Obituaries
Rosemary (Devlin) Bippes
Spokane
Vigil for Rosemary R. (Devlin) Bippes, 72, will be today at 7 p.m. at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church.
Mrs. Bippes, who died Saturday, was born in Spokane.
She attended St. Aloysius Elementary School and Holy Names High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Holy Names College and a Master of Special Education from Gonzaga University.
As a teacher in the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center for nearly 26 years, her influence and involvement in the juvenile system resulted in legislated education programs in all juvenile institutions.
Mrs. Bippes was involved in international correctional education and attended conferences, usually as a presenter. She served as a juvenile justice representative for many years.
Mrs. Bippes was the first woman elected president of the Washington Correctional Education Association and the only one from the juvenile system. She served two terms.
In 1988 she was voted Teacher of the Year for Region 6. She was a recipient of the 1989 Academic Award by the Washington Correctional Association for outstanding contributions in the field of correction.
She received an award from the International Correctional Education Association for outstanding contributions to correctional education, presented on behalf of the executive board 1981-1982.
She was appointed by Gov. John Spellman to be a member of his Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, a branch of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
She subsequently continued that appointment under Gov. Booth Gardner, who appointed her to serve on his Task Force on Community Protection.
Mrs. Bippes was past president of the Educational Service District 101 Education Association and a member of the Jesuit Auxiliary.
Survivors include her husband, L. Monty Bippes; a daughter, Mercedes Bippes; and a sister, Francis Lenoue.
Joseph Hoerner
Spokane
Funeral Mass Joseph J. Hoerner, 80, will be today at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church. Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Hoerner, who was a 47-year Spokane resident, died Sunday. He was born and raised in Glen Ullin, N.D.
He married Agnes Schumacher in 1943 and was inducted into the Army in 1944, serving for two years.
He worked for the city of Spokane for 22 years, retiring in 1985 as a driver in waste management. He previously had worked in construction on dams in North Dakota.
Mr. Hoerner had been a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church since 1986, as well as the Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge and Hangman Hills Golf Club. He also a member of numerous bowling leagues.
Survivors include his wife; four sons, Raymond Hoerner of Newark, N.Y., Eugene Hoerner of Spokane, Allen Hoerner of Spanaway, Wash., and Bernal Hoerner of Kent, Wash.; three daughters, Cecilia Paige and Cynthia Harris, both of Spokane, and Sharon Norris of Chipley, Fla.; three sisters, Lucille Winterroth of Spokane, Ann Gregor of Lynden, Wash., and Lorraine Friez of Arizona; three brothers, Richard Hoerner of Arizona, and Eddie and Willie Hoerner, both of Spokane; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Sarah Larsen Mason
Sandpoint
Service for Sarah Larsen Mason, 90, will be Saturday at Wheeler Mortuary in Springville, Utah, with interment at Evergreen Cemetery in Springville. Coffelt Funeral Service in Sandpoint is in charge of local arrangements.
Mrs. Mason, who was born in Wellsville, Utah, died Saturday.
She grew up in Wellsville and graduated from South Cache High School in Hyrum, Utah.
She worked at the Morning Milk and Del Monte food packing plants.
She married Ronald Mason on Valentine’s Day in 1942, and they lived in Springville for the next 30 years.
Mrs. Mason was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She worked in the maternity labor and delivery area at Utah Valley Medical Center in Provo, Utah, for many years.
Mrs. Mason moved to Sandpoint in 1990 to be near family.
Her husband preceded her in death.
Mrs. Mason enjoyed crocheting, doing hand work, knitting and quilting.
Survivors include three daughters, Marie Barney of Sandpoint, Joan Johnson of Farmington, Utah and Beverly Sorensen of Springville; five grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Billie (Alexander) Morris
Wallace
Memorial Mass for Billie Agnes (Alexander) Morris, 71, will be today at 5 p.m. at St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church in Wallace. Service will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the home of her son, Nelson Morris, at Woodland Park, near Wallace. Burial will be at Forest Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene. Shoshone Funeral Service in Kellogg is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Morris, who was born in Bisbee, Ariz., died Tuesday.
She married Floyd Morris in 1949, and they owned Sweets Café in Wallace. He died in 1987.
Mrs. Morris lived in the Silver Valley most of her life and was a homemaker.
