Eunice Elaine Ahler, 87, of Hayden, Idaho, passed away in Kingsland, Ga., on Feb. 21, 2022. Eunice was born to Golden A. Lonsbury and Beatrice L. (Campbell) Lonsbury in Ludington, Mich., on Oct. 6, 1934. She and her three sisters were raised in Bay City, Mich., where she graduated from Handy High School. While at Handy, she met James Waterbury, whom she later married.

James and Eunice moved to California and raised three children. Eunice was employed as a respiratory technician for the county of Los Angeles, where she worked primarily with disabled children. Even late in life, she would talk about these beloved kids and the joy they brought her. Upon retirement, Eunice and James moved to Northern Idaho. They lived first in Coeur d'Alene and later in Hayden. James passed away in 2000 after a long illness.

After James’s passing, Eunice married her childhood friend, Robert Ahler, with whom she spent her last 20 years. Eunice and Robert were active members of Hayden Bible Church, who blessed them with love and support throughout their various later health issues.

Eunice will be remembered for her deep faith, her love of children, and her eagerness to help others in any way that she could. Eunice is survived by her sister, Marjorie Arndt, and her three children — James Waterbury, William Waterbury (and his wife Kerry) and her daughter Valerie Casey (and her husband Tommy) — as well as her four grandchildren — Tyler Waterbury, Eric Waterbury, Adam Waterbury and Shannon Waterbury. She is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces and her stepchildren, Cathy Ahler, Connie Davis, Bob and Ebbi Ahler, and Cindy and Steve Linton. Eunice was preceded in death by both her husbands, her sisters, Bernice Lowe and Phyllis Lesh, and her stepson, Tim Ahler.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., on Monday, March 7, 2022, at Hayden Bible Church, 290 E. Miles Ave., Hayden, Idaho, with a viewing preceding the service at 10 a.m. Eunice will be laid to rest next to her first husband, James Waterbury, at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d'Alene.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Eunice's online memorial and sign her guest book at yatesfuneralhome.com.