Jess Max Weniger Jr. passed away at Kootenai Medical Center on April 15, 2012. He was born Sept. 9, 1926, in Highmore, S.D., to Jesse and Minnie (Daum) Weniger.

The family moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1941. Jess attended Coeur d’Alene High School and then enlisted in the Army during World War II. He served his tour of duty in the Philippines and Asiatic Pacific Theatres. Jess met Vera Wildman in 1953 and they married in Coeur d’Alene in 1956.

Jess applied his many skills throughout life working as an underground miner, logger, truck driver, carpenter, school bus driver and Potlatch Forests’ presto-log department. Jess was employed by the Coeur d’Alene Post Office for 10 years. Jess then moved his family to Smelterville where he was employed for 11 years as a mechanic for Bunker Hill. Jess and his wife, Vera, purchased and enjoyed owning and operating the Smelterville Feed and Farm Supply for 19 years before retiring and returning to Coeur d’Alene in 1993. Jess was a proud member of the Mica Flats Grange, Kootenai County Pomona State Grange, the VFW and NRA.

Jess is survived by his wife, Vera, of 56 years; sons, Randal and Douglas of Coeur d’Alene; daughters, Doris (Dale) Plansky of Thorp, Wis., and Launee Weniger and Mike Summer of Long Lake, Wash.; five grandsons, four granddaughters and brother Clyde of Wichita, Kan.

Jess was preceded in death by daughter Jo Alison, his parents and sisters, Lois, Doris and Aldy.

A memorial will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the Mica Flats Grange Hall (Highway 95 and W. Kidd Island Road). Please visit Jess’ online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.