Obituary: Mcaviney, Gerald Elton
Age 85
Due to advanced Parkin-son’s disease he had been living at Pinewood Terrace Nursing home in Colville.
He was born in Oroville, Washington July 15, 1928 to Walter and Gertrude McAviney.
The family moved to Gifford, Washington, just before Grand Coulee Dam backed up the Columbia River to form Lake Roosevelt.
Gerald attended elementary school at the Ward School near Gifford and Columbia High School at Hunters.
He later received GED from Colville High School.
His family owned and operated the Gifford-Inchelium Ferry so his early work was as a Ferry Boat Operator.
On November 3, 1950 he entered the U.S. Army and served in Korea until October 28, 1952.
He was proud to be a Veteran and he voted in every election.
On July 18, 1958, he married Faye Jedel and they moved to Colville, Washington where they lived and he worked in many of the local saw mills, he did custodial work at the Stevens County Court House and Department of Employment Security.
While working at the sawmill he milked cows and raised some beef.
Before his retirement he enjoyed his yard work service in and around Colville.
He especially enjoyed visiting with the people as he performed his duties.
In addition to visits with relatives and friends he and his wife enjoyed many long weekend trips to British Columbia and loved their many trips to Hawaii.
They also went to Branson, Missouri twice in addition to bus Trips for Fall Foliage, toured Niagara Falls and Canadian sites of interest; Canyon lands (Zion Bryce) including the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone Park; Cape Cod; Washington, D.C., Gettysburg, Boston and other historic points.
He loved to attend and watch hockey games.
They were able to take several ocean cruises.
The last cruise was in 2010 on Holland American with a trip from Quebec City to New York City.
While unable to travel long distances in recent years he did enjoy semi-monthly outings to local attractions in Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area.
Gerald was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Hunters and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Colville where he regularly ushered for many years before his retirement.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Gertrude McAviney, his older brother Walter Thomas McAviney, his uncle Herbert Lang, his aunt Margretta Adams and his brother-in-law Frank Jedel.
He is survived by his wife, Faye of 54 years; sister-in-law Carole (Dick) Swanson; cousins Ellen Benson of Spokane, Donna Berg of Mercer Island, Washington, Patricia Lang of California and Delma Jean Baum, Perth, Australia; also, aunt Frances Duckey of Mercer Island, numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a visitation for Gerald Elton McAviney on July 17, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on July 18, from 8:30 to 5:00 p.m.
The funeral service for Gerald will begin at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 19, 2013 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Colville, WA.
Graveside services will follow at the Mountain View Park Cemetery in Colville.
Memorials can be given to the VFW Kelly O’Keefe Post 6963, P.O.
Box 292, Colville, WA 99114, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Please visit the online memorial and sign the guest book at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.
DANEKAS FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORY is entrusted with the arrangements.