John Robert Killen

John Robert Killen passed away suddenly and painlessly at his home in Ponderay on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at the age of 74. John is dearly remembered by his wife of 50 years, Olive M. Killen, his two daughters, Heather Killen and her husband Eric Shepard of Silver Spring, Maryland and April Lecours and her husband Dan Lecours of Billerica, Massachusetts, by his three grandchildren, Emma Shepard, Jace Lecours, and Ayla Lecours, and by his extended family and many friends. John is preceded in death by his parents Robert Killen and Evelyn Palm Killen Doyle, as well as by his stepfather LTC Walter Doyle. John was born on May 17, 1940 in Oceanside California, and grew up all over the world, spending time in Alaska and graduating from Yokohama High School in Japan in 1958. John received a Master’s degree in teaching from the University of Southern California in 1969. He married Ollie (nee Bovill) in June of 1964. John taught public school for many years in California, Hawai'i and Florida before deciding to make a career change. John had traveled through Northern Idaho in 1958 was deeply impressed by it. He remembered the area when he and Ollie were looking for a place to start a log home construction business, and moved to Sandpoint with his young family in 1976. The first log home John built was his own, along Hwy 95 north of Sandpoint. Here he lived and operated his business, The Log House. John built many log homes around the area and expanded the business to include selling and installing wood and pellet stores. His personal service and dedication to a job done well enabled him to grow a successful business in the Sandpoint community for over 25 years. John enjoyed traveling, reading, boating on Lake Pend Oreille and being in the mountains. His ashes will be laid to rest in the Bovill family plot at Union Dale Cemetery in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania at a later date. To honor John's memory the family recommends a donation to the Bonner Community Food Bank, 1707 Culvers Drive, Sandpoint Idaho, 83864. 208-263-3663. Online at: http://foodbank83864.com/