Obituaries

Stella Fletcher Sagle, Idaho

Service for Stella Marie Fletcher, 87, will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Coffelt Funeral Service in Sandpoint. Burial will be at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Sandpoint.

Mrs. Fletcher, who was born in Mountain Grove, Mo., died Monday.

She grew up and attended high school in Kansas and later worked as a telephone operator for various businesses, including the Tuberculosis Center in Norton, Kan.

Mrs. Fletcher worked as an entertainer playing Hawaiian music on the radio with family members, and worked in the ammunition plant in Colorado during World War II.

She moved to Butte, Mont., and worked as an air traffic controller during the war.

Mrs. Fletcher moved to Wyoming and worked in an electrical shop and in 1950 moved to Sagle, where she was a farmer and a homemaker.

She was a member of the Live and Learn Club and was involved with the American Cancer Society.

Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Claude; a son, Bill Fletcher of Sandpoint; a brother, Virgil Craig of Colorado; three sisters, Genevieve Shuler of Kansas, Imogene Alexander of Georgia and Jeanetta Largen of Vancouver, Wash.; and one granddaughter, Heather.

Austin West Plummer, Idaho

Memorial service for Austin G. West, 83, will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Plummer Bible Church. YatesHodge Funeral Home in St. Maries is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. West, who was born in Plummer, died Tuesday.

He attended schools in Tekoa, Wash., and was a farmer in the Plummer area. He also worked on a survey crew.

Mr. West served with the Army Air Corps in the European Theater as a B-17 Bomber pilot and returned to Plummer after his military discharge.

He worked as a part-time pilot for Northwest Airlines and bought the Mobil distributorship in Plummer in 1946. The business later became A.G. West Inc.

Mr. West retired from the Air Force Reserve as a Lt. Colonel in 1975 and sold his business to his son in 1980.

He had served in the Idaho Senate, on the Plummer School Board and the Plummer City Council, and was a past mayor of Plummer.

Mr. West was past state commander of the American Legion and a member of the Plummer American Legion Post 69.

His wife of 51 years, Elizabeth, died in 1992.

Survivors include a son, Brian West, and a brother, Dayton “Pete” West, both of Plummer; two sisters, Margurite Blessing of Spokane and Jean West of Plummer.

Goulda Bower Clarkston, Wash.

Graveside service for Goulda E. Bower, 98, will be at 1 p.m. today at Riverside Memorial Park in Spokane. Merchant Funeral Home in Clarkston is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Bower, who was born in Melrose, Wis., died Monday.

She moved to a homestead near Culbertson, Mont., with her family before moving to Sandpoint.

Mrs. Bower attended Morse Beauty School in Spokane, and owned and operated several beauty shops in Addy, Endicott and Davenport, Wash., and Grand Coulee from 1935 to 1958.

In 1959 she began working as the manager of the laundromat and dry cleaning office in Grand Coulee for the House Laundry and Dry Cleaning Company of Ephrata, Wash. She retired in 1975.

In 1984 Mrs. Bower moved to Spokane and in June 1998 moved to Clarkston.

Her husband, Leonard Bower, died in 1943.

Survivors include a daughter, Della Rice of Clarkston; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

William Manning Spokane

No service will be held for William Manning, 71, at his request. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A 37-year Spokane resident, Mr. Manning died Dec. 22.

Born in Detroit, he attended Culver Military Academy and graduated from Wabash College in Indiana.

Mr. Manning served with the Navy during World War II and later worked as an independent life insurance agent before retiring in 1988.

His wife of 38 years, Betty, preceded him in death.

Survivors include a daughter, Ellen Cutter, and a son, Tom Manning, both of Spokane; and four grandchildren.

Keith Carter Sandpoint

Private service for Keith J. Carter, 77, was held Tuesday at Moravia Cemetery near Sandpoint. Coffelt Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Carter, who was born in Sandpoint, died Dec. 30.

He grew up in Sandpoint and attended Bonner County schools and then served with the Army 41st Infantry in Australia and New Guinea during World War II.

Mr. Carter returned to the Sandpoint area after his military service and had worked for Merchants Transfer and Storage, Merchants Trucking and Spokane Transfer and Storage, serving as manager for several years before retiring in 1983.

He also was a musician and played for several local bands, including the Golden Eagles.

Mr. Carter was preceded in death by his wife, Zelma May.

Survivors include a sister, Geraldine Read of Iowa; three sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials may be made to the Sandpoint Senior Citizens Center or the Bonner County Historical Society.

Norman Traaen Valley, Wash.

Memorial service for Norman J. Traaen, 78, was Monday at Crossroad Community Church in Valley. Mr. Traaen, who was born in Hunters, Wash., died Friday.