She also worked as a cook and restaurant manager and as a certified nursing assistant for Loving Care and More.
Survivors include five children, Everett Morris of Mullan, Idaho, Nelson and Dennis Morris, both of Woodland Park, Shelly Morris of Wallace and Kenny Morris of Post Falls; a sister, Margaret Wilson of Portland; two brothers, Elton Sullivan of Lewiston and Glenn Sullivan of Spokane; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to North Idaho Cancer Center, 700 Ironwood Drive, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.
Sam Cozzetto
Spokane
Vigil for Sam V. Cozzetto, 87, will be today at 7 p.m. at St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the church, with a reception at the Cathay Inn, 3714 N. Division St. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Cozzetto, who died Monday, was born in Spokane.
He graduated from North Central High School and Northwestern Business College and received his certified public accountant designation in 1983. He was self-employed. During World War II, he was based in Pendleton, Ore., as chief supply officer.
He enjoyed gardening and mining and prospecting.
Survivors include a sister, Estelle Naccarato.
Memorial contributions may be made to the House of Charity.
Thomas Madison
Spokane
Memorial service for Thomas Joe Madison, 71, will be today at 4 p.m. at Fizzie Mulligans, 331 W. Hastings Road. Spokane Cremation and Burial is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Madison, who was born in Alcoa, Tenn., died May 21. He was a resident of the Spokane area for 65 years.
He served in the Navy during the Korean War aboard the USS Oriskany.
He later worked for Northwest Alloys and Browns Trailers and retired from Garrett Freight.
Mr. Madison enjoyed traveling and salmon fishing.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Clrisia; a son, Gary Madison; a daughter, Tami Madison; a brother, Doug Madison; a sister, June Williams; three grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.
Betty Bounds
Spokane
Memorial service for Betty Jean Bounds, 84, will be today at 1 p.m. at Heritage Congregational Church. Spokane Cremation and Burial Service is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Bounds, who was born in Spokane, died May 20.
She worked with her husband as an accountant and was a member and past matron of the Order of Eastern Star, past queen of the Daughters of the Nile, and a member of the Ladies of the Oriental Shrine, White Shrine of Jerusalem, and the Society of Red Hatters.
Survivors include her husband, Walter.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children.
Irvin Smith
Spokane
Graveside service for Irvin E. Smith, 81, will be today at 10 a.m. at Pines Cemetery. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Smith, who died Saturday, was born in Spokane.
He served in World War II aboard the Navy destroyer USS Mahan.
He was employed for 34 years by the Postal Service.
His wife, Lois, died earlier, and he is survived by a daughter, Kathleen Zlibin of Spokane; a son, Steven of St. Paul, Minn.; and one grandson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Spokane Humane Society.
Francis Mulcrone
Spokane
Vigil for Francis J. Mulcrone, 95, will be today at 7 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Visitation will be Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, with funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at the church.
Mr. Mulcrone, who died Sunday, was born in Clyde, N.D. He was a resident of the Spokane area for 56 years.
He retired from Gonzaga University and was a member St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include his wife, Ann Mulcrone of Spokane; and a sister, Anna Graves of Spokane.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
Kathleen Nichols
Spokane
Graveside service for Kathleen Elizabeth “Betty” (Kilmer) Nichols, 88, will be today at 1 p.m. at Riverside Memorial Park. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Nichols, who was born in Spokane, died May 24.
She grew up on the family estate at Wall and Country Lanes Boulevard and attended North Central High School.
She married George Nichols in 1938.
Her first job was with John W. Graham Stationery, and she later worked at the family-owned Kilmer & Sons Hardware before becoming a homemaker.
She enjoyed traveling and playing bridge with her bridge group that was together for over 40 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
Survivors include three sons, George Jr., Joseph and Fritz Nichols; a daughter, Jane Agren; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist or the Windermere Foundation, 111 W. North River Drive 204, Spokane, WA 99201
Donald Welling
Spirit Lake, Idaho
Graveside service for Donald L. Welling, 76, will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Spirit Lake, Idaho. Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-South is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Welling, who was born in Lead, S.D., died May 14.
He graduated from Spirit Lake High School and served in the Army during the Korean War.
Mr. Welling worked at Kaiser Trentwood for 33 years.
