Obituary: Loan, Donald Eugene “Pa”

LOAN, Donald Eugene “Pa”

A longtime resident of the Colville, WA area, passed away in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, February 24, 2016.

Don was born on August 9, 1932 in Ephrata, WA the youngest of four children to Adam and Myrn Elizabeth (Clement) Loan.
Don was raised and attended school in Ephrata and graduated in 1949 from Ephrata High School.

Don married his high school sweetheart, Lois Chamberlain, and started his family before the draft took him overseas during the Korean Conflict.

He took pride is being a Army radioman and stayed in contact with a few of his fellow soldiers for many years.

After his honorable discharge, Don returned and moved the family to the North Basin area of Colville.

After a fire took the family home, they moved into town.

Don worked as a mechanic at Cole Motors before heading to the woods as a small logger.

Following a tragic accident, which claimed the life of his wife, Lois, Don found renewed love and marriage.

With his wife Frances (Chopot), they operated Chopot Lumber from 1975 until his retirement in 1996.

Don’s passion was always timberland.

He had the vision that has now become Chopot Timberlands.

Cruising timber, looking at and purchasing timber land, and ultimately harvesting timber was dear to his heart.

In the sawmill days, Don would millwright during the day and do all the rest at night and on weekends.

Frances was with him on many of these excursions.

There always seemed to be something that needed to be done.

Don was an avid gardener and his motto was “bigger is always better”… big garden, bigger yard (which took many hours to keep looking like a park).

In addition, he wanted to improve and maintain the Evergreen Cemetery located next to the family home.

A new parking lot, restroom and play area were created under Don’s care and the entire grounds were mowed throughout the season.

Holidays were always special at their home.

Their large front room and adjacent kitchen could accommodate a very long table.

As the family grew, so did his table.

Breakfast for over 35 people was common and homemade cinnamon rolls, made early that morning, were always an anticipated treat.
Don was preceded in death by his brother Ray Loan, first wife, Lois; grandsons, Todd and C.J.

Davis; and a great-grandson, Layton Spronz.
He is survived in the home by his wife of 41 years, Frances Loan; children, Dennis Loan and his wife, Jilla of Spokane, WA, Owen Blackburn and his wife, JoAnn of Burien, WA, Dale Loan and his wife, Sharon of Colville, WA, Diana Hehn and husband, Dale of Colbert, WA, Sharon Candioto and her husband, John of Portland, OR, Tim Blackburn and wife, Nancy of Colville, WA, LeighAnn Brooks and her fiance’, Dan Speare of Kettle Falls, WA; sixteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren (ten boys and ten girls), and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Donald E. Loan, will begin at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 29, 2016 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colville, WA.

Graveside services and vault interment will follow at the Mountain View Park Cemetery in Colville.

Father Tyler Smedley will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be given to the charity of your choice.

Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.
DANEKAS FUNERAL CHAPEL and CREMATORY, 155 W. First Ave, Colville, WA is entrusted with the arrangements.