In this section, we wish to say farewell to our beloved Colville Tribal Members and send our wishes for health, happiness and faith to their families.
We welcome memorials about your loved ones and friends who have passed away, including photographs and poems if you wish. Please send your contributions to: Tribal Tribune Memorials, P.O. Box 150, Nespelem WA 99155 or Email @ editor.tribune@colvilletribes.com. Include your name and address on the photographs, funeral cards or other materials you want returned to you.
Virgil Adam Bearcub/
Morgan Frances Wippel
Virgil Adam Bearcub and Morgan Frances Wippel died together as a result of a car accident on Monday, Nov. 7, 2005.
Virgil Adam Bearcub was born at Killeen, Texas, to Adam Bearcub, Jr. and Marilyn Adolph on September 29, 1978. He attended Nespelem Grade School, Paschal Sherman Indian School, Grand Coulee Dam Middle School, and Lake Roosevelt High School, receiving his GED. Virgil worked as an apprentice carpenter for Junior Desautel and a firefighter and engine crewmember for the Mt. Tolman Fire Center. He also worked for OND forestry as a timber marker. He loved the outdoors.
Morgan Frances Wippel was born at Omak, to Jerome Lee (Jerry) Wippel, deceased, and Enid T. (Pierre) Marchand. She attended Nespelem Grade School, Grand Coulee Dam Middle School, Lake Roosevelt High School and received her GED from Wenatchee Valley College. Morgan was a homemaker and worked seasonal jobs on fire camp crews.
Virgil was preceded in death by grandparents Lucille Adolph, Adam and Matilda Bearcub. He is survived by daughters Lachelle Lucille, Miah Mae and Enid Mary Ann Bearcub, Nespelem; mother, Marilyn Adolph of Nespelem; father Adam and BJ Bearcub, Jr., Coulee Dam; sisters Janelle (Des-mond) and Amber Bearcub, Coulee Dam; brothers, Nicholas and Michael Bearcub of Nespelem and Jonathon St. Pierre of Disautel, and Jamie Kensler of Nespelem.
Morgan was preceded in death by her grandparents Norine and Johnnie B. Smith, William (Bill) Pierre, Robert Wippel and father Jerome Lee (Jerry) Wippel. She is survived by daughters Lachelle Lucille, Miah Mae and Enid Mary Ann Bearcub; mother Enid and Rick Marchand of Nespelem; dad Ron Kiser and Lila Monaghan of Keller; sisters Niki Wippel and Chad Wentz of McGinnis Lake and Stefanie and Lance Lelone of Nespelem, brother Jeremiah Lee Wippel and Sammi Peasley of Keller; great-grandmother Mary Marchand (Disautel), grandmother Elsie (Winnie Marchand) of Coulee Dam.
Ambrose Clay Bearcub preceded his mother and father in death on July 10, 2004.
Services were held at the Nespelem Community Center on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12. Strate Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. They were laid to rest at the Norine L. Smith Cemetery in Nespelem.
The family of Enid Marchand
The family of Enid Marchand would like to express our deepest gratitude for all the support we received during our recent loss of Morgan Frances Wippel and Virgil Adam Bearcub. Nothing can take away the pain of losing a child, sister, and brother but the phone calls, food, hugs and just stopping in to visit means so much to all of us left behind. I have been blessed with loving brothers and sisters who were there to support my children when I was so far away.
To Marilyn Adolph and Adam Bearcub families, thank you for all of your support when we were making the final arrangements for our children. Morgan and Virgil would have been proud how our families came together to send them to their final resting place.
Words cannot express the deep appreciation we have for Dena Timentwa and Auntie Kathy Desautel for your constant support and for never leaving our sides. Dena our Mom would not have made it without you, thank you for being by her side and getting her home to us. We love you both very much.
Thank you to my cousins Liz, Lorena, Laverne Dick and my niece Suesan Clark. Lorena and Suesan for cooking for the family, they were there when I went to sleep at 1:00 AM and there when I woke two or three hours later, Aunt Helen Dick and family for cooking for the funeral, Liz and Laverne for babysitting baby EMA, and to everyone who took care of Lachelle Lucille, Miah Mae.
To all the hunters and those that dried meat, a special thanks to all the women who made pies (that is another story), and all the fire tenders Uncles: John and Willie Smith, Duane Dick, and David (Bosco) Lingholm, Cousins; Jeremy Smith and Marvin (Buddy) Reevis Melissa Smith and Jackie Marchand.
Deanna Heath thank you for the outstanding job on the funeral card I had an idea of how I wanted it set up and you made it happen the final booklet was perfect. Alice and Chris McCuen and Ronnie Smith for doing the slide presentation.
