Aloysius "Port" J. Wagner, Jr., 78

His Christian name was Aloysius James Wagner but everyone knew him as Port. Port passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at his Grangeville home.

Port was born and raised in Grangeville. In high school he excelled at sports. In his own words he said he could have cared less about academics but this did not deter him from attending University of Idaho where he pledged Alpha Tau Omega, and earned a business degree. He was a Vandal to the end. It was at U of I that he met his greatest challenge and greatest love, Eleanor Wilson, known as Poofy. From that time on, for over 55 years, during their courtship and 53 years of marriage, they were known as Poofy and Port to their family and friends.

After their marriage, Port spent two years in the United States Coast Guard, stationed on the Blue Belle in Vancouver, Washington while Poofy taught school in Portland. After his service in the Coast Guard, they returned to Grangeville where Port went into the family business helping run the Blue Fox Theater in Grangeville and Rex Theater in Orofino.

In 1955, Port, his brother John and father Al built the Sunset Auto View. Later, when Port became the soul owner of the theaters, he became the president of the National Theater Owners of Idaho. Port also ventured into real estate development, rental housing, and ran with the Bulls and the Bears of Wall Street. He and other visionary business leaders built the nursing home, now called Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center. He became a very successful businessman.

He stayed involved in The Lions Club and served many years on the Border Days Committee. In later years, Port was won of the mainstays at the Lion’s booth at the Border Days Rodeo, volunteering his sons, daughters, son-in-laws and grandsons to help with concessions so he would leave a little early. At one time he helped coach basketball at Saints Peter and Paul and was involved in Knights of Columbus and was devoted to his Church. Port felt it was important to stay involved in the community that gave so much back to him.

Port enjoyed golf and skiing with friends and family. Meeting with his coffee group was his highlight of the day. Only a few minutes after 8:00 a.m. he would say “I get to going, I’m late!” In later years, Port was more relaxed and his dry sense of humor became paramount, in part, by joking with his wife, family and friends.

Port was an extraordinary family man who loved his children and wife dearly. He provided his children with an education that laid down the foundation to live independent lives. His love was unconditional.

He is survived by his wife, Poofy; sibling John; his children, Chris, Lisa, Jeff, Jennifer, Jody and Rachel; grandchildren, Riley, Garrett, Max, Kincade, Sammy, Mason, Wilson, Hayden and Sienna; son-in-laws, Rory Jones Kevin Hays, Chris Mallane and Steve Kincheloe. His nine grandchildren always know him as “Papa Port”.

He was our touchstone, a husband, a father, a grandfather and a friend. He was the foundation of our family and we will miss him!

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 16, 2007 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. A rosary will also be held on Monday, July 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Blue Fox Theater in Grangeville. The family invites his friends and family to join them at this time in the celebration of his life. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 17 at 10:00 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery. After the graveside services, a reception will be held at the Grangeville County Club.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Margaret C. Weisz, 82

Margaret C. Weisz, 82, of Grangeville, passed away Monday, July 9, 2007 at her home in Grangeville.

Margaret was born September 10, 1924 at Purcell, Oklahoma, a daughter of Thomas and Lillian Harris Spiva. She married David Weisz in 1941 in California. They made their home in California for several years and then moved to Grangeville in the mid 1980’s. They have made their home here since.

She enjoyed knitting and playing the organ in her younger years.

She is survived by her husband, David of Grangeville; two sons, Ron Weisz of Grangeville and Don Weisz of Kellogg, Idaho. She is also survived by five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and a sister.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, July 16, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at Mount Idaho Cemetery in Grangeville. Visitation will be on Sunday, July 15, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.
Send condolences to the family to: Blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Velda V. Fairbanks, 98

Velda Stanbery Seger Fairbanks, 98, of Lewiston and formerly of Grangeville, passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at Royal Plaza Care Center in Lewiston.

Velda was born on October 26, 1908 on a homestead near Winona, Idaho, a daughter of G. David and Seabel Stanbery. She attended school at Hopewell (near Winona), continuing with high school and graduating from Grangeville High School in 1927.
She married Bert Seger in October of 1927. They made their home on the Seger homestead where her children were born. Upon the death of her husband in 1940, she moved her family to Grangeville.

In 1946 she married C. Warren Fairbanks. Due to Warren’s teaching commitments, she made her home is a number of different localities. Many years were spent at Miligan College, Tenn.

Upon retirement, they moved back to the homestead in Idaho, later moving to Grangeville upon the death of Warren. She moved to Salem with her daughter Roberta and then they moved to Lewiston in 2000.

She was active in her church. She hosted many gatherings with a number of reunions reaching out to her extended family. She was a long time member of the Grangeville Christian Church and was also recently honored for her 75 year membership in the Idaho Grange.

She will be missed by her friends and family.

She is survived by her children, Roberta Maxfield of Lewiston, Lucille Kraenzler of Tacoma, Washington, John Haldon Seger of Salem, Oregon, and Lynn Seger of Joneesbourgh, Tennessee; thirteen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 16, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Pastor Harold Gott of the Grangeville Christian Church will officiate. Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery.

Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.

George Ann Bevill, 59

George Ann Bevill, 59, of Grangeville, passed away Monday, July 9, 2007 at her home on the Camas Prairie.

She was born July 21, 1947 at Cottonwood, Idaho, a daughter of Cecil and Maxine Chicane Henderson. She attended school in Clarkston and graduated from Clarkston High School in 1966. She then attended Beauty College in Lewiston. She moved to McCall, Idaho where she met and married Roy Fleetwood in 1968. In 1969 Roy was killed in a logging accident. She married Wink Bevill in October of 1969 and they lived in McCall and Oregon before moving to Grangeville. They were later divorced.

She enjoyed remodeling her home, ceramics, crocheting, and her dogs and especially loved her grandkids and attending their many activities.

She is survived by her children, Bill and Francie Bevill of Boise, Kimberly Bevill and Tammy Hartman both Grangeville; her mother, Maxine Burcham of Clarkston, Washington; her brother, Mike Henderson of Nampa; eight grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Roy, her father and a grandson died earlier.

Services will be held Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Pastor Harold Gott will officiate. Cremation will follow the service. Family suggests contributions may be made to Kim Bevill to help with expenses.

Send condolences to the family to: Blackmerfuneralhome.com.