Archived Marriage Records
Willis (Woody) Laverne Thornton, 83
Willis (Woody) Laverne Thornton passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston of complications from pneumonia.
He was born Aug. 21, 1924, to Jesse and Hazel (Craig) Thornton, at the family home in Southwick. He attended Leland School and Southwick High School, leaving school in the 10th grade to drive truck.
He served in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater, achieving the rank of seaman first class.
He and Arleen A. Johann were married
Nov. 14, 1946, at St. Mary's Church in Moscow.
Willis worked construction for Latah County Road District in Moscow from 1946 to 1962. He drove chip truck for Zirbel in Lewiston, as well as working construction for DeAtley, Konen and Steelman-Duff, before working for Hanford in the Tri-Cities of Washington. He retired from Hanford in 1981. He was a lifelong member of the Teamsters Union.
After retiring, he enjoyed golfing at Quail Ridge and Bryden Canyon golf courses as well as playing pool at the community center. He also enjoyed the time he spent at A & W in the Lewiston Center Mall, drinking coffee with his buddies and "shooting the breeze."
Willis is survived by his wife, Arleen A. Thornton of Lewiston; two sons, Douglas R. Thornton of Clarkston, WA and David L. Thornton and wife Crystal of Spokane, WA; two daughters, Alaina M. Koster of Salem, OR, and Lorna A. Biggers and husband David of Lewiston; grandsons, Ryan J. Thornton and wife Kim of Clarkston, Tad N. Thornton and wife Heidi of Lewiston, Cole M. Tunnicliff of Salem, Ben D. Thornton of Missoula, MT, Tyler J. Biggers of Moscow; granddaughters, Lindsey Rae Tunnicliff of Salem, and Ashley N. Biggers of Lewiston; siblings Harvey Thornton and wife Betty of Auburn, CA, Delores Williams of Richland, WA, Dorothy Medalen and husband Al of Orofino, Boyd Thornton and wife Alene of Salem, and Keith Thornton and wife Judy of Lewiston; great-grandchildren, Taylor Thornton, Tia Thornton, Deon Thornton, Dallon Thornton, Madeline Thornton and Riley Haase; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Daniel W. Thornton; and two brothers, Wayne Thornton and Ray Thornton.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home in Lewiston, with the Rev. Steve Taulbee officiating. Burial will follow at Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens in Lewiston.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Lois Mae Larson, 87, Weippe
Lois Mae Larson, 87, died on Monday, July 14, 2008, at Clearwater Valley Hospital.
She was the daughter of George and Anita Robinson Colbert. Lois was born in Victor, CO on June 16, 1921. She attended schools in Wyoming and Idaho.
She married
George Montague on Sept. 8, 1935 and was divorced in 1951. She worked as a welder in the shipyards in Vancouver, WA during 1942 to 1943. She then married
Frank Melvin Van Buren on Dec. 24, 1953 and he died on March 6, 1983. During 1969 to 1971, Lois worked in a potato plant in Twin Falls. After moving to Shelley, she worked from 1972 to 1981 in Frenches Potato Plant.
Lois married
Joe Larson Sept. 4, 1985 and they worked together on their farm in Weippe.
Lois was treasurer of the Weippe cemetery from 1985 until her death. She loved camping, fishing, hunting, gardening and baking. She enjoyed picking huckleberries, black berries or any other wild fruits. Farming with her husband Joe was a delight.
Lois is survived by her husband, Joe Larson of Weippe; three sons, Albert Montague of Hartsville, SC, Frank and Sharon Van Buren of Weippe, and Stan and Char Van Buren of Blackfoot; two daughters, Rose and Lonnie Wilde of Idaho Falls and Anita and Frank Bonoz of Clarskanie, OR; four step sons, Mike and Sharon Larson, Frankie and Susie Larson, Ronnie and Terry Larson, all of Weippe and Larry Larson of Lewiston. She also has 29 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, George and Anita Colbert; husband, Frank Van Buren Sr.; grandson, John Wilcox; son Monty Montague; daughter, Betty Roberts; and five brothers, Fred, Howard, Harold, Milo and Floyd Colbert.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 18 at 10 a.m. at Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and burial will follow at Kamiah City cemetery, Kamiah.
Freda Maxine Howlett, 99, Orofino
Freda Maxine Howlett, 99, Orofino, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at Clearwater Valley Hospital.
Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory is caring for arrangements.
Almira V. Criss, 73, Orofino
Almira V. Criss, 73, Orofino, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2008, at Clearwater Valley Hospital.
Arrangements are pending at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home and Crematory, Lewiston.