Angie Redstar, Taressa Marchand and Tammy James you will always hold a special place in our hearts, you girls were truly Morgan’s friend. We appreciate everything you did to make her look like our Morgan for her final journey home. Thanks to Stub Owhi for helping us to do this.
Very special thanks to Chad Wentz, Norm Senator, Justin and Jason Chuckulnaskit, Winfred Pakootas, Desmond and Duke Yazzie, Junior Simpson, Bosco Lindholm, Neil Johnson and Bob Wentz. Who showed up at 5:00 a.m. to help Jeremiah Wippel and Jonathan St. Pierre dig their sister and brother’s grave. It was so heart breaking to watch, but it was great to see the support given by all. We would also, like to thank all who showed up later to finish the digging and Skip James from the Public Works Department. I, Niki Wippel, would like to thank my cousin Elizabeth Smith for being there to support me. I love you very much.
A special heartfelt thank you from Edward C Wolfe, III and the entire family to Ernie Brooks for taking care of Virgil and Morgan at the wreck site and for transporting Edward to the EMS to get medical treatment. You know our Indian beliefs taught by Mother and Grandmother Norine Smith and you took care of Virgil and Morgan for us. You will always be in our prayers.
We may have forgot to mention someone but believe me it is not intentional and there is not enough space in the Tribal Tribune for all the people who supported our family during our loss. You are in our hearts and prayers mentioned or not mentioned in this letter to the editor
Morgan and Virgil both had a smile and a laugh that will never be forgotten. When you think of them, always remember the good times. This will surely bring a smile to your face. Please keep them and us in your prayers.
Enid & Rick Marchand
Lachelle Lucille, Miah Mae, Enid Mary Ann Bearcub
Niki (Wippel) and Chad Wentz (Tyrell & William)
Stefanie and Lance Lelone (Edward, Riki, Kenny & Tesla)
Jeremiah and Sammi (Peasley) Wippel (Bryce, Jocelyn)
The recent loss of my baby sister
After the recent loss of my baby sister, Morgan Wippel, and (self-proclaimed) brother Virgil Bearcub, I have realized that it is very important to let the people that you love know how you feel. As anyone who knew them knew, they were having a very difficult time dealing with the loss of their only son, Ambrose Clay Bearcub, to SIDS. It had been 16 months since we lost Ambrose and as far as I could see, they were both having a hard time.
As a sister, I tried everything I knew to help them. I tried helping them by making it easier for them, which didn’t work. I tried the trusted “tough love” on them, and that didn’t work either. It seemed that no matter what I did, I just couldn’t FIX this one for them. And I could feel them slipping away from me. The night we lost them, I had come to the realization that all I could do for them both was to be there for them and to love them. And to give them the support that they both needed.
They died on a Monday; we had women’s pool that night and Virgil showed up to cheer us on. He looked happy and we were joking around and he was laughing and had that smile that made his eyes shine. I remember looking at him thinking, “Wow, I haven’t seen that smile for a long time.” It was nice to see our Virgil again.
Morgan and I had a very good talk while waiting for pool to begin. And as I watched her play her last game, we were laughing and joking around about Virgil. She was saying how she loved him even if he was a “dork” and that she was stuck with him and would probably be stuck with him forever. Well, I told her that if she was stuck with him, then we were stuck with him too. But that we loved him and could handle it.
I remember watching Morgan and Virgil and thinking, “Well, Niki, all you can do for your baby sister and Virgil is love them, and always be here for them no matter what.” I knew that would be easy, since that is what I did anyway.
As I got ready to head home, I gave Morgan a hug and kiss and we said, “Good night, I love you” and I gave Virgil a slap on the back of the head and said, “See ya later, bro!” Then I headed home, with a certain peace in my heart. I am so glad I got to spend those last few hours with them, I will cherish them forever.
I guess what I am trying to say is… if you know and love someone who is lost and in need of your love and support, please give it to them. Let them know that you love them and that you are there for them – No Matter What. Never give up on them, because we are not promised tomorrow.
Changes need to be made and there is no better time for them to start than right now. I know that I have made changes within my life, so that my children will know that there is a better way to live and will hopefully make healthy choices when they grow up.
So please remember Morgan Wippel and Virgil Bearcub with a smile, because that is how they would want us to. And when you remember a good and/or funny story, tell their children, so that they will know who, and how, their mom and dad were. And if you feel the need to use their death as an “excuse”, please make it an excuse to “Not do drugs”. Even if it is just one time, one time does make a difference!
