Ann Ouimette of Mellen; and four grandchildren.
James Winton Olympia
Memorial service for James Eugene Winton, 93, will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church in Spokane. Forest Funeral Home in Olympia is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Portland, Mr. Winton died Wednesday.
He graduated in 1923 from Benson Poly Tech School in Portland and received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Oregon State University in 1928.
Mr. Winton moved to Spokane in 1930 and then graduated in 1935 from Gonzaga University Law School and in 1967 was awarded a Doctorate of Law from Gonzaga University.
In 1941, he married Marie Graham.
He was employed by Washington Water Power Co. for 42 years - as manager of its customer service department, assistant treasurer and management and legal research analyst. He retired in 1970 as manager of the systems and procedures department.
He also practiced law in Spokane and was a member of the Spokane County, Washington state and American bar associations for 62 years.
Mr. Winton served on the Spokane School Board from 1955 to 1963, including a two-year term as president, and was a state representative from 1956 to 1959.
He helped organize the Community Welfare Council and was its first president for two years.
In 1963, he was named Citizen of the Year by Phi Delta Kappa for his outstanding contributions to education.
Mr. Winton was a member, trustee and elder of First Presbyterian Church for 58 years and a member of Spokane Kiwanis Club.
Mr. and Mrs. Winton moved to Olympia one year ago from Spokane.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Jane McKillip of Olympia; four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Mary Ann Davis Lakeside, Mont.
Memorial service for Mary Ann Davis, 52, will be at 3 p.m. Feb. 6 at United Church of Truth. Johnson Mortuary and Crematory in Kalispell, Mont., is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Davis, who was born in Tacoma, died Jan. 8.
In the mid 1980s, she began a career with the Community College Help Line, a service provided by the Institute for Extended Learning, advising women in transition and displaced homemakers about resources and options for education and employment.
Mrs. Davis retired in 1995 and then moved to Lakeside.
Survivors include a son, Mitchell Davis of Kila, Mont.; a daughter, Lori Hastings of Lakeside; three brothers, David Mooney of Spokane, Richard Mooney of Helena, Mont., and Charles Mooney of Lakeside; and five grandchildren.
Dale Purdy Deer Park
Service for Dale A. Purdy, 85, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary’s Presentation Catholic Church in Deer Park. Inurnment will follow at Woodland Cemetery in Deer Park. Lauer Funeral Home in Deer Park is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Purdy, who was born in Harlem, Mont., died Jan. 20.
He was a lineman for Inland Power and Light Co. for many years, before retiring in 1974.
Mr. Purdy was a resident of Deer Park since 1943 and a member of St. Mary’s Presentation Catholic Church.
His wife, Margaret, died in 1979.
Survivors include a son, Richard Purdy of Deer Park; a brother, Glenn Purdy of Seattle; two sisters, Floris Cooke of Seattle and Hazel Ralph of Minnesota; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Dennis ‘Dutch’ Schell Spokane
Funeral Mass for Dennis W. “Dutch” Schell, 57, will be at 9 a.m. today at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Post Falls. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Schell, who was born in Cicero, Ill., died Monday.
He served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War in the 337th Aerial Pilot Air Command.
Mr. Schell worked in retail sales and was a 20-year resident of Spokane.
Survivors include his wife, Vivian; four sons, Matthew Schell of Post Falls, Marcus Schell of Rathdrum, Idaho, and Lucas Schell and Eric McKinney, both of Coeur d’Alene; two daughters, Erin Schell of Medical Lake and Tanya McKinney of Post Falls; a brother, Michael Schell of Sandpoint; and 25 grandchildren.
Robert Reed Bellevue, Wash.
Memorial service for Robert E. “Bob” Reed, 50, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Heritage Funeral Home.
Mr. Reed, who was born in Spokane, died Jan. 15.
He graduated from Shadle Park High School and then earned a degree in fine arts from Washington State University.
Mr. Reed served in the Army during the Vietnam War.
He moved to the Seattle area 20 years ago and worked for several advertising firms there.
Mr. Reed began his own agency in the early 1990s and expanded his business to include public relations. He acquired a partner in 1995.
He was a Cougar booster.
Survivors include his companion, Nicki Primrose of Bellevue; his parents, Ed and Velma Reed of Spokane; and a brother, Bill Reed of Spokane.
Sven Alsager Spokane
Funeral Mass for Sven Alsager, 9, will be at 11 a.m. today at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Pines Cemetery. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Sven, who was born in Sandpoint, died Tuesday. The cause of death is pending awaiting autopsy results.
He was a student at St. Mary’s Catholic School and was active in the YMCA basketball.
