John W. Best, 77

John W. Best, 77, passed away, Wednesday, April 14, 2004, in Sandpoint.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 17, 2004, at the Lakeview Funeral Home. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service.

John was born on Nov. 25, 1926, in Clark Fork to Clarence and Zema Best. John grew up and attended schools in Clark Fork. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1945, were he served during the end of World War II. Upon his return to Clark Fork he went to work for Northern Pacific Railroad.

John married Kathleen Jenness on May 24, 1951, in Coeur d'Alene. As a young man John always worked hard, infact he was one of the first workers to arrive on the Cabinet Gorge Dam where he worked as a driller. The couple later moved to Ellensburg, Wash., and John worked as an iron worker on the dams along the Columbia River. Later John went to work for Schaakee's Meat Packing Plant.

In 1978, John and Kathleen moved to Sandpoint into their home on North Boyer. They took care of John's parents until they passed away.

John was a member of the Moose Legion in Ellensburg where he served a term as chaplain, and was a past member of the Eagles Lodge. He loved to tell stories and had a great sense of humor.

John may be best known for the cart rides he used to give children and friends with his horse "Ernie." John enjoyed gardening and raising miniature animals.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kathleen Best of Sandpoint; two sons, John Best Jr. of Irrigon, Ore., and Terry (Kathleen) Best of Sandpoint; a daughter, Pamela (Michael) Vance of Sandpoint; two sisters, Beverly Stockdale of Mesa, Ariz., and Frances Meyers of Libby, Mont.; a brother, Kenneth Best of Paradise, Mont.; nine grandchildren, Bonita Best of Ellensburg, Wash., Mike (Marcy) Best of Kittitas, Wash., Jason Hetrick of Sandpoint, Joanne (Duane) Ames of Sandpoint, Nicole, Marie, and Mathew Hetrick of Sandpoint, Charlene (Jeremy) Phillips of Spokane, Wash., and Stephen (Rebecca) Best of Puyallup, Wash.; and 8 great-grandchildren and 6 step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Arthur, Glen, and Orville Best; and five sisters Gladys Wilson, Hazel Cameron, Jean Van Stone, Janice Dubell, and Reva Best.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is in charge of the arrangements. Please visit John's memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his online guest book.