John Henry Daniel

John Henry Daniel, 90 John Henry Daniel, 90, of Sandpoint, Idaho, passed away on September 10, 2011 at the Life Care Center in Sandpoint, Idaho. John was born in Decatur, Illinois, to Jesse and Sarah (Barthelemy) Daniel, on December 7, 1920, the fourth of five sons. He lived with his parents and 4 brothers on the prairie in northeastern Montana where their family homesteaded for 11 years. They moved from Montana to Idaho in 1934, where they built a home thirteen miles north of Bonners Ferry. John attended schools in Theony, Montana and Copeland, Idaho. Shortly after his 21st birthday, also the date Pearl Harbor was attacked, December 7, 1941, John enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served overseas in the Pacific Theater and during this period of service, was awarded the Silver Star Medal for Valor. Soon after returning from overseas on August 18, 1944, John married Larena Holmes, a long-time neighbor, friend and sweetheart. They traveled to Palatka, Florida where John was assigned to complete his service with the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged on October 5, 1945. Their first daughter was born about this time. John found work and they remained in Florida for a time, before returning home to Bonners Ferry, Idaho in 1946. After returning to Bonners Ferry, John worked for Cook’s Battery and Electric, and another daughter and a son were added to the family during the next 4 years. In the spring of 1951the family moved to property along Iron Creek near Troy, Montana and built their home. The fourth and last child, a daughter, joined the family during these early years in Troy. John was employed by St. Regis Lumber Co. in Troy, between 1953 and 1974. John also enjoyed farming his land and John and Larena kept busy taking care of cows, chickens, horses, gardens as well as raising four children. In 1974, John transferred to the St. Regis Retail Store in Libby, Montana and n May of 1975, John and Larena, sold their home near Troy and bought a place south of Libby along Granite Creek. Upon retirement in 1983, John and Larena became snowbirds for the next 10 years, traveling to Arizona each fall with their fifth wheel to spend the winters. They returned home in the spring to spend summers. John & Larena thoroughly enjoyed these years of freedom they had never had before. In 1990, John and Larena sold their home in Libby and moved into a home on their youngest daughter and son-in-law’s home near Sandpoint. They continued their trips to Arizona until 1994, and then settled into life in their home in the country. John enjoyed helping care for the horses and anything else he could find to do to help and keep himself busy. He and Larena always had a beautiful lawn and flowers. John’s life changed drastically when he started losing his sight due to macular degeneration. Although he could no longer see very well, he didn’t let it stop him from feeding and tending the horses, walking to the mailbox twice a day to retrieve the daily paper and mail from the boxes. John continued to do this almost daily until a very short time ago, with his cat Cougar walking along with him. John was a member of a group of people we call “the Greatest Generation”, who worked hard for everything he had and willingly fought for his country. John was a devoted and loving husband to Larena for 67 years and a gentle, caring father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who loved his family and friends. He will be remembered by those who knew him best for his ever-present smile, quick wit, and sense of humor. He was a wonderful example to all of us and will be missed. John was preceded in his death by his parents, Jesse and Sarah Daniel, and his 4 brothers, Russell, David, Donald, and Dean Daniel. He is survived by his wife, Larena Daniel, their four children, Elizabeth (Jim Deaton) Daniel of Mosier, Oregon, Donna (Larry) Sterling of Meridian, Idaho, John (Barbara) Daniel of Troy, Montana, and Nancy (Jerry) Johnson of Sandpoint; as well as 10 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren, several sister and brother-in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews. A Graveside Service is scheduled for Saturday, September 17th, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. P.S.T, at Grandview Cemetery in Bonners Ferry.