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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituaries

The Spokesman-Review

Douglas Solvie DDS

Spokane

Memorial service for Dr. Douglas A. Solvie, DDS, will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at Central Lutheran Church. Private entombment will be at Greenwood Memorial Terrace. Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. Solvie, a 50-year Spokane resident, died Dec. 22. He was 78. He was born in Souris, N.D., and grew up in Plaza, N.D.

In 1942 the family moved to Saco, Mont. He graduated from high school in 1944 and served in the Navy in the Pacific Theater from 1944 to 1946.

Dr. Solvie attended the University of Montana from 1946 through 1948 and the University of Washington Dental School from 1949 to 1953. In 1953 he and his wife, Joanne, moved to Spokane.

In Spokane he was a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, was active in and past president of the Spokane District Dental Society and his Dental Study Club, the Spokane Executives Association, and was a member of the Spokane Club, the Delta Sigma Delta Dental fraternity, and the Sigma Nu college fraternity.

Dr. Solvie also was involved in Central Lutheran Church and the Boy Scouts.

An active outdoorsman, he pursued this interest through Scouting, bird hunting, and his membership in the Inland Empire English Springer Spaniel Club. He was a supporter of the Union Gospel Mission and frequently performed work at no charge for those in need.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Joanne; two sons, Michael and Douglas Solvie, both of Spokane; a brother, Adolph Solvie of Whitefish, Mont.; a sister, Jane Reuterwall of Bozeman; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.

Jerome Peltier

Spokane

Rosary for Jerome A. Peltier, 93, will be today at 7 p.m. at St. Paschal Roman Catholic Church. Funeral Mass is planned for 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Trentwood. Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Peltier, who was born in Cloquet, Minn., died Friday.

In 1925 his family moved from Minnesota to Coeur d’Alene. He graduated from the Academy of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1930.

He started work as a warehouseman at John W. Graham and attended Kinman Business University. He worked his way up to credit manager in 17 years. He also had worked as a warehouseman for two years at Spokane Paper and Stationery.

Mr. Peltier and his wife owned Clark’s Old Book Store from 1950 until 1979.

He was a collector of Western history material for more than 70 years and was an author of 15 books on area history.

Mr. Peltier was on the radio in the 1940s with the Serenader’s and in the 1950s had a television show on KXLY called Northwest Album about history. He was co-founder of the Spokane Corral of the Westerners in 1955, was the first sheriff (president) of that organization, and was Living Legend No. 16 of Westerners International.

He was one of the founders of the Museum of Native American Culture, the Spokane Realistic Art Association and the Fort Wright Museum.

He also was president of Spokane AARP and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a parishioner at St. Paschal since 1933.

Survivors include two children, Charles Peltier and Joan Rheinschmidt, both of Spokane; two granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.

Jack Forshee Sr.

Spokane

Viewing and visitation for Jack E. Forshee Sr., 74, will be today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home. Funeral is planned for Thursday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, with burial at Riverside Memorial Park.

Mr. Forshee died Sunday. Born in Spokane, he attended Alcott Elementary, Libby Junior High and West Valley High schools. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War.

In 1953 he married Helen Sullivan in Spokane.

He worked as a carman for 44 years for Great Northern and Northern Pacific railroads, retiring in 1992.

He enjoyed spending time at his lake cabin, fishing and golfing.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Rhonda Lashbrook of Spokane Valley, Diana Vavra of Suncrest, Wash., and Marcia Taylor of Clayton, Wash.; two sons, Jack Forshee Jr. of Anchorage, Alaska, and Scott Forshee of Tum Tum, Wash.; a brother, Don Forshee of Spokane Valley; numerous grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Virgil Bendix

Spokane

Memorial service for Virgil E. Bendix, 81, will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Riplinger Funeral Home. Private burial will be at Fairmount Memorial Park.

Mr. Bendix, who died Saturday, was born in Deer Park.

He graduated from Rogers High School and Kinman Business University with an accounting degree. He served in the Navy during World War II.

Mr. Bendix worked 38 years for Washington Water Power in treasury/accounting/data processing.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, where he was a past master, and was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason, Honorary Past Potentate and lifemember of El Katif Shrine where he served as treasurer for 14 years. He also was a longtime member and past captain of the Arab Patrol, charter member of North Spokane Shrine Club and member of Spokane Valley Shrine Club.

He enjoyed dancing, his Priest Lake home, boating, skiing and swimming, gardening, hunting, fishing and golfing.

Survivors include his wife, Drucilla; and a brother, Richard Bendix of Phoenix.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Shriners Hospital for Children.

Douglas McNearney

Caldwell, Idaho

Funeral for Douglas Arnold “Doug” McNearney Jr., 57, was Tuesday at Danekas Funeral Chapel, with graveside service at Mountain View Park Cemetery.

