Obituaries

Mar 2, 2026

Chester Leo Unruh, loving son, husband, father and grandfather was born to Odes B. Unruh and Sadie Jantz Unruh on October 9, 1930, in Copeland, Kansas. He peacefully passed away at Sunset Home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on March 2, 2026, at 95 years of age.

The dry and dusty years of the 1930’s which threatened his mother’s health prompted the...

Mar 2, 2026

Chester Unruh, 95, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026 at Sunset Home Assisted Living. Chester was born on October 9, 1930 in Copeland, Kansas the son of Odis and Sadie Jantz Unruh.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at Bonners Ferry Funeral Home from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 6,...

Feb 18, 2026

Charles L. Fox, known to most as Chuck, was born May 22,1949 in Martinez, California. Within days he was adopted by Walter and Velma Fox who raised him to love God and develop an honorable and responsible character.

Chuck grew up with a natural affinity and love for trucks, cars, and airplanes, which was accompanied by a God-given mechanical ability. In...

Feb 14, 2026

Bruce Irving Merrifield, 73, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, was called home to the Lord on February 14, 2026, following complications with his heart. Surgery granted his family a few more precious days filled with clarity, strength, and hope. This was a true reflection of his enduring spirit and love for life.

Bruce was born on December 8, 1952, in Bonners Ferry,...

Feb 10, 2026

Joseph Robert Morelli, 92, passed away peacefully at his home February 10, 2026 with his family at his side. Joseph was born on March 12, 1933 in Bronx, New York the son of Joseph and Jenny Bari Morelli. 

Memorial Services will be held on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Bonners Ferry Funeral Home at 1:30 pm.

When the full obituary is prepared...

Feb 3, 2026

Lawrence was born on June 23, 1938, in Kanab, Utah, to Newel K. Steed and Eliza Pugh Steed. He grew up on the ranch in Johns Valley, Utah, where he learned the value of hard work, family, and community.

Lawrence family was the center of his life, and he took great joy and pride in his many children and grandchildren, cherishing...

Feb 2, 2026

Jeremiah Grant Dillin or “just Jeremy” was born January 29, 1985 in Sandpoint, Idaho. He spent majority of his formative years living in Bonners Ferry where he grew up to be an avid reader and an alleged master of comedy.

Eventually he migrated in his later teen hood-adult years to Salt Lake City, UT. Where he would graduate from Park City...

Jan 28, 2026

Mike was born on May 16, 1947, in Bonners Ferry Community Hospital, to parents Eugene (Pidge) Tompkins and Kathryn Parshall Tompkins. After an extended illness, Mike passed away on January 28, 2026.

Mike married Sandra Helgerson on November 30, 1968, in Bonners Ferry. After nine years of marriage, their dream of having a family was realized when they adopted their son...

Jan 20, 2026

Bonnie Jean Collins, 74, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho passed away peacefully at home on January 20, 2026 ending her long battle with cancer. She was born on October 11, 1951 to Wanda and Jack Love in Lebanon, Oregon.

Bonnie grew up in Homedale, Idaho. She was one of seven children. She was high spirited and had a love for adventure which...

Jan 19, 2026

Our dear mother, Joanne Lois Dirks/Mastre was born September 27, 1939, in Copeland, Kansas to Ernest and Alda Unruh/Dirks. Joanne passed away on January 19, 2026, while at Sunset Home, reaching the age of 89.

When mom was just an infant her family moved from Kansas to Bonners Ferry, Idaho to escape the dust bowl. Growing up in Bonners Ferry, Mom...

Jan 17, 2026

Melvyn Paul Waldman, 88, of Bonners Ferry died Saturday, January 17, 2026. He was born on August 11, 1937, in Lewiston, Idaho, to Julius M. Waldman and Lora E. Beale. In 1946 his sister, Mary Patricia, was adopted.

He played football and basketball at St. Aloysius in Spokane, WA. He played football, basketball, and ran hurdles at Gonzaga Prep. He studied...

Jan 17, 2026

Ted Trulove was born in Oregon. To be honest, his provenance is a bit of a mystery, though he always called Lebanon, Oregon home. In his younger years, he dabbled in farming. He credited a neighbor with staking him for his first tractor. Details were never Ted’s forte when recounting the past, so unfortunately, I can’t recall the neighbor’s name—but...

Jan 15, 2026

Adarah Dancer was a beloved mother, grandmother, partner, and friend whose warmth and presence touched everyone who knew her. She was the proud mother of two sons, Scott Oates and David Oates, and a loving mother-in-law to Heidi Oates and Mary Oates.

Adarah found immense joy in her role as grandmother to Ryan Oates, Tessa Jodar (Oates), Jennifer Mejia (Oates), and...

Jan 14, 2026

Sharon died January 14, 2026, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, at the Community Restorium. Sharon was born on August 8, 1944 in Denver, Colorado. No services are planned at this time.

This brief notice is provided as a place to leave messages or memories. If a full obituary is prepared it will be posted here. 

Jan 9, 2026

Kathleen died January 9, 2026, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, at Kootenai Medical Center. Kathleen was born on October 10, 1963 in Denver, Colorado the daughter of Barton and Sharon Dinning. No services are planned at this time.

This brief notice is provided as a place to leave messages or memories for the family. If a full obituary is prepared it will...

Jan 8, 2026

Lenora L. Gandee, 80, passed away in her home, and went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 8, 2026.

She was born to Leroy and Mary McPeak in Gandy, Nebraska. She married her husband Joseph R. Gandee on June 24, 1970. Lenora loved to cook, garden, and can. She loved her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids.

She is remembered...

Jan 8, 2026

Wendell Laurier Brophy was born on September 23, 1940, in Harvey, North Dakota, to Wilfrid “Doc” Laurier Brophy and Edell Lee Brophy. He passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, at the age of 85.

Wendell graduated from Issaquah High School in 1959 and attended Skagit Valley College before proudly serving in the United States Army. He...

Jan 4, 2026

David Wenk, 59, passed away peacefully on January 4th from a major stroke. Dave was a devoted family man, a faithful Catholic, and a pillar of his community. He was deeply loved by all who knew him and leaves behind a legacy of service, laughter, and an unwavering love for his family and country.

Dave was the Noxious Weed Superintendent for...

Dec 21, 2025

Fern Earlene Follin Miles, beloved mother to five children, age 94, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away on December 21, 2025, leaving a void her family cannot fill.

Fern was born in Sublette, Kansas, on June 1, 1931, to Elsie Alice [Lindeman] Follin and Earl Cottrell Follin, the youngest of five children, all of whom preceded her in death.

At the age...

Dec 17, 2025