Obituary: Guptill, Leonard A.
Age 95
Longtime Colfax resident, passed away Thursday morning, October 3, 2013 at Whitman Health & Rehab in Colfax.
He was 95.
Leonard was born December 18, 1917 in Wanetta, Montana to Charles and Myrtle Conover Guptill.
His family moved to the Kamiak area near Colfax when Leonard was six years old.
He graduated from Colfax High School in 1937.
Leonard learned how to work at an early age and was never one to shy away from helping on the family farm.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1940.
He served during World War II as a supply clerk.
While stationed in Clearfield, Utah, Leonard met Lorayne Wuerffel who was also serving in the Navy.
The couple married July 31, 1945 in Salt Lake City.
They were later transferred to Colorado Springs, Colorado and upon their honorable discharge in 1945 they moved to California for a short time and then moved to an area near Potlatch, Idaho and eventually settled on a farm in the Parvin area near Colfax in 1948.
They farmed along Parvin Road for twenty years.
Leonard worked as a postal clerk in Colfax for over 25 years.
He also served as Assistant Postmaster.
His days would often go from 6:00 A.M. to Noon on the farm and from Noon to 7:00 or 8:00 P.M. at the post office.
He loved his work.
Leonard retired as Postmaster in 1978 at St. John, Washington.
He and Lorayne moved into Colfax in 1991.
Leonard was a life member of the Parvin Grange and in earlier years was active in the American Legion.
He and Lorayne loved to travel and spent many winters in Arizona.
He also was an avid Mariners baseball fan and watched their games religiously.
They liked to square dance and were members of the Frolicker’s Square Dance Club.
He and Lorayne attended the U.S. Navy reunions for members of the U.S.S.
Nassau that were held annually at different locations across the country.
Lorayne passed away April 12, 2003.
Leonard married Mollie Miller in 2005.
She survives him at her home in Kennewick, WA.
He is also survived by three children, Angela Marlene (Tim) Bowman of Burien, WA, Charles “Chuck” (Pam) Guptill of Diamond, WA, and Robert “Bob” Guptill of Portland, OR; seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, and his sister Mildred and by brothers Neil, Lloyd, Virgil, Dwayne and Darrell.
Viewing will be at Bruning Funeral Home in Colfax on Monday from 1-4 and Tuesday from 9-1.
Graveside service with Military Honors will be Wednesday, October 9th at 11:00 A.M. at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA.
The family suggests memorials to the VFW Home for Children, or to charity of choice.
On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com BRUNING FUNERAL HOME of COLFAX is caring for the family.