Helen M Ulrich, 86, formerly of Orofino
Helen Mary (Nana) Ulrich died Thursday, July 10, 2008, at Gritman Medical Center in Moscow.
She was born June 25, 1922, the oldest child of C.F. and Pearle Button Shawley, on Ford Creek in Orofino. The family moved many times before they finally moved to Lewiston in 1935. She met her future husband there. She graduated from Lewiston High School in 1940.
In Orofino, on Nov. 18, 1940, she and Edwin Ulrich were married
. They also settled in Lewiston, where they subsequently raised their four children. Because of Ed's job, they moved to Nezperce in 1962, where Helen became the deputy assessor. They then returned to Lewiston in 1969 and she again worked for the Lewiston School District. In 1970, they moved to Moscow where they lived for several years. Helen worked for Dormitory Food Services at the University of Idaho where she retired in 1984. Ed retired from teaching in 1985.
They finally had time for children, grandchildren and other family. They also traveled - Spain, France, Peru, to name a few places. She also traveled with her sister, Cindy ,to do genealogical research, visiting new cousins and old friends.
Ed and Helen were founding members of the Lewiston Orchards United Methodist Church. She was an Eastern Star, 4-H leader, Bluebird leader, Cub Scout den mother, as well as other activities too numerous to mention. She also enjoyed needlecrafts and gardening.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Bob and Bill; sisters, Carol and Cindy; her husband, Ed; daughter-in-law, Esther; son, Gary; and grandson, Michael Ulrich.
She is survived by two sons, Craig (Beverley) Ulrich of Hanapepe, HI, Dennis (Marilyn) Ulrich of Dallas, OR; daughter, Wendy (Boyce) Mitchell of Moscow; one grandson, John Ulrich of Medford, OR; three granddaughters, Michelle Ulrich of California, Jessica Ulrich of Salem, OR, Sarah Mitchell of Coeur d'Alene; one great-grandson, Aiden Butterfield of Coeur d'Alene; brothers-in-law, Carman (Carol) Ulrich of Lewiston, Hank Hardon of Tacoma, WA; sisters-in-law, Nete (Bob) Freeman of Oregon, Sally Shawley of Orofino, Joyce Shawley of Kamiah; and many nephews, nieces, other relatives and many friends.
A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens in Lewiston. Mountain View Funeral Home, Lewiston, is in charge of arrangements.
The family requests no flowers. Memorial donations may be made to: Children's Hospital and Medical Center, 4800 Sandpoint Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98105; or to the charity of choice.
Richard D. Ball, 81
Richard Dean Ball passed away Friday, July 4, 2008, of causes related to age.
He was born at Orofino on Nov. 11, 1926, to Zelma Kaufman and Les Ball.
He graduated from Clarkston High School. He attended classes at "Tiger Tech," his name for Lewis-Clark State College.
Richard served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He was married
to Bonnie Herman, Gloria Hazeltine, Betty Blankenship and Mildred Jenkins. These marriages ended in divorce.
He worked logging and various other jobs prior to starting at Speers Cartridge Works in 1953. He stayed with them through the changes to CCI, Omark and finally Blount, when he retired in 1989 after 36 years with the company.
Richard enjoyed numerous outdoor activities and sharing them with others. Reminiscing and visiting with friends and family was a daily activity.
Survivors include three daughters, Betty Beitlich of Clarkston, WA, Debra Ball of Milton Freewater, OR, and Terri Weibert of Craigmont; four sons, Kirt Andrews of Grass Valley, CA, Kim Andrews of Clarkston, Jerry Ball of Orleans, IN, and Rick Ball of Clarkston; 19 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Larry and Lavern Ball; a brother, Eugene Ball; and a sister, Phillis Ball.
A memorial service was conducted Thursday at the Moose Lodge in Clarkston.
Marvin Howell, 84, formerly of Orofino
C. Marvin Howell of Moscow went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday evening, July 8, 2008 at Avalon Care Center in Pullman, WA. He was 84 years of age.
Marvin was born at home at Avon on Feb. 7, 1924 to Ralph and Edith Grimes Howell. He grew up and went to school at Avon and graduated from high school at Deary. On the same day he graduated (May 15, 1942), he was married
to Arlene Swecker in Moscow.
They moved to Spokane, WA where he worked at a creamery for a time before returning to Deary where he worked in the logging industry. Marvin then went to work for Washburn-Wilson Seed Company in Moscow and was hired away from there to work for farmers in the Pullman area. He then went to work for Inland Motor Freight (later known as Garrett Freight Lines) driving truck and was later the dock foreman.
