John W. Phelps Sr., of Coeur d’Alene, passed away due to health complications from bone cancer and went to be with the Lord on Aug. 21, 2012. He was born June 24, 1937, in Thompson Falls, Mont., to Charles Alvin Kenneth Phelps and Opal Grace (Shelmerdine) Phelps. He was the youngest of four boys.

In 1957 he married Ruby Prosser and their union brought a daughter, Barbara and three sons, John Jr., Charles and David into the family. They later divorced and he remarried in 1966 to Leah Fundin. She brought to the family two boys. They were married 37 years when she passed away. Aug. 23, 2003, he married Joan Nowoj. She brought to the family four boys and a daughter.

John worked at the Coeur d’Alene Stud Mill for three years as a forklift driver. In 1963, Idaho Forest Industry hired him to operate a cat, used for unloading logging trucks. He switched to scaling logs in 1972. After 36 years with IFI, he retired in 1999 at the age of 62. He always had a four-legged companion he took to work with him during his scaling years. They were the “log yard mascots.” First was Pokey then later Kizzy. John has always enjoyed the companionship of his dogs.

For several years John bowled on a league. He loved the outdoors and his true passion was fishing. He loved camping, hunting and golfing. He passed his outdoor passions down to his daughter and sons. They spent a lot of time together, great times they will always cherish. John did some traveling in his motor home after retirement. Alaska was the first place he decided to travel to. Then he spent a few winters in Arizona until he was diagnosed with bone cancer. While in Arizona he tried his luck at gold mining and did pretty good. In March 2007, John gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized.

John is survived by his wife, Joan; one daughter, Barbara Phelps Howard of Moses Lake, Wash., and Bob Howard of Moses Lake; sons and daughters-in-law, John Jr. and Cori Phelps of Careywood, and Charles and Paula Phelps of Hayden; stepson, Eric Fundin of Arizona. Also five Nowoj siblings and spouses, Rick Nowoj of Coeur d’Alene, Becky Nowoj Camarata and Tim of Coeur d’Alene, Steve and Tracy Nowoj of Coeur d’Alene, Mark and Diane Nowoj of Coeur d’Alene, and Eric and Cheryl Nowoj of Coeur d’Alene. Other survivors are his brother, Harold and wife Robyn; and several nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Opal; brothers, Charles and Robert; wife Leah and sons, Mark Fundin and David Phelps.

The family would like to thank River City Hospice and Hospice House of North Idaho for all their loving care and support.

Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, at Lake City Community Church in Coeur d’Alene.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John’s name to Hospice House of North Idaho or Lake City Community Church, both in Coeur d’Alene.

Please visit John’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.