Steve E. Hites, 83
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 14 years, 8 months AGO
Blanchard area residents are mourning the loss of longtime resident, Steve E. Hites, 83, who passed away Nov. 29, 2011, after a long illness.
Steve and wife, Ruby settled in this area more than 30 years ago. Ruby preceded him in death in July 2006. They owned and operated several businesses in the area including taverns and secondhand stores, but Steve was mostly known for the excavating services he provided over the years. Miles of roads, numerous driveways and mobile home pads in the area are the result of endless hours operating equipment, with Steve behind the gears of "Big Blue" his faithful ole dump truck, backhoe or dozer. He also served on the Happy Valley Water Board.
Steve was born July 28, 1928, in the Ottertail, Minn., and raised on a farm in that area. As the oldest of four kids, he quit school at 12 years of age to help care for his siblings, ailing mother and help operate the farm.
At 14, he was the foreman on a horse drawn logging crew of 15 grown men. Hence, the humble beginnings of a 60-year career as one of North Idaho's most skilled loggers, house movers and dozer operators. He is best known in this area for his excavating services. His love for a good bargain started at age 14 when he purchased his first vehicle, a model A for $250 and paid it off in 90 days, something he was quite proud of. The family often jokes about him being the "original McGyver," as there wasn't much he couldn't fix, figure out or fabricate.
He will be fondly remembered for his suspenders, cocked hat, toothless grin, hearty laugh and generosity. In the early years he commonly rescued entire homeless families.
While serving in the Army in 1948 in Honolulu, Hawaii, he met and married Mildred Davis. Together they had six children.
He is survived by his loving compainion, Sharilane LeBlanc; his sis, Kathy Eastwood; brother Clyde Hites; his six children, Stephanie Bekel Campoy, Nalani Karen Champion, Meg Wagner, Steve Hites, Beverly Brown and Ted Hites; four step-children, Dick Callaghan, Sandy Spencer, Jeannie Johnson and Vicki Weber; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; as well as nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, at Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Newport, Wash. Private burial will be in the Blanchard Cemetery.
Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home, Newport, is in charge of the arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at sherman-knapp.com.