Obituaries

James Gunter Cheney

Memorial service for James L. Gunter, 61, was Wednesday at Airway Heights Baptist Church. Heritage Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

A 30-year Cheney resident, Mr.

Gunter died Sunday. He was born in Addison, Ala.

Mr. Gunter served in the Air Force as a nuclear weapons technician and ammunitions maintenance specialist. He retired in 1987.

He was a member of the Airway Heights Baptist Church and the National Rifle Association. He also was a member of the Frontier Regulars Civil War re-enactment organization.

Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Peggy; a son, Jay Gunter of Airway Heights; and three brothers, Rex Gunter of Saugus, Calif., Douglas Gunter of San Bernardino, Calif., and John Gunter of Orem, Utah.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Jordana DeShazo Spokane

Private service will be held for Jordana Eileen DeShazo, 76. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. DeShazo, who was born in Wenatchee, died Nov. 30.

A 34-year Spokane resident, Mrs. DeShazo worked as a registered nurse at Holy Family Hospital for 20 years.

Survivors include two sons, John and Mark DeShazo; two daughters, Miriam Sheaffer and Suzanne Grabenhorst; and seven grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Special Olympics, 1325 G St. NW Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20005.

Amador `Don’ Brazington Lewiston

Service for Amador O. “Dan” Brazington, 67, will be today at 1 p.m. at the Warner Avenue Alliance Church, in the Lewiston Orchards.

Mr. Brazington, who was born in Rathdrum, Idaho, died Friday from leukemia.

He married Marilynne A. Langdale in 1956 and served with the Air Force until 1959.

After his military service, Mr. Brazington returned to the Northwest and lived in Spokane, where he worked as a forklift driver for Evergreen and Harter Lumber Co. He was also a boiler operator at Spokane Rendering Co.

The couple moved to Mead and he worked for Northstar Sanitation and Wrecker Service until moving to Sterling, Alaska, in 1969. While there he worked as a custodian and bus driver at Sterling Elementary School.

He moved to Sandpoint in 1976 and owned a sanitation service and later worked for Nevilles Log Homes.

Mr. Brazington moved to Lewiston in 1980 and worked for the Walla Walla Community College at the Clarkston, Wash., branch. He retired in 1982 due to medical problems.

In 1988, he was baptized at Orchards Christian Church.

He pursued ministering God’s word, and was active in fishing, hunting and bowling.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Cynthia Schwab of Lake Stevens, Wash., and Christy Brinker of Waverly Hall, Ga.; two sons, Mark Brazington of Great Falls, Mont., and Randy Grandle of Kent, Wash.; two brothers, Virgil Brazington of Spokane and Marvin Brazington of Sterling, Ark.; two sisters, Eugenia Kirby of Spirit Lake, Idaho, and Beatrice Stanger of Portland.

Craig Nelson Hayden, Idaho

Viewing for Craig E. Nelson, 50, will be today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene. Memorial service will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the funeral chapel.

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

He graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1968.

He was a member of the Coeur d’Alene Elks Explorer Scouts. He sang with the Explorers at the Grand National Elks Convention in Chicago in 1965, and also at the World Scout Jamboree in 1967.

Mr. Nelson served with the Marines and was stationed in Hawaii. He later attended North Idaho College.

He worked for Bank of Idaho in Coeur d’Alene and Boise, prior to becoming a realtor in 1980.

He was a sponsor member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and a member of the Prairie Falls Golf Course Men’s League. He also was a junior league football coach.

Survivors include his wife Sandra; three sons, Christopher, Haydn and Sheldn Nelson, and a daughter, Angela Nelson, all of Hayden; two brothers, Kelly Nelson of Coeur d’Alene and Bary Nelson of Spokane; a sister, Lynda Gilbert of Spokane; and two granddaughters.

Jon Ulen Winnett, Mont.

Memorial service for Jon Ulen, 55, was Nov. 27 at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Morton, Wash. Inurnment was held at Silver Creek Cemetery in Randle, Wash. Michelotti, Sawyer and Nordquist Mortuary in Billings, Mont., was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Ulen, who was born in Seattle, died Nov. 21.

