Obituary of Donald L. Heustis

Donald L. "Bunyan" Heustis (88) resident of St. Maries, ID, died October 7, 2014 at Benewah Comm. Hospital. He was born November 19, 1925 to Charles and Ruth (Fowler) Heustis at Westville, OK He moved to Idaho in 1935 with his four brothers and three sisters. Don grew up in Deary, ID. Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944. He served aboard the U.S.S. Tucson, an anti –aircraft cruiser, in the South Pacific. He was involved in several combat missions against Japanese forces while aboard his ship. Don was honorably discharged in 1946. Don met his wife Nancy Pisano while he was stationed at Treasure Island Naval Station in San Francisco, CA. They were married there on New Years Eve in 1945 before he went on board his ship. Following the war, in 1946, Don and Nancy made their home in Deary, ID where he went to work for Potlatch Corp. in the logging industry. Don began his career as a logger. He worked his way up to foreman before being promoted to Production Supervisor in 1978. Don retired after 40 years of service from Potlatch with a well known and respected CB handle of "Bunyan" in 1986. Don was awarded "Logger of the Year" at the Northern Units Logging Convention. He returned in the summer months in the engineering department designing road systems. Don's wife Nancy died in 2004. Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing horseshoes , and croquet with his brothers as well as participating in the Paul Bunyan Days logging events. He loved county western gospel music.. Don was a talented man who would have liked to become a painter of scenic Northern Idaho pictures. Don had a lot to be proud of in his life. He will be remembered for the love and devotion he gave to his family members during critical periods of illness. Don had a devout faith and always wanted to serve on a mission where he could make a difference in the lives of children or families with desperate conditions. Don was a longtime member of VFW Post 3913 of Kendrick, ID. Don is survived by his daughter Lynda Heustis of St. Maries. His brothers and sister-in-laws Vernon and Shirley Heustis and Kenneth and Pauly Heustis all of Clarkston, WA, his sister and brother-in-law Lillian and Frank Griffin of Bovill, ID, sister-in-law Dorothy Heustis and ex-sister-in-law Margie Heustis both of Deary, ID and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter Dawn Heustis in 2011, brothers Oliver and Chet Heustis and sisters Oleta Pointon and Lucille McGraw. Graveside services will be Monday, October 13, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Pinecrest Cemetery, Deary, ID where he will be laid to rest next to his wife Nancy. A potluck covered dish lunch will follow services at noon at the Deary Community Hall. Cards and flowers may be sent to Hodge Funeral Home, 138 S. 8th St. Maries, ID and you can visit his online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.hodgefuneralhome.com. Read Donald Heustis's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.