Jean (Bitton) Vaughn, 86
Bonner County Daily Bee
April 5, 2023
Jean (Bitton) Vaughn, 86, of Newport, Wash., passed away peacefully Saturday, April 1, 2023, while surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren. After living in the family home for more than 56 years in Newport, Jean spent her last 13 months of life under the care and comfort of the staff of River Mountain Village in Newport.
Jean was born on June 20, 1936, to parents Clarence and Bertha Serena Bitton in the small town of Sunset, Utah. She was the youngest of five children and came into a family of four brothers. Soon after her birth, the family moved to Fairmont, Utah, and eventually to Wilson Lane, Utah, where she spent most of her childhood. She attended Wilson Lane Elementary School, Walhquist Jr. High School and Weber High School.
She had many wonderful childhood memories but the highlight of those years occurred on the day of her 10th birthday party. A large truck pulled into the driveway to deliver the ultimate gift for Jean … a new piano. The one and only gift she had asked for. That was the beginning of a life-long love of playing the piano. That piano sits in the family home 76 years later. She also recalled around that time when her parents bought their first electric refrigerator. It was a sad day for Jean because every week before that, she and her dad would drive down to the local ice house in Ogden to buy an ice block for the icebox at home. The trip always ended with going into the connected building, Farr's Ice Cream Parlor. Green pineapple ice cream remained her favorite throughout the years.
In 1951, Jean's father was running the local gas station in town and hired a young man who had served in the Navy during World War II to work for him. His name was William "Deb" Vaughn and Jean, at the age of 15, fell in love. They were married the following year on August 5, 1952. Their first five years of marriage were spent in Wilson Lane. Debra Jean was born in September of 1954.
In 1957, the young family made a bold decision, packed everything up, and moved to North Idaho outside of Priest River. With the eventual purchase of 80 acres, a small cabin was built just in time. Patricia arrived late in 1957, William Jeffery in 1959 and Julie in 1963. With no running water, Jean took care of four young children while Deb worked the woods in logging, eventually taking a job with Diamond International in Oldtown. Jean hand-washed clothes, diapers, dishes, and conducted bathing from water hauled up the hill from the local spring. Deb would fill up big milk containers and haul them in the old green Ford sedan.
In the summer of 1965, the Vaughns purchased a home in Newport. One month later Gregory Darreld was born. Amy Jo arrived in 1968 and the baby of the family, Lori Ann was born in 1973.
Jean began working for Newport Community Hospital in 1967 as a nurse's aide. At times she would take leave to stay home and raise her kids, but always returned to work. She eventually was promoted to central service manager in 1980 and faithfully served in that position until her retirement in 2000 with more than 28 years of service to the hospital. She also faithfully fulfilled her calling as head pianist/organist for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Priest River for over 20 years.
In 2004 Jean suffered a serious stroke that led to the loss of function of her right side. Determined to move on, she went through much therapy and learned to compensate for her loss. She continued to crochet, knit and cross-stitch and with the help of special sheet music, was able to play her piano with one hand. She also continued to expand her love of knowledge in the world of computers. She was truly a technical whiz and loved keeping up on the ongoing changes in technology. She continued to live independently for 11 years before needing live-in assistance.
In the end, Jean was most proud of raising seven children, becoming a grandmother 24 times and a great-grandmother 11 times. No doubt she will be looking down over the next six months as three more are on the way.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 34 years; her four brothers, Eldon, LaVor, Darreld and Clarence Jr.; and her step-father, William "Sarge" Krapohl.
She is survived by her seven children, Debra Jones, Tricia Kottke (Barry), William "Jeff" Vaughn (Barb), Julie Shanholtzer (Toby), Greg Vaughn (Cheryl), Amy Pounds (Terry), and Lori Massey (Greg); 24 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren (three more on the way); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 11 a.m. in Priest River, Idaho. Interment to follow at the Priest River Cemetery. Sherman-Campbell Funeral Home in Newport, Wash., is in charge of arrangements.
Bonner County Daily Bee
April 5, 2023
Jean (Bitton) Vaughn, 86, of Newport, Wash., passed away peacefully Saturday, April 1, 2023, while surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren. After living in the family home for more than 56 years in Newport, Jean spent her last 13 months of life under the care and comfort of the staff of River Mountain Village in Newport.
Jean was born on June 20, 1936, to parents Clarence and Bertha Serena Bitton in the small town of Sunset, Utah. She was the youngest of five children and came into a family of four brothers. Soon after her birth, the family moved to Fairmont, Utah, and eventually to Wilson Lane, Utah, where she spent most of her childhood. She attended Wilson Lane Elementary School, Walhquist Jr. High School and Weber High School.
