John Poston

John Poston passed away peacefully on May 17, 2011, at the Boundary County Community Hospital. He went to join his wife Betty on the 23rd anniversary of her death.

John was buried May 21, at the Grandview Cemetery.

He was born to John Harrison Poston and Alice Mary (Gillard) Poston on May 30, 1928, in Sandpoint, Idaho. He was one of six children.

He attended school in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, for most of his education. He and his brothers played basketball for the Badgers and he was still going out and playing ball with his grandchildren until just a few years ago.

 John was drafted into the Army during the Korean War and spent time in service to his country. When John came home from the service, he started working at the sawmill downtown and spent 46 years working in the mill and in the planer as a planer setup man.

He followed in the footsteps of his father and his older brothers who also retired from the mills.

John started dating Betty Jean Harper in 1957 and they married on June 7, 1958, in Bonners Ferry.

 They had four daughters: Beverly, Laurie, Jackie and Debbie and helped to raise a nephew, Mike Poston. John and Betty had several homes during their lives together in Bonners Ferry.

In 1974 they bought the "Old Labrosse" Farm in Paradise Valley and that is where they stayed. John loved his family and enjoyed having a small farm with cattle, horses, pigs and chickens.

He also loved looking at the view of Clifty Mountain from his home. John loved fishing, bowling and visiting with friends and family. He enjoyed walks and was still walking two miles every day until just a couple years ago, when his lung disease prevented him from walking that far anymore.

John especially loved being with his grandchildren and was their biggest fan whether they were showing pigs at the fair, playing sports, or doing choir or drama; ifhis grandkids were doing it he was there.

He was even voted spectator of the year at the state girls' basketball tournament in 2007. John left a legacy of love for his children and grandchildren to cherish.

John is survived by his five children; Beverly (husband Dave) Heigel, Laurie Poston, Jackie Finnigan, Debbie (husband Jay) Rauth and Mike (Wanda) Poston, and his sister Shirley (husband John) Messenger.

He is also survived by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty Poston; parents John and Alice Poston; brothers Lester Poston, Lloyd Poston, and Chuck Poston and sister Mae Vanek.

Family and friends are invited to sign John's book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com  Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.