E. Dale Pelton, 77

E. Dale Pelton, 77, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2004, at Coffelt's Moon Chapel with Pastor Darryn Hewson from Sandpoint United Methodist Church officiating.

Dale was born on Sept. 17, 1927, in Elk River, Idaho, the son of Adron and Nelle (Wood) Pelton. He grew up in Ahsahka, Idaho, and graduated from high school in Orofino, Idaho. He attended two years of college at the University of Idaho before being drafted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Following the war, he returned to Ahsahka, Idaho, where he worked for B.J. Carney Pole Co.

Dale married Elaine Brandt on Aug. 26, 1955, in Orofino. They had three children there, Doug, Gary and Dana. The family moved to Sandpoint in 1964, where their fourth child, Mindy, was born.

Dale was manager of the pole yard at Joslin Pole Co. until 1972, when he moved to Kalispell, Mont. While living there, he managed the Kalispell Pole and Timber. He later moved to Missoula, Mont., returning to Sandpoint in 1997.

Dale was a veracious bridge player. He was active in his children's activities of Cub and Boy Scouts and was truly a "hands-on" father before there was such a thing. Dale was a member of the Lions Club in Kalispell and a past district governor. He was also a member of the Methodist Church in Kalispell.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Elaine of Sandpoint; three children, Gary Pelton of Kalispell, Dana (Dana) Pelton of Nowata, Okla., and Mindy (Guy) Kelley of Sandpoint; five grandsons, Nathan, Chris and Douglas Pelton, and Kiefer and Carson Kelley; and a brother, Lewis Pelton of Clarkston, Wash. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Doug; a brother, Don; and a sister, Virginia.

Memorials may be made to the Methodist Church or the Sandpoint Lions Club.

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