His family moved to Spokane in 1947 and he graduated from Cheney High School in 1963.

From 1964 to 1972 he served in the U.S. Army.

He married Georgia West in 1970.

Mr. Ulen graduated from Eastern Washington University, and in 1974 was in charge of the traffic safety co-op for Harrington, Sprague and Oakesdale, Wash.

He received a masters degree in Education from Central Missouri University.

Mr. Ulen began teaching in 1975 in Oakesdale and was a junior high school principal in Lamont, Wash. He and his family moved to Okanogan, Wash., in 1980, where he was a high school principal. He was also a principal in Zillah, Darrington and Naselle, Wash.

They moved to Randle in 1995 and Mr. Ulen was the principal at White Pass High School.

Mr. Ulen retired in July from teaching and moved to Winnett, where he was the school superintendent.

He was a member of the Washington State Principals Association, the Montana State Superintendent Association, the Elks Lodge and the Lions Club.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Michael Ulen of Longview, Wash., and Richard Ulen of Arlington, Texas; a daughter, Christina Ulen of Randle; his stepmother, Lauretta Ulen of Spokane; and a grandson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Winnett School District, Winnett, MT 59087.

Irving Holsinger Spokane

Memorial service for Irving Ray Holsinger, 85, was Tuesday at Fowler United Methodist Church. Riplinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Holsinger, who was born in Shickley, Neb., died Sunday.

He graduated from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont., in 1942, and in 1944 married Gwendolyn Kitch.

Mr. Holsinger taught school and coached in Montana for 23 years.

He and his family moved to Curlew, Wash., in 1965, where he worked for the Forest Service in the Job Corps as a program coordinator and vocational director.

Mr. Holsinger retired in 1980 and moved to Spokane.

He was a member of Fowler United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Barry Holsinger of Federal Way, Wash., and Todd Holsinger of Lapwai, Idaho; a daughter, Gail Smith of Livingston, Mont.; two brothers, one sister, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Varsity Academy, Scholarship Fund and NBC Basketball Camps, 10003 N. Division Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99218.

Patricia (Cotter) Robbins Spokane

Memorial service for Patricia Rose “Patty” (Cotter) Robbins, 78, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Fourth Memorial Church. Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-South is in charge of arrangements.

An 11-year Spokane resident, Mrs. Robbins died Nov. 30 from cancer. She was born in Langley, Wash.

She graduated from Langley High School and Multnomah Bible School in Portland.

In 1947 she married Norman Robbins and she was a homemaker.

She and her husband developed youth programs on the Eastern seaboard, Kansas City and St. Joseph, Mo., Topeka, Kan., and in the Northwest.

She was a member of Fourth Memorial Church.

Survivors include her husband; three sons, Jeff Robbins of Spokane, Jon Robins of Walnut Creek, Calif., and Ron Robbins of Tucson, Ariz.; two sisters, Marilyn Kaczka of Spokane and Jenny Luhn of Tonasket, Wash.; a brother, Ted Cotter of Stayton, Ore.; and three grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to World Vision Inc., P.O. Box 173, Tacoma, WA 98481.

DeForest Fuller Moses Lake

No service will be held for DeForest Preston Fuller, 87, at his request. Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Fuller, who was born in Harrington, Wash., died Saturday.

He was a farmer and a 60-year Moses Lake resident.

Mr. Fuller is survived by his wife, Thora; and a son, Neal Fuller of Moses Lake.

Mary Heiser Coeur d’Alene Private burial for Mary Heiser, 89, will be held at a later date at Forest Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene. Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d’Alene is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Heiser, who was born in South Dakota, died Sunday.

She grew up in South Dakota and moved to Newport, Wash., in the mid1930s and raised her family there.

Mrs. Heiser moved to Orofino, Idaho, in the early 1950s and settled in Coeur d’Alene in 1989.

Survivors include a son, Floyd Heiser of Milwaukie, Ore.; two daughters, Delores McLean of Othello, Wash., and Loretta Heiser Wilson of Portland; a brother, Art Schalht of Kent, Wash.; three sisters, Ella Knapp of Langley, Wash., and Alma McGregor and Vera Beck, both of Spokane.

