Samuel Strongblood Wohali, 59

Samuel Strongblood Wohali, 59, passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2004, in Coeur d'Alene.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at Coffelt's Moon Chapel with Pastor Ron Peterson officiating. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors.

Sam was born on Feb. 9, 1945, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clarence and Ruby (Sullivan) Mertz. He grew up in Amarillo, Texas, and joined the U.S. Navy, serving from 1963-1967.

He gave his heart to the Lord in 1969 and married Daria Haynes on July 27, 1970. They moved to Sandpoint in 1973.

Sam was ordained as a minister in 1976 and pastored a church in Moyie Springs from 1976-1978. He then went on to serve in missionary work from 1978-1980 in Arizona and Mexico. Sam returned to Sandpoint in 1980 and was a Bureau of Indian Affairs judge from 1982-1988 in Bonners Ferry.

He enjoyed old classic cars, from restoring to driving to selling the parts or the whole car itself. He was a generous person, however, the most important part of his life was his family. Sam and his family were at peace with each other and the Lord.

He is survived by his wife, Daria; eight children, Sam (Emily) Wohali Jr., Mona (Ror) Lakewold, Eagle (Casie) Wohali, Moses (Denelle) Wohali, Hannah (Matthew) Edwards, Naomi "Yellowbird" (Shaun) Tomlinson, Benjamin Wohali, and Robert Wohali, all of Bonner County; 15 grandchildren, Sammy and Emma Wohali, Rory Lakewold, Eagle Jr., Amber, Ezekiel and Kayla Wohali, Rachel, Elizabeth and Abigail Wohali, Isabella, Angalina, Elijah and Sophia Edwards, Ezra Tomlinson and two grandchildren on the way; his mother, Ruby Wilson; and two sisters living in Texas.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.