Obituaries

Winnie Allen Colville, Wash.

Service for Winnie C. Allen, 74, will be at 2 p.m. today at the Kellogg Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Kellogg. Shoshone Funeral Service in Kellogg is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Allen, who was born in Cove, Ark., died Wednesday.

She married Kennith Allen in 1940 and settled in Pinehurst, Idaho, in 1945.

She worked for Enterprise Laundry in Kellogg and Wallace for several years.

Mrs. Allen also worked as a cook at Silver King Elementary and Kellogg Junior High.

She was a member of the Pythian Sisters in Kellogg for nearly 50 years.

She moved to Colville last year.

Her husband died in 1987.

Survivors include two daughters, Linda Hughes of Colville and Sylvia Reasor of Kellogg; two sons, John Allen of Kellogg and Pat Allen of Osburn, Idaho; 19 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Ruth Knuth Deer Park

Funeral for Ruth Dora Knuth, 89, will be at 11 a.m. today at Lauer Funeral Home in Deer Park. Burial will be at the Pinecrest Cemetery in Sandpoint.

Mrs. Knuth, who was born in Spokane, died May 28.

She moved to Victoria, British Columbia, and to Rochester, Minn., with her family before returning to Spokane, where she attended North Central High School.

Mrs. Knuth married Frank Miller, and they lived in Moscow, Idaho. They later divorced and she married Frank Slater. They also divorced.

She attended Morris Beauty School in Moscow and owned her own beauty shop on West Pacific in Spokane.

In 1939 she married Orlan Knuth, and they moved to Pasco.

After World War II she and her husband, operated O.K. Sporting Goods in Newport, Wash. Mrs. Knuth also operated a beauty shop during this time.

While living in Newport she was active with the Parent Teacher Association, was a member of the City Planning Commission, American Lutheran Church, the Pocahontas Lodge, Order of Eastern Star, and served as the Pend Oreille County chairperson for the American Red Cross.

In the 1950s Mrs. Knuth and her husband expanded the sporting goods store and added a cafe. They were in business for 17 years before selling the store to become sheep ranchers in Moses Lake. They later moved to Pomeroy, Wash., where they were motel proprietors before returning to Spokane several years later.

Her husband died in 1977 and she moved to Deer Park, where she was active with the Deer Park Hospital Auxiliary, Deer Park United Methodist church, Pinochle Club and the Senior Lunch Program.

Survivors include a daughter, Jewel; a son, Charles; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Thomas Puckett, Ph.D. Spokane

Memorial service for Thomas Puckett, 37, will be at 11 a.m. today at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-South is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Puckett, who was born in Havre, Mont., died Wednesday.

He earned his master’s degree from the University of Maine in Orono, and his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Mr. Puckett was a professor in the Department of Communications at Eastern Washington University for the past several years.

Survivors include his wife of 13 years, Sandy; two children, Emily and Joseph Puckett, both at home; his father, Robert Puckett of Laurel, Mont.; a brother, Andy Puckett, and a sister, Robyn Puckett, both of Great Falls, Mont.; and his grandmother, Rose Brandt of Havre, Mont.

Paula Nolan Pullman

Memorial service for Paula Jan Nolan, 51, will be at 1 p.m. today at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home in Spokane.

Mrs. Nolan, who was born in Spokane, died May 29.

She graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1966.

Mrs. Nolan worked as a hairdresser in Pullman for several years.

Survivors include her companion, Jon Ebbeler; three daughters, Lea Hayden of Spokane, Lori Bower of Seattle and Zorana Bower of Marathon, Fla.; her parents, Paul and Donna Nolan of Spokane; five sisters, Terry Haraldson, Rhonda Hawley and Gail Prosser, all of Spokane, Sharon Pupo of Lewiston and Julie Nolan of Poulsbo, Wash.; a brother, Gary Nolan of Spokane; and three grandchildren.

Mary Lou Stuart Elk

Funeral service for Mary Lou Stuart, 88, will be at 11 a.m. today at Peaceful Valley Church in Elk. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Fairmount Memorial Park in Spokane. Lauer Funeral Home in Deer Park is in charge of arrangements.

A longtime Elk resident, Mrs. Stuart, died Sunday in Spokane.

