Obituaries

Irene (Ponto) Alexander Spokane

Memorial service for Irene May (Ponto) Alexander, 85, will be at 4 p.m. today at Centenary United Methodist Church. Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-South is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Alexander, who was born in Spokane, died Thursday.

She graduated from Lewis and Clark High School. She married Robert Alexander in 1932, and they moved into the Alexander homestead house in the Spokane Valley.

Mrs. Alexander was a homemaker and a lifetime member of Centenary United Methodist Church, where she contributed time to the Mission Society.

She also was a founding member and one of three surviving original members at the time of her death of the Women’s ETC. She was a member of the Spokane Valley Garden Club and the Iris Society and served as leader of a 4-H club.

Mrs. Alexander was a member of Orchard Avenue Women’s Club, Philatelic Society and the Token and Metal Society. She served as officer in many of her organizations.

Mrs. Alexander and her husband traveled widely, and after his death in 1980 she traveled to Switzerland, Australia and Alaska.

She is survived by three sons, Verne Alexander of Petaluma, Calif., Kenneth Alexander of Lewiston and David Alexander of Spokane; a daughter, Jean Sack of Baltimore; a brother-in-law, Cecil Johnson of Spokane; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church.

Charles Bulley Spokane

Funeral for Charles E. Bulley, an 81-year Spokane resident, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Millwood Community Presbyterian Church. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be at Pines Cemetery.

Mr. Bulley, who was born in Fort McCloud, Alberta, died Saturday. He was 87.

He retired from working as a cost manager for Jensen Byrd in Spokane after many years.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Maurine; two sons, Michael Bulley of Spokane and John Bulley of Salem, Ore.; a brother, William Bulley of Orting, Wash.; two sisters, Gladys Cory and Evelyn Heinz, both of Spokane; and three grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church.

Harry Copeland Spokane

Private burial for Harry Powers Copeland, 85, will be at Riverside Memorial Park. Riplinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A longtime Spokane resident, Mr. Copeland died Thursday.

Born in Spokane, he was a farmer in the Bonners Ferry, Idaho, area until 1950. He then worked as a warehouseman for a variety of moving businesses.

Mr. Copeland was a member of Teamsters Union Local 690 and the Good Sams Travel Club.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Wilma; three daughters, Lois Ann Hamilton of Horseheads, N.Y., Sharon Severson of Snohomish, Wash., and Carol Ziegler of Rathdrum, Idaho; six grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane or to the Inland Empire Division of the American Heart Association.

Stephen Murfin Sr. Spokane

Private memorial service for Stephen G. Murfin Sr. will be held at a later date. The Cremation Society of Washington is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Murfin, who was born in Spokane, died Thursday. He was 47.

He worked as a painter in the auto body industry for several years.

Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Cathy; a son, Steven Murfin Jr., two daughters, Dori and Staci Murfin, and his mother, Wanda Murfin, all of Spokane; two brothers and four sisters, all of Spokane; and three grandchildren.

Cecelia Johnson Spokane

No service will be held for Cecelia Sophia Louise Johnson, 88, at her request. Riplinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Johnson, who was born in Genesee, Idaho, died Friday.

She worked in dairy farming in the Clayton, Wash., area from 1948 until 1964, when she moved to Spokane.

Survivors include two daughters, Norene Littlefield and Shirley Bertholf; a brother, Joe Sprenger; and four grandchildren.

John Falkenreck Spokane

Funeral Mass for John W. Falkenreck, 84, was Monday at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery. HennesseySmith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Falkenreck, who was born in Spokane, died Friday.

He received an bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University and a degree from Gonzaga Law School before graduating from the school of dentistry at the University of Oregon in 1945.

Mr. Falkenreck joined his father’s practice in the Paulsen Building, practicing there for 42 years. He retired in 1987.

He and his father also owned and operated the Golden Valley Cider and Vinegar Plant for several years. They had production plants in Spokane and Payette, Idaho.

He married Mary Duffy in 1947.

Mr. Falkenreck was a member of the Washington State and American Dental Associations and the Delta Sigma Delta dental fraternity.

For the past 35 years, he designed and maintained rhododendron gardens and was a member of the National Rhododendron Society.

Survivors include his wife; three children, Ellen Smith of Hinsdale, Ill., and Bob Falkenreck and Janie Heffernan, both of Seattle; and four grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the House of Charity or to the Gonzaga Law School Building Fund, 502 E. Boone, Spokane, WA 99258.

