Donald A. 'Don' Verhei, 87

Donald A. "Don" Verhei, 87, passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Monday, Oct. 3, 2005.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005, in Coffelt's Moon Chapel. Pastor Barry Johnson will officiate.

Don was born in Palouse, Wash., on Sept. 24, 1918, the son of Venus and Blanche Verhei. At the age of 8, he moved to the Sagle area, and attended the Sagle School through the tenth grade. He graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1936.

In 1937, he moved to Metaline Falls, Wash., working in the mines. He married Phyllis E. Cummins on Aug. 1, 1940, in Sagle, Idaho. He followed road, dam and bridge construction jobs in the Northwest. He was the supervisor on the Bridge Street Bridge and the entrance bridge into Hope. He retired, for health reasons, in 1973.

He worked as a journeyman carpenter and was a 50-year member of the Local Piledrivers Union No. 2382 in Spokane. He belonged to the Community of Christ Church in Sagle, Idaho.

For many years, he played in the outfield for the Sagle Town Team baseball team. The team was well-known, winning many games and tournaments throughout the area. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially elk camp.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Phyllis E. Verhei of Sagle; a son, Larry Verhei of Federal Way, Wash.; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Vernon Verhei of Edgewood, Wash; and a niece, seven nephews and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Donald Richard; a daughter, Sharon Vivier; a brother, Lewis; and a sister, Grace Cole.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.