Gene Michael

Gene Michael, 91, passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho on Friday, June 15, 2007. Memorial services will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, June 30, 2007 at Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel, 109 N. Division Ave., in Sandpoint, Idaho. Pastor Jon Pomeroy, First Church of God, will officiate. Inurnment will be in Pinecrest Memorial Park. Gene was born in Coldwater, Kansas on January 25, 1916 the son of George and Iris Michael. He graduated from high school in Garfield, Kansas in 1934 and then moved to Sandpoint, Idaho. As a young man he worked with the CCC’s in the Coeur d’ Alene area, helping build the Pritchard Camp and the Cataldo Camp in the 4th of July Canyon. He also worked in the woods near Sandpoint. In 1939 he married Betty Henderson and they had 2 sons, Leroy and Gary. He served his apprenticeship with Joe and Al’s Body Shop and from 1942 until 1949 was the body shop manager for Nelson Chevrolet in Seattle, Washington. After returning to Sandpoint he was the body shop manager for Brown Buick in Sandpoint until 1954. On Jan 1, 1963 he and Mary Wilson were married, continuing to live in Sandpoint. Gene was associated with Sandpoint Motors, as the manager of the body shop, and continued with Taylor Parker Motors until his retirement in 1982. Following retirement he drove cars for the dealership on “dealer trades” and spent many hours “helping the girls at Taylor Parker file.” Gene was a life member of BPOE #1376, and is a Past President of the Sandpoint Lions Club. He enjoyed golf and played in the Thursday Night Men’s League and had served as secretary for the organization. He is survived by his son LeRoy “Pete” Michael of Cincinnati, OH; 3 daughters Linda Myhre of Spokane, WA; Mrs. Ron “Elizabeth” Cox of Sandpoint, ID; and Mrs. Ken “Wanda Sue” Light of Pocatello, ID. 4 granddaughters Shahna Smith of Sandpoint, ID; Mrs. Bill “Lynn” Reese of Middleton, ID; and Robin (and Roger) Evans of Idaho Falls, ID; Jenni (Bill) Blair of Pullman, Wa. 4 great granddaughters Abby and Brittany Reese of Middleton, ID.; Jescelyn and Jamee Evans of Idaho Falls, ID. 2 great grandsons Owen Blair of Pullman, WA. and Hunter Reese of Middleton, ID. His sister Mrs. Jack “Irene (Micki)” Wieber of Coeur d’Alene, ID and 2 brothers Melvin (and Lois) Michael of DesMoines, WA; and Keith (and Marilyn) Michael of Kent, WA. and his nephew Mike Winslow of Sandpoint, ID. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Gary, and his wife Mary.