Obituaries
Ambrose `Pat’ Partch Garfield, Wash.
Rosary for Ambrose H. “Pat” Partch, 80, will be at 7 p.m. today at Bruning Funeral Home in Colfax, Wash. Funeral Mass is planned for 2 p.m. Friday at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Oakesdale, Wash. Burial will follow at the Garfield Cemetery.
Mr. Partch died Monday.
Born in Sunnyside, Wash., he moved with his family to Garfield, where he attended schools.
Mr. Partch enlisted in the Navy, serving on board the USS Maryland in 1938. In 1941 he was one of 13 survivors of the USS Peary, off the coast of Darwin, Australia. He then served in the submarine service, including on board the USS Permit, Mingo and Bream, until the end of the war.
After the war Mr. Partch served on board the USS Rupertus, Piemont, Frontier and Lake Champlain. In the early 1950s he helped build and operate one of the first Ground Control Approach units for Navy aircraft.
During his military service, he was awarded four Bronze Stars with the Asiatic-Pacific Fleet, three stars for Submarine Combat, three Philippine Defense Stars and the World War II Victory Medal. He retired in 1960.
In 1964 he returned to Garfield, where he began working for the Oakesdale Implement Co., J.E. Love Co. and for the Palouse Producers.
Mr. Partch was a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, the American Legion, Ladow Grange, the Retired Officers Association and served as a member of the Garfield town council.
His wife of 55 years, Jeanette, died in 1997.
Survivors include four sons, David Partch of Boise, Greg Partch of Garfield, Steven Partch of San Antonio and Michael Partch of Spokane; seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Merry Glen School, 2917 N. Cincinnati, Spokane, WA 99207.
Elmer Friedrichs Spokane
Visitation for Elmer H. Friedrichs, 88, will be from noon to 8 p.m. Friday at Riplinger Funeral Home. Memorial service is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Private burial at Riverside Memorial Park will precede the service.
Mr. Friedrichs, who was born in Alexandria, S.D., died Friday.
He grew up on a farm near Alexandria and in 1934 married Beulah Blaker.
Mr. Friedrichs worked as a freight hauler on Vashon Island in Western Washington and later drove a transport for the Union Oil Co. for 25 years, working out of Walla Walla and Pasco.
Mr. Friedrichs moved to Spokane in 1975 from Pasco.
He was a longtime member of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, David Friedrichs of Clayton, Ga., and Dennis Friedrichs of Kennewick; five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Gloria Mooer Spokane
Funeral for Gloria A. Mooer, 72, will be at 1 p.m. today at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 401 W. Regina. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Mooer, who was born in Seattle, died Monday. She was a 22-year Spokane resident.
She worked as a machine operator at Key Tronic.
Mrs. Mooer was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Her husband, George Mooer, preceded her in death.
Survivors include five daughters, Celesta Stout and Roxanne Holmes, both of Spokane, Susan Howell of Spanaway, Wash., Kathy Hall of Everett and Diane Capasso of Portland; a son, Vincent Kamp of Portland; a sister, Peggy Succo; a brother, Gerald Guarisco; 27 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the MDA-ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Foundation, 1009 N. Washington, Spokane, WA 99201.
Raymond Dillman Spokane
Private graveside service for Raymond R. Dillman, 81, was held at Riverside Memorial Park. Riplinger Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
A lifetime Spokane resident, Mr. Dillman died Friday.
He graduated from Rogers High School and worked as a car foreman for the Burlington Northern Railroad for many years.
His wife, Florence, died in 1998.
Survivors include several grandchildren.
Eldred Kerr Newport, Wash.
Memorial service for Eldred Evans Kerr, 84, will be at 11 a.m. July 1 at the United Church of Christ in Newport. Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Newport is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Kerr, a retired veterinarian, died Sunday.
He was born in Albion, Wash., and graduated from Pullman High School in 1933.
Dr. Kerr obtained degrees in education and agriculture from Washington State College in 1938.
In 1939 he married Geraldine Jayne in Ione, Wash.
Dr. Kerr taught vocational agriculture in Rockford, Davenport, and Dayton, Wash.
He served with the Navy during World War II.
He returned to school and in 1949 received his degree in veterinary medicine from Washington State College.
Dr. Kerr practiced in Coeur d’Alene and in 1952 moved to Newport, where he opened a practice serving Pend Oreille County and parts of Spokane and Bonner counties.
In 1958 he began working for the federal government. He finished his government service as Western states regional veterinarian.
He was a member of the Kiwanis, several city councils, the Inland Empire Veterinary Medical Association, Locke and Noble granges, and the Washington State University Alumni Association.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Sarah Kerr Mohn of Buffalo, Wyo., and Carol McDonald of Santa Rosa, Calif.; a son, Donald Kerr of Crystal Lake, Ill.; a sister, Laurell Doherty of Clayton, Ga.; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pend Oreille County Historical Society or the Locke, Wash., Church of Christ.
Charles `Lee’ Van Winkle Spokane
Funeral for Charles L. “Lee” Van Winkle, 65, will be 9 a.m. Friday at Riplinger Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the Peone Prairie Cemetery in Mead.
