Obituaries

Alice `Angie’ Chatters Moscow, Idaho

Rosary for Alice “Angie” Gwinn Haxton Chatters, 86, will be at 10:30 a.m. today with funeral Mass to follow at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Moscow. Burial will follow at Moscow Cemetery. Short’s Funeral Chapel in Moscow is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Chatters, who was born in Alberta, died Saturday.

She grew up and graduated from high school in Alberta and moved to Portland in 1929.

She graduated from Portland Business College and worked as a legal secretary. She lived in Pullman and farmed in the Palouse area.

In 1968 she moved to the Moscow area and later retired and traveled, spending winters in Arizona.

Mrs. Chatters was past president of the Latah County Historical Society and was a member of the Moscow Garden Club, the hospital auxiliary, The Catholic Women’s Club, the Whelan Grange and was an honorary member of the Morale Booster Club.

In 1993 she moved to Good Samaritan Village in Moscow.

She was preceded in death by three husbands, Wendell Gwinn in 1966, William Haxton in 1984 and Roy Chatters in 1994.

Survivors include two daughters, Jannice Chatters of Hayden, Idaho, and Carolyn Behling of Troy, Idaho; two sons, Thomas and Richard Gwinn, both of Arizona; four stepchildren, William Haxton of Genesee, Idaho, Jim Chatters of Richland, Edith Koenig of Oregon and Robert Chatters of Hayden; a brother, Michael Fleming of Kennewick; and 18 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Morale Boosters.

Victor Leichner Newport, Wash.

Funeral for Victor “Vic” Leichner, 84, will be at 11 a.m. today at Newport United Church of Christ. Burial will follow at Newport Cemetery. ShermanKnapp Funeral Home in Newport is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Leichner, who was born in Tacoma, died Thursday.

He attended schools in Montana and later worked as a sausage maker at Midland Packing Co., in Billings, Mont.

In 1940 he married Loretta Findley and in 1946 they moved to Newport, where he became the co-owner of French Cleaners. In 1950, he bought out his partner, and he and his wife operated the business until their retirement in 1976. He later worked at Larsen’s Market for a short time.

Mr. Leichner was a member of Newport United Church of Christ. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge and was a past president of Eagles REAC. He also was a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, Parent Teacher Association, where he served as president, and the Noble Grange. He also served on the Newport City Council for 17 years, acting as mayor for a short time.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Myrna Driskill of Newport; a son, Michael Leichner of Riddle, Ore.; three sisters, Betty Fanucchi and Tina Schmidt, both of California, and Clara Wong of Billings, Mont.; a brother, Walter Leichner of California; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Foundation or Newport United Church of Christ Memorial Fund.

W.E. `Pootch’ Vincent Wilbur, Wash.

Visitation for W.E. “Pootch” Vincent, 73, will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Strate Funeral Home in Wilbur. Funeral is planned for 10 a.m. Thursday at the Creston (Wash.) Christian Church. Masonic graveside service will follow at the Sherman Cemetery.

Mr. Vincent, who was born in Creston, died Sunday.

He graduated from Creston High School in 1944 and served with the Navy during World War II.

Mr. Vincent entered the University of Washington in 1945 and married Donna Robertson that year.

He worked for the railroad briefly before moving to the Robertson family farm near Creston, where he farmed until retiring in 1982, when he moved to Wilbur.

Mr. Vincent was a member of Almira (Wash.) Masonic Lodge 127, the Order of Eastern Star of Almira and the Creston School Board.

Survivors include his wife, Donna; a son, Larry Vincent of Creston; two daughters, Shirli Miller of Wilbur and Jeanne Novotney of Anchorage, Alaska; a brother, Clyde Vincent Jr. of Yakima; and five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Creston Alumni Association or Creston Christian Church.

Kenneth Thiele Spokane

Memorial service for Capt. Kenneth F. Thiele, 31, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Spokane Opera House.

Capt. Thiele, who was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., died Jan. 13 in a KC-135 air refueling tanker crash in Germany.

