The Challis Messenger

Barbara Helm, 95, of Challis, passed away peacefully at her home on July 19, 2022. Barbara was born on September 18, 1926 in St. Anthony, Idaho to Reese and Essie (Secrist) Howell. She was one of seven children. Mom grew up during the Great Depression and learned responsibility at an early age. She would be home taking care of her brothers and sisters while her mom and dad worked at the juvenile detention facility in St. Anthony. She loved to swim in the ice-cold waters of the Henry's Fork of the Snake River in view of her favorite mountain range, the Tetons. After her Junior year of high school, the family moved to Blackfoot where they operated a family-owned grocery store, Howell Grocery....

Barbara A. Bell, Hocking, Chaffin, 93 year old Blackfoot resident, died on Friday, July 8, 2022, at her home from congestive heart failure. She was born Easter Sunday, March 31, 1929, in White River Junction, Vermont, the daughter of David E. Bell and Stella L. Bacon Bell. She lived in New Hampshire until around age 3. Her father moved to Stanley, Idaho, earlier to start a new life for his family. Later, Stella and little Barbara left New Hampshire driving to the West. What a long road trip for them to make across the United States. They reached Stanley where Dave was waiting for them. She grew up in mining camps and attended schools in Stanley, Clayton, and Mackay. She graduated from...

William Neal Hammond was born November 17th, 1949 in Ontario Oregon to Harold and Beverly Hammond. William passed away July 7th, 2022 in Stanley Idaho. He served in the United States Army and was a Veteran of the Viet Nam War. William married the love of his life Joyce Eileen Kent in Boise Idaho on January 6th, 1978. They were blessed with 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 3+ great grandchildren. William was an avid sportsman he loves hunting, fishing, and time spent boating with the family. He also loved any time spent with the kids and grandkids. William is proceeded in death by his parents Harold and Beverly Hammond, and brother John Hammond. William is survived in death by his...

Glenn L. Nigg passed away on Monday, July 4th in Challis, Idaho. He had been residing with his son, Tad, and family in Challis for almost a year. That time was well spent getting to know and love some of his great granchildren Ian, Troy, Emily, and Eli. Glenn was born in Waseca, Minnesota to Herbert and Jean Wheelock Nigg on March 25, 1939. He was the first born, with sisters Barbara then Kathleen to follow. After finishing his GED, Glenn enlisted in the Army. This took him to several places, including Germany, where he came home with an endless amount of stories. Monfort of Colorado, Inc. was Glenn's employer for many, many years. He enjoyed working there and the people he worked...

Charles B. Lowman, 96, of Challis, passed away July 4, 2022, at MorningStar Senior Living Center, with his family by his side. He was under the care of Enhabit Hospice. Chuck was born October 3, 1925, in Portland, Oregon, to Chuck H Lowman and Fyrne Godwin Lowman. He grew up and attended schools in Portland. He joined the United States Navy in 1942 at age 17. He was at Omaha Beach on D-Day, where he was wounded. On December 26, 1965, he married Dorothy Maxine "Micki" Nation in Vallejo, California. Chuck and Dorothy made their home in various parts of California where Chuck worked as a Park Ranger for Monterey County, California. They were later divorced and Micki passed away May 8,...

Geraldine Margaret Dizes "Geri" passed away May 30, 2022 at the age of 82 after a courageous battle with cancer. She survived breast cancer twice before cancer of the appendix took her life. She passed on peacefully at her dearly loved home on the Salmon River. Geri was born in Santa Rosa, California January 15, 1940 to James Allen Wilson and Ruth Agnes (Stark) Wilson. She graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1957 and later received her Associates Degree from Santa Rosa Junior College. Geri married Robert James Dizes, "Bob" in 1959. Their first son, Robert James Jr., was born in 1960. Kenneth Emile followed in 1962, and their family was complete with the arrival of their third son...

Della Arlene Reed stepped into Heaven on May 29, 2022. She was born on July 21, 1928 in Salmon, Idaho to Lloyd and Clara Reed. Della grew up in Challis, Idaho and graduated from the Challis High School. As a child she spent several summers living on the Twin Peaks fire lookout station with her family. She married Novell Burnside on September 3rd, 1948. Their first married years were spent running the Challis Hot Springs and one winter on the dredge in the Yankee Fork River. Novell and Della lived in and around the Challis area while Novell worked in mines at Patterson and Bayhorse. During these years 4 daughters joined Novell and Della, they were Cindy, Christina, Cheri and Candy. Della...