She graduated from Pullman High School in 1929 and from Eastern Washington State College in 1931.

Mrs. Stuart was an elementary school teacher in the Riverside School District for several years before retiring in 1973.

She was a member of Elk Community Church, Elk Homemakers, Camden Grange, Pend Oreille Pamona Grange and the Retired Teachers Association.

Her husband, Julian Stuart, died in 1995.

Survivors include a son, Lewis Stuart of Spokane; two daughters, Joyce Stuart of Medical Lake and Mary Rozelle of Elk; a sister, Etta Wegner of Pullman; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Arthur Wetzel St. Maries

Service for Arthur Wetzel, 84, will be at 11 a.m. today at Yates-Hodge Funeral Home in St. Maries. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries.

Mr. Wetzel, who was born in St. Maries, died Tuesday.

He grew up and attended schools in St. Maries and worked in the timber industry before serving with the Army.

Mr. Wetzel returned to St. Maries after his military service and worked as a woodsman. He was recalled into the Army and served in Europe during World War II.

He returned to St. Maries after the war and continued his employment in the timber industry. He was also a carpenter.

Mr. Wetzel was a member of the St. Maries American Legion Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1390 and the National Rifle Association.

Survivors include four nieces, Susan Vucinich and Nancy Husband, both of Portland, Francie Gorton of Olympia and Margaret Hunter of Spokane; and two nephews, Herbert Sauvageau of California and Charles Sauvageau of Wenatchee.

Donald Ott Sr. Medical Lake

Memorial service for Donald Ott Sr., 74, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Sunset Chapel on the grounds of Fairmount Memorial Park. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A 33-year Spokane resident, Mr. Ott died Tuesday. He was born in Kamas, Utah.

He graduated from South Summit High School in Utah and from the University of Utah.

Mr. Ott served in the European Theater with the Army during World War II. He was awarded three battle stars, a bronze arrowhead for service in Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland, a Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal and a Victory Service Medal.

After the war he returned to Utah, and in 1946 married Georgean VanDorn. They later moved to the Spokane area.

Mr. Ott worked for International Harvester for several years before retiring from working as a field auditor for the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries after 15 years.

Mr. Ott was a longtime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Gregory Ott of Salt Lake City and Donald Ott Jr., of Spokane; two daughters, Vickie Bond of Deer Park and Christine Ott of Newhall, Calif.; a brother, Milton Ott of Forest Heights, Md.; a sister, Connie Carlson of Corte Madera, Calif.; and four grandchildren.

Gisela French Spokane

Memorial service for Gisela “Gila” French, 57, will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home. Inurnment will be in Germany at a later date.

Mrs. French, who was born in Daverden, Germany, died May 26.

She came to Spokane in 1966, after her marriage to Richard French.

Mrs. French worked for the Safeway Stores Inc., Spokane Division office for many years.

Her husband died in 1998.

Survivors include a daughter, Lori Feldmann; her mother, Anny Meyer; and a sister, Margaret Waechter, all of Germany; and two grandchildren.

Sr. Catherine Grant, S.P. Spokane

Vigil for Sr. Catherine (Helen Paula) Grant, 84, will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at Mount St. Joseph in Spokane. Funeral Mass is planned for 10 a.m. Monday at Mount St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Sr. Grant, who was born in Stanley, N.D., died Wednesday.

She graduated from Havre (Mont.) High School in 1932 and in 1934 entered the Sisters of Providence at their Novitiate in Seattle. She professed her first vows in 1935. Sr. Grant professed her final vows in 1938.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in education and English from the College of Great Falls, Mont., in 1945, and received her secondary teaching certificate from the State of Idaho.

Sr. Grant went on to earn her master’s degree in business education from the University of North Dakota in 1963 and a degree in social work from Portland State University in 1967. She attended the CREDO Program at Gonzaga University in 1982.

Her years of ministry include work as a registrar and instructor at the College of Great Falls, social work at St. Thomas Home in Great Falls and at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, social work, admitting clerk and director of pastoral care at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, chaplain at St. Brendan Nursing Home in Spokane, which is now the St. Joseph Care Center and as the receptionist and typist in the archives at Provincial Administration in Spokane.

