Deane Smith, 81

Deane Smith was born Nov. 2, 1942, in Missoula, Mont., to Claude and Ruth Smith, who were sharecroppers. He was the fourth of five children and grew up in Stevensville, Mont. They farmed the land with draft horses, worked in the vegetable garden and broke horses.

He served two years in the Army in Korea, driving ammunition trucks and then a jeep for officers. When he returned home, he ended up working at a dairy farm and married Sunny, one of the farmer's daughters. They had three girls, Lisa, Salina and Laci, and they had been married for 12 years. They lived in St. Regis, Missoula, and eventually Spokane. In 1977, Deane moved to Post Falls and was married to Bev for 14 years. They had 5 acres where he had horses and cows and grew alfalfa to feed them. He went to work for the Post Falls Highway District in 1984 and retired from there in 2004. Deane married Nancy in 1996 and moved into their current home in Rathdrum. His favorite pastime was working in his yard and visiting with his neighbors.

Deane went to be with his Lord and Savior on Aug. 31. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Jerry and Frank. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, three daughters, three stepsons, Jason, Danny, and Andy, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his sister, Gracie, and brother Allan, as well as his dear neighbors and friends.

A memorial service will be held Sept. 21, 11 a.m., at the English Funeral Chapel, 1700 N. Spokane Str. in Post Falls, Idaho. Please view and sign Deane's online guestbook at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.