Hazel J. Spickelmire, 91

Hazel Jennie Spickelmire,91 of Riggins, died July 19, 2006 of congestive heart failure at Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation in Grangeville.

She was born September 2, 1914, in Roseberry, to Willie and Cynthia (Jasper) Pottenger. She graduated from Roseberry High School. Hazel married Dick Spickelmire October 28, 1934 in Caldwell. They farmed between Donnelly and McCall, and Dick later worked for the Boise-Payette Lumber Co. at McCall and New Meadows. They started a dairy in New Meadows in 1945.

They moved to Riggins in 1948 where Dick worked as a logger before starting a logging business of their own. In 1965 the couple moved to Walla Walla, Wash., where they worked as counselors at The Blue Mountain Boys’ Ranch. Later they lived in Kooskia and Cascade before moving back to Riggins. Dick died in 1985. Hazel lived in Grangeville for 10 years before returning to Riggins.in 2003.

She is remembered for her quick wit, sharp memory and willingness to help out and become involved wherever she was needed.

She was active in many church and civic organizations, and was a charter member of the Garnet Rebekah Lodge, Salmon River Community Church, and the Riggins Red Hat Society. She could always be counted on to help care for sick friends and relatives. Hazel worked at many jobs throughout her life, from school lunch cook to representative for the Area Agency on Aging.

At her death, she was the matriarch of a large extended family that included many nieces and nephews. Hazel was passionate about her family and enjoyed attending annual family reunions of the Pottenger and Fields families in the Donnelly area.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dick; sisters, Viola Fields, Opal McDougal, Rose Anderson and Georgia Pottenger; her brother, Bill Pottenger; son Jerry Spickelmire; and granddaughter, Jennifer Spickelmire.

She is survived by daughters Jane Voss and husband Lawrence of Susanville, California; Joyce Barnard and husband Larry of Riggins; son Jim Spickelmire and wife Betty of Grangeville; brother Ben Pottenger and wife Doris of Eagle; daughter-in-law Judy Spickelmire of Boise; 15 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held Monday, July 24, 2006 at Salmon River Community Church in Riggins at 10:00 Mountain time, Pastor Harold Gott, officiating. Burial will follow at Crown Point Cemetery at Cascade.

Memorial donations may be made to Salmon River Community Church, 1102 S. Main, Riggins, ID 83549; Grangeville Christian Church, 402 W. S. 1st, Grangeville, ID 83530; or to a charity of your choice.

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

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

Dean R. Shaw, 62

GRANGEVILLE: Dean R. Shaw,62, of Grangeville, our beloved father went to heaven on July 15, 2006 at home with his wife, kids & grandchildren with him.

He was born March 23, 1944 to Leslie & Vera Shaw in San Jose California. He went to school at Lincoln Glen and Mont Bello then moved to Emmett Idaho in 1957 and graduated from Emmett High School in 1961. Then on August 26, 1962 he joined the US Navy and served 4 years 25 days. In 1969 he met the love of his life Shirley Roberts and they married on May 16, 1970. They had six kids Dean Shaw (Amber), Niki Gregg (Kevin), Robert Shaw (Nancy), Shawn Shaw (Melissa), Casey Shaw, and Brandy Galushkin (Andrei) he delivered the last 3 kids at home. He also has 14 grandchildren.

Daddy you are going to be dearly missed! We all Love You!

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. mountain time at the Letha LDS Church near Emmett, Idaho. Burial will follow at the Bramwell Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville. Friends may call Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville and 1 hour prior to time of services at the Letha LDS Church.

Anita Willis, 82

GRANGEVILLE: Anita Plourde Willis, 82 of Grangeville formerly of Kamiah passed away Friday, June 30, 2006 at her home in Grangeville following a courageous battle with cancer.

Anita was born February 9, 1924 in Lewiston, Maine a daughter of Arthur and Cedelice DeFour Plourde, the fifth of seventeen children. She met her future husband, Mel Willis in Lewiston, Maine when he was on leave from the US Navy. Following Mel’s discharge from the navy they moved to Washington state and in 1950 moved to Kamiah, Idaho where Mel was born and raised. They lived in Kamiah in the home that Mel built until moving to Grangeville in October of 2004.

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Mel; daughters and spouses, Katie and Dwight Biggers of Clarkston, WA, Sandi and Jim Knighton of Seattle, WA; son and spouse, Allen and Michelle Willis of Grangeville; ten grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; eleven brothers and sisters. She was preceded in death by her parents and five brothers and sisters.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Grangeville. Please join the family for food and fellowship following the service at Sts. Peter and Paul School. Services are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at Syringa General Hospital Hospice. Their extraordinary compassion and medical skills made Mom’s last days peaceful and comfortable.

The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Syringa General Hospital Hospice or to the American Cancer Society. Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com