Obituary of Lewis L. Berkshire

Lewis L. Berkshire (92) a St. Maries area resident for 42 years, died July 15, 2011 at the family home in St. Joe City, ID. He was born at Atchison County, Missouri to Clifford and Effie (Quilllin) Berkshire on January 11, 1919. His earlier years were spent in Nebraska, Iowa and Wyoming where his dad was a farmer. When he was 16 years old, Lewis came to work at the CCC camp at Heyburn, ID which is now Heyburn State Park. The family had moved to Sandpoint, ID so he went to work as a logger, later moving to the mining towns of Wallace and Mullan, ID He worked there from 1941 to 1944. During this time, he helped build Farragut Naval Base. He met and Married Mae Phelan in 1941 before leaving for the military. He served in the U.S. Army in Leyte, Phillipines building the Tacloban Air Strip with the 46th Engineers. Immediately after the liberation of Manila from the Japanese, D-Day+ 1, the 46th Engineers started building General MacArthurs quarters. From there, he was sent to Osaka, Japan and mustered out in Sendai, Japan. He re-enlisted in the Regular Army as a permanent Master Sergeant before returning to Ft. Lewis, WA where he was honorably discharged in 1947. He and is wife divorced. After the service he met and married Marie Elwood Hoskins in 1950. The family then moved to Port Orchard, WA. Lewis was employed at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard as a Marine Machinist. He worked there 18 years before moving to Calder, ID in 1968 where he worked at the Calder Cedar Mill. During the next few years, He worked at various logging operations before finally retiring form the St. Maries School Dist. As the schools custodian. Lewis and his wife Marie were "Snowbirds" to Quartzsite, AZ for 6 years during which time they worked with the Volunteers for Christ Organization, helping build church's. The last church Lewis was able to work on was the Lighthouse Baptist Church here in St. Maries. His love for carpentry would find him in his shop creating things. Although being out doors when weather permitted, he could be found on his tractor, his second love. Retiring to St. Joe City on the Shadowy St. Joe with Marie was his greatest pleasure. He was often seen chatting with neighbors and friends and helping out where ever he could as he knew no stranger. Lewis had a loving, giving spirit, which came from his faith , as he set the example for the willingness to serve others, another one of his greatest gifts to us all. His wife Marie, died on this past July 6th. He is survived by Son's Richard Berkshire of Freeland, WA and Clifford Berkshire of Everett, WA, his daughers Pauline Wade of Longview, WA, Sharon Howard of Absarokee, MT and Sandra Clifford of Spokane Valley, WA. Lewis is also survived by 17 grandchidren, 19 great grandchidren and 7 great great grandchidren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by daughter Betty Carter, Brothers V.L and V. C. Berkshire and sister Helen Hoffine. A celebration of his life and that of his wife Marie will be held jointly on Saturday July 30, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lighthouse Baptist Church with Pastor Larry Stogsdill officiating. A potluck reception will be held for family and friends at the family home at St. Joe City following the services The family suggests memorials to either Hospice of Benewah Co. 702 College Ave, St. Maries or the Hands of Help Orphanage 1012 S. 3rd St. , Watertown, WI 53094. Visit his online memorial and sign his guest book at www.hodgefuneralhome.com Read Lewis Berkshire's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.