Pomeroy Washington Downtown National Historic District
Pomeroy Washington Downtown National Historic District
LeRoy Franklin Huminsky, 83, of Pomeroy, died Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Avalon Progressive Care in Clarkston. Merchant Funeral Home of Clarkston is in charge of arrangements.
Tom left us on Friday, May 2, 2025. Born on April 23, 1935, Tom was well-known in the Kamiah and Pomeroy areas as he was an incredibly good friend to all and the best of fathers to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Tom was born to Ted and Margret Schuster on April 23, 1935, in Spokane. He was one of seven children growing up and attending school in St. John, until he was in the seventh grade. At that time, his family moved to Clarkston where Tom went to high school and graduated in 1953. He met, dated and then married Joanne Osborn on June 3, 1956, and they lived in the Pomeroy area where he was a farm hand for a large farm. Two children were born there, Mark and Debbie. They bought and moved to a ranch/farm at Kamiah in 1960 on the Beaverslide area. There, a third child, Patty, was added. Tom farmed, ranched and drove log truck to support his family. He also bought a backhoe and a small truck to start his own small excavation business.
Beyond work, Tom and Joanne found Christ in a private Bible study with friends, which changed their lives immensely. They were involved with the American Sunday School Union and through it became part of a Bible Camp ministry as counselors and teachers. The facility they were using, known as Camp O'Hara, for the camping ministry, had to be torn down as it had several incredibly old buildings and was on Forest Service ground. A new location was founded at Harpster where Tom served on the first camp board for the ALACCA Bible Conference. He used his abilities and equipment to help construct the camp from the ground up, including a bridge across the river and many of the buildings you see there today. While farming on the mountains above Kamiah, he would be able to listen to KMBI radio and wanted the whole valley to have access to this station. He and his dear friend Leo Hill contacted Moody Bible Institute as representatives of the ALACCA Board and orchestrated the building of three translator towers. These all are still broadcasting God's message over the Clearwater Valley today.
Tom and Joanne always had many Bible studies in their home and took over the leadership of the Glenwood Sunday School when the founders had to move away up until about 1990. Tom and Joanne sold their farm and bought one in the Fort Misery area outside Kamiah in 1976. They farmed there until 1995 when he sold and moved outside of Pomeroy to a farm, which they still own today. Tom retired from active farming in 2010 and moved to Clarkston in 2018, where he resided until his passing.
A few of Tom's favorite activities were camping in the backwoods and riding four-wheelers. After retirement Tom and Joanne RV-ed to Arizona in the winter for about four years. He loved to talk to people and learn about their lives.
Tom is survived by his wife of nearly 69 years, Joanne; his sister Rosemary Cook, son Mark Schuster (Jo), daughters Debbie Steingraber (Paul), and Patty Johnson (Dan). They have 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Orchards Community Church, 822 Bryden Ave., Lewiston. Friends and family are invited to attend and share a celebration of a remarkable life.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to ALACCA Bible Conference Building Program, 101 China Garden Road, Harpster, ID 83552.
Art historian, author and college professor, Caroline Mae Houser was born in Walla Walla, on Oct. 9, 1934. She was raised on a wheat farm in Pomeroy. She died peacefully in Seattle on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Skyline Retirement Community at the age of 90.
A graduate of Mills College, she went on to complete her Ph.D., at Harvard University, focusing upon the classical Greek sculpture of antiquity. Her doctoral dissertation was rated among the outstanding dissertations in the Fine Arts Journal. It was then published as a book with photographs by David Finn, titled “Greek Monumental Bronze Sculpture of the Fifth and Fourth Centuries B.C.” Subsequently, her catalogue of the exhibition at Harvard's Fogg Art Museum was published: “Dionysos and His Circle: Ancient through Modern.” This flexible and utterly novel approach to the art of antiquity, as it can also be seen to resonate among later modern artists, would serve her teaching well as professor of art at Smith College, where she curated and shared with students, the preparations for a traveling exhibition, “From Myth to Life: Images of Women from classical World,” drawn from the college's excellent art collection.
Caroline leaves a close and loving family, her brother Gary Houser, wife Chris, her two children, Jennifer (Justin) Dixon and their two children, Autumn, and Knox; Richard Tavis (Lora) Gittins and their two children, RJ, and Maverick; nephews Greg and Drew Houser; nieces Kari Engelsvold (Harry) and her two sons, Jordan, and Scott; Kris Thordarson (Eric) and their two daughters, Anna, and Kari; special people from Canada, Seattle, Portland, Walla Walla, Pomeroy and across the East Coast, all of whom she considered family; along with her students, colleagues and friends, like this writer, Susan Kuretsky, who shared her experiences with Caroline, as a Harvard graduate, and made many visits to museums from Athens to Amsterdam.
