Clarence Eugene “Gene” Boyer, 72

Clarence Eugene “Gene” Boyer, 72, died Sunday morning, December 17, 2006 at home with his family in Grangeville.

Gene was born February 2, 1934 in Athens County, Ohio. He was a life long sawyer. He had cut timber from coast to coast. Gene was also an outdoor enthusiast. After 59 years of work and travel and also working in the Grangeville area for six years during the late 70’s and early 80’s, Gene returned to the area he loved best.

Gene loved people; he always was the first to help if he saw someone was in need. He loved to raise and harvest big gardens every year and distribute it to family, friends and total strangers. He also loved spending time with family and friends, but was most partial to his three granddaughters.

Survivors include his former wife and current best friend, Sheila Boyer; son Richard Boyer and his wife Cathy of Grangeville, Idaho; daughter Debra Jumper of Ecru, Mississippi; three grand-daughters, Amber and Samantha Hall of Ecru, and Hannah Boyer of Grangeville; one sister, June Cole; one brother, Donnie Boyer, and two half-brothers, Wayne and Gary McGill, both of Athens County, Ohio.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Boyer and Winnie McGill; one sister, Nellie Moore; one half-sister, Debbie McGill, and one half brother, Mickey McGill.

We will miss you Papa!

A graveside service was held on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at Mount Idaho Cemetery near Grangeville. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

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

Sharon M. Liebelt, 56

Sharon M. Liebelt, 56, of Grangeville, passed away Friday, December 15, 2006 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Cottonwood with her husband, Robert, by her side.

Sharon was born February 7, 1950 to George and Dorothy Haasl in Ladysmith, Wisconsin.

She graduated in 1968 from Ladysmith High School. She then went out to school to be trained in Lab and X-Ray and graduated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sharon worked in the medical field for 20 years, both in Ladysmith, Wisconsin and at St. Mary’s Hospital in Cottonwood.

Sharon enjoyed quilting, sewing, and working on her home.

She is survived by her husband, Bob, at the family home; her daughter and son-in-law, Alissa and John Bunch and granddaughter Myrissa Gates of Kuna, Idaho, and her brother, Wayne Haasl of Neenah, Wisconsin.

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents, George and Dorothy Haasl and a grandson, Dylan Taylor Gates.

Sharon will be loved and missed by her family and friends.

Cremation has taken place and no services are planned. Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Robert J. Leonard, 82

Robert J. Leonard, 82, of Grangeville, died Thursday, December 14, 2006 at Syringa General Hospital in Grangeville.

He was born November 27, 1924 at Kuna, Idaho to Benjamin and Cecilia Hilgert Leonard.

After high school, Leonard joined the U.S. Army on September 23, 1943. He served in Germany during World War II and was honorably discharged on April 24, 1946. After serving his country, he moved to Grangeville in 1947 and became a member of the Grangeville Assembly of God Church and was the oldest living member up until his death. He also worked as a fork-lift operator for Ida Pine and Wicks Corporation and continued this work up until his retirement.

Leonard enjoyed hunting, fishing and motorcycle riding in the mountains. He was also a pilot and enjoyed flying his plane and also played trumpet for the church for many years.

He is survived by a sister, Barbara Golden of Woodside, California, and two nieces, Ardell Ainsworth of Dixie, Washington and Suetta Puryear of Seattle, Washington.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Dot Puryear, and an infant niece, Cecelia Puryear.

Graveside services were held on Monday, December 18, 2006 at Prairie View Cemetery.

Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville was in charge of the arrangements.

Richard K. Wheeler, 59

Rick K. Wheeler, 59, of Harpster, passed from this wife Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at his home from a long history of illnesses.

Rick was born January 21, 1947 in Missoula, Montana to Warren and Donna Wheeler. He and his family later moved to Idaho Falls. He then married and had a daughter but that marriage ended in divorce. A few years later he met Imojean Moore and they were married on May 14, 1977 where he had five stepchildren.

Rick enjoyed hunting, fishing, walking, camping and watching physical sports.

He is survived by his wife Jean at their Harpster home; three living stepchildren, Lorraine Coomer, Laura Cummins and Kathy Ladd, all of Harpster; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; three sisters, Christina Pearce of Idaho Falls, Rose Yorkson of St. George, Utah, and Linda Jones of Pocatello, Idaho and one step-brother, Robert Howard of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Rick was preceded in death by his mother and stepsons, Elliott and Dennis Ladd.

Cremation will take place and services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.