James 'Jim' Bruce Bening, 92

James “Jim” Bruce Bening, 92, of Pinehurst, Idaho, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away Nov. 21, 2023, at The Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Jim was born March 21, 1931, in Wallace, Idaho, a son of the late Fred Bening and Alpha (Ryding) Bening. Jim graduated from Orofino High School, Class of 1949. He married Jewel Bouldin on May 5, 1951, in Asotin, Wash. Jewel passed away in 2013. 

Jim was a logger for most of his life and spent much of his time in the logging camps after high school. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952, becoming a radio operator utilizing Morse Code in the Korean War. Jim returned home in September of 1953 to meet his eldest son for the first time. After his service, Jim continued in the logging industry, ending his career working for the Shoshone County Road District as the road boss in Smelterville for nine years before his retirement. 

Jim was active in the Pinehurst, Idaho, community, and was a member of the Pinehurst-Kingston Lions Club from 1957 up until the time of his passing. Jim loved the community and was seen at all events, including tree lighting and Christmas celebrations, Lions Club breakfast, Easter parade and Pinehurst Days. His sons loved that he spent time with them on many Boy Scout camping trips as a member of the "Old Goat Patrol." Continuing to serve his community, he sat on the Pinehurst Water Board for over 50 years. 

His interests were many and he excelled at woodworking, leatherworking and gardening. He relished his time outdoors, where he could be found fishing, camping or whitewater rafting (in his later years). Jim was known to be an excellent storyteller (always in a quiet and demure voice) and had many stories to share about his interesting life in North Idaho. As a caretaker for his wife, Jewel, his granddaughters and his community of Pinehurst, Jim will be missed by many.

In addition to his parents, and loving wife, Jewel, Jim is preceded in death by his son, Jim Bening, Jr. who passed away in 2015; and a sister, Barbara Rinard. He is survived by a daughter, Shannon Bening of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, son Wilson (Candy) Bening of Cataldo, Idaho; three grandchildren, Heather (Marc) Dayton of Spokane Valley, Wash., Casandra Bening (Curtis Briggs) of Moscow, Idaho, and Brooke Bening of Cataldo, Idaho; three great-grandchildren, Blake, Colton, and Savannah Dayton; a brother, Dale (Cheryl) Bening of Lewiston, Idaho; numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 15 S. Division St., Pinehurst. A reception will follow at the Pinehurst-Kingston Lions Club. 106 Church St., Pinehurst. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s memory to the Pinehurst-Kingston Lions Club. Memories of Jim and messages of condolence may be sent to his family online at www.shoshofuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is honored to assist the Bening family with arrangements.