Mr. Van Winkle, who was born in Pasco, died Monday.
He graduated from Newport (Wash.) High School, where he was an all-around athlete. He earned a liberal arts degree from Eastern Washington University.
He retired from the Naval Reserves and also worked in maintenance for School District 81.
Mr. Van Winkle was a member of Eagles Lodge No. 2, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1474 and the Disabled American Veterans.
Survivors include three sons, Wayne, James and David Van Winkle, and a daughter, Tammy Hall, all of Spokane; two brothers, Clyde Van Winkle of San Diego and Fred Van Winkle of Las Vegas; and six grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1474, 3004 E. Queen, Spokane, WA 99207.
Frances Keitel Portland
Funeral service for Frances K. Keitel, 86, will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Fairmount Memorial Park.
Mrs. Keitel, who was born in Kankakee, Ill., died Sunday.
She married Arthur Keitel in 1933, and they moved to Spokane in 1956.
Mrs. Keitel worked as a housekeeping supervisor for several years before retiring in 1977.
Her husband died in 1962.
In 1991 she moved to Yakima. She recently moved to Portland.
Survivors include a daughter, Lucille Cox of Portland; two sisters, Angy Lee of Spokane and Thelma Alwood of Bellingham; three grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Association.
Annie Boyd Spokane
Visitation for Annie L. Boyd, 89, will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-South. Funeral is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.
Mrs. Boyd, who was born in Atlanta, died Monday.
She moved to Spokane in 1941 and worked as a housekeeper in various places, including Gonzaga University, for many years.
She was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church and the East Central Community Center.
Her husband, Willie Boyd, died in 1977.
Survivors include a son, Curt Boyd of Spokane; a daughter, Trussie Williams of Peoria, Ill.; and four grandchildren.
John Hamilton Spokane
Memorial service for John H. Hamilton, 80, will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Rockford Cemetery. Hennessey Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Hamilton, who was born in Rockford, died Monday.
He served with the Coast Guard during World War II and worked as a carpenter. He retired in 1981 from Harvey Baurr Construction.
He was a member of the Carpenters Union, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1435 and the National Rifle Association.
Survivors include his wife, Angeline; three daughters, Paige Hamilton of Spokane, Holly Parker of Newman Lake and Judy Mayberry of Walla Walla; a brother, Clark Hamilton of Fairfield; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Fern Loney Moscow, Idaho
Viewing for Fern Forgey Loney, 97, will be Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Short’s Funeral Chapel in Moscow. Graveside service will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Vineland Cemetery in Clarkston, Wash. A reception will follow the service at the Bridge Street Connection in Clarkston.
Mrs. Loney, who was born in Anatone, Wash., died Tuesday.
She grew up on Weissenfels Ridge near Anatone and graduated from Anatone High School. She attended Eastern Washington College of Education for one year.
Mrs. Loney briefly taught at Pine Grove School near Anatone and in 1922 married Robert “Bob” Forgey.
She worked for Wilmer Votaw before purchasing a farm west of Anatone where she farmed until her husband’s death in 1961.
She moved to Moscow in 1962 and worked as a clerk in the gifts department at David’s Department Store until 1966. She did alterations for The Parisian and Creighton’s stores before marrying William Loney in 1972.
Her husband died in 1991, and she moved to Moscow to be near family.
She moved to Latah Care Center earlier this month.
Survivors include a daughter, Jean Kaus of Moscow; two grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
Daniel Morin Spokane
Private service will be held for Daniel Morin. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Morin, 77, died Friday. He was born in Spokane.
He was a teacher for many years and was a member of the California Retired Teachers Association.
He returned to Spokane several years ago.
Survivors include three daughters, Leslie Christiansen of Pacific Grove, Calif., Danielle Tilon of Las Vegas and Christine Harrimon of Marina, Calif.; a brother, William Morin of Spokane; a sister, Margaret Davis of Seattle; and several grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Clare Nuns.
Carl Wetherbee Sprague, Wash.
Memorial service for Carl H. Wetherbee, 75, will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Cheney Funeral Chapel.
A 10-year Sprague resident, Mr. Wetherbee died Sunday. He was born in Ashton, Idaho.
Mr. Wetherbee served with the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, and later worked as a supervisor in the painting industry.
Survivors include his wife Betty; two sons, Gordon and Dennis Harris, both of Auburn, Wash.; three daughters, Sheila Blankenship of Spanaway, Wash., Linda Lyons of Auburn, Wash., and Cindy Martin of Bellevue, Wash.; a brother, Lloyd Wetherbee of Florence, Ariz.; a sister, Vera Marsh of Tacoma; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Arthur Nelson Spokane
Memorial service for Arthur Lee Nelson, 76, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Riplinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
A 46-year Spokane resident, Mr. Nelson died Monday. He was born in Lewiston.
He served with the Marine Corps during World War II and worked as a sales manager for a concrete company in Spokane.
Mr. Nelson was a member of York Masonic Lodge 234, Scottish Rite Bodies, El Katif Shrine and the El Katif Shrine Flying Patrol, the Flying Tiger Association, Royal Order of Jesters Court 65, Million Dollar Club, Disabled American Veterans, Spokane Club, Footprinters, Spokane Police Guild and the Spokane Sports Car Club.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret; and a son, Arthur Nelson of Sacramento, Calif.
