Earle Thompson Bable, 91

Earle Thompson Bable, 91, passed away peacefully at the extended care facility at Boundary Community Hospital on Friday, Sept. 7, 2007, from pneumonia.

Earle was born Feb. 17, 1916, in Anderson, Ind.

Before the good Lord tapped him on the shoulder, Earle was very active in the Masonic Lodge and earned the distinctive honors of Illustrious Past Master of the Southern California Council No. 35 Cryptic Masons, Past Master of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, Past Master of the Golden West Commandary, Past Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 43 A.F. and A.M. of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Noble of the Mystic Shrine and ultimately received the Knight York Cross of Honor.

Many in the community might know Earle as their very ornery bus driver and prior to that, as janitor of Valley View School.

Earle could also be found most Sundays at the United Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry.

After his wife, Marie, passed away in 1995, Earle was a volunteer for Boundary Community Hospital Auxiliary and enjoyed helping ECF residents play bingo.

He is survived by daughters Sue Huffer and her husband, Bob, of Anderson and Patricia Rogers and her husband, Don of Bonners Ferry; grandchildren Todd Huffer, Trasi Graf and Tami Henchman, all of Indiana; Heidi Stockton and Louis Michalk, both of Bonners Ferry; Heather Watson of Pittsburg, Kansas; and James Michalk of Raymond, Wash.; nine great-grandchildren and sisters Jeanne Rallings and Rita Riggs.

Earle was met in Heaven by his wife; son Edward Bable; Sue Huffer's mother, Elsie, along with his father and mother, Frank and Alda Bable; and sisters Genneil Bird, Mary Moore and Barbara Turner.

Earle's family would like to thank all of the staff of the extended care facility of Boundary Community Hospital for their love and patience in caring for Earle for the past 1 1/2 years and to Priscilla, Jo Anne and Claudia for their emotional support to Earle and his family during his last hours.

They would also like to thank Earle's pastor, James Murphy, and his wife, Jen, for the final prayer before his passing. Earle is now happily driving the golden streets of Heaven.