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Elden Lee Merrifield
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October 19, 1939 ~ February 12, 2014 |
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February 19, 2014 |
 Elden
Lee Merrifield, 74, of Bonners Ferry, passed
away the evening of Wednesday, February 12,
2014, at Bonner General Hospital in Sandpoint.
Services will be held at11 a.m. Saturday,
February 22,at Trinity Lutheran Church in
Bonners Ferry.
He, along with his twin brother, Ellis, was born
October 19, 1939, to Lynn and Myrtle (Isakson)
Merrifield in Columbus, Montana. His father’s
mechanic job brought the family to a project on
Lake Pend Oreille in 1943.
The Merrifields quickly fell in love with North
Idaho and made their homestead in Paradise
Valley. And so Elden’s long, beautiful life in
Bonners Ferry began.
Elden forged his way into the workforce at age
16 with the Great Northern Railway. Child labor
laws were enacted shortly thereafter, and he
went to work on the Madsen Farm. In 1959, he
worked for Moyie River Lumber. Elden entered
service with the U.S. Navy in 1961, and served
in Vietnam for over four years on the USS
Westchester County.
Upon returning home, he re-entered the workforce
in Bonners Ferry at Georgia Pacific, where he
began his mill career. He worked with a number
of mills in the area until finally settling with
Riley Creek for 42 years to retirement.
Retirement treated Elden quite well. He never
missed a hunting season, always filling his tag,
and never left good firewood behind. Countless
days, rain or shine, were spent on the water
fishing with his children and grandchildren.
Regardless of what others may have said, he
always had the biggest fish. If he wasn’t in the
woods or on the water, you’d be sure to find him
in his shop tinkering away in an effort to
resurrect a tractor, lawnmower, chainsaw ... you
name it, he’d fix it. He had projects in
progress to the very end.
Although Elden stayed busy with his hobbies, his
family and friends were his true life passion.
He was the first to greet a perfect stranger or
long-time loved one with hugs and kisses. If you
ever met Elden, you’ve been blessed with his
“loves." He never held a grudge and never left a
sweet dessert uneaten.
If the grandchildren went for that dessert, he’d
tell them, “Don’t eat that, it’s icky!” followed
by his beloved grin and giggle. His infectious
love for everyone around him even impacted the
nurses who cared for him to the last moment. It
was virtually impossible to avoid being affected
by Elden’s genuine love. Even now, it is
impossible to forget the father, the brother,
the husband, the uncle, the grandpa, the friend,
the sweetest man we ever knew.
Elden shared 47 fabulous years with his loving
and devoted wife, Sharon, who will miss him
dearly. Elden was extremely loving and proud of
his surviving children; Rod (Cathie) Merrifield
of West Olive, Michigan, Curt (Misty) Hadley of
Sandpoint, Randy Merrifield, Patti Nelson, and
Tom (Robin) Merrifield, all of Bonners Ferry.
Numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren,
nieces and nephews held a special place in his
heart. He is also survived by his big sister
Irene Rice and sister-in-law Irma Merrifield,
both of Bonners Ferry.
Elden was preceded in death by both of his
parents, five brothers, and three sisters.
You will always be missed, never forgotten, and
forever in our hearts. We love you.
Family and friends are invited to sign ’s book
at
www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of
Bonners Ferry Funeral Home. |
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