Francis P. Binfield, 99, died Dec. 27, 2012, at the Life Care Center in Coeur d’Alene, after a short illness following hip surgery. He was born Dec. 19, 1913, in Kenmare, N.D., to Joel and Alma Binfield.

He joined the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) at Watford, N.D., in 1933, where he worked for about a year until returning to help on the family farm.

In 1938 he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he met his future wife, Irma Godair. They were married on Jan. 21, 1939, in St. Louis. They returned to North Dakota to farm until moving to Hayden in 1946.

Francis held many jobs in the early years, including drilling wells, delivering milk, operating his own school bus, and managing and working on two different ranches before going to work at local sawmills. He retired from Diamond International in 1979.

Francis was a man of many talents. He could fix almost anything. He built some of his own equipment, including tractors, snow-blowers, wagons and other tools that he needed. He built two of his own homes, including his last home of 48 years. He loved to garden and always had beautiful vegetable and flower gardens.

Irma, his wife of 54 years, passed away in May 1993. He married Helen Yager on Dec. 8, 1995. They were married for 17 years.

Francis belonged to The Good Sams Too Motor Club, The Welcomers’ Club and attended the First Baptist Church. He had many friends and lived a very busy life.

In 2008, he wrote the story of his life, which he had printed so he could distribute them to family and friends. He always said that he wanted to live to be 100, but at age 99, he got close.

Survivors include his wife, Helen at home; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Shirley Binfield of Hayden; daughter Linda Binfield of Coeur d’Alene; grandchildren, Ron (Kris) Binfield of Otis Orchards, Wash., Vicki (Steve) Anderson of Spokane, Kari (Paul) Kettle of Yelm, Wash.; and stepdaughter Diane Clark of Texas. He was also survived by numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Irma Binfield; sisters, Hazel Pontius, Connie Pulliam and Betty Allen; and brothers, William Binfield and Willard Binfield.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at the First Baptist Church in Coeur d’Alene. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel, has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Memorials may be made to Hospice of North Idaho. Please visit Francis’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.