He served with the Army during World War II and later operated Traaen Auto Parts in Chewelah, Wash.

A 55-year Stevens County resident, Mr. Traaen was a founding director of United Security Bank in Chewelah and served on its board. He was a member of the Valley School Board and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Helen; three daughters, Norma Kirkingburg of Deer Park, Patty Walden of Medical Lake and Judy Perkins of Chewelah; four sisters, Eloise Dunlap of Valley, Laverd Zancanata of Florida, Darline Mueller of Spokane and Marrianne Fogarty of Camano Island, Wash.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Christian School, Valley, WA 99181.

Walter `Lee’ Maupin Ione, Wash.

Graveside service for Walter “Lee” Maupin, 69, was held Monday at the Riverside Cemetery in Ione. ShermanKnapp Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Maupin, who was born in Chester, Wash., died Dec. 31.

He moved to Ione with his family in 1935 and graduated from Ione High School.

Mr. Maupin served with the Army during the Korean War and in 1976 married Patricia Mann.

He worked in general maintenance at Lehigh Portland Cement Co. in Metaline Falls, Wash., for 40 years before retiring in 1990.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, LeAnn Town of Deer Park and Roberta Terry of Colville, Wash.; two sons, Robert and Ronald Maupin, both of Libby, Mont.; four stepchildren, Lelan Hereford and Joetta Adams, both of Spokane, Delsy Tucker of Usk, Wash., and Lowdell Hereford of Ione; two sisters, Ruby Emerson of Medical Lake and Ollie Lavender of Townsend, Mont.; 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Herbert Lewis Spokane

Visitation for Herbert Lewis, 57, will be from noon to 8 p.m. today at Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home. Funeral is planned for 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Fairmount Memorial Park.

A lifetime Spokane resident, Mr. Lewis died Saturday.

He graduated from Rogers High School and later worked for Western Fruit Express. He also worked at Riverside Memorial Park and Greenwood Memorial Terrace cemeteries for several years.

Mr. Lewis was currently working for Pacific Hide and Fur.

Survivors include six brothers, Jess, Linzy, Delbert, Allen and Ernest Lewis, all of Spokane, and Lawrence Lewis of West Valley City, Utah; and two sisters, Lola Johnson of Livingston, Mont., and Elnora Swedberg of Lynden, Wash.

Sarah Phillips Post Falls

No service will be held for Sarah L. Phillips, 82, at her request. English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Phillips, who was born in Flint, Mich., died Friday.

She worked as a nurse in California and moved to Post Falls four years ago.

She was past president of both the Women’s Retail Clerks Association and the Local Retired Public Employees Association. She was a volunteer firefighter in California.

Survivors include a son, Michael Phillips of California; a daughter, Penni Nelson of Post Falls; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Christopher Keeton Sandpoint

Graveside service for Christopher Jerome Keeton, 32, will be Friday at 1 p.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Sandpoint. Coffelt Funeral Service in Sandpoint is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Keeton, who was born in Ukiah, Calif., died Sunday from injuries suffered in an automobile accident near Sandpoint.

He grew up and attended schools in Washington and Oklahoma before returning to Ukiah, where he worked as a mechanic at Redwood Tree Garage.

Mr. Keeton moved to Sandpoint in 1996 and had worked as an alignment specialist at Evergreen Ford for the past three years.

He also was a cabinet maker and woodworker.

Survivors include his wife, Connie; his parents, Mike and Sonja Ring of Cusick, Wash.; four brothers, Joe and Jason Ring, both of Cusick, and Casey and Kyle Ring, both of Spokane; a sister, Jeannie Ring of Cusick; and two stepchildren, Kenneth Westphal of Sandpoint and Desi Ivey of Ponderay, Idaho.

Jay Smith Spokane

No service will be held for Jay Glenn Smith, 85, at his request. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Smith, who died Dec. 29, was born in Drewsey, Ore.

He graduated from Ontario (Ore.) High School and the University of Oregon.

During World War II, Mr. Smith served with the Army as a combat officer with the 32nd Division Infantry in New Guinea and the Philippines.

He worked as an accountant in Portland for several years before moving in 1955 to Spokane where he purchased a wholesale candy and nut business.

Mr. Smith was a lifetime member of Orchard Masonic Lodge 200, Scottish Rite, YMCA and Sigma Chi.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Edith; a son, Steven Smith; two grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, or Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, 5125 N. Market St., Spokane, WA 99207.

Alvin Kallis Spokane

Visitation for Alvin F. Kallis, 84, will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Riplinger Funeral Home. Graveside service is planned for 1 p.m. Friday at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.

A 26-year Spokane resident, Mr. Kallis died Monday.

He was born in Odessa, N.D., and served with the Army from 1937 to 1939. He later worked as a heavy equipment operator in the construction industry for several years.