Following that, he went to work for the Latah County Road Department for several years as a heavy equipment operator. He then worked for United Paving in Pullman for a short time. Later he moved to Orofino, where he worked for the Idaho State Highway Department for 20 years prior to his retirement. Marvin enjoyed working with his hands. While in Orofino, he restored several older homes into cozy living units.
Their retirement home was in Rathdrum and they lived there for 19 years before returning to Moscow three years ago. Wherever they lived, they made many friends and Marvin always made sure that his neighbors had their lawns mowed and snow plowed.
During the early 1960s, Marvin and Arlene were 4-H leaders. He enjoyed woodworking and made each of his children many special items, including a grandmother clock. Marvin also enjoyed gardening and camping and was an avid Western book reader, especially Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour and Janette Oke.
Because of Marvin's confession of faith in Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday 2006, family and friends are looking forward to seeing him in heaven.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Arlene, now living at Bishop Place in Pullman; his daughters and sons-in law, Marva and Jay McCoy of Moscow, Cheryl and Gary Cass of Virginia, and Melody and Chuck Sloppy of Spokane, his son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Linda Howell of Minnesota, as well as his brother, Lyle Howell and his wife Jamie of Viola. Marvin is also survived by nine grandchildren, Gregg McCoy, Tim McCoy, Matt Howell, Mark Howell, Daniel Howell, Cazzie Graedlier, Tami Tomko, Brian Cass, Aaron Cass, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
There will be a viewing at Short's Funeral Chapel in Moscow on Sunday, July 13, from noon until 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held Monday, July 14, at the funeral home at 10 a.m. with his son-in-law, Jay McCoy officiating. Burial will follow at the Avon cemetery, and a luncheon will be held at the Paradise Hills Church of God, 510 Northwood Drive in Moscow.
The family suggests memorials be made to Gideons International, Palouse Hills Camp, PO Box 8553, Moscow, ID 83843, or to the American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements are under the direction of Short's Funeral Chapel and online condolences may be sent to shortsfuneralchapel.net.
Wesley Lee Sinclair, 72, Lenore
Wesley Lee Sinclair, 72, Lenore passed away Friday, July 4, 2008.
Mr. Sinclair was born Dec. 23, 1935 in Orofino and lived in Idaho his whole life.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Christine O. Sinclair.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn at the family home; a son, Vernie Sinclair (wife Jeri) of Weippe; two daughters, Teresa Ulery (husband Douglas) of Orofino and Penny Mowery (husband Brian) of Weippe; grandchildren, Daniel Ulery, Christine Mowery and Andrew Mowery.
Mr. Sinclair was proud to serve in the United State Navy for four years. After his service to the Navy, he worked as a scaler for Kamiah Mills and Craigmont Lumber. Later he worked as an assessor for Clearwater County.
Wes was also an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician for the Weippe/Pierce area and a member of the Weippe Odd Fellows Lodge. He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by his family, many friends and neighbors.
Graveside services will be held Friday, July 11, at the Weippe cemetery with reception following at the Weippe Odd Fellows Hall.
Any donations can be given to the Timberline EMTs or the Veterans hospital in Lewiston.
Pine Hills Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Bert Sundstrom, 86, formerly of Pierce
Bert H. Sundstrom, a life-long area resident, died Saturday morning, June 28, 2008 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. He was 86.
Bert was born March 23, 1922 at Deary to Henning and Vera Halen Sundstrom. He attended a country school on Texas Ridge and graduated from Deary High School. Bert and his high school sweetheart, Reatha Alber, were married
on Aug. 21, 1942 in Moscow. They then purchased the Alber farm from her parents and lived there until 1965.
Bert then went to work full time logging as a landing sawyer and operating a road grater. After a year in Pierce and Bovill, Bert and Reatha bought their place on the edge of Deary where they have lived since.
Bert enjoyed having coffee with the guys downtown and will especially be remembered for always tinkering and puttering in his garage or shop and not only teaching his children but also his grandchildren the necessary life skills.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Bert's caregiver and friend, Phyllis Manni for her dedication the past four years.
Reatha preceded Bert in death last November. Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Howard Holt of Bovill, and his son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Linda Sundstrom of Troy, his "favorite granddaughter", Christy Sundstrom and his "favorite grandson", Scott Sundstrom and his beloved dog Snoopy. In addition to his wife, Bert was also preceded in death by his sisters, Evangeline Flanik and Vivian Pierce Wescott and his brother, Alvin Sundstrom.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 3, at 10:30 a.m. at Short's Funeral Chapel in Moscow with Pastor Matt Hallson officiating. A covered dish dinner will follow at the Deary Community Hall and a private inurnment will be at the Pine Crest cemetery in Deary.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Deary Community Center or to a charity of the donor's choice.
