Ellis Dean Merrifield
Ellis Dean Merrifield of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, passed away at the age of 71 years in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on April 5, 2011.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Ellis Dean Merrifield will be held Sunday, July 3, 2011, at the Naples Fire Hall Community Center at 3 p.m. with a potluck dinner to follow. A private inurnment will occur at Grandview Cemetery. Please call Irene Rice for more information.
Ellis, younger twin to Elden, was born Oct. 19, 1939, to Myrtle and Earl Merrifield in Columbus, Mont. Ellis’s siblings were Anna, Earl (Bud), Raymond, Elsie, Betty Irene, Irene, Russell, Elden (his twin), and Alvin. His family moved to Paradise Valley in 1943, where Ellis resided for most of his life.
Ellis attended school at Paradise Valley and Bonners Ferry. He was confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Bonners Ferry.
Even though Ellis never married, he had several sweethearts in his time. As a young man, Ellis always joked that since he was born 10 minutes after Elden, he had to wait until Elden was married.
Ellis also joked that he had a wife but she was out “gallivanting” around the country or other times Ellis claimed that he had sent her packing with a one-way ticket on a bus!
After school, Ellis worked for the railroad, BF Lumber mill, WI, the mines in Kellogg, and Kramer Construction. He also worked on a naval base in Adak, Alaska, and cut cedar posts and worked as a night watchman for Jim Neumeyer.
Ellis had many hobbies. He loved cooking. Especially famous was his potato salad, but Ellis also made delicious sugar cookies, beer bread and tender "beer turkey." Ellis gardened and canned his own food.
He also loved hunting and fishing and hiking through the mountains. Ellis even built himself a cabin on his brother's land, making his own furniture and decorative elements from logs and branches.
For a brief time, Ellis constructed bird houses from little twigs and furniture from branches to sell. Ellis loved to sing and to dance, and he enjoyed music dearly. Brother Elden related that even though Ellis did his own truck maintenance, Ellis didn't like mechanic work very much!
Ellis had a wonderful sense of humor and a hearty laugh; he also strongly valued his family.
He is survived by his twin brother Elden and sister-in-law Sharon, his sister Irene Rice, and his sister-in-law Irma Merrifield, all of Bonners Ferry, and by a multitude of nephews, nieces, and friends.
Ellis was preceded in death by his mother and father, his sister Anna and her husband Pete Lofing; his brother Earl (Bud) and wife Laura Merrifield; his brother Raymond; his sister Elsie and husband Elwood Voll; his sister Betty Irene; his brother Russell and wife Carole Merrifield; and his brother Alvin; as well as his nieces Phyllis Lofing Widmer and Rhonda Rice.
The family wishes to thank the excellent caregivers at Rose Terrace Cottages in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Memorials may be made to: American Lung Association National Headquarters,1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800. Washington, DC 20004.