Caroline was preceded in death by her parents, Alton and Elizabeth Houser, and her sister Mary Houser Caditz.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 24, followed by a meal at the Pataha Flour Mill in Pomeroy.
Vernon J. Wood, 63, of Pomeroy, died Friday, April 18, 2025, at Sacred Heart Medical center in Spokane. Merchant Funeral Home of Clarkston is in charge of arrangements.
Steven J. Landkammer passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at Memory Manor, in Pomeroy. Steve was born the fifth-oldest child of Felix and Dorine (Long) Landkammer on Aug. 23, 1943, in Lewiston.
Steve attended Holy Family Catholic School, graduating from the eighth grade, then graduated from Clarkston High School in 1963. While in high school, Steve enjoyed showing steers at the Asotin County Fair, as well as playing football for Clarkston High School.
Steve went into farming with his father, running it for two years after his dad passed away. Steve stayed on the farm to help his mother until she passed. He then moved into Clarkston Care Center for a while, then into his bunkhouse at Evergreen Estates. Steve moved to Memory Manor in Pomeroy for the last few months of his life.
Steve was preceded in death by his father and mother; brothers: Larry, Neil “Willy,” Philip “Sonny;” sister Esther Jean (stillborn); and brother-in-law Lyle Landkammer.
Steve is survived by his siblings: Wayne (Pat) Landkammer, Judy Landkammer, and Mary (Lee) Cass; many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Saturday May 10, and will include: 1:30 p.m. rosary and 2 p.m. funeral Mass, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Pomeroy, with burial following at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery. A reception at Holy Rosary Catholic School followed the burial.
Donations in Steve's memory may be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Pomeroy or to the Landkammer Catholic School Trust Fund.
Doris M. Johnson passed away peacefully Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Lewiston at the age of 91. She was born Aug. 29, 1933, to Eugene "Gene" and Delma (Dahl) Stewart, in Pomeroy.
She worked as a bookkeeper for many years at Buttrey's in Lewiston, as well as bookkeeper of Morbark of Idaho/Johnson Machinery of Lewiston.
She is survived by her husband, Peter (Pete) Johnson of Lewiston; daughter, Dianne (Steve) of Orofino; daughter, Vickie (Keith) of Yuma, AZ; son, Jerry (late wife Judy) of Lewiston; and sister, Kay of Ohio; grandchildren, Jamie, Stephanie, Mark, Gabrielle, Casey, Krista, Kami and Luke; great-grandchildren, Kobe, Katy, Wade, Trixie-Anne, Peyton, Loudan, Ryder, Louis, Sam, Jasper, Amy, Rory, Carson, Impala and Jackson and great-great grandchildren, Kaden, Zara and Njeri; as well numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by infant daughter, Bonnie Jean; parents; sister, Marion; and brother, Don.
A memorial will follow at a later date.
Our beloved and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully at home with her husband of 57 years, Jim, by her side on April 3, 2025. Colleen lost her short but brave fight against an aggressive cancer.
Colleen was born August 31, 1949 to Albert and Loretta Brain in Roundup, Montana, the younger of two girls. She grew up in the same home that her mother was born and raised in. Colleen graduated from Roundup High School in 1967 and moved to Spokane to attend a key punching school.
Spokane is where she met James (Jim) Ledgerwood, from Pomeroy. They married on August 31, 1968. The young couple soon moved to Pomeroy where they lived and worked on Jim's family ranch. She endured and embraced the challenges of being a farmer and rancher's wife. They began adding to their family when their daughter Janine was born May 14, 1970, soon followed by their sons, Larry born January 10, 1972, and Tracy on November 30, 1974.
As the kids got older, Colleen worked at a couple of local banks as a teller. In August of 1988, she was hired as the deputy assessor for Garfield County. She later assumed the role of assessor until she retired December 31, 2011.
Colleen is survived by her husband Jim, sons, Larry and wife Sherrie, Tracy and wife Amy both of Pomeroy, grandchildren, Logan Ledgerwood of Athol, Idaho, Colby Ledgerwood of Pomeroy, Mercedes Macomber of Pomeroy, Jessica and husband Ollie Hurley, great grandchildren Paige and Dillon Hurley of Pomeroy, sister Kathleen and husband Bob Glumbik of Show Low, Arizona, and more extended family.
Colleen is preceded in death by her parents Albert and Loretta Brain, daughter Janine (1970- 1987), and grandson Kai Ledgerwood (1995-2013).
A celebration of life is scheduled for Friday April 18, 2025, at 3 p.m. at Spinners' Maple Hall in Pomeroy. She will be laid to rest beside Janine and Kai at 1 p.m. at the Pomeroy Catholic Cemetery, with friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to donate to an organization or non-profit of your choice.
Sandra Niebel, 72, of Pomeroy, died Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at Garfield County Hospital in Pomeroy. Merchant Funeral Home of Clarkston is in charge of arrangements.
