Gordon Allen Shiell, 75
Gordon Allen Shiell, 75, slipped quietly to sleep Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009, at Boundary County Extended Care Facility in Bonners Ferry.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 6829 Kaniksu, Bonners Ferry.
Gordon was born Sept. 9, 1934, to Percival and Florence Bacon Shiell in New Deal, Mont., which now lies beneath the Fort Peck Dam. Gordon spent only a few years in Montana before moving to Bonners Ferry in 1940 where his father took on ranching and breaking horses for the Davidson’s.
In 1944, after a brief move to Kent’s Gulch, the family moved to Moyie Springs onto the Shiell family farm. Gordon enjoyed many years working the family farm and raising livestock.
He attended the Buckhorn and Curly Creek schools, where he met his future wife, Janice Merritt.
In his early years, Gordon worked for Moyie River Lumber Co. He served in the Army National Guard from 1954 to 57.
On June 16, 1956, Gordon married Janice Merritt and shortly thereafter, moved to Roseburg, Ore., where he worked in the local lumber mill.
Gordon and Janice had their first child, Kevin G. in Roseburg. They would return nine months after his arrival to reside once again on the Shiell family farm in Moyie Springs.
Their last two children, Laurie L. and Wendy J., were born in Bonners Ferry and all were raised in Moyie Springs .
Gordon took on work at Oly Johnson’s garage in Bonners Ferry where he learned the mechanics trade. He later supplemented his income with one of his passions, landscaping for Mrs. Ikeda and other local residents.
In 1970, Gordon went to work for Edwin Dyck at Dyck’s Husky on the South Hill where he continued his career until he retired in the late 1990s.
Gordan was known as “Gordy, the tire man,” and took great pride in his work, enjoying the many friends he made throughout the years. In 1988, Gordon and Janice sold the Moyie property to move into town where they would enjoy years of gardening and landscaping together.
Gordon was associated with the Bonners Ferry Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, making his dedication by baptism on Aug. 17, 1957. He enjoyed attending meeting, sharing in weekly service and literature distribution with the many friends of the congregation.
He had a passion for yard work, landscaping and loved to raise chickens.
He and his wife were often seen working in their Bonners Ferry yard. Gordon loved reading, especially Zane Grey and Louis L’ Amour. He would frequent Bonners Books for his winter supply of westerns.
In his younger days, Gordon loved to dance to a good waltz, listen and sing the old country ballads of Marty Robbins, The Sons of the Pioneers and many others.
Gordon loved to talk and tell stories about the old days and how he wished “he would have listened and had more time to learn more from the ‘old boys’ about welding and such.”
His favorite time of year was the fall because it was harvest time. Gordon said, “I like to see the crops raised, harvested and put up. Then I know I can finally rest for the winter.”
How appropriate, that he would choose to take his final rest after the October harvest and the first snow.
Gordon is survived by his children: Kevin G. (Froelain) Shiell of Columbus, Mont., Laurie L. (Darryl) Fraser of British Columbia, Canada, Wendy J. Shiell of Ukiah, Calif.; 10 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; his brother, Marlo (Laura) Shiell of Lewiston; sister-in-laws, Ann (Ronald) Shiell and Barbara (Gregory) Shiell; brother-in-law, Gale E. Merritt; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Gordon was preceded in death by his beloved wife; parents; an infant brother Donald Shiell; toddler brother Lowell Dean Shiell; brothers Ronald, Norman and Gregory Shiel; sisters Gwynethia June (Shiell) Hoover and Gwendolyn Joyce (Shiell) White.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the care given their father over the last few months from the staff at Boundary Community Hospital and the extended care facility. For all the prayers and kind thoughts sent, Denise Carboni , RN, for playing the guitar, singing ballads for him, the Old Time Fiddler’s and all those friends and loved ones who stopped in to visit, helping to hasten his long days. You placed a smile on his face and joy in his heart.
Family and friends may sign Gordon’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Bonners Ferry Funeral Home handled arrangements.