Harold Leroy Urch, 82

Harold Leroy Urch, 82, passed away on Saturday, July 9, 2005, in Ponderay, Idaho.

Family graveside inurnment will be held at 2 p.m. MST on Thursday, July 14, 2005, at the Heron Cemetery in Heron, Mont. Refreshment will follow at the Heron Community Center.

Harold was born on Nov. 6, 1922, in Bennett, Colo., the son of Edwin and Rachael (Ireland) Urch. The family moved to Nucla, Colo., and Harold attended schools there, graduating from high school in Nucla.

Following high school, he worked at Farragut Naval Base at Bayview, Idaho, during construction of the base and returned to Colorado, joined the U.S. Navy and was sent to Farragut Naval Training Base. He later transferred to duty in the Pacific aboard the USS Calvert and the USS Gunston Hall during World War II from 1942 to 1946.

Harold met and married Mildred "Midge" Brewer on Sept. 19, 1946, in Delta, Colo., and was his loving wife for 52 years. She preceded him in death in 1998.

He worked in the uranium and gold mines in Colorado and Alaska, and worked on the pipeline in Colorado and Alaska.

Harold moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1971. He worked at the planing mill for Pack River Lumber Co. in Dover, Idaho, and W.I. Forest Products at the same location, retiring in 1984.

Harold was an optimist, quick to laugh and had a great capacity for enjoying life. He always had a certain twinkle in his eye. He enjoyed small children and one day, his wife was asked by some children if "Mr. Urch could come out and play."

He also had a great respect for all of God's creatures, large and small. He was always willing to help or provide care to the sick or injured. He was a regular at the IGA "coffee club."

Harold especially enjoyed the pleasures of his garden, a cure for his daily tensions. He was loved by many and will be missed by family, friends and those who knew him.

Survivors include his daughters, Cherry (Jeff) Urch of Plano, Texas, Nellie Jo (Barney) McLinden of Heron, and Benny Jean (Rusty) Beaty of Sitka, Alaska; grandchildren, Tony McLinden, Dustin (Chris) McLinden, Heather Beaty and Bill Beaty; a great-grandchild, Shelbie McLinden, and two step-great-grandchildren, Mike and Mckinzie Hewett; sisters, Joyce (Kenny) Bonner of Nucla, Colo., Helen Haugse of Sandpoint, and Irene Bogus of Salt Lake City, Utah; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Midge; a granddaughter, two brothers and two sisters.

Memorials may be made to the Heron Community Center, P.O. Box 205, Heron, Mont.

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