Daniel LeRoy Irving

Daniel LeRoy Irving, 65, of Sandpoint, died Thursday, October 15, 2009 at his home following a short battle with cancer. He was born July 7, 1944 in Phoenix, AZ to Dixie and Marvin Irving and grew up in Oakland, CA. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served 4 years and was a Viet Nam veteran. At 22 he married Mary Ellen Costa. They moved to Pittsburg, CA where they raised their family and lived for 33 years. In 2000 they moved to Sandpoint where he has since resided. Daniel worked as a surveyor until his retirement in 1999. He was the supervisor of surveying crews, where his skills of exactness served perfectly. He loved God, his family, and gardening. He spent hours in his garden, which he said, “was ever changing.” He even planted 58 trees at the family home in Sandpoint to celebrate his wife’s 58th birthday. He is survived by his mother: Dixie Nadine Machado, his great aunt: Mildred Carrier; an uncle: Theron Irving; a sister: Sandra Irving Alamillo; 3 brothers: Tim Irving, Al and Tony Machado; his wife: Mary Ellen Irving, daughter: Dana Scholes; and by 3 grandchildren: Amanda Allen, Katelyn and Kimberly Scholes, and by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Marvin Irving, 1brother, John Michael Irving, 1 daughter Leah Katherine Irving, Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted 11:00AM, Thursday, October 22, 2009 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, with Father Dennis C. Day, officiating.