Clara Huttner Spokane

Visitation for Clara M. Huttner, 83, will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Thornhill Valley Funeral Home. Funeral is planned for 10 a.m. Wednesdayat the funeral home. Burial will be at Fairmount Memorial Park.

Mrs. Huttner, who was born in Columbus, N.D., died Thursday.

She and her husband, Leo, farmed in North Dakota for many years before moving to Spokane in 1952.

He husband died in 1964.

Mrs. Huttner was a homemaker and a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Spokane.

Survivors include four daughters, Beverly Watt of Lacey, Wash., Bonnie Soehren of Spokane, Susan Roberts of Tacoma and Sonia Huttner-Perekovic of Post Falls; and four grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children.

Betty Cox Spokane

Graveside service for Betty L. Cox, a 28-year Spokane resident, will be at 1 p.m. today at Fairmount Memorial Park. Riplinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Cox, who was born in Lewiston, died Thursday. She was 72.

She worked as a shipping foreman for a bakery for several years and was a member of Teamsters Union Local 690.

She married Matt Cox in 1956. He preceded her in death.

Survivors include five children, Sharon Halsey, Diana Sargent, Dale Marvin, Shelley Akin and Rhonda Beggs, all of Spokane; five sisters, Sarah Jane Klinger of Beaverton, Ore., and Louise Sanford, Mary Iverson, Janet Gregg and JoAnn Frost, all of Lewiston; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane.

Ada Walters Spokane

Graveside service for Ada Bell Walters, 78, was held Monday at Greenwood Memorial Terrace. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

A 50-year Spokane resident, Mrs. Walters died Friday. She was born in Olney, Mont.

Mrs. Walters was a homemaker.

Survivors include her husband, James Walters; a son, Ronald Schlaht of Kent, Wash.; a daughter, Karen Martin of Spokane; two sisters, Mabel Enaluna of Kenmore, Wash., and Dori Kosar of Spokane; a brother, Norman Felesman of Spokane; and 10 grandchildren.

Twila (Jydstrup) Cochran Spokane

No service will be held for Twila F. (Jydstrup) Cochran, 85, at her request. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A longtime Spokane resident, Mrs. Cochran died Saturday. She was born in Missoula.

She was a homemaker.

Survivors include a son, James Sargent of Spokane; a stepdaughter, Delores Knutson of Lewiston; two brothers, Charles Jydstrup Jr. of Missoula and Robert Jydstrup of Spokane; a sister, Bernice Jameson of Spokane; eight grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Roger Stephens Spokane

Vigil for Roger William Stephens, 82, will be at 6 p.m. today at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home. Funeral Mass is planned for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.

A 65-year Spokane resident, Mr. Stephens died Saturday. He was born in Butte, Mont.

Mr. Stephens served with the Navy during World War II.

After the war, he established a private accounting practice, which he conducted until he founded and became president of Stephens Nelsen Computer Center.

Mr. Stephens was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a member and past president of the Spokane Country Club. He served on the Washington State Board of Accountancy and as president of the Spokane Kiwanis. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and served as longtime regional director of the Washington State Junior Golf Association.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Irene; a son, James Stephens of Spokane; a daughter, Judith Beryl of Schweda, Calif.; a brother, James Stephens of Salt Lake City; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rockwood Foundation Health Center Fund, 2503 E. 25th, Spokane, WA 99223, or to the Alzheimer’s Association of Eastern Washington.

Eleanor Graupner Spokane

Memorial service for Eleanor D. Graupner, a 49-year Spokane resident, will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Berean Bible Church. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Graupner, who was born and raised on a farm in Kensal, N.D., died Saturday. She was 78.

She attended Valley City (N.D.) College, where she studied to become a teacher.

After finishing college, Mrs. Graupner began a teaching career in Cathay, N.D. She also taught in Ismay, Mont., and Stanwood, Ridgefield and Coulee Dam, Wash., before retiring from teaching in Newport, Wash. She later moved to Spokane.

Her husband of 31 years, Roy, died in 1982.

Survivors include two sons, Gary and Steve Graupner; a daughter, Linda Graupner-Braucht; a sister, Opal Ableidinger of Kensal; and two grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Anna Ogden Hall or Hospice of Spokane.

Robert Burkhardt Spokane

Memorial service for Robert J. “Bob” Burkhardt, 81, was held Monday at Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home.

A lifetime Spokane resident, Mr. Burkhardt died Thursday.

