Stuart James Chaney, 72
Coeur d'Alene resident Stuart James Chaney passed away Thursday evening, November 14, 2013, with his family by his side. Stuart was born August 16, 1941, in Toledo, Ore., to Joseph and Gladys (Krake) Chaney who preceded him in death. He was their fourth born of nine children.
He graduated from Newport (Wash.) High School in 1960. He married his wife Janice (McRae) Chaney here in Coeur d'Alene at the legendary Coeur d'Amour on Feb. 19,1966.
In August 1960 he enlisted in the United States Air Force in Mountain Home, Idaho, serving for four years. Stuart completed his basic training and jet engine mechanics and received an Air Force Good Conduct Medal upon his honorable discharge in 1964. Stuart furthered his education and in 1968, he graduated from the Northrop Institute of Technology in Englewood, Calif., graduating with an Airframe and Powerplant license.
Equipped with an education Stu and Jan moved to the Last Frontier (Alaska) to pursue helicopter mechanics with Era Aviation. While in Alaska, Stuart and Janice started their family. Their eldest daughter Brenda was born in 1973 and their second daughter LeAnn was born in 1976. With a new family they moved back to the "lower 48" so their children could grow up with more family around.
Stuart began work for Dr. Forrest Bird in Sagle, Idaho, maintaining his aircraft and helicopter fleet for about ten years before moving back to Alaska to continue his career with Era Aviation. Era had many opportunities for Stuart to travel and see the world, working in such locations as Canada, China, Croatia and Amsterdam before retiring with the company in 2001 and moving with his wife to Coeur d'Alene. Stuart was also fortunate to travel to Paris, Ireland and London on vacations with his family.
During the past 12 years Stuart led an active retirement, riding his four wheeler, bicycle riding and bowling in several local leagues and scoring three perfect games of 300. He loved to root on the Zags and the Seahawks - GO HAWKS! - and spend time restoring cars, most recently a 1966 Ford Galaxy and a 1955 Ford pickup. He also loved to read and one of his favorite authors was Louis L'Amour.
Stuart also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and did so as often as possible. He was an enthusiastic Grandfather and loved to support each of them, often attending graduation ceremonies, sporting events, band concerts, Isabelle's soccer matches and Mia's gymnastics classes. Stuart was quite the daredevil and took more than one trip with grandchildren to the local Silverwood theme park. When the popular rollercoaster "Aftershock" was opened he was the only one brave enough to give it a whirl.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years Janice Chaney, daughter and son-in-law Brenda and Arvin Romero; daughter and son-in-law LeAnn and Randy; grandchildren, David, Isabelle, Mia, Andy, Erik and Audrey. He is also survived by his siblings, Deloros and Fred Kieffer; Eddie Chaney; Helen and Roger Gleason; Ferol and Bruce Cundiff; Mark and Teresa Chaney; Paul and Laurie Chaney and his many beloved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel and Gathering Center. Please visit Stuart's memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.