Neil Smith Chewelah, Wash.

Service for Neil L. Smith, 70, will be at 1 p.m. today at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church in Valley, Wash. Burial will follow at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery at Jump Off Joe, Wash. Schanzenbach Funeral Home in Chewelah is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Smith, who was born in Fruitland, Idaho, died Tuesday.

His family moved to Spokane when he was a child, and he graduated from North Central High School in 1949.

Mr. Smith served in the Army from 1951 to 1953 as a tank commander in Germany.

He worked at Kaiser Aluminum for 15 years.

In 1963 his family established the Shoe-String Ranch near Chewelah, and they raised cattle and logged.

Mr. Smith was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann; five sons, Chris, Brett and Todd Smith, all of Chewelah, Monte Smith of Addy, Wash., and Shawn Smith of Hillsboro, Ore.; four daughters, Heidi, Dana and Jody Smith, all of Chewelah, and Laurie Urhausen of Colville, Wash.; and 25 grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Chewelah Athletic Program, Chewelah, WA 99109.

Helen Magee Comanche, Texas

Service for Helen M. Magee, 81, will be at 2 p.m. today at Comanche Funeral Home.

Mrs. Magee, who was born in Newton, Kan., died Monday.

She married Clifford Magee in 1938, and they moved to Spokane in 1955.

Mrs. Magee worked as a housekeeper at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane for 15 years. She also was a homemaker.

Her husband died in 1989, and she moved to Comanche in 1999.

She was a member of the Lutheran Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Bobbie Moore of Comanche; a son, Carl Magee of Arlington, Wash.; four grandsons and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 105, Comanche, TX 76442.

Albert Dietzman Spokane

Graveside service for Albert Dietzman, 80, will be at 1 p.m. today at St. Joseph Cemetery in Otis Orchards. Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A 54-year Spokane resident, Mr. Dietzman died Monday. He was born in Kennewick.

Mr. Dietzman served in the Army as a captain during World War II and later served in the Army National Guard.

He worked installing communication equipment.

Mr. Dietzman was a volunteer for Spokane Valley incorporation efforts.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia; a daughter, Cheryl DiRe of Bothell, Wash.; and two grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Mable Rawe Grand Coulee

Visitation for Mabel L. Rawe, 80, will be from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Strate Funeral Home in Grand Coulee. Service is planned for 11 a.m. Friday at Grand Coulee United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Rawe, who was born in Oakfield, Iowa, died Sunday.

Her family moved to Grand Coulee in 1935, and she worked pressing shirts in the laundry business.

In 1940 she married Dave Rawe.

They owned and operated Dave’s Grocery until the mid-1950s. They later owned Rawe and Rauch Hardware before retiring in 1980.

Mrs. Rawe was a member of the Grand Coulee United Methodist Church.

Her husband died in 1997.

Survivors include two daughters, Carleta Ayling of Electric City, Wash., and Sandra King of Santa Cruz, Calif.; a sister, Maude Warner of Grand Coulee; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Elma (Samel) Porter Spokane

Visitation for Elma B. (Samel) Porter, 86, will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home. Service is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.

Mrs. Porter, who was born in Larson, Idaho, died Saturday.

Her family moved to Spokane when she was an infant.

Mrs. Porter was a homemaker, and was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 51 Auxiliary and an honorary member of the American Red Cross, where she volunteered for 18 years.

Her husband of 62 years, Charles, preceded her in death.

Survivors include a daughter, Beverly Joplin, and a son, James Porter, both of Spokane; a foster daughter, Leidis; a sister, Lora Wilhelm of Spokane; nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, or the Scleroderma Foundation, 89 Newbury St. Suite 201, Danvers, MA 01923.

Robert Burke Spokane

Memorial service for Robert J. “Bob” Burke, 68, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at The Gathering Place. The Neptune Society of Washington is in charge of arrangements.

A 46-year Spokane resident, Mr. Burke died Monday. He was born in Chester, Pa.

He served in the Army for four years and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Mr. Burke worked as a glass glazer for various residential glass businesses in Spokane. He retired in 1997.

