Vernon Arnold Webb

Vernon Arnold Webb passed into the arms of Jesus on June 20, 2017, at his home, after a courageous battle with leukemia.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, July 1, at 1 p.m. in the Sandpoint Christian Center. A gathering, with desserts and coffee, will follow.

He was born in Sandpoint on Dec. 2, 1935, to Vernon E. Webb and Bessie (Clark). The family, along with a younger brother Arthur moved to Mill City, Ore., where the boys attended school.

At the age of 16, the family moved back to the area, settling in Bottle Bay on acreage where they worked a farm.

Vernon also worked with his father, logging at that time. Then at 18, enlisted in the United States Navy, serving four years on the S.S. Bremerton.

He married Bonnie Campbell in 1960 and had son Kenneth to add to Bonnie’s son Michael, who Vernon adopted.

Vernon helped build a house for his family in Bottle Bay on the 5 acres his father had given him. He divided his time between logging and fishing in season. The family, parents and Art, commercially fished kokanee, or blueback, from the mid-1950s to mid-’60s on Lake Pend Oreille.

Vernon was also known as one of the best “fallers” in the Northwest. He bought a self-loading logging truck and drove it for a period of time in the area.

Around 40 years ago he helped during the construction of Sandpoint Christian Center by digging out the basement with his newly purchased International TD8 Cat and served as an elder at that church for 30 years.

Bonnie passed away in 1996 and he married Lavelle Kibler in 1998, also retiring at that time. He loved fishing the small lakes with her and his fall hunting excursions.

Coming from the (old way) of doing things, Vernon could fix, improvise, or make do with most anything — except plumbing, that is. Together they made a comfortable home to enjoy in retirement.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Bonnie.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Lavelle; two sons, Michael and Kenneth; a grandson, Vernon Earl (Amanda); a great-grandchild, Marie; his brother, Art (Bernice;, and two nephews, Brad and Boyd.

Vernon will be greatly missed by all his loved ones, including those of his church family.

Family and friends are invited to sign his online guestbook at coffeltfuneral.com.

Final arrangements are being handled by Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.