She had many wonderful childhood memories but the highlight of those years occurred on the day of her 10th birthday party. A large truck pulled into the driveway to deliver the ultimate gift for Jean … a new piano. The one and only gift she had asked for. That was the beginning of a life-long love of playing the piano. That piano sits in the family home 76 years later. She also recalled around that time when her parents bought their first electric refrigerator. It was a sad day for Jean because every week before that, she and her dad would drive down to the local ice house in Ogden to buy an ice block for the icebox at home. The trip always ended with going into the connected building, Farr's Ice Cream Parlor. Green pineapple ice cream remained her favorite throughout the years.
In 1951, Jean's father was running the local gas station in town and hired a young man who had served in the Navy during World War II to work for him. His name was William "Deb" Vaughn and Jean, at the age of 15, fell in love. They were married the following year on August 5, 1952. Their first five years of marriage were spent in Wilson Lane. Debra Jean was born in September of 1954.
In 1957, the young family made a bold decision, packed everything up, and moved to North Idaho outside of Priest River. With the eventual purchase of 80 acres, a small cabin was built just in time. Patricia arrived late in 1957, William Jeffery in 1959 and Julie in 1963. With no running water, Jean took care of four young children while Deb worked the woods in logging, eventually taking a job with Diamond International in Oldtown. Jean hand-washed clothes, diapers, dishes, and conducted bathing from water hauled up the hill from the local spring. Deb would fill up big milk containers and haul them in the old green Ford sedan.
In the summer of 1965, the Vaughns purchased a home in Newport. One month later Gregory Darreld was born. Amy Jo arrived in 1968 and the baby of the family, Lori Ann was born in 1973.
Jean began working for Newport Community Hospital in 1967 as a nurse's aide. At times she would take leave to stay home and raise her kids, but always returned to work. She eventually was promoted to central service manager in 1980 and faithfully served in that position until her retirement in 2000 with more than 28 years of service to the hospital. She also faithfully fulfilled her calling as head pianist/organist for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Priest River for over 20 years.
In 2004 Jean suffered a serious stroke that led to the loss of function of her right side. Determined to move on, she went through much therapy and learned to compensate for her loss. She continued to crochet, knit and cross-stitch and with the help of special sheet music, was able to play her piano with one hand. She also continued to expand her love of knowledge in the world of computers. She was truly a technical whiz and loved keeping up on the ongoing changes in technology. She continued to live independently for 11 years before needing live-in assistance.
In the end, Jean was most proud of raising seven children, becoming a grandmother 24 times and a great-grandmother 11 times. No doubt she will be looking down over the next six months as three more are on the way.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 34 years; her four brothers, Eldon, LaVor, Darreld and Clarence Jr.; and her step-father, William "Sarge" Krapohl.
She is survived by her seven children, Debra Jones, Tricia Kottke (Barry), William "Jeff" Vaughn (Barb), Julie Shanholtzer (Toby), Greg Vaughn (Cheryl), Amy Pounds (Terry), and Lori Massey (Greg); 24 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren (three more on the way); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 11 a.m. in Priest River, Idaho. Interment to follow at the Priest River Cemetery. Sherman-Campbell Funeral Home in Newport, Wash., is in charge of arrangements.
Jean (Bitton) Vaughn, 86
Bonner County Daily Bee
April 5, 2023
Jean (Bitton) Vaughn, 86, of Newport, Wash., passed away peacefully Saturday, April 1, 2023, while surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren. After living in the family home for more than 56 years in Newport, Jean spent her last 13 months of life under the care and comfort of the staff of River Mountain Village in Newport.
Jean was born on June 20, 1936, to parents Clarence and Bertha Serena Bitton in the small town of Sunset, Utah. She was the youngest of five children and came into a family of four brothers. Soon after her birth, the family moved to Fairmont, Utah, and eventually to Wilson Lane, Utah, where she spent most of her childhood. She attended Wilson Lane Elementary School, Walhquist Jr. High School and Weber High School.
She had many wonderful childhood memories but the highlight of those years occurred on the day of her 10th birthday party. A large truck pulled into the driveway to deliver the ultimate gift for Jean … a new piano. The one and only gift she had asked for. That was the beginning of a life-long love of playing the piano. That piano sits in the family home 76 years later. She also recalled around that time when her parents bought their first electric refrigerator. It was a sad day for Jean because every week before that, she and her dad would drive down to the local ice house in Ogden to buy an ice block for the icebox at home. The trip always ended with going into the connected building, Farr's Ice Cream Parlor. Green pineapple ice cream remained her favorite throughout the years.
In 1951, Jean's father was running the local gas station in town and hired a young man who had served in the Navy during World War II to work for him. His name was William "Deb" Vaughn and Jean, at the age of 15, fell in love. They were married the following year on August 5, 1952. Their first five years of marriage were spent in Wilson Lane. Debra Jean was born in September of 1954.