He grew up in Grand Junction, Colo., graduating with a bachelor of science degree in history from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1989.

Capt. Thiele served as a tanker pilot in the Air Force from 1989 until September 1998 and was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base.

In September he joined the Washington Air National Guard 141st Air Refueling Wing.

His military decorations include the Aerial Achievement Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Capt. Thiele was a member of the Air Force Association and the U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates.

Survivors include his wife, Michelle; his parents, Ronald and Judith Thiele of Mesa, Ariz.; and a brother, Eric Thiele of Colorado Springs.

Memorial contributions may be sent in the Washington Air Guard Air Crew Survivor’s Fund, c/o U.S. Bank.

Katherine (Manetsch) King Spokane

Graveside service for Katherine “Katty” (Manetsch) King, 93, will be at 1:30 p.m. today at Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial service is planned for 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Rockwood Manor. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. King, who was born in Valley, Wash., died Saturday.

She attended Washington State University, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, before studying music at Dominican College in California.

Mrs. King taught piano in her home for many years and played the organ for Smith Funeral Home in Spokane. She also worked in the Spokane County Vital Records Department.

Mrs. King was preceded in death by two husbands, Leo Manetsch and Cyril King.

Survivors include a stepdaughter, Marita Dunn of Spokane; two stepsons, Regis King of Spokane and Patrick King of Fresno, Calif.; a brother, George Kulzer of Spokane.

Lila Kruse Cheney

Funeral for Lila V. Kruse, 81, will be at 11 a.m. today at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Cheney. Burial will be at Spokane Memorial Gardens. Cheney Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Kruse, who was born in Parshall, N.D., died Friday.

She attended schools in Parshall and married Herman Kruse in 1941. In 1955 they moved to Cheney.

Mrs. Kruse was a homemaker and was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, where she was a charter member of the Ruth Circle, Church Quilters and the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Women. She also was a member of the Cheney Senior Citizens.

Her husband died in 1970.

Survivors include a son, Terry Kruse of Cheney; a daughter, Kerry Romo of Littleton, Colo.; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

Wilma Armentino Spokane

Visitation for Wilma Armentino, 80, will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home. Funeral is planned for 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Private inurnment will be at Pines Cemetery. Mrs. Armentino, who was born in Pierre, S.D., died Sunday.

She moved to Spokane in 1939 and was a homemaker.

Her husband of 40 years, Albert, died in 1981.

Mrs. Armentino is survived by a grandson, Richard Armentino of Spokane; a granddaughter, Raini Jackson of Snohomish, Wash.; a greatgranddaughter, Vanessa Jackson; and a niece, Edna Dow of Spokane.

Jennie Weeks Spokane Graveside service for Jennie B. Weeks, 86, will be at 11 a.m. today at Holy Cross Cemetery. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A lifetime Spokane resident, Mrs. Weeks died Sunday.

She worked for many years as a waitress in various Spokane restaurants, including the Trio.

Mrs. Weeks is survived by a stepson, Jimmy Weeks of Oregon.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Novena.

Fannie Derrick Kootenai, Idaho

Visitation for Fannie E. Derrick, 77, will be from noon to 7 p.m. today at Coffelt Funeral Service in Sandpoint. A dinner reception will be Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Sandpoint Eagles Lodge, 208 N. First St.

Mrs. Derrick died Friday.

Born in Colorado, she moved to North Idaho with her parents in 1931 and later settled in Kootenai.

She worked as a cook, a farmer and rancher and owned several local restaurants. She also was a member and past madam president of the Sandpoint Eagles Lodge.

Survivors include two children, Barbara Peterson of Sandpoint and David Fuller of Oregon; three sisters, Leona Campbell of Utah, Catherine Nagel of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and Marjorie Riley of Kettle Falls, Wash.; and six grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sandpoint Eagles Lodge No. 589 Youth Activity Fund or the American Cancer Society.

Edward Matts Spokane

Memorial service for Edward P. Matts, 46, will be at 2 p.m. today at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home.

A 40-year Spokane resident, Mr. Matts died Jan. 14.

