Philip David Melior

Philip David (Phil) Melior was called to heaven at his Priest River-area home on Feb. 1, 2013.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. in the Grandview Cemetery, Bonners Ferry, Idaho. A memorial service will be announced.

Phil was born in Bonners Ferry on Dec. 29, 1937, to Wallace M. and Winnfred F. (Merrell) Melior and was one of eight children.

He attended Bonners Ferry High School.

After that he joined the Army and served in Germany as a military policeman.

Phil married Luanne Ritz on June 5, 1960. They had three children: son Larry Melior (Jessie Stewart), daughters Lisa Simonsen (Tom) and Linda Dowd. He had six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

He held many jobs throughout his life including working for West Bonner School District and the Boundary County Sheriff’s Department.

Together, with his wife, he owned Melior Floral and Sanborne Creek Roses.

His talent was creating new varieties of roses, and many of his family members have roses named for them. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being outdoors. He was active in his church, and he and his wife were Life Group leaders.

He was preceded in death by his parents Wally and Whinnie Melior and sister Janet Ritz.

He is survived by his wife and children, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, his brothers Walter and Roger, and sisters Elaine Cooper, Patty Wilkie, Alice Chapell, and Helen Siver, and many nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his parents and his sister Janet Ritz. He is missed by his family, his many human friends, and his faithful dog

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