Harry L. Roberts, 88
Harry L. Roberts, 88, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016; Christmas morning.
Harry’s life will be celebrated by his family and friends at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, at the Sandpoint Church of God. Family inurnment services will be held later in Pinecrest Memorial Park.
Harry was born on Nov. 27, 1928, in Sandpoint, Idaho. He was the son of Harry and Ruth Roberts. He attended schools in Bonner County and in the Seattle area. A veteran, he joined the U.S. Navy and served during World War II in the Pacific theater of operations. He spent time on Guam and in the Philippines, and he was on the Bikini Atoll following the testing of the atomic bomb. Harry also spent some time in China. He was a cook in the Navy and he enjoyed cooking for all for the rest of his life.
Following the war, Harry married his beloved wife, Mary Ellen Timblin, in Sandpoint on March 7, 1954. It was just the beginning of their adventurous and fulfilling life together. Since retiring from Pack River Lumber Company in Colburn after 39 years as a millwright, they travelled constantly and visited places as diverse as Tahiti, Alaska, and Hawaii. Their travels took them to almost every state, and they toured all over England and Ireland, with many other destinations along the way.
Harry is survived by three children, Melanie (Arthur) Farrand, John (Johnna) Roberts and Andrew (Glenna) Roberts. He is also survived by six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters, Ann Muntean, Ginger Curtis, and Rita Runberg; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. His beloved wife, Mary Ellen, and their infant son, Harry Jr., preceded him in death; as did his parents.
Harry was a member of the Sandpoint Church of God.
Harry very much enjoyed the life that he led in North Idaho and took advantage of all that it had to offer. He loved skiing at Schweitzer, swimming, water skiing, and even picking huckleberries and getting the wood in for the winter. He was an avid auto racing fan and even enjoyed racing cars himself from time to time. Never one to be shy about telling stories, Harry would regale family, friends, and anyone else who wanted to listen, with endless fascinating well told stories that never failed to capture the attention of his audience. Harry worked hard, played hard and led life in his own unique way. Harry was a one-of-a-kind man who touched the lives of many people during his long and colorful life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to the Sandpoint Church of God, the Salvation Army, or the Wounded Warriors Project.
Family and friends are invited to sign Harry’s online guestbook at www.coffeltfuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.