Ralph Cornett, 87

Ralph Samuel Cornett, 87, of Kootenai, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025.

Private family services have been held.

Born on July 28, 1938, in Middletown, Ohio, Ralph was the son of Clarence Cornett and Ethel Marie Wright. 

After graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1958, training first as a combat engineer before shifting roles as a heavy equipment operator and later as a high-speed radio operator stationed in Czechoslovakia during the Cold War.

On Jan. 11, 1958, he married the love of his life, Asenath McCollum, in Middletown, Ohio, by her father Frank, who was the church minister. The young couple moved to California, where Ralph worked at Kettenburg Boats as a woodworker, crafting elegant interiors for luxury sailing yachts — including one for James Arness of "Gunsmoke." Ralph and Asenath welcomed sons Ralph Jr. and Rodrick. 

Ralph transitioned to General Dynamics, there, he contributed to aircraft design improvements, including work on the F-111 Aardvark. In 1969, Ralph and Asenath welcomed their youngest son, Mark. Ralph became a co-owner of Industrial Pattern Models and Peerless Pattern Works in Oregon. After selling his ownership in Peerless, he set out for Idaho and Montana in search of a new life for his family.

In 1978, they settled in Heron, Mont., where Ralph’s love for hunting grew and his youngest son, Mark, was raised. After the tragic loss of Ralph Jr.’s wife in a car accident, Ralph and Asenath lovingly stepped in to raise their infant grandson, Samuel.

Ralph worked as a gunsmith, for the Libby Mine as a machinist, for Bill Griffin at Pace Manufacturing in Sagle as a plastic injection mold maker, for Dr. Forrest Bird as an application engineer, and for Steve Dietrich of Diedrich Manufacturing as the floor manager. 

In 1996, Ralph joined Lakeside Masonic Lodge No. 42 and the Panhandle Shrine Club. His inventive spirit contributed to fundraising efforts for the Shriners Hospital for Children, including designing the “Ralphie-Q” barbecue trailer, topped with a steel Fez, which served communities for decades.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Asenath Cornett; his sons, Ralph A., Rodrick, and Mark; grandchildren, Samuel, Crystal, Alicia, Derrick, Katie, Alexa and Ava; and many great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Cheryl; grandson, Dylan; granddaughter, Alyvia; and his parents, Clarence and Ethel.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Ralph’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.