Frederick T. Slonaker

RITZVILLE, Wash. — Frederick T. Slonaker, 102, passed away quietly March 17, 2013, at the Life Care Center in Ritzville.

He was born in Ancoma, Ill., on Dec. 27, 1910, to George Elmer and Bessie Alma (Griffee) Slonaker. He married Agnes Monson Aug. 19, 1938, at Havre, Mont. They lived in Montana where Fred worked in the gas fields before moving their family to Ritzville in 1957.

Fred worked to bring natural gas to the Ritzville area, managing Columbia Natural Gas Co. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Agnes, in 2003, his parents, a brother and two sisters. Surviving are his son, Norman of New Vernon, N.J.; his daughter, Janice (Steve) Shineman of Shelton, Wash.; two brothers, Leland Slonaker of Havre, Mont., and Les Slonaker of Great Falls, Mont.; two sisters, Olive Sheppard of Havre, Mont., and May Gertson of Chinook, Mont.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 21, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Ritzville. Private burial will be at Highland Cemetery in Havre, Mont. He will lie in state in Ritzville at Danekas Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, from noon to 5 p.m. and again at Holland & Bonine Funeral Home in Havre, Mont., on Friday, March 22, 2013, from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 23, 2013, from 9 to 11 a.m., with a reception for friends and family following from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church 303 6th Ave., Havre, Mont.

Memorials are suggested to Emanuel Lutheran Church, 206 S. Division St., Ritzville, WA 99169.

Danekas Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements in Ritzville and Holland & Bonine is entrusted with arrangements in Havre, Mont.