Spokesman Classifieds

LARSON, Max Allen (Age 82) Passed away April 16, 2024 Neptune Society, Spokane, WA MALLICOAT, John Edwin Sr. (Age 87) Passed away April 22, 2024 Neptune Society, Spokane, WA MARTIN, Nicholas R. (Age 60) Passed away April 21, 2024 Hennessey Funeral Home & Crematory, Spokane, WA SCRIMPSHER, Gavin W. (Age 20) Passed away April 18, 2024 Spokane Cremation & Funeral Service, Spokane, WA THIBAULT, Shawn (Age 51) Passed away April 24, 2024 Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, ID WOLFF, William H. Sr. (Age 81) Passed away April 19, 2024 Spokane Cremation & Funeral Service, Spokane, WA Death Notices are published as a complimentary service of The Spokesman-Review. Look to the following obituaries or call the funeral home for further details.

February 10, 1930 - April 20, 2024 Spokane — Arlie Houck of Spokane, WA, passed away April 20, 2024. He was born to Elmer and Elsie Houck on February 10, 1930, near Harrington, WA. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Iris; son, Jason (Tonya); grandchildren, Joshua and Megan Houck; and a special niece, Colleen (Dan) Austin. He graduated from Harrington High School and attended Washington State University for two years. He served in the Army for two years, where he met and married Iris, before returning to work the family farm for the next 54 years. He served as Rainbow Dad, Patron of Bright Hope Chapter, Master of Masonic Laurel Lodge, and was a member of El Katif Shrine. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, and the many travels throughout the world with Iris. Arlie was preceded in death by a brother, Claire, and his parents. Memorials may be given to Shriners' Hospital or United Gospel Mission. There will be a memorial service at Strate Funeral Home in Davenport, WA, on Friday, May 3, at 2:00 p.m.

Liberty Lake — Ronna was born in Spokane, Washington, in 1952 to Robert Gilbert and Sharon Hadden. She attended Ferris High School and worked as a medical transcriptionist, eventually running her own transcription business. Her husband, Kim, met the love of his life at Sacred Heart Hospital, where Ronna worked. They were excited to be married and were united at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Spokane Valley, Washington, in 1980. They were blessed the next year with the first of their children, Jess. The next year followed with the birth of their beautiful daughter, Chelsey. Ronna’s children were her pride and joy. She loved the rain and taught them not to be afraid when the skies opened, and thunder and lightning struck. She gave love and affection unconditionally and snuggled with both long after they were too big to crawl up on her lap in her chair. She gave gentle head scratches and said “It’s alright sweetie.” She loved watching her kids do their thing, from band and theatre to football and basketball. Her head was hidden in her hands when the score was too close. Ronna was known as the “crazy cat lady”. She adored her three cats at home and her “granddogs” when they could visit. She loved all animals and would take in strays from time to time, eventually finding their owners. She enjoyed traveling when she was young and healthy and family reunions and camping filled her cup. She was an avid reader and collector of big shiny rings and loud bangle bracelets. She loved Gonzaga basketball and rarely missed the opportunity to watch the game on TV with her husband. She had a beautiful smile and a loud, unforgettable laugh shared readily and often with friends and loved ones. Ronna, beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend lost her battle with pneumonia on March 7 while being treated at North Idaho Advanced Care Hospital in Post Falls, Idaho. She left to meet the Lord with her family and friends at her bedside, leaving a void that nothing can fill. Ronna was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Gilbert and Sharon Hadden; and her brothers, Lynn Gilbert of Seattle and Rex Gilbert of Spokane. She is survived by her husband, Kim Thomas; her children, Jess Thomas and Chelsey Thomas; her brothers, Jody Spurgeon of Medical Lake, Lyle Gilbert of Spokane Valley, Rory Spurgeon of Rockford; and brothers-in-law, Barry Thomas and Louis Allard of Spokane Valley; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A private life celebration will be held by the family. Any donations in Ronna‘s name can be made to partnersforpets.org.

(Age 82) On March 25th, 2024, we said goodbye to our beloved sister, aunty, teacher, friend, and associate: Janice Louise Franz. She meant so much to so many and, it is likely, her passing will create a void in our community that will be felt for years to come. Jan started teaching in 1966 and spent most of her career at Opportunity Elementary School in the Central Valley School District. She was proud to wear those Panda colors, but you can bet, under that Opportunity swag, there was a thick layer of Crimson and Gray. She loved each and every student who sat in her classroom over the several decades of her career. After Janice passed, her family found a bureau, in the attic, packed full of heartfelt letters and notes from many of the parents and students she served. Common to most of these communications were the words Fun, Love, and Patience. Janice was a professional and the mark of the best teachers is a well-designed lesson plan. Some of us remember Jan designing these plans, in the hot summer, beneath a thin layer of Cocoa Butter or, when cool breezes were blowing across Loon Lake, from the shelter of her screened-in cabin porch. Jan was a master of these lesson plans. The trick is to get the kids to engage, and feel a sense of excitement, anticipation, and curiosity. Carefully executed, a good lesson plan can make learning happen while the students least expect it. Of course, every master must have a masterpiece and Jan was no exception. Jan’s masterpiece was her life. She taught all of us so many important things, even when we least expected that she was teaching. She showed us, for example, that the Butterfly Effect is real and that little acts of love, caring, and generosity can flow through society and expand in force, exponentially, as they spread across the world. She did this time and again, on her own and through St. Luke’s Lutheran Church or as an active member of the PEO Sisterhood. Jan lived her faith and was prayerful, but she consistently helped God answer those prayers by turning them into actions. Jan taught her final lesson while under the palliative care of the wonderful staff at Sacred Heart Hospital. There she proved to us that the strongest, most enduring hearts are not built in the gymnasium but through the consistent and rigorous exercise of compassion. Janice is survived by her loving brother, Marvin Franz (Carol); niece, Lori Kaye; nephew, Scott Franz (Gale); Shawn & Randy Woodard; Gwenn & Bill Baer; and numerous cousins and second cousins across the Spokane-Cheney area. Please join us for a graveside memorial service at Spokane Memorial Gardens, 5909 Cheney – Spokane Road, on April 17th at 11:00 a.m.