Born in Seattle, Mr. Matts worked as a self-employed photographer for many years.

Survivors include two brothers, Tom and John Matts, both of Spokane; three sisters, Sharon Hancon and Linda Hull, both of Spokane, and Terry McDevitt of Woodinville, Wash.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Clara Gortsema Spokane

Memorial service for Clara V. Gortsema, 78, will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Colfax (Wash.) Community Bible Church. The Cremation Society of Washington is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Gortsema, who was born in Colfax, died Thursday.

She graduated from Colfax High School in 1939 and moved to Grangeville, Idaho, in 1956.

She moved to Lewiston in 1971 and returned to Colfax 12 years ago.

Mrs. Gortsema was a member of the Colfax Country Club.

Survivors include a son, Craig James of Spokane; three sisters, Waleta Harris of Colfax, Berniece Stillson of Warden, Wash., and Frances Meyers of Coeur d’Alene; two brothers, Steve and Alfred White, both of Spokane; and three grandsons and five great-grandchildren.

Elsie `Johnnie’ Johnson Spokane

Graveside service for Elsie “Johnnie” Johnson, 92, will be at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Greenwood Memorial Terrace. Memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. at the Royal Park Care Center, 7411 N. Nevada. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Johnson, who was born in Britt, Iowa, died Friday.

A 43-year Spokane resident, Mrs. Johnson was a homemaker and was a member of the Sons of Norway Auxiliary, the Order of Eastern Star and Moose Lodge Auxiliary.

Her husband, Edwin, died in April.

Survivors include a daughter, Alice Quinn of Veradale; two sisters, Sigrid Carlson of Hayden Lake, Idaho, and Ruth Steele of Renton, Wash.; and three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Veronica `Johnny’ Janostak Spokane

Graveside service for Veronica T. “Johnny” Janostak, 86, was Monday at Holy Cross Cemetery. HennesseySmith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

A 50-year Spokane resident, Mrs. Janostak died Jan. 13.

She was born in British Columbia and served as a nurse with the Army during World War II.

She was a member of St. Charles Parish.

He is survived by a sister, Virginia Schrempp of Pincher Creek, Alberta.

Wesley Kelsey Spokane

Private service for Wesley I. Kelsey, 69, will be at the family home at a later date. The Cremation Society of Washington is in charge of arrangements.

A 34-year Spokane resident, Mr. Kelsey died Tuesday. He was born in Sioux Falls, S.D.

He served with Army from 1948 to 1950.

He later worked as a wood machine operator and maintenance person for many years.

Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Cora; four sons, Wesley, Harland and Craig Kelsey, and Brian Roeslen; three daughters, Pam Cooper, Lauetta Kelsey and Cindy Smith; a brother, Ernest Kelsey; numerous grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Robert Ohler Spokane

Private service will be held for Robert C. Ohler, 60. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Ohler, who was born in Spokane, died Sunday.

He graduated from Central Valley High School and attended Eastern Washington University on a music scholarship.

Mr. Ohler later worked as an electronic technician for KHQ-TV and KXLY-radio for several years. He also owned and operated Bob’s Standard TV Repair Service for many years.

His wife of 37 years, Winnifred, died in 1995.

Survivors include a daughter, Shelli Newman of North Lauderdale, Fla.; his mother, Ann Ohler of Spokane; and three sisters, Jeannie VanTuyl, Laura Gusdorf and MaryAnn Lenhard, all of Spokane.

Victoria Moore Post Falls

Memorial service for Victoria Josephine “Vicki” Moore, 56, was Tuesday at the Community United Methodist Church in Coeur d’Alene. Yates Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Born in Twin Falls, Idaho, Mrs. Moore died Friday.

She graduated from Twin Falls High School and the University of Idaho, and later studied accounting at Whitworth College.

Mrs. Moore worked as a certified public accountant and also taught high school in Murtaugh, Idaho, and lived in Hansen, Idaho.

In 1982 she moved to Coeur d’Alene and worked as an accountant for McCall and Associates and as an office manager for Spokane Community Health.

