Ernest Martin Staley

Ernest Martin Staley passed away on Feb. 5, 2012.

He was born on April 12, 1922, on the family farm near Washtucna, to Archie and Gertrude (Suckow) Staley. He lived there until graduating high school in 1940.

He went into the Army in 1942 and served until 1946 when he was honorably discharged. He married Frances Jean Anderson on June 25, 1945, and they settled in Walla Walla, Wash., after his discharge.

He went to work for the Walla Walla fire department and retired as a captain in 1973. He also worked as an electrician for several contractors in the area. In 1975, he moved to Ritzville and established Cascade Electric, retiring in 1987.

He was active in the Methodist Churches in both Walla Walla and Ritzville, serving on many committees and offices, and most recently in the Spokane Valley Baptist Church. He is a past member of the Walla Walla Elks Club and the Ritzville Lion’s Club.

He was best known for the stories and jokes he loved to share.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 66 years Frances “Jean” Staley, and his sister Anna Marie Herbert.

He is survived by three children, Dennis (Dorothy) Staley of Tumwater, Wash., Robyn Hoekstra of Belfair, Wash., Kurt (Wanda) Staley of Ritzville. One brother Archie D. Staley of Airway Heights, two grandsons, Christopher (Karen) Hull of Ellensburg, Paul Staley (Elizabeth Rogers) of Federal Way, and three great grandchildren, Andrew and Melanie Hull and Ethan Staley.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Rafiki Foundation Inc., mailed to Kurt Staley at 406 W. Second Ave., Ritzville WA 99169.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Spokane Valley Baptist Church, 1222 S. McDonald Road, beginning at 2 p.m.

Heritage Funeral Home of Spokane has been entrusted with the arrangements. Messages for the family can be left at their website, www.heritagefunerals.com.