Mr. McNearney, a longtime resident of the Kellogg area, died Dec. 22.

Born in Ione, Wash., he grew up in Metaline Falls and in 1965 graduated from Selkirk High School. He then worked with his father at the Star Mine in 1966 before going to work at the Boundary Dam.

He later spent five years working on a petroleum drilling platform off the coast of Alaska. He later moved to Idaho, and in 1973 married Mary Ann (Perkins) Watkinsin Coeur d’Alene. They settled in Kellogg, where Mr. McNearney had worked as a hard rock miner at the Lucky Friday mine since 1974.

The couple recently moved to Caldwell.

Mr. McNearney enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, golfing, playing cards and camping. He also coached Little League Baseball for 13 years.

Survivors include his wife; four sons, Dan Watkins of Spokane, Shawn McNearney of Kellogg, Craig McNearney of Post Falls and Loren McNearney of Fairbanks, Alaska; three sisters, Shirley Buscher, Joyce Shillam and Janet Janke, all of Colville; and 12 grandchildren.

Georgia (Hale) Niemi

Spokane Valley

Memorial service for Georgia G. (Hale) Ellersick Niemi, 95, will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home.

Mrs. Niemi, who died Friday, was born in Wilson Creek, Wash.

Her family later moved to Ione, Wash., where she met Ernest Ellersick in high school. At age 17 they eloped and were married in Sandpoint. They returned to Ione.

Mrs. Niemi was a bookkeeper and worked at Spokane Northwest Supply on Havermale Island during World War II. Later she was a bookkeeper for the Douglas County Tax Department in Roseburg, Ore., where she retired in 1973. Her husband of 48 years preceded her in death.

Through her love of golf she met Leonard Niemi in Hemet, Calif., and they were married in Harrington, Wash. He died in 1980.

Mrs. Niemi had been a resident of the Holman Gardens Retirement Center in Spokane Valley.

Survivors include a daughter, Yvonne Hayes of Spokane Valley; two sisters, Genevieve Hose and June Sivari, both of Spokane; one granddaughter and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Spokane Mission.

Delcia (Bault) Cox

Spokane

Funeral for Delcia Fay (Bault) Cox, 79, will be today at Hennessey Valley Funeral Home.

Mrs. Cox, who was born in Marxville, Ore., died Sunday.

She moved to Spokane in 1942 and married Howard Cox in Greenacres in 1944.

She was active in the Union Gospel Mission Women’s Auxiliary, Gospel Jamboree and attended Greenacres Christian Fellowship. She enjoyed gardening.

Her husband died in 1996.

Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Zinkgraf of Spokane Valley; two brothers, Delmer Bault of Spokane Valley and Vearl Bault of Spokane; a sister, Dorothy Peters of Spokane; and one granddaughter.

Clifford Harding

Spokane

Vigil service for Clifford Stevens Harding, 70, will be today at 7 p.m. at Assumption Roman Catholic Church. Memorial Mass will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at the church. Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Harding, who was born in Marcus, Wash., died Friday.

He served on the Spokane Police Department for 27 years, retiring in 1987 as the acting chief.

His other service contributions included serving as president of the Law Enforcement Credit Union. He also was a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board and Assumption Catholic Church.

Mr. Harding enjoyed golfing, woodworking, traveling and staying at his winter home in Thousand Palms, Calif. He also enjoyed gardening, biking and walking with his wife, Millie.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Jay of Spokane, Ray of Cheney and Ron of Everett; three daughters, Roxanne of Sandia Park, N.M., Yvonne of Sutherlin, Ore., and Cydne of Nine Mile Falls; two brothers, Bruce of Puyallup, Wash., and Eric of Yakima; 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane.

Dorothy (Pankey) Mooney

Spokane

Memorial service for Dorothy “Dottie” (Pankey) Mooney, 83, will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at Manito United Methodist Church. Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Mooney died Dec. 20. A longtime resident of Spokane, Mrs. Mooney was born in Lewiston. She spent her early years in Potlatch, Idaho, later graduating from Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane.

Mrs. Mooney operated Dottie’s Beauty Shop from her home for many years.

She was a member of the Spokane Police Department Auxiliary, Manito United Methodist Church and was active with the United Methodist Women.

Her husband of 50 years, George Mooney, died in 1994.

Survivors include three daughters, Gaye LaRane of Sterling, Alaska, Melanie Mooney of Vancouver, Wash., and Rhonda Bennett of Reno, Nev.; a son, George Mooney of Walnut Creek, Calif.; a sister, Velma Amundson of Vancouver, Wash.; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Manito United Methodist Church.

