Russell Allen Merrifield, 69

Russell Allen Merrifield, 69, passed away Sunday, Aug. 9, 2007, at the Veterans Hospital in Spokane, Wash., from lung cancer.

Russell was born in Columbus, Mont., on April 28, 1938, to Earl and Myrtle Merrifield.

He lived there with his family until 1943 when they all moved to Bonners Ferry. They moved to Paradise Valley.

Russell attended school here until he joined the U.S. Navy in 1956. He served on the USS Carronade and the USS Lincoln County as an engineman 2nd class. Russell was stationed in Hawaii, Tokyo, the Philippines and China.

He was very proud of his service for his country.

Russell served his term and then moved to Kellogg, where he worked in the mines. This is where he met his wife, Carole Peterson. They married on March 2, 1961, and then moved back to Bonners Ferry, where he worked in the mills and they started a family.

They had four children: Kim, Rusty, Wally and Mark.

Russell worked at several mills in the area as a sawfiler. He also worked in sawmills in Wyoming, Montana and Alaska.

Russell loved to hunt, fish and enjoyed playing his guitar.

He leaves behind a daughter, Kim Haworth of Sandpoint; three sons Rusty, Wally and Mark Merrifield, all of Bonners Ferry; eight grandchildren, Summer Haworth of Sandpoint, Kevin Haworth of Rock Springs, Wyo., Mandy Haworth and Sawyer, Miranda, Derek, Mikael, Matthew and Mason Merrifield, all of Bonners Ferry; three great- grandchildren, Devon Skehan, and Kadence and Azlynn Marble; two sisters, Elsie Voll and Irene Rice; and two brothers, Elden and Ellis Merrifield, all of Bonners Ferry.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, sisters Anna Lofing and Betty Irene Merrifield, and brothers Earl "Bud," Raymond and Alvin Merrifield.

Services were held Aug. 25, 2007, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bonners Ferry with a military presentation. Friends and family gathered at Paradise Valley Grange following the service for a potluck dinner.

Russell will be missed by all his family and friends.