Erwin H. Carpenter

Erwin H. Carpenter, age 80, of Lewiston, Idaho and formerly of Grangeville, Idaho, passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at the Idaho State Veteran's Home in Lewiston.

Erwin was born January 13, 1927 in La Grande, Oregon to Earl and Ida Carpenter. As a child he lived on the family farm near Elgin, Oregon. He and his sister, Doris, rode their horse three miles to attend school in Elgin. He graduated from high school in La Grande in 1945. He worked for Union Pacific Railroad for a year before entering the U.S. Army Air Force in February 1946. After the service he worked as a machinist and later as Shop Foreman for the State Highway Department. After retiring in 1989, they moved to Grangeville, Idaho. His interests included hunting, fishing and gardening. His great joy was his family and his love of animals.

Survivors include his wife, Grace Carpenter of Lewiston; sister and her husband, Carol and Dallas McCrae of Wallowa, Oregon; son and his wife, Bill and Carla Carpenter of Grangeville, Idaho; daughter and her husband, Cindi and Lou of Puyallup, Washington; grandchildren, Kim and Dana White of Helena, Montana, Lisa Lang of Fife, Washington, Kris and Candita Carpenter of Tacoma, Washington, Aaron Lang of Covington, Washington, Stephanie Anderson of Redmond, Washington, Erica Lovell of Brantford, Ontario, Canada; seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters.

A viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. to noon Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the Grandview Cemetery. Memorial donations may made to the Idaho State Veteran's Home, Lewiston, Idaho 83501.