Charles Edward Maines, 68

Charlie was born Jan. 20, 1942, in Spokane, Wash., to Paul and Mable (Brown) Hildreth. When he was a very young boy, he came to Priest River to live with his grandparents, Earnest and Roberta Brown. He fondly recalled the years spent on their ranch as the best of his childhood. His grandparents showered him with love and from them he learned valuable lessons that shaped his character. In 1948 his mother married Dudley Maines, who adopted Charlie and his sister, Ruth.

Charlie was a letterman in high school football, basketball and track. He was a member of the State Championship track team in May 1960.

Charlie graduated from Priest River High School in 1960. That fall he went to Lewis-Clark State College. When funds ran out, he worked at local mills. One winter he worked construction in Southern California. In 1964 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves. He remained active in the reserves until the early '70s when he was honorably discharged.

In 1965 he graduated from North Idaho College with his A.A. Early that summer, he asked a friend to introduce him to the girl who worked at the local bakery. That meeting would change the course of both of their lives forever. By October Charlie and Lynn were engaged. On Jan. 28, 1966, Charlie married Lynn Ahern at the Presbyterian Church in Sandpoint. He accepted his first teaching position that winter in Headquarters. In the spring they moved to Horseshoe Bend where Charlie coached and taught. In January 1967, they moved to Boise to be closer to college. In the fall of 1967 they moved to Coeur d'Alene where Charlie taught, coached and attended Whitworth College nights and summers.

In August 1968, they welcomed their first child, Justin. Charlie, being a lifelong athlete, decided to referee football and basketball. He became a Tier 1 official in both sports, and was selected to referee many regional and state championship games in both sports. In 1989 he received the National Federation Award for the state of Idaho as Outstanding Basketball Official.

In 1970, Charlie graduated with his B.A. from Whitworth College.

In April 1972 they welcomed their second child, Liz. In 1975 Charlie graduated from Whitworth with his master's in educational administration. In 1977, he accepted a position as principal of Priest River Elementary where he remained until he retired 20 years later in 1997. That year he was awarded a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Education from the state of Idaho. In 1998 he was inducted into the North Idaho Official's Association Hall of Fame. After retiring, he worked as a Mental Health Counselor for Pend Oreille County.

Throughout his life Charlie's greatest love was his family. He was a rugged outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking, backpacking and water sports. He had a deep love for nature and for the Newfoundland and Cairn Terrier dogs they raised and trained. He sadly left behind his beloved Lab, Nickie and his Irish Terrier, Clancy.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, at Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Priest River.

Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Newport, Wash., is in charge of arrangements. Friends and family are invited to sign the guest book at sherman-knapp.com.