Larry Harold Reyerson, age 80, of Pomeroy passed away at his home on March 27, 2025. He was born on October 22, 1944, in Spokane to Vera and Harold Reyerson. Larry had been a resident of Pomeroy for the past 15 years.
He attended Rogers High School in Spokane, where he was a talented athlete and was the 1963 Bi-District and Spokane City League high jump champion. He held the high jump record of 6 ft 3" for several years.
As a teen, summers were often spent working on his grandfather's family farm in North Dakota, reflecting his strong family ties. Larry also enjoyed spending weekends at Priest Lake with good friends and family, often going boating, skiing, swimming, and barbecuing.
In the mid '60s he was half owner of The Silver Pheasant bar on Division St in Spokane
In 1969, he married Susan Pawlik of Pomeroy and through the years they welcomed two daughters and two sons. Susan and Larry were divorced in 1983.
Larry had a love for music which was a constant throughout his life. From a young age, he played his own trumpet and later shared his musical talents as the leader of his band, The Midnight Oil. Another of his favorite pastimes was fishing.
Larry worked in advertising for several newspapers, including the Grant County Journal in Ephrata, the Tri-City Herald in the Tri-Cities, and ultimately retired from the Walla Walla Union Bulletin.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, Harold Reyerson; his mother, Vera Reyerson; his elder sister, Anita Nelson; and his younger sister, Arlie Robinson.
He is survived by his children, Amy (Kevin) Spears of College Place, Bridget Hernandez of Spokane, Joel Reyerson of Pomeroy, and Nick Reyerson of Spokane; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
A celebration of life to honor Larry will be held in Spokane with details to be announced at a later date.
Dale Allen Schneider, 71, of Pomeroy, died Monday, March 3, 2025, at TriState Health in Clarkston. Merchant Funeral Home of Clarkston is in charge of arrangements.
Eric Leon Wommack passed from this life in a fatal traffic accident on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. He was 63 years old. Eric was born in Pomeroy, on Aug. 30, 1961, to Willis Wommack and Margaret Flaten.
Eric graduated from Pomeroy High School in 1980, and enlisted immediately in the United States Army. He served in the Army for more than 20 years. He attended Grantham University in Missouri where he received a multi-disciplinary associate of arts degree. Eric's tours of duty included Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq. Eric was proud of his service to his country, loved his family, and moved home to Pomeroy in 2019. At the time of his death, Eric was employed by the Bonneville Power Administration as heavy equipment mobile mechanic.
Eric is survived by his wife, Allie Wommack; his sons Mitchell and Morgan Wommack; his stepdaughters, Katie McNeely and Shelbie Harris; grandchildren Amelia and Hadley McNeely; his brother, Steve Wommack; and his sister, Jodene Wommack. He was preceded in death by his father, Willis Wommack and his mother, Margaret Flaten.
A celebration of life was held Saturday, March 15, at the Pomeroy Church of the Nazarene, 135 S. Ninth St., Pomeroy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial tributes be directed to Eric's funeral fund to assist with expenses.
Lynn Rena (Griffin) Shawley, 76, went home to the Lord on January 22, 2025 after fighting brain cancer.
Lynn was born December 29,1948, daughter of Bill and Opal Griffin. She was raised in Pomeroy and was a 1967 graduate of Pomeroy High School. She married her sweetheart Jim Shawley July 3,1967. They moved to Jim's family farm where they farmed for over 40 years while raising their two sons Derek and Deron.
In 1989 she became the school secretary at Pomeroy Elementary School until her retirement in the spring of 2014. She made long-lasting friendships, from staff to children and had so many near to her heart as she watched them grow. Lynn enjoyed being involved with many groups and clubs including the Episcopal church, Jaycees, FFA, and The Jr Miss program where she and Jim traveled to the pageants to be judges for many years. She enjoyed her friends and was a part of The Pin Wheelers and gave us many smiles and laughs with their fun involvement in parades and community events. Lynn had a talent and love for quilting. When she had free time she would help at Rather B's quilt shop and enjoyed making quilts for family members that will be cherished for years.
Lynn is proceeded in death by her husband Jim Shawley, parents Opal and Bill Griffin, brother Jimmy Griffin, and granddaughter Makayla Miller.
She is survived by her two sons Derek (Tracie) Shawley, and Deron (Nicole) Shawley, her grandchildren Cheyenne (Clayton) King, Lane Shawley, Charles Shawley, and William Shawley. Greatgrandchildren Casey, Lucas and Morgan King, brother Rodney Griffin, sister in laws Debbie Griffin and Karen Price, brother in law Richard Shawley, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers/plants a memorial to honor Lynn Shawley to Pomeroy Elementary School; helping to create an outdoor learning space in the playground shelter area. Please send donations to Pomeroy School District Attn: Lori Flynn PO Box 950, Pomeroy, WA 99347
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Pomeroy WA 99347
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