Lucille Bachmeir

Dalton Gardens, Idaho

Vigil service for Lucille Bachmeir will be today at 7 p.m. at English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene. Funeral Mass will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church, with burial at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens. English Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Bachmeir, who was born in Rapid City, S.D., died Friday. She was 75.

She moved to North Idaho in 1942 from eastern Montana. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church and St. Thomas Church Auxiliary.

Survivors include two sons, Russell Schaffner of Walla Walla and Daniel Schaffner of Spring Creek, Nev.; a stepson, Dean Bachmeir of Spokane; a brother, Joe Gergen of Pinehurst, Idaho; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Holy Family Catholic School, 3005 Kathleen Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.

Meredith ‘Bud’ Fountain

St. Maries

Memorial service for Meredith “Bud” Fountain, 68, will be planned at a later date. Hodge Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Fountain, who was born in St. Maries, died Saturday.

He graduated in 1955 from St. Maries High School.

He served in the Army and later worked in lumber mills in the St. Maries area. He also worked in construction and did handyman services. He was a member of the Catholic Church.

He is survived by three brothers, Jack Fountain of Kent, Wash., Gary Fountain of Glendale, Calif., and Michael Fountain of Spokane; two sisters, Suzanne Conway of Spokane and Gwendolyn Saucedo of Seattle.

William Kirkpatrick

Coeur d’Alene

Viewing for William Kirkpatrick will be today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at English Funeral Chapel. No service will be held at his request English Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Kirkpatrick, who was born in Emmett, Idaho, died Sunday. He was 72.

In Emmett, Mr. Kirkpatrick operated a drive-in theater for four years, before working for the Boise Cascade lumber mill.

He moved to the Coeur d’Alene area in 1969 and attended North Idaho College.

He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Mr. Kirkpatrick is survived by his wife, Wanda; a son, Robert Kirkpatrick of Missoula; two brothers, Mick Kirkpatrick and Larry Gorino of Emmett; two sisters, Irma Pook and Janie Mitchell of Emmett; three grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Fritz Moldenhauer

Spokane

Memorial service for Fritz P. Moldenhauer, 83, will be today at 9 a.m. at Thornhill Valley Funeral Home.

Mr. Moldenhauer, who died Thursday, was born in Chaffee, N.D. He was a resident of Spokane for more than 40 years.

He served in the Navy during World War II aboard the USS Harding in the European and Pacific Theaters. He worked for Kaiser for more than 20 years in the shipping department.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita.

Survivors include two daughters, Linda Bowen of Spangle and Cheryl Peters of Rosalia, Wash.; a son, Jerry Moldenhauer of Otis Orchards; a stepson, Ronald Wilson of Spokane Valley; two brothers, John and Vernon Moldenhauer, both of Spokane Valley; a sister, Florence Andersen of Minnesota; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Jerry McCrea

Fruitland, Wash.

Funeral Mass for Jerry P. “Crazy Legs” McCrea, 63, will be today at 11 a.m. at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in Spokane. Strate Funeral Home in Davenport, Wash., is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. McCrea, who died Saturday, was born in Nespelem, Wash.

He was a member of the Spokane Tribe of Indians and the Army National Guard.

He worked as a mechanic.

Survivors include his wife, Norma of Wellpinit, Wash.; two daughters, Kathy Schneider of Tumwater, Wash., and Julie Campbell of Tampa, Fla.; five brothers, Arnold McCrea of Wellpinit, and Pinky, Vaughan, Mick and Toby McCrea, all of Fruitland; two sisters, LaVerne Keiffer and Terry McCrea, both of Fruitland; and one grandson.

Janet Congleton

Sandpoint

Memorial service for Janet Congleton, 65, will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Coffelt’s Moon Chapel.

Mrs. Congleton, who was born in Northome, Minn., died Friday.

She grew up in Port Orchard, Wash., and moved to Sandpoint in 1995. She enjoyed hiking, cycling, gardening and fishing.

Mrs. Congleton did volunteer work with Bonner County Hospice.

She is survived by her husband, Keith; two sons, Jerry McKnight of Grand Rapids, Mich., and John McKnight of Corona, Calif.; a daughter, Janee McKnight of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; two brothers, Loren and Ed Chapman; a sister, Pat Zotovich; and five grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bonner County Hospice.

Richard Dahlem

Spokane

Visitation for Richard C. Dahlem, 92, will be today from 3 to 8 p.m. at Riplinger Funeral Home. Private burial will be at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mr. Dahlem died Saturday.

Born in Whitefish, Mont., he moved to Spokane with his family at the age of 5.

He was employed at General Machinery during World War II and worked as a member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.

Mr. Dahlem was an avid fisherman, bird hunter and gardener.

He is survived by four nephews and one niece.