Sr. Grant was a member of the Executive Committee of the Montana Association for Social Concerns, Cascade County (Mont.) 4C Program for Children and Youth, a consultant for Headstart in 1973, a volunteer at Great Falls Mental Health Clinic, and was a member of the Montana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and the Admission Committee of the Youth Guidance Home Board.

She had been in Spokane County for the past 11 years.

Survivors include a sister, Helen Woodbury of Pleasant Hill, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews, including Sr. Mary Fox of Vancouver, Wash.

Esther (Everett) Miller Spokane

Funeral for Esther N. (Everett) Miller, 77, will be at 10 a.m. today at Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home. Private burial will be at Riverside Memorial Park.

A 70-year Spokane resident, Mrs. Miller died Wednesday. She was born in Minnesota.

She retired from Etna Insurance Co. after several years.

Mrs. Miller was a member of the Spokane Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Her first husband of 44 years, Wilbur Everett, died in 1980. Her second husband, Harold Miller, died in 1990.

Survivors include three sons, Jerry, David and Ronald Everett, all of Spokane; three daughters, Sharon Pace and Elaine Buck, both of Spokane, and Patricia Butler of Olympia; three brothers, Donald and John Foster, both of Spokane, and Gordon Foster of Orlando, Fla.; a sister, Caroline Kemppainen of Spokane; 24 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.

Anna Maria Smith Spokane

Memorial service for Anna Maria Smith, 103, will be at 11 a.m. today at Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Inurnment will be at Pines Cemetery. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Smith, who died Tuesday, was born in Leaf Valley, Minn.

She was a homemaker and a 55-year Spokane resident.

Her husband, Joseph, died in 1954.

Survivors include two daughters, Florence Franklin and Annetta Welker, both of Spokane; a son, Reuben Smith Sr., of Othello, Wash.; 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Gordon McNew Laclede, Idaho

Memorial service for Gordon Dever McNew, 89, was Thursday at Laclede Community Church. Coeur d’Alene Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. McNew, who was born in Valley Center, Kan., died Saturday.

He was a longtime Laclede resident and worked in the propane industry in Puyallup, Wash., and North Idaho.

Mr. McNew was a member of the Sandpoint Elks Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Elizabeth.

Survivors include his wife, Marie; a daughter, Carol Lepka of Pasco, Wash.; 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Roy Johnson Spokane

Private family service for Roy L. Johnson, 60, will be held at a later date. The Cremation Society of Washington is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Johnson, who was born and raised in Coeur d’Alene, died May 27.

He worked for the Spokane County Roads Repair Department for many years.

Mr. Johnson was a longtime member and served as an elder at Sunrise Church of Christ in Spokane.

Survivors include his wife, Bernice; a son, Mark Johnson of Spokane; two daughters, Rhonda Clouse of Deer Park and Lori Steele of Spokane; two sisters, Valejo Rogness of Coeur d’Alene and Violet Harding of Spokane; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Merle Brown Spokane

Funeral for Merle L. Brown, a longtime Spokane businessman, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Thornhill Valley Funeral Home. Burial will be at Freeman Cemetery in Rockford.

Mr. Brown, who was born in Madison, S.D., died Wednesday. He was 69.

He moved to Libby, Mont., in 1934 and settled in Spokane in the mid 1940s.

While a student at Rogers High School, he became a staff photographer for The Spokesman-Review and Spokane Chronicle.

After graduation from high school, Mr. Brown served as a photographer for two years with the Navy aboard the USS Boxer.

He later earned his master’s degree in photography from the Winona Institute in Chicago.

Mr. Brown owned and operated Brown’s Commercial Photography in Spokane for many years and was also the director of the art department at Spokane Falls Community College, where he taught photography. He retired in 1992.

He won numerous awards as a photographer and served as president of the Washington Association of Professional Photographers. He was a frequent speaker and judge at photographic conventions in the Northwest.

Mr. Brown was an active member of Hillyard Church of God and the Berean Bible Church.