His longtime companion, Norma Milner, died in October.

Survivors include a daughter, Geraldine Demmer of Fort Morgan, Colo.; a brother, Tom Kallis of Missoula; and four sisters, Esther Hanson of Missoula, Lucille Dilger of St. Regis, Mont., Florence Panther of Seattle and Delores Moore of Sutherlin, Ore.

Leonard Steckler Spokane

Funeral for Leonard Steckler, 63, was Monday at Holy Cross Cemetery Chapel. Burial was at the cemetery. A 24-year Spokane resident, Mr. Steckler died Friday. He was born in South Ridge, N.D.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he worked as a supervisor for Dimwitty Construction in Alameda, Calif.

Mr. Steckler was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 51, the Disabled American Veterans and Eagles Lodge 2.

Survivors include a son, Leonard Steckler Jr. of Sacramento, Calif.; two brothers, Joseph and Mathias Steckler, and two sisters, Mary Clifton and Terry Paul, all of Spokane; and one grandchild.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane.

Billie Johnson St. Maries

Memorial service for Billie Louise Johnson, 97, will be held in the spring. Yates-Hodge Funeral Home in St. Maries is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Johnson, who was born in Two Harbors, Minn., died Monday.

She grew up in Idaho and later lived in Ellensburg, before moving to the Benewah Valley near St. Maries in 1944.

Mrs. Johnson worked in Seattle and Ketchikan, Alaska, as a telegrapher and also was a beautician before returning to the St. Maries area.

Her husband, Albert, died in 1964.

Survivors include a cousin, Larry Leahy of Post Falls; and three nieces, Anna Gustafen of Gig Harbor, Wash., Ingelborg Carlsen of Seattle and Winfred Vincent of California.

Frances (Taylor) Gibson Spokane

No service will be held for Frances Neva (Taylor) Gibson, 94, at her request. Burial will be at Fairmount Memorial Park. Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-South is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Gibson, who was born in Harrison, Ark., died Sunday.

She married Claude Gibson in 1920, and they lived in Kansas City, Mo., and New Plymouth, Idaho, for many years before moving to Spokane in 1985.

Mrs. Gibson worked as a cook in various restaurants over the years.

She was a member of the Royal Neighbors Society, Rebekah Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary in New Plymouth and Order of Eastern Star Lodge York Chapter 249 in Kansas City.

Her husband died in 1957.

Survivors include a son, Claude Gibson of Neodesha, Kan.; a daughter, Rose Gibson of Spokane; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Doris Dyson Spokane

Memorial service for Doris Ann Dyson, 59, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Manito United Methodist Church. Thornhill Valley Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.

Miss Dyson, who was born in Spirit Lake, Iowa, died Dec. 23.

She graduated from University of Iowa in 1961 and worked as a service representative for the Northwest Bell Telephone Co. She later worked as a home economist for Northern States Power Co. and Pillsbury Co.

In 1968 she received her master’s degree from University of Minnesota and worked as a welfare social worker in Minneapolis.

After moving to Spokane in 1977, she was a volunteer with the Red Cross at Fairchild Air Force Base.

Survivors include two brothers, Robert Dyson of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Lowell Dyson of Washington, D.C.; and a sister, Donna Austin of Superior, Mont.

Memorial contributions may be made to Spokane Cancer Care.

Warren Horton Eustis, Fla.

Memorial service for Warren B. Horton, 90, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Allen J. Harden Funeral Home in Mount Dora, Fla.

Mr. Horton, who was born in LaGrande, Ore., died Saturday.

He served as a medic with the Army during World War II, touring in China, Burma and India.

Mr. Horton worked in the wholesale meat business and was co-owner of Inland Meats in Spokane for many years.

He was a member of the ChinaBurma-India Veterans Association Inland Basha in Spokane, Mount Dora Lawn Bowling Club and was a Protestant.

Mr. Horton moved to Florida in 1993.

Survivors include his wife, Lyn; a stepson, Merritt Baw of Wallingford, Conn.; a stepdaughter, Terry McCarthy of Ormond Beach, Calif.; four stepgrandchildren and two stepgreat-grandchildren.

Rose Stokes Newport, Wash.

Memorial service for Rose “Rosie” Lavall Stokes, 83, will be held at a later date. Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Stokes, who was born in Spokane, died Dec. 31.

She moved to Cusick, Wash., with her family and in 1936 married Emil Stokes.

Mrs. Stokes was a homemaker and was a member of the Newport Senior Center.

Her husband preceded her in death.

Survivors include a niece, Hazel Freshman of Newport; four nephews, Virgil Martin of Spokane, Don Carstens of Mead, Leroy Carstens of Usk, Wash., and Cecil Martin of Oldtown, Idaho.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lutheran Church.