Obituaries - Nov. 11, 2010

John Willard Gwinn

A funeral service for John Willard Gwinn, 96, retired Garfield farmer, will be at Garfield Cemetery Saturday, Nov. 13, at 11:45 a.m. Viewing will be Friday, from 10 to 5 at Kimball Funeral Home in Pullman. He died Friday, Nov. 5, 2010, at Pullman Regional Hospital in Pullman.

Born Oct. 30, 1914, to John Clive and Carsie Kerns Gwinn in Garfield, he was a lifetime resident of Garfield. Willard attended Grinnell, Silver Springs and Garfield schools, and graduated in 1933. After attending Washington State College in Pullman, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps at Pullman and later attended the School of Aeronautics in Alameda, Calif. In 1940 he married Peggy Bye, near the Freeze Church north of Potlatch, Idaho. They moved to Seattle where he served as a wing inspector for Boeing during the early stages of World War II. He had a lifelong interest in aviation.

They came home to Garfield to farm and for six decades he raised wheat, oats, lentils, peas and barley. He collected many automobiles with an affinity for all types, but especially Chevrolets. He often chauffeured town royalty at parades and celebrations in his prized convertibles.

Willard loved to share happy stories with many friends and with everyone he encountered. He also developed a passion for bowling and worked at Rosalia Rose Bowl for 15 years. He competed on leagues in Pullman, Colfax and Moscow. He delighted in having his family join him to bowl for produce at the Sports Page in Spokane.

Surviving are his daughters, Judith Lyons of Battle Ground, Dorothy Ross of Spokane, Josephine (Pat) Fitzpatrick of Spokane and Donna Gwinn of Garfield; his son John A. Gwinn, Spokane Valley; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorial donations go to Pullman Regional Hospital or Friends Of Hospice.

Online condolences: http://www.kimballfh.com

Byron Frazier Smith

Byron F. Smith, 92, a longtime resident of Tekoa, died Nov. 3, 2010, in Spokane Valley. Rosary was recited Monday evening at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tekoa. A mass of Christian burial was Tuesday, Nov. 9, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial followed at Goldenrod Cemetery in Tekoa.

Born July 6, 1918, at Kulm, N.D., to Algot and Josephine Bjur Smith, he moved with his family to Washington and attended grade school in Farmington and at Andrew Springs Country School. He graduated from Kittitas High School with the class of 1936 and attended Central Washington College at Ellensburg for two years. He then worked for Boeing in Seattle until May of 1942 when he entered the United States Army. He served in France for two years during World War II, and was discharged as a master sergeant, in January of 1946

At the start of the Korean Conflict he was called to help train soldiers.

Byron married Rita Conway at Downey, Calif., on Feb. 23, 1946. The couple made their home in the Ellensburg – Yakima area for 10 years. In 1956, the family moved to Tekoa where they lived until entering a Spokane Valley retirement home in 2008. Mrs. Smith died in October of 2008.

In 1955, Byron started Gardner & Smith Fertilizer Company with Lyle Gardner at Tekoa. They were the first to apply anhydrous ammonia on dryland winter wheat crops in the Palouse region, and they operated together until the company sold to Wilbur – Ellis in 1987.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Tekoa Chamber of Commerce and the Tekoa Jaycee Club. Byron had served on the Tekoa City council and was a former volunteer Tekoa Ambulance driver. He was a licensed pilot for many years and also enjoyed bowling.

Survivors include his daughter Carmel (Mike) Zarecor, Spokane; sons, Doug (Melissa) Smith, Leopold, Australia; , Chris (Liz) Smith, Tekoa, Steve (Kathy) Smith, Tekoa, a daughter Teresa (Jarrett) Warren, Spokane; one brother, Richard Smith, Ellensburg; 16 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Zachary Smith.

Memorial gifts may be given to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tekoa or the Charity of the donor’s choice.

Alice Louise Cowger

A graveside ceremony for Alice Louise Cowger, 79, Onaway, was Saturday Nov. 6, at 11 a.m. at the Rock Creek Cemetery. A coffee reception followed at the Potlatch Log Inn.

