John E. Gravley “Papa”, 86

Beloved John E. Gravley “Papa”, 86, of Elk Creek- Kellogg, Idaho, passed away June 18, 2020. He was born May 3, 1934 in Frazee, Minnesota; John was the son of Curtis and Margaret (Schwartzenberger) Gravley.

John attended and graduated from the North Central High School of Spokane, Washington. He moved to the Silver Valley in 1953 at the age of 17.

John married the love of his life, Beth Lister, on June 11, 1955 in Spokane, Washington.

John was a most respected businessman of the Valley and throughout his life had owned and operated seven businesses. He had owned and operated Gravley Furnace & Fuel of which he started in 1958 and retired in 1989. But he had also owned and operated the Union 76 Oil Distributorship, the Builders Hardware of Osburn and the M&H Trailer Park of Silverton.

John was a member of the Kellogg Elks, Wallace Elks, Wallace Eagles, past president of the Wallace Rotary Club, the Kellogg/Pinehurst Jaycees-Kiwanis and was a devoted and major contributor of the Shoshone Golf Club- providing many hours of service and financial help to this club.

John loved and enjoyed his family, fishing, golfing, duck hunting, elk hunting, camping and water and snow skiing- each year, John would obtain a family pass to both Lookout Pass Ski and Jackass Ski Bowl/Silver Mountain; they particularly enjoyed the many nights of skiing at the Lookout Pass Ski area. John also hosted the “Cousins Picnic” every year that all of his family, friends and friends of friends, etc. so looked forward to for many years at the family Cedar Island property on the North Fork of the Coeur d’ Alene. John and Beth were also avid travelers and had visited all 50 states and enjoyed extensive travel abroad and South America.

John is survived by four children Denny Gravley (Diane) of Kellogg; Margie Todd of Wallace; Jona Blake (Chris) of Elk, Washington and Teresa (Sam) Richardson of Osburn; nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren; one sister Sylvia Ross of Tiburon, California; brother-in-law Ward (Connie) Lister of Wallace; Cousin John Sevy and friend Doyle Reynolds of Elk Creek both long-time neighbors, fishing and hunting buddies; Cousin Bob (Kelli) Sevy of Elk Creek also long-time neighbors and helped maintain the Gravley home/yard the last couple years. John was also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. After retirement, John and Beth spent over 17 winters in Southern California golfing with tremendous friends from Leduc, Alberta Pat and Fran O’Neil, who remain in our hearts. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beautiful bride Beth, one brother Ed Gravley, two sisters Betsy and Micky, daughter-in-law Cherie Gravley and his very loved family friend and fishing partner George Gaylord.

A Celebration of John’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 27th at 1:00 P.M. at the Shoshone Golf Club Big Creek with Rev. Art Fleming officiating; a reception for family and friends will follow the Celebration.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Shoshone Golf Club, P.O. Box 629 Osburn, ID. 83849.

The family extends a heartfelt thanks to the Shoshone County officials and citizens that were involved in the successful recovery efforts. The family is also very grateful that Doyle took John fishing and made it out of the river safely. Knowing John left this world doing something he loved so dearly, gives us so much comfort and peace.

You may share your memories of John and sign his guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com

SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICES KELLOGG, IDAHO IS ENTRUSTED WITH SERVICES.