Survivors include his wife, Ina; a daughter, Anna Wilson of Othello, Wash.; a son, Donald Burke, and a stepson, Gerald Davis, both of Spokane; three brothers, Thomas Burke of Rock Hall, Md., Larry Burke of Dover, Del., and Daniel Burke of Canadensis, Pa.; six sisters, Irene Haase of Fort Myers, Fla., Betty Koss and Kitsy Sticola, both of Wilminton, Del., Rita Merritt of Lincoln, Del., Mary Lou Mongiello of New Castle, Del., and Rose Marie Rautio of Mesa, Ariz.; seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane.

Diana Bachman Spokane

Service for Diana M. Bachman will be at 4 p.m. Friday at Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-South.

Mrs. Bachman, 54, died Saturday.

She was a lifetime Spokane resident and a homemaker.

Survivors include her companion, Ray Bell; two sons, Michael Bachman of Spokane and Eddie Cantu of Seattle; two daughters, Marcia Wammock of Spokane and Lisa Cantu of Seattle; her mother, Rose Adams of Spokane; two sisters, Charlene and Cindy; and five grandchildren.

Dennis Pehl Spokane

Memorial service for Dennis A. Pehl, 58, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A lifetime Spokane resident, Mr. Pehl died Nov. 30.

After graduating from Mead High School in 1960, he served in the Air Force from 1962 to 1966. He was an aircraft mechanic.

He worked as an instructor at Molers Barber College and owned the U-City Barber Shop.

Mr. Pehl also had worked for Sunshine Gardens Nursing Home and Travelers Insurance. He was involved with the Spokane Neighborhood Action Program, and was an entertainment host at Lilac Lanes and Peking North.

Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Peggy; three sons, Patrick and Randy Pehl, both of Bellevue, Wash., and Alan Pehl of Madera, Calif.; four daughters, Sydney, Lynsey and Kylsey Pehl, all of Spokane, and Maria Pehl of Bellevue; a brother, Steve Pehl of Loon Lake, Wash.; a half-sister, Linda Sicilia of Spokane; and a grandchild.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane.

Clarence Lakey Spokane

Memorial service for Clarence A. Lakey, 69, will be held in the spring. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A longtime Spokane resident, Mr. Lakey died Nov. 19. He was born in Hunters, Wash.

He was a wheat farmer in the Colville (Wash.) valley for 17 years.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn; a son, Tim Lakey; two daughters, Susan Blackman and Lorrie Henry; a sister, Mary Hinton; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Hazel (Evanger) Blair Hermiston, Ore.

Service for Hazel B. (Evanger) Blair, 81, was Nov. 14 at Thornhill Valley Funeral Home. Burial was at the Pines Cemetery.

Born in Minot, N.D., Mrs. Blair died Nov. 6 She worked as a fry cook at the Flamingo and Feries cafes.

Mrs. Blair lived in Spokane for 58 years, until she and her husband, Robert, moved to Hermiston 21 years ago.

Survivors include her husband; a son, Lowell Ness of Portland; two daughters, Barbara Sells of Valleyford and Gloria Scisson of Winner, S.D.; two brothers, Harold Evanger of Spokane and Donald Evanger of Beaverton, Ore.; and two sisters, Mildred Atkins of Salem, Ore., and Lillian Evanger of California.

Mary (Nelson) Collins Spokane

No service will be held for Mary K. (Nelson) Collins, 81. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A 49-year Spokane resident, Mrs. Collins died Saturday. She was born in Lewiston.

She graduated from the University of Idaho, where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.

Mrs. Collins worked as a kindergarten teacher.

She was a member of the Presbyterian faith and the Order of Eastern Star.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, George; and a son, George Collins of Spokane.

Robert Couture Spokane

No service will be held for Robert J. Couture, 83. Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A 50-year Spokane resident, Mr. Couture died Friday. He was born in Montana.

He served in the Navy for 22 years, and had worked as an electrician for the Vancouver (Wash.) School District.

Survivors include his wife, Marjorie; a stepson, Terry Knight of Spokane; and a sister, Lavern Lewis.