She died Nov. 1, 2010, at Gritman Medical Center in Moscow.

Born Feb. 19, 1931, ion Rock Creek to Francis and Emily Larson, she was educated at the Rock Creek School and Potlatch High School.

She married Alvin (Arky) Cowger on March 3, 1950, at the Hitching Post in Coeur d’Alene.

Due to the “non-marriage” clause at her work, they kept their marriage secret for two weeks. Alice and Alvin first resided in Potlatch and then moved to Onaway about 55 years ago.

She helped get the water and sewer systems installed in Onaway and worked as secretary/treasurer for several years. After the lumber mill closed, Alice worked as a legal secretary for Kathleen Hardcastle.

She enjoyed sewing beautiful quilts, gardening, growing flowers, playing pinochle and picking huckleberries from her favorite patches in the forests around Potlatch. She was active with the local chapter of the Potlatch Senior Citizens.

Survived are her daughters, Loretta Cowger and Virginia (Bill) Brasher, all of Houston, Texas; one son, Thomas Cowger and Joyce Robbins Thornton; four brothers, Lawrence, Johnny, Alfred and Frank Larson; one sister, Grace Reinland; six grandchildren, and five great-grand children.

Donations can be made to the Potlatch Senior Citizens.

Miles Dwyer Harding

A memorial gathering for Miles Dwyer Harding, 66, Endicott, will be Friday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Endicott. Mr. Harding died Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010.

He was born Oct. 15, 1944 in Spokane, to Charles and Helen Miles Harding. Growing up in Spokane, Miles attended school there and graduated from North Central High School. He entered the U.S. Army following high school and served during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge Miles returned to Spokane in 1968.

He married Betty Hern April 24, 1971, in Spokane. They made their home in Spokane, later moving to Elk. Miles worked for both Spokane junior colleges as a custodian until moving to Portland, where he accepted a position at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham.

Following his retirement, Miles and Betty moved to Endicott in 2002, where they have made their home since that time. He enjoyed taking road trips, going on walks with his dog and visiting with friends.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, of Endicott; his daughter Misty Harding (Gabriel Guistina) of Portland; his son Jason Harding of Portland; two brothers, Chuck and Ed and four sisters, Joyce, Carol, Evelyn and Elizabeth.

Online condolences:

http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com

Bernita L. Parker

A memorial service for Bernita L. Parker, 83, will be Saturday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. in the Tekoa Community Church. The Rev. Kathy Lee Kramer will officiate. Urn burial will follow at Goldenrod Cemetery in Tekoa.

Mrs. Parker died on Oct. 29 at Spokane.

Born June 12, 1927. at Tekoa, to Milton E. and Alma Ryser Krell, she attended school at Latah, until the seventh grade, and then attended Tekoa schools where she graduated with the Tekoa High School class of 1945.

She worked at the Sunshine Biscuit Café in Spokane and met Joe Parker. They were married Oct. 22, 1946. The couple resided in Tekoa until they divorced in 1967.

Bernita moved to Mead in 1970 and moved to Spokane in 1972 where she has lived since. She worked as a cook and dietician at several long-term care facilities in the area before she retired in the early 1990s.

She enjoyed raising vegetables and flowers. An avid walker, she enjoyed playing pinochle and other card games. She went on an Alaskan Cruise at the age of eighty with her twin sister, Juanita.

Survivors include her children, Linda Lovell, Spokane; Deborah Parker, Lynnwood; Michael Parker and Sandra Parker, both of Spokane; sisters, Juanita Saterfiel, Coeur d’Alene; Thelma Johnson, Tensed; Gene Krell, Tekoa; Geraldine Krell, Spokane; Doloris Young, Oakesdale, and Doris Moy, Tekoa; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Donovan Parker.

Memorial gifts may be given to Goldenrod Cemetery, c/o City of Tekoa, Box 927, Tekoa, 99033; or to the Northeast Senior Center, 4001 N. Cook, Spokane, 99207.

Barbara Jean Hoover Johnson (see full obituary on page B6 in the weekly paper section)