I would like to thank everyone who was there for me, especially my friend, Teresa Thompson, who took care of my boys, and made sure that I ate and got some sleep. And my partners, Grace Samuels and Vickie Foster, who spent those late night hours with me, they both showed up just as I was feeling all alone and thinking that there was absolutely “no way” I was going to make it through this. And for my mother Enid Marchand, who is probably the strongest woman I know; my sister Stefanie Lelone and her family; my brother, whom I love and am very lucky to have, Jeremiah Wippel and his family; and, my man Chad Wentz and our little family. Chad has given me his support, which has helped me through a lot of rough times these last two years, I love and appreciate him very much. Without all these people (and everyone else who was there) I don’t know what I would have done.
Thank you for all the love and support.
Forever Morgan and Virgil’s Big Sister, Niki Wippel
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Melvin George
After a long battle with cancer, Melvin George, 68, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005. Joseph Melvin George was born on January 2, 1937, at home near Plummer, Idaho. He was raised by parents Marion and Joe Covington in Keller and attended Wilbur High School.
After serving in the U.S. Army from 1957-59, “Mel” returned to the area and married Deloris Gallaher. In 1961 he began his career with Nespelem Valley Electric, spending the last 25 years as a fully qualified journeyman lineman. In 1982 he married Vonnie Paul and settled in Elmer City continuing his work with Nespelem Valley Electric until his retirement in 1999.
Mel was a dedicated father, husband and friend. He was well liked and known as a tenacious and hard worker. A man of few words, he was admired by friends and family for his strong work ethic, strength, and was always counted on by everyone when they needed support. Despite his tough veneer, those who knew him well were touched by his soft side in caring for Vonnie, his concern for his many grandchildren, pets, and his penchant for throwing in a joke every now and then.
Mel is survived by wife Vonnie, children Carlene Yacinich, Radford George, Max Holbrecht, Steve Holbrecht, Donnie Holbrecht, Christel Pitner, Debbie Lacombe and Mike Paul, along with nineteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
Services were held on November 22 at Nespelem Catholic Church followed by a memorial meal at the Nespelem Catholic Longhouse. The George Family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, assistance with the services and the wonderful memories shared.
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Margaret “Maggie” Mullen, 100
Margaret “Maggie” (Cheupkin) Mullen, who was born on January 28, 1905 in DeSmet, died on September 22, 2005 at the age of 100 years.
Her parents were Charles Cherrapkin from the Colville Indian Reservation and Mary (Moon) John from the Spokane Tribe. At the time the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation was broken down into allotments, in 1909, Mrs. Mullen, her parents and her brothers and sister were all enrolled as members in the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and they were allotted a total of eight allotments here.
She grew up on her family’s homestead in Windfall Pass and frequently spoke fondly of having ridden the swaybacked Clydesdale horses her father had for farming.
She attended school at the Mary Immaculate Boarding School for girls run by the Sisters of Charity of Providence at DeSmet.
In 1929 she married Edward Mullen, Sr, a Colville Indian from the Inchelium area who had been working as a laborer on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation. They first made their home on the Cheupkin family homestead in Windfall Pass but later moved to DeSmet so their children could stay in the home while attending the Mission schools as day students. The couple were married for 44 years until his death in 1973.
Throughout her life Mrs. Mullen was a homemaker and kept clothing on her children’s backs and her family quilt supply stocked up by using her fine seamstress capabilities.
A major highlight in her life cam when she was able to travel to Phoenix with some of her family in a caravan of 52 Coeur d’Alene Indians for the Kateri Tekakwitha Conference which featured a Native American audience with Pope John Paul II.
She was a devout member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation. She was a songstress of the old, traditional Indian hymns for which she possessed one of the original hymn books that were handwritten. Along with her sister Lucy (Cheupkin) George, she was one of the final few singers who faithfully attended all the wakes, funerals and other church functions to carry on the tradition of singing the old Indian hymns. Additionally, she is credited with having belonged to the DeSmet choir that traveled to Spokane and Montana to sing beautiful four-part masses.
One of her passions was traveling to visit her many friends and relatives at Wellpinit, Omak, Inchelium, Lapwai and in Montana. After her husband passed away she broke in her grandson Richard Mullen as her new driver. Richard became an astute historian of tribal information as a result of his many travels with his grandmother, the teachings from which eventually served to benefit the Coeur d’Alene Tribe for which he served on the tribal council. She also traveled to gather Indian foods that, in later years, included huckleberries (st’shastq), white camas (p’ekhwpukhw) and bitterroot (sp’it’em). (That p’ekhwpukhw – white camas gathered around the Davenport, Washington area – must not to be confused with a poisonous white camas bulb commonly known as death camas.)