Larry McDowell, formerly of Challis, passed away in Twin Falls, ID on May 26th with his family by his side. Larry, son of Edward Justine McDowell and Josie Marie Springfield McDowell was born in Norfolk, VA on August 5th, 1933 where his dad worked in the naval ship yard. His mother passed away when he was 13 and he was raised by his late sister Iris Mott. Looking to get out of Norfolk, he enlisted in the Air Force at age 17 prior to finishing high school. In the Air Force he was an A1C in the 67th TRG at Kimpo AFB in Korea. He supported F-86 Sabre reconnaissance aircraft and developed a love for photography and aviation. While there, he earned his GED before being discharged in 1954....

William Gordon Hitesman, 56, of Marion, passed away at 8:55 am on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, in his home. He was born in Salmon, Idaho, on Friday, September 10, 1965, to Kenneth Hitesman and Barbara (Prather) Callison. On July 3, 1994, he married Linda Callison, who survives. William graduated from Borah High School in Boise, Idaho, and was a welder with MK Rail. He liked to hunt and fish, as well as work on his trucks. He always willingly worked on the cars and trucks of family and friends. William is also survived by his son, Wesley (Courtney) Hitesman of WA; step-daughters, Tammy (John) Philburn of Marion and Brenda (Kevin) Schell of PA; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters,...

Morgan Eugene Williams passed away on April 2nd in Salmon Idaho. Morgan was born October 22nd, 1951 in Challis Idaho. He was raised on the home ranch in Stanley ID (Obsidian). When he was a teen, he spent his summers in the Sawtooth Mountains helping his dad build trails & he had one job in Nevada. Morgan loved wrestling in High School and did really well until a logging accident which resulted in a broken arm and a few other small injuries. Morgan loved riding his Mustang Nevada and hunting behind the Ranch. Morgan graduated in 1970 from Challis High School and soon after was drafted into the Navy, where he got to see a lot of the world. After being discharged he came home to help his...

Douglas Leon Corgatelli, 75, of Challis Idaho, passed away, Saturday, March 26,2022 at his home in Challis Idaho. He was born in Arco Idaho on November 3, 1946, son of the late Lawrence and Verda May (Jensen) Corgatelli. He was the oldest of 5 children. After graduating from Mackay High school in 1965. He then served his country in the Marnie Corps during the Vietnam War. He married LaNora (Price) Clark in June of 1971. They were blessed with 7 children which were the joy of his life. They were sealed in the temple in 1978. Later divorced. During his working years he farm and ranched in Mackey Idaho. They later moved to Utah and worked at IMS Tube City where he retired in 2018. Also had...

Wayne Dennis Lanier, 90, of Idaho Falls, passed away March 19, 2022, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Wayne was born November 18, 1931, in Stanley, Idaho, to Barney Dennison Lanier and Nellie Barbara Merritt Lanier. He grew up in Stanley and Challis. He was the second of 10 children. As a young man he worked various jobs, logging the mountains around Stanley. He also worked for the forest service running a pack team of mules transporting supplies. He cut ice blocks at Little Red Fish Lake in the winter. Later in life, he worked as a journeyman lineman for the City of Idaho Falls, retiring after 30 plus years as a lineman foreman. In March 1956, he married Yvonne Hanni in Mackay,...

Rodney Verbeck of Challis, Idaho passed away March 7, 2022 in Boise, Idaho. Rodney Dean Verbeck was born in Salmon, Idaho on September 7, 1961 to Earl and Bernice Verbeck. He attended and graduated Challis High School in 1979. From there he found a job working 10 years for Clayton Silver Mine, and after that dove into a lifelong career working as an equipment operator at the Thompson Creek Mine As most people knew him as Rod, they also knew him to be a very gentle person with an easy smile and quick wit to go with his contagious laugh. He grew up recreating in the mountains of central Idaho and thoroughly enjoyed boating, fishing, and sharing his love for the outdoors with his two...

Bernadette McCullough (Bernie) Bernie passed away on March1,2022 in Shoshone Idaho. She was born on June 18,1944 in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of Lee W. Brooks and Barbara M Severns. Bernie was married to Albert J McCullough for 44 years and they had raised eight children together, Debbie, Tammy, Auburn, Joseph, Dezarie, Raymond (Bud), Luci and Susan. She had 23 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Bernie also had two dogs that she loved to death Albert and Alice. Bernie and Albert moved to Challis from Petaluma California in 1996. Bernie worked as a waitress at Dennys for over 20 years before moving go Challis where she waitressed for a few years before her...

