Paul Jean Isbell, 78

Paul Jean Isbell, 78, of Lewiston, ID passed away Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014.

He was born Feb. 26, 1935, in Denver, Colo., to Jack Isbell and Lottie Hedrick. At a young age his family moved to the Trentwood/Hauser Lake, ID area. He graduated from Rathdrum (ID) High School in 1953. After graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Norma Myers, on July 23, 1954, in Coeur d’Alene. They lived and raised their family in Rathdrum.

Paul started his career with Burlington Northern Railroad in Spokane right after high school, and performed many duties there before becoming an engineer. He transferred to Lewiston in 1986 and continued to work as a railroad engineer until his retirement in 1996.

Paul's family meant the world to him. In the summer months he would take his children or grandchildren fishing and camping, and in the fall he would hunt with his sons and grandsons. He and Norma would go to Arizona and Mexico with friends in the winter.

Paul leaves behind his wife, Norma, of Lewiston; his sons: Joel (wife, Lee) of Rathdrum, Byron (friend, Shirley Bentz) of Rathdrum, and Ronald (wife, Kathy) of Hauser Lake; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and one deceased; brother, Jim, of Rathdrum; sister, Irene Thol (husband John), of Moscow; and sister-in-law, Marlene Kinzel.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Rathdrum Lions Club, 16114 N. Meyer Road, Rathdrum. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Elite Home Health and Hospice, P.O. Box 736, Clarkston, Wash., 99403.