Obituary: Lashaw, Neal Francis
Age 93
LaSHAW,
Neal Francis
Neal Francis LaShaw, surrounded by family, passed peacefully into Heaven on Friday, January 29, 2016.
He was born to Carl and Clara (Hogan) LaShaw on August 19, 1922.
He grew up on the family farm outside Rockford attending the rural LaShaw School and graduated from Rockford High School.
He settled in the Rockford area following two years of service to his country in the Army during WWII.
Following his discharge from the Army he returned home to marry the love of his life Alberta Perkins.
They were married in 1948 and would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on February 7, 2016.
Neal worked for other farmers, Rockford Grain Growers, and then Cominco American for 27 years while building his own farm and growing his family.
He was defined by his faith, commitment to family, extraordinary work ethic, integrity, and strong Christian values for which we are forever grateful.
He retired at age 62 from farming and Cominco American and was able to travel with Berta to Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and throughout the United States.
He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jamie Lynn Chalich, brothers, Melvin and Clement LaShaw and sisters, Alene Fricke and Berniece Wigen.
Neal is survived by the love of his life, Alberta “Berta” LaShaw; daughters Barbara (Bert) Chalich, Kathy (John) Cornwall, Teresa (Michael) Mahn; grandchildren, Daniel Cornwall, Timothy (Shawna) Cornwall, Heather Cornwall; great-grandchildren, Mariah Cornwall, Colby and Ellie Schimke, Ayla and Emmit Cornwall, Joshua Chalich-Johnson, Kennedy and Reese Johnson (Michelle and Ryan Johnson), and great-great-grandchild Ezra Francis Jamieson Cornwall.
Rosary will be held on Thursday, February 25th at 7 pm at Thornhill Valley Funeral Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, WA.
A celebration of his life will be held on February 26th at 10am at Thornhill Valley Funeral Chapel followed by a reception at the Good Samaritan Community Center, 17028 E. 8th Ave., with interment to follow at Fairmount Memorial Mausoleum.
Memorial contributions can be made to Good Samaritan Society of Spokane or the Union Gospel Mission of Spokane.