Mrs. Moore served as church administrator for the Coeur d’Alene First Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Community United Methodist Church, where she served in various leadership roles and committees.

She also was a member of Walk to Emmaus and a past officer of the American Society of Women Accountants.

Survivors include her husband of 31 years, Dean; two daughters, Tanya Hanson of Seattle and Erica Moore of Portland; her mother and stepfather, Edna and Con DeVaney of Idaho Falls; a brother, John Novosel of Pocatello, Idaho; and two sisters, Kay Leaf of Idaho Falls and DeeAnn Stanger of Twin Falls, Idaho.

Lois Sanders Spokane

Graveside service for Lois J. Sanders, 74, was Monday at Riverside Memorial Park. Ball and Dodd Funeral HomeSouth was in charge of arrangements.

A 45-year Spokane resident, Mrs. Sanders died Jan. 14.

Born in Wapato, Wash., she graduated from Wapato High School.

She worked as a housekeeper at Deaconess Hospital for many years and retired in 1989.

Survivors include her husband, Leon; three daughters, Terry Adebayo and Jerry Burnett, both of Spokane, and Sue Herriage of Texas; a sister, Melba Marshall of Deer Lodge, Mont.; and 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Eleanor Widener Coeur d’Alene

Memorial Mass for Eleanor Mae Widener, 85, was Tuesday at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene. Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d’Alene was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Widener, who was born in Chicago, died Friday.

She graduated from high school in Chicago, attended the Chicago Art Institute and worked for New York Life Insurance Co., in Chicago.

Mrs. Widener moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1992 to be near family.

She was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church.

Her husband of 25 years, John, died in 1965.

Survivors include three daughters, Jonelle Widener of Coeur d’Alene, Audrey Thomas of Otis Orchards and Judy Krickl of Post Falls; and seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 592, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816 or St. Pius X Catholic Church, 625 E. Haycraft, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.

Reeva Little Greenacres

Memorial service for Reeva F. Little, 99, will be at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Post Falls Kingdom Hall. Private burial will be at Pines Cemetery. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Little, who was born in Lamar, Mo., died Jan. 17.

She was raised in Eastern Montana and moved to Spokane in 1969 from Havre, Mont.

Mrs. Little was a homemaker and a 75-year member of Jehovah’s Witness.

Her husband of 44 years, James, died in 1969.

Survivors include two sons, Peter Little of Lebanon, Ore., and William Little of Wenatchee; a daughter, Rebecca Thoeny of Newman Lake; and eight grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

Richard Byers Spokane

Funeral for Richard F. “Dick” Byers, 70, was Tuesday at Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-South. Burial was at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.

A 47-year Spokane resident, Mr. Byers died Saturday. He was born in Elk River, Idaho.

He served as a signalman in the Navy during World War II and later worked in furnace maintenance for Pacific Northwest Alloys.

Mr. Byers was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1957.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Patricia Draper Byers; three daughters, Sherry Byers Mayer of Nine Mile Falls, Penney and Lisa Byers, both of Spokane; three sons, Danny Byers of Nine Mile Falls, Terry Byers of Spokane and Patrick Byers of Seattle; two sisters, Lois Snider of Yakima and Bernice Knight of the Tri-Cities, Wash.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation.

David Lund Deer Park

Memorial service for David Andrew Lund, 63, was held Tuesday at First Church of the Open Bible in Spokane.

A longtime Deer Park resident, Mr. Lund died Friday.

He was born in Tacoma and in 1954 married Beulah Greeley.

He worked as building contractor in the maintenance department for Spokane School District 81 for many years.

Mr. Lund was a volunteer firefighter and an emergency medical technician for the Deer Park Fire Department.

Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Christina Seiwert of Spokane, Cindy Bickely of Edgewood, Wash., Debbie Vausberg of Puyallup, Wash., and Karin LaPierre of Bellingham; a son, Samuel Lund of Deer Park; a sister, Beverly Goyer of Anaheim, Calif.; and 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.