Sven was a resident of Spokane for six years.
He was a member of the Valley Junior Soccer Association and was an avid fan of the Seattle Mariners, Sonics and Seahawks. He also belonged to the chess club at his school.
Survivors include his parents, John and Susan Alsager, at home; two sisters, Kali and Keri Alsager, both at home; a brother, Simon Alsager at home; his paternal grandmother, Cecelia Alsager of Moscow, Idaho, and his maternal grandparents, Terry and Esther Park of Sandpoint.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School.
Lee Merwin Sandpoint
Private family service for Lee S. Merwin, 90, was held. Coffelt Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Merwin, who was born in Oklahoma, died Tuesday.
He moved to the Bronx area near Sandpoint in 1921 and helped operate the family ranch and dairy farm.
Mr. Merwin graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1926 and attended the University of Idaho for one year.
He had worked for the Postal Service from 1929 to 1945 and then established Merwin’s Hardware in Sandpoint in 1946.
Mr. Merwin expanded his business, and it is now located at Third Avenue and Church Street in Sandpoint.
He was a member of the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce and the Sandpoint Bowling Leagues.
Mr. Merwin was preceded in death by two wives, Winnette and Mary.
Survivors include two children, Terry Merwin of Sandpoint and Bonnie Orcutt of Spokane; a brother, Neil Merwin of Seattle; and a close friend, Millie Thieme of Sandpoint.
Charles Cornwall Spokane
Memorial service for Charles W. Cornwall, 75, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the O’Malley Apartments Recreation Room. The Cremation Society of Washington is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Cornwall, who was born and raised in Minnesota, died Friday.
He moved to Spokane 27 years ago and had worked as a house painter for many years.
Mr. Cornwall was also a published Christian songwriter for the past 30 years.
He was a member of the Lynnwood Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Violet; two stepsons, Wayne and Normal Hale, both of Spokane; a stepdaughter, Peggy Carter of Spokane; 27 stepgrandchildren and nine stepgreat-grandchildren.
Brita Bowman Spokane
Service for Brita M. Bowman, 10, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Fourth Memorial Church. Burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Terrace. Ball and Dodd Funeral Home - South is in charge of arrangements.
Brita, a lifetime Spokane resident, died Wednesday from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
She was a fourth grader at Wilson Elementary School and was a member of Christ The Redeemer Church.
Survivors include her parents, Tom and Robin Bowman at home; a sister, Klara Bowman at home; and her grandparents, Lloyd and Frances Tracewell of Corvallis, Ore.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation.
Melvin Ehlers, Ph.D. Pullman
Service for Melvin H. Ehlers, Ph.D., a retired Washington State University professor, will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Pullman. Burial will follow at the Pullman City Cemetery. Kimball Funeral Home in Pullman is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Ehlers, who was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, died Sunday. He was 79.
He graduated from high school in Twin Falls and then received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Idaho.
In 1944, he married Almede Carlson in San Francisco. She died in 1972.
In 1972 he married Hilda Leberer in Pullman. She died in 1993.
Dr. Ehlers served in the Army during World War II and later during the Korean War as a reserve officer.
Following his graduation from college, Dr. Ehlers went to work on his masters degree and his Ph.D. at Washington State University, graduating in 1954.
Immediately after graduation he joined the faculty as an assistant professor in the Animal Sciences Department, where as a full professor he headed the Dairy Section of the School of Animal Sciences. He retired in 1981.
Dr. Ehlers was a member of the American Dairy Science Association and worked closely with the Washington State Dairy Industry.
He was also an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pullman and was active in various capacities of the church.
Survivors include a son, David Ehlers of Sandy, Ore.; a daughter, Carol Harris of Ephrata, Wash.; two brothers, Leeroy Ehlers of Pendleton, Ore., and Irvin Ehlers of Twin Falls; two sisters, Evelyn Dugan of Nampa, Idaho, and Helen Bamesberger of Twin Falls; and one grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Clarkston or the American Heart Association.
John Olson Medical Lake
No service will be held for John W. Olson, 92, at his request. The Cremation Society of Washington is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Olson, who was born in Valentine, Wash., died Monday.
He grew up in Pomeroy, Wash., and was a farmer in Garfield and Whitman Counties for many years.
Mr. Olson had been a policeman for Colfax, Wash., and a deputy sheriff for Whitman County.
He also worked as a correctional officer at the State Penitentiary in Walla Walla and retired in 1970.
Mr. Olson was a member of the Christian Church in Colfax and the Colfax International Order of Odd Fellows Lodge, and the Eagles and Elks Lodges.
He moved to Medical Lake two years ago.