In her final years Mrs. Mullen lost her vision and her hearing and became more and more fragile with time. By the time she reached her 100th birthday on January 29 of this year she was happily ready to leave this world.
Mrs. Mullen had spent the final 10 years of her life residing with her son Joe Mullen and his wife Daisy in Worley. Prior to that she lived with her daughter Rosie and her husband Haynes Gaze, Sr. in King Valley near DeSmet.
She was preceded in death by her grandson Richard J. Mullen in 2004; her daughter Rose (Mullen) Gaze in 2003; her granddaughter Alicia “Missy” Mullen in the late 1980s; her husband Edward Mullen, Sr. in 1973; her son, Hubert Mullen in 1968; her son Edward Mullen, Jr.; two daughters who died in infancy, Mary Agnes Mullen in 1931 and Eileen Margaret Mullen in 1933; her sister Lucy (Cheupkin) George, her brothers Dan “Bareback” Cherapkin, George Cherapkin and Joe Cherapkin.
She is survived by two sons, Joseph C. Mullen of Worley and Charles D. Mullen of Windfall Pass; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Rosary was recited on September 25, 2005 at the Ha’qa’lqhelpkwe’Etso’mlkhw (the Rose Creek Longhouse) in Worley, Idaho. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on September 26, 2005, also at the Rose Creek Longhouse. Father Thomas E. Connolly, S.J. officiated. Burial was at the DeSmet Cemetery in DeSmet, Idaho.
The pallbearers were Francis Timentwa, Haynes Gaze, Jr., Boyd Charlie, John Mullen, Jon Skwanqhqn and Edward Michael. The honorary pallbearers were Joseph Mullen and Charles Mullen.
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Frederick Harry Jerred
Frederick Harry Jerred, 80 of Nespelem, WA, Passed 11-17-2005 at the Colville Tribal Convalescent Center.
Born 7-13-1925, in Keller, WA, to Cecil Jerred & Margaret (Shemenski) Jerred.
Fred and his “21” siblings were all raised in the Keller area, he was in the Army until the age of 21 - where he was honorably discharged and had received several medals.
Fred worked construction for Grand Coulee Dam with his brother Walt & nephew LeRoy. Fred also worked for Wheat ranchers in the Wilbur area, with Llewellyn & Llewellyn, Norman Gibe Wheat Ranch, and John Rosman of Creston.
Fred enjoyed having his friends near, and socializing with the drinks!!
Fred is survived by one brother - Clarence R. Jerred, of Ketchikan, AK, a Nephew LeRoy Jerred, of Keller, WA; and other numerous nieces and nephews.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, and 20 of his siblings: Albert Jerred, George Jerred Sr, Hattie Jerred Toulou, Mary Jerred Nelson, Robert Jerred, Lena Jerred, Walter Jerred, Samuel Jerred, Elizabeth M Jerred, James Jerred, Frank J Jerred, John Manuel Jerred, Agnes Jerred Mellon, Henry S Jerred, Lester Buster Jerred, and a few others at birth.
Graveside - Military Only Services
Monday, 11-21-2005 @ 11:00 am
Keller Community Cemetery, Keller, WA
Dinner was held at the Catholic Longhouse.
Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel in Charge.
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In Memory of Nellie Noyes Watt
(Mama Bear)
If Roses grow in Heaven,
Lord pick a bunch for us,
place them in Mom’s arms,
and tell her they’re from us.
Tell her we love and miss her,
and when she turns to smile,
place a kiss upon her cheek,
and hold her for a while.
Because remembering her is easy,
we do it every day,
but there is an ache within our hearts,
because we are missing her today.
With unending love, all your family
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George Dennis Burnett
It meant so much to me when I saw my grandmother’s obituary in the Colville paper; her name was Mable Desautel and she was a wonderful woman.
I am so sad to say to say that her son, my father, has passed away. But we still have relatives on Tribal land- Sewards, Desautels, Peones, Finlays, and I would like to make a tribute for my father.
George Dennis Burnett was born 6 March, 1945. He was the son of Mable Desautel of Karamin, WA and George Leonard Burnett, born in Forest, ID. He passed on to other worlds approximately 2 October, 2005; he was found, at peace, in his favorite place in the Mojave Desert.
He was preceded death in by his parents, brother James Vernon Burnett, and beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. George- or “Butch” to his family- moved to California at age eighteen, where he married Christina Schwarz in 1963. He is survived, and missed, by his only daughter, Chelle Burnett Callaghan, of Alexandria, Virginia; his sister, Rose (Burnett) Woodward of Carson City, Nevada; nieces Dina Gilio, Delores Martin, and Donna Gilio Harris.
Services were private, and Butch has returned to the desert he loved so much.
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