Memorial contributions may be made to the El Katif Shrine Hospital-Travel Fund, 1108 W. Riverside, Spokane, WA 99201; or to the All Saints Episcopal Church Pipe Organ Fund, 2076 Sutterville Road, Sacramento, CA 95822.
Mary Green Spokane
Vigil for Mary Eileen Green, 85, will be at 7 p.m. today at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home. Funeral Mass is planned for 11 a.m. Friday at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Private inurnment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.
A lifetime Spokane resident, Mrs. Green died Sunday.
She graduated from Holy Names Academy and the University of Idaho.
Mrs. Green was a homemaker and a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and Altar Society, Delta Gamma sorority, St. Monica’s Guild and was a longtime member of the Board for the Fort Wright Historical Museum.
Her husband, Howard Green, died in 1994.
Survivors include a son, Rick Green of Seattle; two daughters, Gail Ryan of Bellevue, Wash., and Gilly Breeden of Spokane; a brother, Richard O’Dea of Seattle; and four grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to, Sisters of the Holy Names Retirement Fund, 2911 W. Fort Wright Drive, Spokane, WA 99204, or Morning Star Boys Ranch, Box 8087 Manito Station, Spokane, WA 99203.
Larry Tibbits Spokane
Viewing for Larry A. Tibbits, 45, will be today and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at English Funeral Chapel in Post Falls. Service will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Mr. Tibbits, a lifelong resident of Spokane, died Monday.
He grew up and attended school in Greenacres, and worked as a forklift driver at Kaiser Aluminum for 22 years.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Jeanie; a son, Jeffrey Tibbits, and a daughter, Misty Perkins, both of Spokane; and two brothers, William Tibbits of Spokane and Dan Tibbits of Portland.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 3018, Hayden Lake, ID 83835.
Melvin Eberly III Spokane
Private graveside service for Melvin James Eberly III, 73, will be held at a later date in Renton, Wash. The Cremation Society of Washington is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Eberly, who was born in Detroit, died Sunday.
He grew up in Whatcom County, Wash., and moved to Spokane in 1981.
Survivors include a brother, John Eberly of Oxnard, Calif.; and a sister, Lois Griffith of Ellensburg.
Thomas Mortimer Sr. Bellevue, Wash.
Private service will be held for Thomas Danford Mortimer Sr., 75. Green Funeral Home in Bellevue is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Mortimer, who was born in Wallace, died Sunday.
He grew up in Spokane and lived in Southern California for a short time before serving in the 10th Armored Division of Patton’s 3rd Army during World War II.
Mr. Mortimer fought in a number of battles in the European Theater, including the Battle of the Bulge.
Following the war, he graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law and became the general manager of the Spokane Stock Exchange and the Northwest Mining Association.
He practiced law in Spokane and later in the Seattle area. He also founded the Danmor Co., which developed, built and operated convalescent and retirement centers in Western states under the name of Madison House Retirement. The company developed and built Idaho’s first large planned unit project in Boise.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth; a daughter, Ann Hankerson; two sons, Scott and Tom Mortimer Jr.; four stepchildren; four grandchildren and five stepgrandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Medic One or the American Heart Association.
Mabel (Johnson) Nelson Wenatchee
Private graveside service for Mabel Lucille (Johnson) Nelson, a former 45-year Spokane resident, will be held in Missoula. Jones and Jones Funeral Home in Wenatchee is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Nelson, who was born in Balsam Lake, Wis., died Monday. She was 88.
She grew up on a farm in Mapes, N.D., where she attended schools. She graduated from St. Patrick’s School of Nursing in Missoula in 1931 and began work as a private duty nurse. She also worked as a registered nurse at Fort Missoula.
She married Ellsworth Nelson in 1936, and they lived in Aberdeen, S.D., Minneapolis, Cody, Wyo., Butte and Ramsay, Mont., before moving to Spokane in 1952.
Mrs. Nelson and her husband owned and operated Jobbers Warehouse Co. and had an Allied Van Lines agency in Spokane for many years. They moved to Wenatchee in 1994.
Her husband died in 1995.
She was a member of the Central Lutheran Church in Spokane, Manito Lady Lions Club and Chapter CW of the P.E.O.
Survivors include two daughters, Marlys Barrett of Wenatchee and Linda Rossmann of Portland; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Central Lutheran Church in Spokane.
Edward Naasz Spokane
Visitation for Edward Naasz, 81, will be from noon to 8 p.m. today at Thornhill Valley Funeral Home. Funeral is planned for 2 p.m. Friday at Pines Cemetery Mausoleum.
Entombment will follow at the cemetery.
Mr. Naasz, who was born in South Dakota, died Monday. He was a 49-year Spokane resident.
He served with the Army and worked as a charge maker for Kaiser Aluminum for 31 years. He retired in 1982 .
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Lucille; a daughter, Betty Gallagher of Phoenix; a sister, Frieda Clardy of Spokane; and two grandsons.