A Proper Send-Off

Jack and Colleen Filipowski's cow herd was the main attraction during a luncheon held in the barn for our neighbor Eva May Whitehead's family yesterday. 

Eva would be quietly and humbly pleased to see the turnout at her graveside ceremony at Pack River Cemetery.  

She would also be happy to know that, in her absence, cemetery board members are doing their best to keep up with much of the work Eva often did by herself.  

The cemetery was beautiful for her Methodist service, including a newly painted building at the entrance and nicely groomed lawn all around the graves.

Above:  Eva's sister Mary and one of Eva's nieces. 

Below:  the house where Eva lived for 92 of her 93 years. 

 

Eva worked hard and long, giving of herself to the community where she grew up, spent her teaching career and devoted endless hours to her church, the local museum and the cemetery. 

A full life, well-lived, received a proper, warm and impressive send-off. 

RIP, Eva May.

There was a lot of local living history still walking around at Eva's service yesterday, and today it seems appropriate to share some from yesteryear, compiled by the Bonner County Historical Society. 

 July 6, 2025 1:00 AM

Brought to you by the

Bonner County Historical

Society and Museum

611 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864

208-263-2344

50 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

and Sandpoint Bee

July 6, 1975 – TOO MANY KOKANEE

Kokanee fishing on Lake Pend Oreille turned out to be too good for two area men and two youngsters handlining for the small landlocked salmon. The men were cited earlier this month by Idaho Fish and Game Department conservation officers for having 594 kokanee in their possession while fishing on the lake, amounting to 454 kokanee over the combined limit for the four. The four were reported to have been fishing only about two-and-a-half hours. 

•••

WILL REPRESENT BONNER COUNTY

At least four Bonner County youths will represent this area in the Idaho State 4-H horse judging contest July 22 in Moscow. 

Laurie Tibbs, Cathy Russell, Bert Wood and Cindy Finney were the four who placed highest in a contest consisting of judging four classes and reporting two sets of oral reasons. 

The competition, held at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, involved 70 4-H youths. 

A second team, consisting of Barbara Tibbs, Leonard Wood, Kim Lewis and Debbie Downen was also selected, with the possibility that both teams might go to the state competition.

•••

NEW FENCE AT COMMUNITY HALL

A new fence has been constructed at Sandpoint Community Hall and the Chamber of Commerce Office with materials donated by LPP Fencing, owned by Dell Brown and Duane Ward. The lodge pole pine fence was built by Parks Superintendent Bob Linsday, with workers in the CETA program. 

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

July 6, 1950 – KIDDIE PARADE CHEERED

The kiddies’ bicycle and pet parade in the Fourth of July celebration drew a large crowd Monday. Winning prizes for the best decorated bicycles were Linda DeWitz, Patricia Kwatz and Sally Miller. Marilyn Kincaid had the best decorated doll buggy and Carol Kiebert had the most “children.” 

Robert DeGroot had the dog with the most spots; Bobbie Hall owned the dogs with both the longest and shortest tails and also had the best costumed dog. The best-cared-for dog was owned by Dickey Rheinschmidt; Michael Balch had the biggest dog and Carol Powell, the smallest. 

The most unusual entry was the coyote belonging to Barbara Palmer. Betsy Oyen, Gary Girken, Royce Drinkard, Carol McFarland and Dick Parsons won prizes for the largest rabbit, the biggest turtle, the best displayed fish, the best pony and the cleverest display of small animals, respectively. 

Judy Jackson and Sharon Wilkenson won prizes in the cat division and Wayne Meredith, Dena McFarland and Dick Ebbernite won prizes for birds. 

Prizes for unusual costumes went to Nancy Walker, Betty McArthur, Wynona Meredith, Glen Kinkaid, Catherine Nesbitt, Ronale Selle, Penny Goodwin, Kay and Carol Carlson, Curtis Abbott, Terry Goodwin, Karen Anderson, Margaret Forgey, Janice Forgey, Stephen Spealman, Sandra Spealman and Karen Forgey. 

  

For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org. 

A couple of Pack River Cemetery board members (Tom and Liz) are standing in this photo, along with a young lady of 86 named Terri who comes regularly and waters a display at the cemetery. Plus, there's my hubby Bill and Jennifer from the Sandpoint High Class of '76. 

Eva's service definitely brought on some good visiting among locals and family members. 

Above:  Hazel Perks Sutton and Marilyn Brown Ward from the Sandpoint High Class of 1963 at Eva's service. 

Below:  Gwen, who's 96 and still volunteers every week at the Bonner Community Food Bank, and Alice whose musical talents are impressive. 

Somebody attending Eva's service had a nice collection of rubber duckies sitting in the windshield of their car.

 

This video is just is pretty neat.  

Leave it to the Irish.

Happy Sunday