Obituaries Jan. 14

See weekly pages for the obituaries of Harold John Fisher (1927-2016), Lynn Weber (1953-2016), Gina Lee Aldrich (1961-2016) and Eleanor Gajewski (1937-2016).

RICHARD EVERETT BUNCE

Richard Everett Bunce, 69, a life-long North Idaho resident, died at his home in Potlatch, Idaho, Jan. 7, 2016, after a two year battle with cancer.

Born on July 3, 1946, in Wallace, Idaho, to Everett and Phyllis Bunce, he spent his younger years in Pinehurst, Idaho. His family moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1953, where Richard graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1964. He married Sharon Tibbitts in Coeur d’Alene, and the couple made their home there.

He worked in the grocery business for 50 years, beginning as a box boy in 1963 at Albertson's in Coeur d'Alene, quickly rising to the role of assistant manager. He then went to work for Roundup, Co. (later SuperValu), a large grocery distributor, in Spokane as the drug/variety manager. Later, he fulfilled a dream to own his own grocery store by purchasing a store in Potlatch in 1981. He later sold the store and went to work for Pipeline Distributing as a convenience store manager in Plummer. He ended his grocery career with Busch Distributing of Moscow as store manager at Sunset Mart in Troy.

He was a 10-year member of the Potlatch Volunteer Fire Department as a firefighter and EMT.

Richard was an avid gardener who always had a large garden and well-kept yard. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and watching the grandkids grow and attending their school and sporting events and riding ATVs.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sharon, at their Potlatch home; his two sons Ken (Chris) Bunce and Wayne (Angela) Bunce, both of Clarkston; his brother Doug Bunce, Coeur d'Alene; his sister Teresa Abernathy, Coeur d'Alene; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be Saturday, Jan. 16, 1 p.m., at the Palouse Federated Church, N. 635 Church Street, Palouse, WA, with Pastor Larry Veith officiating.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the Potlatch Volunteer Fire Department.

Kramer Funeral Home, Palouse, WA, is handling the arrangements.

EUGENE DICKINSON

Eugene Dean “Gene” Dickinson, 69, longtime Rosalia area resident, died Jan. 10, 2016, at his home. He will be buried next week at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake.

Born Nov. 13, 1946, in Spokane to Oly and Josephine Estell Dickinson, he was raised in Rosalia and graduated high school there. After graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army and served for two years, with 19 months of in-country service during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged and returned to Spokane where he worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad as a car man. He retired after 27 years of service with BNSF. He was a card carrying member of the local Brotherhood of Railway Carmen division of the AFL-CIO.

After retirement, he returned to Rosalia and farmed part-time. He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed hunting, going to BBQ’s with friends and spending time on his boat. He also enjoyed Sunday drives and model trains.

Surviving are his wife, Lori, at their home in Malden; daughter Danita (Greg) Shaw of Spangle and Scott (Deann) Dickinson of Spokane; stepchildren Bruce Davidson and Melissa (Jeff) Davidson of Spokane; eight siblings, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Rosalia Volunteer Fire Department.

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

JILLENE LAMBERT MITZ

Jillene Lambert Mitz died Tuesday, Jan, 5, 2016, at her home in Tustin, Calif., after a long battle with cancer.

She was born June 21, 1949, in Colfax, to Don and Jerry Lambert who operated the Dusty service station and later purchased Williams Lake Resort. She attended grade school at Amber, graduated from Cheney High School and attended Eastern Washington State College majoring in elementary education and psychology.

She was employed at Spokane International Airport and later transferred to Boeing in Seattle.

Returning to Spokane, she held the position of secretary for the catering department at the Davenport Hotel, where she met Chuck Clark. They were married in 1971. They moved to McCord Air Force Base in Tacoma, lived in Steilacoom and then Spanaway. They returned to Spokane in 1976, and she worked for General Tire and then as office manager for a medical group. In 1978, they purchased Williams Lake Resort and she became care provider for her parents. The Clark marriage ended in dissolution in 1980.

Jill and Oren Mitz were married Sept. 19, 1984. They moved to Bonners Ferry, purchased a rock drilling company and traveled extensively. They moved to the Los Angeles area in 1985.

Her interests included quilt making, skiing, antique collecting and entertaining. She offered Chef's cooking classes in her home and every Thanksgiving she and Oren provided a gourmet dinner for the homeless. They owned and showed award-winning Standard Poodles.

Surviving are her husband, Oren, brother Chuck, both of Tustin; sister Jacquie and brother- in -law Jesse Langford, Modesto, Calif.

A memorial service will be held Jan. 24, 2016, at the Salvation Army in Tustin. Memorial contributions may be given to the Salvation Army or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.