Obituary of Vernon E. McLaughlin

Vernon E. McLaughlin (94) lifetime St. Maries resident, died September 28, 2012 at Touch Mark Skilled Nursing Facility in Spokane, WA. He was born September 23, 1918 to Ernest and Hattie (Montandon) McLaughlin at St. Maries, ID. He grew up in St. Maries and graduated from St. Maries High School with the class of 1936. Following graduation, he attended Kinnman Business School in Spokane, WA. He married Eleanor Taskey on July 10, 1938 at St. Maries. During the war years, he worked for a local lumber mill processing lumber used for the construction of "Liberty Ships" for the war effort. After the war years, he went to work in his father's grocery store. He and Eleanor purchased the business in the early 1960's. They built the first supermarket in St. Maries and called it McLaughlin's Thrift which was located where the Grub Box is currently located. They retired in 1977. They enjoyed their home on the St. Joe River. Vern enjoyed keeping up his large yard at his home. He enjoyed hunting and fishing all his life. In his retirement, he enjoyed plowing snow for his neighbors and growing his garden. Vern and Eleanor enjoyed taking many wonderful trips and especially enjoyed fishing and camping in their RV. The couple moved to a Spokane retirement community in 2006. His wife died in 2007. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Vern is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Judy and John Kerrick of Spokane, WA. His grand daughters Jill Kerrick Walker of Portland, OR, Christy Kerrick Malen of Liberty Lake, WA and Leah Kerrick Endres of Palm Springs, CA also surviving are 5 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by infant son Charles and brothers Donald and Charles Mclaughlin. Graveside services will be Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 1100 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery with Deacon Floyd Turner officiating. A gathering of family and friends will follow at the St. Maries Senior Meal Site, 7th and Jefferson. The family suggests memorials to either Hospice of Benewah Co. 702 College Ave., St. Maries, ID 83861 of Hospice of Spokane. Visit his online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.hodgefuneralhome.com Read Vernon McLaughlin's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.