Merle Ernest Ames, 87

Merle Ernest Ames, 87, passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004.

Memorial services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at the Dover Community Church. Pastor Frank Wolfram will officiate.

Merle was born Nov. 26, 1916, in Sandpoint, the son of Ernest and Myrtle Ames. Merle graduated from Gooding High School and the Idaho State School for the Deaf in 1934 in Gooding, Idaho.

He worked as a sawyer in the North Idaho woods and married Doris Hammer on Dec. 21, 1940, in Sandpoint. From 1942 to 1946, he lived in Portland, Ore., working for Timber Structures, producing trusses for airplane hangers during World War II.

He returned to Sandpoint in 1946 and worked with his brothers, Rolland and Jack Ames as building contractors for the next 50 years. He also was a taxidermist, woodworker and was an Eagle Scout. He was a graduate of the International Correspondence School in architectural drafting.

He was a member of the Sandpoint United Methodist Church and the Sandpoint Carpenters Union.

Merle's hobbies included fly fishing, hiking and woodworking. He also wrote poetry and liked to travel.

He is survived by his wife, Doris Ames; a son, Raymond Ames; a daughter, Carol Bean; grandchildren, Mike Ames, Sarah Parks, Hillary Lewerenz, Melanie Nace, Matthew Bean and Brian Bean; two brothers, Rolland Ames and Jack Ames; a sister, Lorna Popejoy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Dorothy, Violet and Mildred; two nephews, Ricky Ames and Gordon Peterson; and two nieces, Sharon Peterson and Sherry Karst.

Final arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.