His wife of 28 years, Mabel, died in 1963.
Survivors include a son, Ted Olson of Medical Lake; two sisters, Mildred Grube of Kent, Wash., and Geraldine Lombardi of Clarkston, Wash.; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Donald Shepherd Greenacres
No service will be held for Donald Lee Shepherd, a former 50-year resident of Deer Park, at his request. The Cremation Society of Washington is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Shepherd, 70, died Tuesday.
He was born in Oak Grove, Mo., and served in the Marines in the Army Transportation Services.
Mr. Shepherd worked as a farmer and commercial fisherman for 50 years and retired in 1985.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Margarete; two sons, Steven and Kevin Shepherd, both of Deer Park; a daughter, Janice Rohl of Everett; two sisters, Ada Newman and Thelma Highfill, both of Yakima; and two grandchildren.
Hazel Stone Spokane
Service for Hazel E. Stone, 81, was Friday at Riplinger Funeral Home. Burial followed at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.
Mrs. Stone, who was born in Ford, Wash., died Tuesday.
She was a graduate of North Central High School and worked as a bookkeeper for various businesses.
Mrs. Stone was a member of the Millwood Presbyterian Church, Veterans for Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, Senior Citizens Association and the Elks Lodge.
Her husband, Jay Stone, died in 1989.
Survivors include three sisters, Jean Gilbert and Lucille Pekala, both of Spokane, and Velma Hodges of Portland; three grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Memorial contributions may be made to Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American.
Floyd Tew Deer Park
No service will be held for Floyd Tew, a Deer Park-area auctioneer and cattle dealer, who died Tuesday. Lauer Funeral Home in Deer Park is in charge of arrangements and cremation.
Mr. Tew, 73, was born in Mackay, Idaho.
In 1944, he married Shirley Pattee of Idaho Falls. They managed a farm near Shelley, Idaho, ran a small grocery store in Woodville, Idaho, and operated a dairy farm in Sandpoint.
They moved to the Deer Park area in 1954, and owned and operated the Deer Park Livestock Auction until 1977 at which time they bought the Colville (Wash.) Livestock Auction.
Mr. Tew later bought a 40-acre farm in the Deer Park-Clayton area. He continued to raise, buy and sell cattle until he retired in 1995.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Ralph Tew of Mead; a daughter, Kathleen Ranae Burdette of Deer Park; three sisters, Reba Johnson of Logan, Utah, Vivian Dredge of Mesa, Ariz., and Inez Nalder of Shelley, Idaho; and two grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Long-Term Care Unit, P.O. Box 197, Chewelah, WA 99109.
Edwin ‘Vern’ Wilson Palouse, Wash.
Military graveside service for Edwin A. “Vern” Wilson, 75, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Garfield (Wash.) Cemetery. Kramer Funeral Home in Palouse is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Wilson, who was born in Amber, Wash., died Tuesday.
He worked for area farmers and in 1942 enlisted in the Navy.
Mr. Wilson served in the Pacific Theater and on the USS Chandler during World War II. He re-enlisted in 1947 and in 1951 and was stationed in Germany where he was a cook. He served until his discharge in 1956.
He returned to the Palouse area and was employed at Washington State University as a cook for several years.
Mr. Wilson then returned to farm work until his retirement in the late 1970s.
He was a member of the Potlatch Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10300 in Potlatch, Idaho, and the Disabled American Veterans.
Mr. Wilson is survived by a brother, Floyd Wilson of Potlatch.
Memorial contributions may be made to Home Health and Hospice in Pullman.
Gordon Lynch Spokane
Memorial service for Gordon C. Lynch, 92, will be held at a later date. The Cremation Society of Washington is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Rockford, Mr. Lynch died Thursday.
He retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel after a 32-year career, during which he served in many assignments including having responsibility for construction of a portion of the Alcan Highway. Mr. Lynch also served as a Signal Corps officer at Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands and a Post Signal Corps Officer at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
He was a member and Past Master of the Colfax (Wash.) Masonic Lodge, a member of the Scottish Rite Consistory, the Retired Officers Association, the Colfax United Methodist Church and the Eagles Lodge.
Mr. Lynch was active in amateur radio operation for many years.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth.
Raymond Soule Lind, Wash.
Service for Raymond L. Soule, 81, will be at 1:30 p.m. today at Danekas Funeral Home in Ritzville, Wash. Cremation will follow the service with inurnment to be held at a later date.
Mr. Soule, who was born in South Dakota, died Wednesday.
He worked on cattle ranches as a cowboy and lived in Othello, Wash., for 10 years before moving to Lind in 1993.
Survivors include his wife, Gertrude.
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