JOHN BLACK obituary

SPOKANE, Wash. - John J. Black, 82, died Tuesday, March 30, 2004, at Spokane.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 304 S. Adams Road, Spokane Valley.

John was born on March 13, 1922, at Superior, Wis., to Florence (Wolf) and John Black. He grew up in Havre and developed a lifelong joy of the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He graduated from Havre High School in 1940.

He married Ethel "Pat" Throm shortly before enlisting in the Army Signal Corp. He served and earned medals as a radio intercept operator on Guam during World War II.

John began his railroad career with the Great Northern Railway in Havre. He moved his family to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, in 1949, where he worked as a telegrapher and agent until he retired. The home he built in Bonners Ferry was surrounded by a large garden and fir trees.

His hobbies included wood carving and fly tying.

John was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Lucy Slaby.

Survivors include his wife, Ethel "Pat" Black; son, Tom (Annie) Black; daughter, Helen (Dennis) Voss; three granddaughters; and one great-granddaughter.

John was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ducks Unlimited and served as first president of Mirror Lake Men's Golf Association.

Memorials may be made to St. Ann's Catholic Church Building Fund in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Inland Empire Alzheimer's Association, or plant a tree, or take a child fishing, catch a trout and set it free for Johnny.

Hazen & Jaeger Valley Funeral Home, 1306 N. Pines Road, is in charge of arrangements.