Merland "Muggs" Bentley, 96

Merland "Muggs" Bentley, 96, of Grangeville, passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Muggs was born Aug. 12, 1911, at Gill Point near Grangeville, a son of Ernest and Eunice Palmer Bentley. He attended Grangeville-area schools and following his education he worked as a packer for the U.S. Forest Service. He started a longtime hobby of rodeo in 1928 and was active until 1964.

He married Jettie Lyda on Nov. 8, 1933, in Asotin, and she passed away in 1974. He married Doris Inghram in 1976 and she passed away in 1993.

He was a member of the Mount Idaho Lodge No. 9 AF&AM, Scottish Rite, Calam Temple, the Elks Lodge and Eagles.

He is survived by his daughter, Yvonne Wright and her husband, Jim, of Roseburg, Ore.; grandchildren Sonja Wright and husband Joe Criscione of Napa, Calif., and Lottie and husband Michael Hamrick of Roseburg; and a great-grandson, Alex Hamrick of Roseburg. He is also survived by a sister, Chloe McCulley of Grangeville; a stepson and wife, Roger and Janice Inghram of Grangeville; and his loving companion, LaVonne Gotzinger of Grangeville.

Memorial services will be conducted later this spring. Services are under the direction of Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Send condolences to the family at http://www.blackmerfuneralhome.com/.

Bernadine "Bunny" Shephard, 87

Bernadine "Bunny" Clara Mager Shepherd, 87, of Grangeville, passed away Sunday, February 3, 2008, at the Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center.

She was born Aug. 1, 1920, in Keuterville, a daughter of John and Bertha Bensching Mager. She married Foy A. Shepherd on Sept. 5, 1943, in Colorado Springs, Colo. They lived in Spokane, Cottonwood, Craigmont and North Carolina before moving to Grangeville. She worked as a nurse's aide at Syringa General Hospital in Grangeville. Mr. Shepherd passed away in 1983.

She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and enjoyed music and her family.

She is survived by her children, Dennis Shepherd of Grangeville, Sharon Latimer of Post Falls, Idaho, and Jane Stephens of Lewiston. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two brothers, Paul Mager of Grangeville and Johnny Mager of Cottonwood.

In addition to her husband, two brothers, Eugene and Francie, and two sisters, Louise Ackerman and Marjorie Shears, died earlier.

A rosary will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, February 11, 2008, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Grangeville, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow the services at Prairie View Cemetery in Grangeville.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, February 10, at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Send condolences to the family at www.blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Violet Joyce Vavra, 70

Born February 15, 1937 to William and Velma Suhr, Joyce, as she was known, was raised on the Camas Prairie and in Grangeville with her four siblings, Glenn, Larry, Garry, and Carol. She attended twelve years of school in Grangeville, Idaho. She participated in chorus and band, in which she played the clarinet. She sang publicly at functions such as the White Bird Christmas program for most of her life.

After graduating from high school in 1955, Joyce worked at First Security Bank. On January 15 1956, Joyce married George Vavra. They moved to the Salmon River and a short time later bought a ranch on Deer Creek, where they raised their three children, Susan, Ruth, and William (Bill).

Joyce enjoyed music and flowers; loved to go new places and try new things; was an accomplished knitter; and valued time with her family and her church. She was a long time member of the Rebekahs and served her community as an EMT for many years. She was a life time member of the Christian Church in Grangeville which she attended with her mother and later with her siblings Glenn and Carol and her long time friend Mardell Mitchell. She was known and loved by many.

Preceding her in death were her parents, William and Velma Suhr; her husband, George Vavra; her daughter, Susan, and son-in-law John (Con) Parsons. Upon the death of Susan and Con in 1976, Joyce raised her granddaughter, Connie Parsons.

Survivors include her siblings, Glenn, Larry, and Garry Suhr and Carol Asker; her daughter Ruth and her husband, Barry Trivett; her son Bill and his wife Linda; and her four grandchildren, Connie Parsons and partner Jason Basse, Joni Trivett and fiancé Brian Larkin, and Brandy and Velma Trivett.

A viewing for friends will take place on Friday, February 8, 2008, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., at Blackmer Funeral Home, 305 North Mill Street, in Grangeville. Services will take place on Saturday, February 9, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at the IOOF Hall in White Bird, with a dinner to follow the graveside services back at the hall.

Donations may be sent to the White Bird Rebekahs, Grangeville Christian Church, the White Bird EMTs, or Syringa Hospital Hospice.

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

Send condolences to the family at www.blackmerfuneralhome.com.