Survivors include his wife, Donna Marlow Brown; two sons, Duane Brown of Troutdale, Ore., and Nicholas Brown Barros of South Wales, N.Y.; a daughter, Linda Wall of Gresham, Ore.; two stepsons, Troy and Chad Dokken, both of Spokane; four brothers, Calvin and James Brown, both of Spokane, Keith Brown of Mansfield, Wash., and Jerry Brown of Aurora, Colo.; a sister, Ruth Didier of Portland; four grandchildren and one stepgranddaughter.

Stanley Smick Spokane

Graveside service for Stanley B. Smick, 74, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Mount Hope Cemetery in College Place, Wash. Memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Spokane Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church. Riplinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A 20-year Spokane resident, Mr. Smick died Saturday. He was born in Endicott, Wash.

He served in the Army during World War II.

He worked as a salesman for Safe Guard for many years.

He was a longtime member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Vivian; two daughters, Beverly Siebenlist of Jacksonville, Texas, and Janna Kellogg of Pendleton, Ore.; a son, Randall Smick of Spokane; a brother, Warren Smick, and a sister, Barbara Stewart, both of Walla Walla; and four grandchildren.

Albert Higgins Spokane

Funeral for Albert W. Higgins, 86, will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Riplinger Funeral Home. Private entombment will be at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.

Mr. Higgins, who was born in North Wilkesboro, N.C., died Tuesday.

He moved to Stevens County with his family, and they moved to Spokane in 1923.

Mr. Higgins graduated from North Central High School and Kinman Business University.

He started his career as a clerk in the accounting department of the Spokane International Railroad, later working as the treasurer. He was transferred to Omaha, Neb., in 1966, retiring as assistant general auditor of the Union Pacific Railroad in 1975. He later returned to Spokane.

Mr. Higgins had been a member of the Spokane Eagles Lodge since 1937, where he was a Golden Eagle.

His wife of 45 years, Mable, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his companion, Doris Miller; a daughter, Aljean Muncey of Arlington, Wash.; three granddaughters and three great-grandchildren.

Grace Stanton Spokane

Memorial service for Grace Stanton, a 58-year Spokane resident, will be at 10 a.m. today at Manito United Methodist Church. Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Born in Chicago, Mrs. Stanton died Tuesday. She was 83.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Montana in 1937.

Mrs. Stanton worked for the Washington State Department of Social Services for several years. She retired in 1980.

She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, the Spokane Garden Club, the Turf and Trowel Club, and Manito United Methodist Church.

Her husband, Frank, died in 1994.

Survivors include four daughters, Mary Lou Stanton, Diane Ankcorn, Laurie Stanton and Jill Gaffney, all of Spokane; and eight grandchildren.

Richard Hustad Ephrata, Wash.

Funeral for longtime Ephrata area resident, Richard B. Hustad, will be at noon Monday at Ephrata Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Valley View Memorial Park in Soap Lake, Wash. Nicoles Funeral Home in Ephrata is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Hustad, who was born in Minot, N.D., died Wednesday. He was 68.

He served in the Army from 1951 until 1954, attaining the rank of sergeant.

Mr. Hustad was a purchasing agent for the Civil Service for many years in Klamath Falls, Ore., and in Moses Lake.

He was a member of Ephrata Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Deer Park and Ephrata Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Ephrata Eagles Lodge.

Survivors include a son, Richard Hustad of Colbert; two daughters, Teresa Donnelly of Spokane and Patti Norris of Tucson, Ariz.; three sisters, Gayle Nickel of Ephrata, Judy Anderson of Battle Ground, Wash., and Joanne Orahood of Spokane; a brother, Alan Hustad of Ephrata; and three grandchildren.

Louise Tincher San Carlos, Calif.

Memorial service for Louise M. Tincher, 88, will be at 1 p.m. June 12 at Portland Memorial Mausoleum.

Mrs. Tincher, a former Spokane resident, died Saturday.

She was born in Indianapolis.

In 1939 she married William Tincher. He died in 1958.

Mrs. Tincher moved to Oakland, Calif., in 1960 and then to Spokane in 1965.

She worked as a secretary on the medical surgery floor of Sacred Heart Medical Center for 20 years. She moved to San Carlos in 1998 to be near family.

Mrs. Tincher was an avid bridge player and a member of both the Spokane and San Carlos clubs.

Survivors include two daughters, Elizabeth Holman of San Carlos and Sharon Gritten of Prineville, Ore.; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.