He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Rifle Association and the United Steelworkers.
He enjoyed fishing and hunting.
His wife of 39 years, Doris, died in 1993.
Survivors include three daughters, Linda Horning and Patricia Parsons, both of Coulee City, Wash., and Peggy Anderson of Kennewick; a son, Rodney Welling of Spirit Lake; a brother, Dale Welling of Spokane; two sisters, Esther Humphrey of Carson City, Nev., and Beverly Christner of Spokane; and five grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Roy Racy Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1473, Spirit Lake, ID 83869.
John Dickey
Pullman
Graveside service for John L. Dickey, 76, will be Friday at 2 p.m. at the Spangle Cemetery. Kramer Funeral Home, Palouse is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Dickey, who was born in Sunset, Wash., died May 19.
He attended school in Malden and Pine City, Wash.
He joined the Army and served in World War II and Korean War.
He later moved to Pullman, where he was employed by Washington State University in the agronomy department as a lab technician testing soil samples and seeds for local farmers.
He retired in 1982.
Mr. Dickey enjoyed gardening, cooking, fishing and clam digging.
Survivors include a brother, Lawrence Dickey of Renton, Wash.; and a sister, Mary Callaway of Albion, Wash.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Leslie Gockley
Spokane
Memorial service for Leslie A. Gockley, 88, will be Friday at 2 p.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Gockley died May 1.
Born in Spokane, he attended Adams Elementary School and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1935.
He moved to Long Beach, Calif., in 1937 and married Lois Owenson in 1939.
During World War II he worked in the shipyards.
After the war he worked as a journeyman plumber in and around Long Beach and in 1956 returned to Spokane.
A member of Plumbers Union Local 44, he worked in many large construction jobs in Spokane, around the state and in Alaska at Anchorage and Prudhoe Bay. He retired in 1981.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling by RV.
He was a member of the Moose Lodge and was a 45-year member St. Luke Lutheran Church in Spokane.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Michael Gockley of Spokane and Paul Gockley of Amanda Park, Wash.; a daughter, Mary Kabanuk of Queen Creek, Ariz.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church.
Merilyn (Young) Rhoads
Pomeroy, Wash.
Memorial service for Merilyn Starr (Young) Rhoads, 54, will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Newport Assembly of God Church, Newport, Wash. Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Rhoads, who died May 19, was born in Seattle.
After graduating from high school she obtained her licensed practical nursing degree from Skagit Valley College in Oak Harbor, Wash.
In 1975 she married Norman Rhoads, and for the next 20 years she was a Navy wife.
In 1993 they moved to Priest River and three months ago moved to Pomeroy.
Mrs. Rhoads was a member of Newport Assembly of God Church, where she played piano. She also enjoyed stamp collecting and calligraphy.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Starr Rhoads of Virginia and Nicolle Rhoads of Huron, S.D.; her mother, Lois Young of Yakima; a brother, Steve Young of Ellensburg; a sister, Sherry Ledgerwood of Yakima; and three grandchildren.
Herbert James Jr.
Spokane
No service Herbert James Jr., 81, at his request. Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. James, who died May 23, was born in Indianapolis. He was a longtime resident of Spokane.
He served in the Army during World War II.
He spent his career in the paint and hardware industry, most recently as district manager for Ace Hardware.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Mickey; two sons, Gary James of Nine Mile Falls and Larry James of Spokane; a daughter, Janet McCain of Cheney; three grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Jacqueline (Nelson) Oscarson
Oldtown, Idaho
Memorial service for Jacqueline “Jackie” (Nelson) Oscarson, 53, will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church in Newport, Wash. Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Oscarson, who was born in Newport, Wash., died May 22.
She grew up in Priest River, Idaho, and graduated from high school in 1969.
In 1989 she married Eric Oscarson.
She enjoyed fishing, camping, picking mushrooms, singing and poetry.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Jennifer VanDyke of Newport and Rhonda Poirier of Priest River; a son, Randy Poirier, and her parents, Joseph and Velma Nelson, all of Priest River; four brothers, Michael Nelson of Hayden, Idaho, and Richard, John and Joe Nelson, all of Priest River; two sisters, Karen St. Andre and Diana Nelson, both of Newport; seven grandchildren, three stepchildren and six stepgrandchildren.