LaFaye Adelene Dewey-Neilson, 82

LaFaye Adelene Dewey-Neilson, 82, passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, in Coffelt's Funeral Chapel. Chuck Wigton will officiate at the services. Friends may call to pay their respects on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Coffelt Funeral Service.

LaFaye was born Nov. 20, 1923, in Spirit Lake, Idaho, the daughter of Earl and Nettie Sheffler. She lived in the Idaho towns of Spirit Lake, Kootenai and Ponderay prior to moving to Sagle, Idaho. She graduated from the eighth grade in Algoma and then Sandpoint High School in 1941. She attended Northwest Business College in Spokane, Wash.

She married Roy Dewey Sr. on June 13, 1943, in Spokane and worked at Fairchild Air Force Base until 1963 when she moved back to Sagle. Roy preceded her in death in 1986.

She became the acting postmaster for the Sagle post office on Oct. 5, 1966, and received her permanent commission on June 22, 1971, retiring in 1986. She married Howard Neilson on April 1, 1991, in Sandpoint.

She was a longtime member of the First Christian Church of Sandpoint. LaFaye always enjoyed music, playing the piano and playing in a local dance band.

She is survived by her husband, Howard Neilson of Sagle; two sons, Ray A. and Candace Dewey Jr. of Priest River, Idaho, and Jack D. Dewey of Sagle; two daughters, Sharon (Terry) Simcox of Oldtown, Idaho, and Claudia (Wayne) Ridley of Priest River; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; a brother, Del and Mona Jane Sheffler of Sagle; a sister, Ethel Ann Welker of Sagle; a sister-in-law, Harriet Sheffler of Priest River; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She also was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Edward.

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