Erle H. Daniels, 92, formerly of Cavendish, Orofino

Lewiston resident Erle H. Daniels, age 92, died Sunday, March 11, 2012, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center due to causes related to age.
Erle was born to Fred Hobart Daniels and Anna Brown Daniels Bloom Dec. 23, 1919 and grew up in Cavendish. He attended country schools in the Cavendish-Teakean area.
Erle was part of a second generation, on both sides of his family, born in the same homesteaded region of Idaho.
His mother described Erle as a child who took apart and put together all kinds of things just to see how they worked. So it was natural that he became a machinist in the service, a logger and a builder, collected tools and always enjoyed fixing things.
Following four years of honorable military service in Africa and Europe with the Army Third Division during World War II, he returned to Orofino and married Lauretta Jean Profitt Daniels in 1947. They raised three daughters together.

While living in Orofino and Lewiston in the 50's and 60's he owned and operated Erle H. Daniels Logging and logged forests in Idaho, Montana and Oregon. Erle continued his self-employment in the 70's and 80's by building and remodeling homes. He also owned and enjoyed horses during this period.
During more recent backwoods travels, he would point out roads and campgrounds that he originally cleared, especially those in the North Fork area surrounding Cold Springs.
Erle and Vivian Fey Bartlett were married in 1975 and lived in Kendrick until 1992 when they returned to Lewiston.
Erle is survived by his wife, Vivian; his three daughters and their husbands, Sherri and Dick McMillen, Susan and David Dokken, Lisa and Jeff Brice; stepdaughter Diane Hill and husband Stan Hill; and stepson, Terry Bartlett and wife Lisa Bartlett. He is also survived by his sister, Vivan Stewart and brother, Dale Bloom and wife, Jan Bloom; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and recently his sisters, Wanda Wood and Elaine Mathison.
Erle touched many lives and had a great number of friends and relatives, all of whom he appreciated and remembered very well. Some of the younger ones thought of him as their dad, too. He enjoyed friend and family gatherings, dancing, camping, hunting, fishing, playing cards, gambling, fixing things, storytelling, and reading.
A Celebration of Life service and reception will be held Saturday, March 17, at 11 a.m. in Somerville Hall at the Episcopal Church on 8th Street and 8th Avenue in Lewiston. Cremation has occurred. Malcom's Brower-Wann is the handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made at the funeral home's web site, www.malcomsfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a loved one in need or to a cause of your choice. Dad often said, "Charity begins at home."