Kenneth R. Heath, 74
GRANGEVILLE: Kenneth Ray Heath, 74 of Grangeville, passed away July 17, 2006 at St. Joseph Hospital in Lewiston, Idaho with complications due to cancer.
Ken was born in Winchester, Idaho September 4, 1931. Ken married his high school sweetheart, Jackie D. Cleveland, on November 16, 1950. Ken joined the Navy in 1950 and was on the U.S. Essex aircraft carrier. When discharged in 1954, he returned to Grangeville and farmed for 8 years for John McBoyle. He also worked at Normac Chevrolet Garage and John Hoene Implements until going into insurance for the Central Idaho Agency.
Ken was active in many community activities. He coached Little League and Babe Ruth baseball teams. He also drove bus for most all high school sports events at one time or another, the longest with the Grangeville Wrestling team, which he also helped coach when needed. Ken loved kids and helped a lot of youngsters. He never pulled any punches, however, he told them how it was and how it was going to be. They loved him for it. He enjoyed visits with former students throughout the years, some with kids and grandkids of their own.
Ken announced rodeo for 40 years. He helped many rodeos get started. Some times he even had to take his own electricity. He announced for the High School Rodeo for over 30 years. He touched a lot of people, young and old.
Ken is survived by his wife Jackie, his son Kenneth M. and wife June from Peoria, Arizona, his daughter Shawn R. Spruell and companion Bryan Ells of Lewiston, a son-in-law Patrick Wilson of Missoula, Montana, his mother-in-law Mamie (Tincy) Cleveland, a brother-in-law James Weldon Cleveland and wife Donna, and brother-in-law Allan Cleveland and wife Wilma. Ken’s brother Donald (Buck) Heath and wife Delores live in Winchester, Idaho. Ken has seven grand children: Jon Zehner and companion Tamitha, Angie and husband Justin Vanderbark of Colfax, Washington, Paul Wilson who is stationed in the Coast Guard at Toledo, Ohio, Kristie and husband Jason Mills of Morton, Wisconsin, Skye Spruell of Lewiston, James Spruell of Lewiston, and Kenny Ray Heath and wife Amanda of Craig, Alaska. He has 10 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and also many great nieces and nephews.
Like daughters to Ken were Lori Mader of Cottonwood and Tina Ulmer of Kamiah. Also, a family friend and faithful secretary, Pam and husband Bob Swanstrom.
Ken is preceded in death by his father Thomas Heath, mother Betty Heath, and his daughter Tincy Dale Ann Heath Wilson of Missoula, Montana. Also, he had three brothers precede him in death: Earl, Thomas (Bud), and Bob Heath, and three sisters: Geraldine Packwood, Maxine Potter, and Donna Johnson.
Ken was a member of the Grangeville Christian Church, the Masons, the Elks Lodge, and honorary member of the Idaho County Sheriff’s Posse.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 22 at 10:00 a.m. at the Grangeville Christian Church with Pastor Harold Gott officiating. Services are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Send condolences to the family to:Blackmerfuneralhome.com
Ken was born in Winchester, Idaho September 4, 1931. Ken married his high school sweetheart, Jackie D. Cleveland, on November 16, 1950. Ken joined the Navy in 1950 and was on the U.S. Essex aircraft carrier. When discharged in 1954, he returned to Grangeville and farmed for 8 years for John McBoyle. He also worked at Normac Chevrolet Garage and John Hoene Implements until going into insurance for the Central Idaho Agency.
Ken was active in many community activities. He coached Little League and Babe Ruth baseball teams. He also drove bus for most all high school sports events at one time or another, the longest with the Grangeville Wrestling team, which he also helped coach when needed. Ken loved kids and helped a lot of youngsters. He never pulled any punches, however, he told them how it was and how it was going to be. They loved him for it. He enjoyed visits with former students throughout the years, some with kids and grandkids of their own.
Ken announced rodeo for 40 years. He helped many rodeos get started. Some times he even had to take his own electricity. He announced for the High School Rodeo for over 30 years. He touched a lot of people, young and old.
Ken is survived by his wife Jackie, his son Kenneth M. and wife June from Peoria, Arizona, his daughter Shawn R. Spruell and companion Bryan Ells of Lewiston, a son-in-law Patrick Wilson of Missoula, Montana, his mother-in-law Mamie (Tincy) Cleveland, a brother-in-law James Weldon Cleveland and wife Donna, and brother-in-law Allan Cleveland and wife Wilma. Ken’s brother Donald (Buck) Heath and wife Delores live in Winchester, Idaho. Ken has seven grand children: Jon Zehner and companion Tamitha, Angie and husband Justin Vanderbark of Colfax, Washington, Paul Wilson who is stationed in the Coast Guard at Toledo, Ohio, Kristie and husband Jason Mills of Morton, Wisconsin, Skye Spruell of Lewiston, James Spruell of Lewiston, and Kenny Ray Heath and wife Amanda of Craig, Alaska. He has 10 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and also many great nieces and nephews.
Like daughters to Ken were Lori Mader of Cottonwood and Tina Ulmer of Kamiah. Also, a family friend and faithful secretary, Pam and husband Bob Swanstrom.
Ken is preceded in death by his father Thomas Heath, mother Betty Heath, and his daughter Tincy Dale Ann Heath Wilson of Missoula, Montana. Also, he had three brothers precede him in death: Earl, Thomas (Bud), and Bob Heath, and three sisters: Geraldine Packwood, Maxine Potter, and Donna Johnson.
Ken was a member of the Grangeville Christian Church, the Masons, the Elks Lodge, and honorary member of the Idaho County Sheriff’s Posse.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 22 at 10:00 a.m. at the Grangeville Christian Church with Pastor Harold Gott officiating. Services are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Send condolences to the family to:Blackmerfuneralhome.com
<< Home