Mr. Burkhardt retired from working as an underground and overhead line foreman for Washington Water Power after 35 years of service.

He was a member of the Selkirk Ski Club, the Washington Water Power Trail Blazers and Eagles Lodge 2.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Louise; a daughter, Sandy Owen; a son, Dale Burkhardt; and three grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane or the Spokane County Unit of the American Cancer Society.

Esther Thompson Coeur d’Alene

Memorial service for Esther M. Thompson, 84, will be Friday at 2 p.m. at the Community United Methodist Church in Coeur d’Alene. English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Thompson, who was born in Polson, Mont., died Sunday.

She married Russell Thompson in 1932, and they lived in Montana until settling in the Coeur d’Alene area in 1935. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Thompson was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and was a member and Sunday School teacher for Community United Methodist Church.

Her husband died in 1992.

Survivors include two sons, Bob Thompson of Plummer, Idaho, and Richard Thompson of West Windsor, Conn.; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchldren.

Memorials may be made to the Community United Methodist Church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814, or Hospice of North Idaho, 280 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.

James Geiger Spokane

Funeral Mass for James A. Geiger, 76, will be at 11 a.m. today at St. Charles Catholic Church. Entombment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A 59-year Spokane resident, Mr. Geiger died Friday. He was born in Pomeroy, Wash.

He served with the Army Air Corps during World War II in the AfricanMiddle East Theater.

Following his military service, Mr. Geiger worked as a certified public accountant for 49 years. He operated his own practice in Spokane, James A. Geiger and Associates.

He was a 48-year member of St. Charles Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Eva; six sons, Thomas and Daniel Geiger, both of Spokane; James Geiger of Rochester Hills, Mich., Robert Geiger of Clarksville, Md., and Richard Geiger of Polson, Mont.; two daughters, Mary Synsteby of Edmonds, Wash., and Carol Geiger of Bellevue, Wash.; two brothers, Floyd Geiger of Spokane and Cecyl Geiger of Clarkston, Wash.; 20 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Clare Nuns, 4419 N. Hawthorne, Spokane, WA 99205.

Chester Herrin Spokane

Graveside service for Chester C. Herrin, 83, will be at 2 p.m. today at Holy Cross Cemetery. Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-South is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Herrin, who was born in Wise County, Texas, died Saturday. He was a 42-year Spokane County resident.

He served as a supply officer in the Air Force, serving in England and Germany during World War II and participating in the Berlin Airlift. He also served during the Vietnam War. He retired as a master sergeant in 1970.

Mr. Herrin was a longtime member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Patricia; a daughter, Kathleen McLaughlin of Kent, Wash.; five sons, Michael Herrin of Enumclaw, Wash., Mark Herrin of Des Moines, Iowa, Jeff Herrin of Centralia, Wash., Bradley Herrin of Renton, Wash., and Patrick Herrin of Redmond, Wash.; 12 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Memorial contributions may be made to Horizon Hospice.

Brenda Payne Spokane

Funeral for Brenda E. Payne, 78, will be at 1:30 p.m. today at Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-South. Burial will be at Greenwood memorial Terrace.

Mrs. Payne, who was born in England, died Thursday.

She moved to Canada, where she served with the Canadian Air Force for three years.

Mrs. Payne moved to Spokane in 1968. She was a homemaker.

Her husband, Roy Payne, died in 1995.

Survivors include three daughters, Tabitha Payne of Spokane, and Diane Klein and Beverly Lambert, both of Canada; six grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Spokane.

Walter Brown Puyallup, Wash.

Graveside service for Walter Joseph Brown, a former longtime Spokane resident, will be at 2 p.m. today at Holy Cross Cemetery. Riplinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Brown, who was born in Valley, Wash., died Thursday. He was 96.

He worked as a project engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers for many years.

Mr. Brown was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Puyallup, where he moved 10 years ago.

His wife, Frances, died in 1983.

Survivors include a son, Eugene Brown of Graham, Wash.; a daughter, Dolores Gilliam-Barrett of Puyallup; six grandchildren and five great-grandsons.

Richard Leahy Spokane

Private graveside service for Richard J. “Dick” Leahy, 71, was Monday at Holy Cross Cemetery. Riplinger Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Leahy, who was born in Spokane, died Thursday.

He served with the Coast Guard during World War II.

Mr. Leahy worked with his father at the Beryl Tavern in Spokane for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Joy; two daughters, Stacy Blankenship of Spokane and Linda Blackwell of Bellevue, Wash.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children.