Barbara Spears, 97

Barbara Spears, 97, of Grangeville, passed away Friday, March 14, 2008, at the Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center.

She was born May 8, 1910, above Fish Creek near Grangeville, to Carrol and Dea Culley.

Barbara lived around Grangeville until the age of 18, when she married Elmer Parks. After Elmer passed away, Barbara married George Crosier, and after his passing, she married Bob Spears, who has also passed on.

Most of her life was spent here in the Grangeville area besides short stints in Missoula, Montana and Lewiston, Idaho.

Barbara enjoyed fiddling with the Old Time Fiddlers as well as her time in the Grangeville Garden Club. She also loved everything to do with the outdoors. Some of her favorite activities included camping, fishing, and 4-wheeling.

She is survived by her daughter, Averil Franklin and companion Vance Curtis of Citrus Heights, California; 3 grandchildren, Fred Franklin of Grangeville, Shellie Brougher of El Dorado Hills, California, and Glenda Azevedo of Folsom, California, as well as 6 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three husbands; and a grandson, Vance Zink.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Burial will follow at Mount Idaho Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Michael J. Godawa, 36

Michael James Godawa, age 36, born and raised in Grangeville to James and Kathy Godawa, went home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 11, 2008, at Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane as a result of a logging accident.

Mike was a loving husband to Michelle; a devoted father to Hayden, Ray, Kate, Joe and Ben; a wonderful son to Kathy, and an integral part to the whole Godawa family.

Mike loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working in it. He began logging at the age of 17 and although he loved the profession, his true passion was leading others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Mike fulfilled the calling that the Lord put on his life while pastoring at Trinity Lutheran Church from 2002-2005 and continued working in that calling by loving and ministering to all those he came into contact with. Mike had a huge heart and was always giving to those serving the Lord. Hid generosity was lavished upon those in the mission field as well as those here at home.

Mike owned and operated Faith Hauling and Excavation from 2005-2008.

We were all blessed to have known Mike, and although our hearts ache, we know, without a doubt, that he is rejoicing in the presence of the Lord.

Mike is survived by his best friend and wife, Michelle; children Hayden, Ray, Kate, Joe and Ben; his mother, Kathy Godawa; a brother, Jeff Godawa; grandmother Marge Burkenbine, and loving family members and friends to numerous to list.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 15, at 11:30 a.m., at the Grangeville Christian Church. Burial will follow at Mount Idaho Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a trust fund for the family has been established at Centennial Evangelical Free Church in Grangeville.

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

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.blackmerfuneralhome.com.