Elizabeth M. Saless, 76

Elizabeth (Betty) Mae Saless, 76, of Grangeville, died Monday, August 27, 2007 at Syringa General Hospital in Grangeville with her family by her side. She fought a brave fight, but lost her battle with cancer.

She was born to Alvis and Anna Newby in Woodland, Idaho on October 20, 1930. She was the oldest of 13 children.

On December 10, 1947, she married Wayne Cornett. To this union, five children were born: Lazelle, Arthur, Betty, Wayne and Barbara.

She is survived by her children, Lazelle Hauger and husband Jon, Arthur Cornett, Betty Essary and husband Billy Joe (BJ), Wayne Cornett and companion Peggy Wright, and Barbara Crosby and husband Dennis; her mother, Anna Newby; two brothers and four sisters; 23 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Wayne Cornett, Sr. died in 1978. She then married Les Saless in 1979, and he has preceded her in death as well. Also preceding her in death is a grandson, Thad; her father; three brothers and three sisters.

Betty worked as an LPN for 30+ years. She also owned and operated the Triangle Tavern in Grangeville for 20 years. She loved all of her family, friends, patrons and patients.

She also loved bowling, bingo, and trips to the casino. She was a member of the Lady Elks, Eagles, and Senior Citizens.

She was a loving mother and friend to all who knew her. She always had room in her heart for everyone, a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes.

We were all blessed by mother. She was our rock and we will miss her. Our heavy hearts are blessed by knowing God has great plans for her.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 from 2-6 p.m. and Wednesday, September 5 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Funeral services will also be held on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Cremation will follow the services.

Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Thelma Sherwin, 97

Thelma Sherwin, 97, of Grangeville passed away Thursday, August 16, 2007 at the Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Thelma was born July 5, 1910 at Dell Rapids, South Dakota a daughter of Charles and Blanche Wood Miller. She attended Madison Normal School in South Dakota and taught in rural schools there for seven years. She moved to Lewiston in 1937 and attended Lewiston Normal School to obtain her Idaho Teaching Certificate. She taught at Tolo Lake School near Grangeville for two years. She married Guy Sherwin on September 10, 1940. They farmed and ranched in the Tolo Lake area until their retirement in 1974. Guy passed away in 1982 and she continued to live on the ranch until December of 2006 when she moved into Grangeville.

In 1963 she helped start the Idaho County Cowbelles and served as its first president. She was also honored as the Grand Marshall of the 1992 Grangeville Border Days.

She is survived by her step daughter, Georgia Isaacs of Yelm, WA and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, a stepson, Ellis and stepdaughter, Barbara Hill Welker.

A viewing will take place Monday, August 20, 2007 at the Blackmer Funeral Home from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Services will be held Saturday, August 25 at 1:00 p.m. at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Inurnment will follow at Prairie View Cemetery.

Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Dola D. Serena Jones, 80

Dola Jones, 80, of Grangeville, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at the Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Dola was born February 13, 1927 in a sod house, outside of Flagler, Colorado. She came into the world as the 3rd of triplet girls.

The family moved to Kuna, Idaho when she was in grade school. She grew up working hard on the farm milking cows, haying, and helping in the fruit orchard. After graduating from high school, she got a degree in bookkeeping and moved to Craigmont, Idaho, where she worked for Gray Motors.

She met Wesley Jones on a blind date at the Craigmont June Picnic and fell in love shortly there after. They were married at the 1st Christian Church in Grangeville on September 3, 1948.

Dola loved to cook, bake, sew, garden, and fix things. At one point, she owned over 30 rentals.

After retiring, she was given the nickname “Cookie Lady”, which she earned by baking and delivering cookies around town as she paid her monthly bills.

Dola also loved to crochet, making afghans and baby blankets. She even won a few ribbons at the Idaho County Fair. She was a member of the Grangeville Christian Church.

Dola loved her family. She is survived by her 4 children, Lillian (Jones) Rusher and husband Tim and their children Elizabeth, Jennifer, Lorraine, Tim, Jr., and Wesley of Shelton, WA; Lydia (Jones) Grubb and husband Jim and their son Jonathan of Coeur d’Alene, ID; Ivan and Sherri Jones and their children Eric and Nina of Grangeville; and David Jones and his children Samantha and Joseph of Grangeville; great grandchildren Cassie and Joshua Jones of Placerville, CA; siblings Lawrence Serena of Bremerton, WA, Joy Bledsoe and Doy Seratus, both of Nampa, ID, and Jenny Bristow of Caldwell, ID, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Dola joins her husband, Wesley, who passed away in 1995.

She will be remembered for her hard work ethic and generous spirit.

The family suggests that memorials can be made to the Grangeville Christian Church Building Fund in c/o Blackmer Funeral Home, 305 N. Mill St., Grangeville, ID 83530.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Grangeville Christian Church with Pastor Harold Gott officiating. Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery in Grangeville. Visitation will be on Friday, August 17 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

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

Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Janet S. Williamson, 83

Janet S. Williamson, 83, of Lucile, Idaho and formerly of McCall, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 at her home at the age of 83.

Janet was born May 16, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois. In June of 1946, she married her lifetime sweetheart, Robert V. Williamson. The couple moved to McCall in 1952, where they lived until their move to Lucile in 1984.

A much loved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend, Janet is survived by her husband, Robert; her sister, Joyce Bassler and husband Jack; her son, Gregg Williamson and wife Veronica; her daughter, Darcy Sweetgall and husband Robert; two grandsons, Shane Christenson and Wayde Ephraim; a granddaughter, Nora Williamson, and several great grandchildren.

Janet was preceded in death by a grandson, Austin Williamson.

At Janet’s request, cremation will take place and no memorial services are planned. She wishes to be remembered by all those who loved her for the joyful and fulfilling life that she lived.

Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville is in charge of arrangements.

Send condolences to the family at: Blackmerfuneralhome.com.