Douglas Schade Eier died peacefully at home Tuesday night, Aug. 9, 2005, of complications from advanced age.
His life will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at the Congregational Presbyterian Church, 709 Sixth St., Lewiston. A graveside service will follow at the Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston.
He was born Jan. 28, 1915, in Oak Park, Ill., to Tonnes and Elizabeth Schade Eier. He lived in the Lewiston area for 68 years.
He married Elizabeth White on June 19, 1936. She died Dec. 21, 1961.
He married Anna Marie Whitehead Biddiscombe Sept. 19, 1962. She survives him, as do four sons, Douglas D. Eier, Robert E. Eier, John A. Eier, and Thomas E. Eier. Two daughters, Jeanette M. Wolf and Joan F. Frank, also survive him. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a cousin, Richard Eier of Florida, who thought of him as a brother; and a brother, Richard Keith of Carol Stream, Ill. Doug is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
One daughter, Janet L. Reagan, preceded him in death in 2002.
Doug graduated in 1930 from the eighth grade in Chicago. His stepfather, Fred Keith, was an unemployed electrician on relief with nine children. These were Depression years. Doug joined the Civilian Conservation Corps as a high school dropout in 1933. Doug credited the Boys Club of Chicago and the CCC experience with rescuing him from delinquency and poverty. He subsequently attended Lewiston High School in 1940-41 (a married man with two children) for essential educational skills his wife deemed necessary for life!
Doug was the Northwest regional director for the CCC Alumni. He helped in securing funds for CCC statues in California, Washington and Oregon. The only Northwest state left to receive a CCC statue is his beloved Idaho.
He worked as a baker for Holsum Bakery in Lewiston while attending school, and subsequently owned his own bakery, Variety Bakery of Lewiston, before becoming an insurance agent, spending 46 years with Mutual of New York.
The Boys Clubs of America honored Doug with a medal for "Unusually Devoted Service to Boys" in 1959. The Lewiston Boys and Girls Club subsequently honored Doug with a lifetime achievement award medal in 1988. Doug served as a member of the Boy Scout Leadership Council and was given the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award in 1977 for distinguished service to youth.
He was a deacon in the Congregational Presbyterian Church. He belonged to the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce. He was a life member of the Lewis-Clark Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, charter member of Chapter 28, National Association of Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni, and the Republican Party.
He enjoyed golf, snowmobiling and was a charter member of the Lewiston Train Club.
Contributions in Doug's memory may be made to the Idaho CCC Worker Statue Fund, 1403 15th Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501; Congregational Presbyterian Church, 709 Sixth St., Lewiston; Elks Lodge Boy Scout Troop 896; or the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lewis-Clark Valley, 1012 Burrell Ave., Lewiston.
Please come share your stories at the church on Monday.
Arrangements are under the direction of Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home in Lewiston.