Marigwen Maxine Campbell, aka Gwenny, age 23 of Boise, died unexpectedly on Feb. 15, 2022, in her home. She was born Nov. 12, 1998, at St. Luke's Hospital and was the daughter of Shanna L. Pederson of Challis, and Christopher (Casey) Campbell of Boise. She graduated from Borah High School in 2017. She attended the local preschool and the Challis Schools, K-7. Her early interests were T Ball/youth baseball, Missoula Children's Theatre, swimming, all subjects in school and she admired her many teachers. In her 6th/7th grade years, she participated in bowling, track and basketball. She attended South JH in Boise grades 8-9, while living with her dad and brother. She was on the cheer...

Martha Jean Wolcott, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, passed away on February 11, 2022, surrounded by her family at the age of 91. Martha was born on April 19,1930 in Dimmitt, Texas to the late Fred and Stella Ellis. Martha married James Wolcott in 1950 and had four daughters: Deborah, Rebekah, Sarah and, Gloria. Martha enjoyed teaching her daughters to cook, sew, and her love of gardening. She was an excellent seamstress; her quilts are enjoyed by all of her family and friends. Her daughters, son-in-laws, and the many generations of grandchildren enjoyed spending summers with Martha and Jim whether it be a road trip or an impromptu...

Helen B McDaniel of Alamo, NV passed away on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022 in Las Vegas, NV at 90 years. She was born Helen Brown on May 26th, 1931 in Gibson, Bingham County, Idaho. She was the third of six children born to Seth W and Cassie Atelia Brown. The first 12 or so years of Helen's life were spent on 20 acres of Indian land, later known as Ferry Butte Road. In 1943, the family bought and lived on a farm in Riverton. Helen often shared of her love and appreciation for the hard work and good life they lived on the farm. She graduated from Blackfoot High School in 1949 and enrolled in the first nursing class at Rick's College in Rexburg, Idaho. After studying and training for 2 1/2...

Deborah (Debbie) G. Brown of Challis Idaho, passed away unexpectedly on January 28, 2022 in Idaho Falls, Idaho at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Born in Oregon City, Oregon on September 22, 1951 to Martha and Jim Wolcott, she was the oldest of four girls. Debbie spent her time in Oregon logging with her father, Jim, and their work horse Doc. In 1976 the family moved from Oregon to Challis where she looked forward to helping her uncle Roy and aunt Jeannie put their cows out on the range and bring them back in the fall. Over the years she was well known for being an animal lover. From dogs to horses to even goats and ferrets she loved them all. When she wasn't busy with...

Deborah (Debbie) G. Brown of Challis Idaho, passed away unexpectedly on January 28, 2022 in Idaho Falls, Idaho at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Born in Oregon City, Oregon on September 22, 1951 to Martha and Jim Wolcott, she was the oldest of four girls. Debbie spent her time in Oregon logging with her father, Jim, and their work horse Doc. In 1976 the family moved from Oregon to Challis where she looked forward to helping her uncle Roy and aunt Jeannie put their cows out on the range and bring them back in the fall. Over the years she was well known for being an animal lover. From dogs to horses to even goats and ferrets she loved them all. When she wasn't busy with...

Virginia June Young, 93, of Blackfoot, Idaho, passed away Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at Bingham Memorial Skilled Nursing. Virginia was born February 21, 1928 in Rigby, Idaho, the daughter of Owen Dodd and Emily Jane Cordon Garton. Virginia grew up in and received her education in Rigby, but spent most of her life in the Blackfoot and Riverside area, as well as Springfield. On May 16, 1946, Virginia married Stanton Young in Dillon Montana. Stanton preceded her in death on March 28, 1981. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had worked as a camp cook in mining camps, and also at the Wagon Wheel Cafe where she was famous for her pies and fish and...

It is with deep sorrow, pain in our hearts, much love, and cherished memories that we share the passing of our loved one Rick Pearce. Rick went to be with God on Wednesday the 17th of November, 2021. Rick married his wife Cindy Loman in June of 1979. In their 42 years of marriage they had their daughter, Whisper Dawn (Mike), & son, Richard Thomas. Grandchildren, Aurora Dawn (Nicky), Ricter Auron, Sky Elizabeth, Kiara Evangeline, & Juniper Wren. Great Grand daughter Nova Dawn. Step grand children, Charity, Samantha, Kaden & step Great grand daughter Sheylie. Rick loved his family, friends, and nature more then anything. His friends were the best a person could ask...