In 1957, the young family made a bold decision, packed everything up, and moved to North Idaho outside of Priest River. With the eventual purchase of 80 acres, a small cabin was built just in time. Patricia arrived late in 1957, William Jeffery in 1959 and Julie in 1963. With no running water, Jean took care of four young children while Deb worked the woods in logging, eventually taking a job with Diamond International in Oldtown. Jean hand-washed clothes, diapers, dishes, and conducted bathing from water hauled up the hill from the local spring. Deb would fill up big milk containers and haul them in the old green Ford sedan.
In the summer of 1965, the Vaughns purchased a home in Newport. One month later Gregory Darreld was born. Amy Jo arrived in 1968 and the baby of the family, Lori Ann was born in 1973.
Jean began working for Newport Community Hospital in 1967 as a nurse's aide. At times she would take leave to stay home and raise her kids, but always returned to work. She eventually was promoted to central service manager in 1980 and faithfully served in that position until her retirement in 2000 with more than 28 years of service to the hospital. She also faithfully fulfilled her calling as head pianist/organist for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Priest River for over 20 years.
In 2004 Jean suffered a serious stroke that led to the loss of function of her right side. Determined to move on, she went through much therapy and learned to compensate for her loss. She continued to crochet, knit and cross-stitch and with the help of special sheet music, was able to play her piano with one hand. She also continued to expand her love of knowledge in the world of computers. She was truly a technical whiz and loved keeping up on the ongoing changes in technology. She continued to live independently for 11 years before needing live-in assistance.
In the end, Jean was most proud of raising seven children, becoming a grandmother 24 times and a great-grandmother 11 times. No doubt she will be looking down over the next six months as three more are on the way.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 34 years; her four brothers, Eldon, LaVor, Darreld and Clarence Jr.; and her step-father, William "Sarge" Krapohl.
She is survived by her seven children, Debra Jones, Tricia Kottke (Barry), William "Jeff" Vaughn (Barb), Julie Shanholtzer (Toby), Greg Vaughn (Cheryl), Amy Pounds (Terry), and Lori Massey (Greg); 24 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren (three more on the way); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 11 a.m. in Priest River, Idaho. Interment to follow at the Priest River Cemetery. Sherman-Campbell Funeral Home in Newport, Wash., is in charge of arrangements.
Bonner County Daily Bee
April 5, 2023
Jean (Bitton) Vaughn, 86, of Newport, Wash., passed away peacefully Saturday, April 1, 2023, while surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren. After living in the family home for more than 56 years in Newport, Jean spent her last 13 months of life under the care and comfort of the staff of River Mountain Village in Newport.
Jean was born on June 20, 1936, to parents Clarence and Bertha Serena Bitton in the small town of Sunset, Utah. She was the youngest of five children and came into a family of four brothers. Soon after her birth, the family moved to Fairmont, Utah, and eventually to Wilson Lane, Utah, where she spent most of her childhood. She attended Wilson Lane Elementary School, Walhquist Jr. High School and Weber High School.
She had many wonderful childhood memories but the highlight of those years occurred on the day of her 10th birthday party. A large truck pulled into the driveway to deliver the ultimate gift for Jean … a new piano. The one and only gift she had asked for. That was the beginning of a life-long love of playing the piano. That piano sits in the family home 76 years later. She also recalled around that time when her parents bought their first electric refrigerator. It was a sad day for Jean because every week before that, she and her dad would drive down to the local ice house in Ogden to buy an ice block for the icebox at home. The trip always ended with going into the connected building, Farr's Ice Cream Parlor. Green pineapple ice cream remained her favorite throughout the years.
In 1951, Jean's father was running the local gas station in town and hired a young man who had served in the Navy during World War II to work for him. His name was William "Deb" Vaughn and Jean, at the age of 15, fell in love. They were married the following year on August 5, 1952. Their first five years of marriage were spent in Wilson Lane. Debra Jean was born in September of 1954.
In 1957, the young family made a bold decision, packed everything up, and moved to North Idaho outside of Priest River. With the eventual purchase of 80 acres, a small cabin was built just in time. Patricia arrived late in 1957, William Jeffery in 1959 and Julie in 1963. With no running water, Jean took care of four young children while Deb worked the woods in logging, eventually taking a job with Diamond International in Oldtown. Jean hand-washed clothes, diapers, dishes, and conducted bathing from water hauled up the hill from the local spring. Deb would fill up big milk containers and haul them in the old green Ford sedan.
In the summer of 1965, the Vaughns purchased a home in Newport. One month later Gregory Darreld was born. Amy Jo arrived in 1968 and the baby of the family, Lori Ann was born in 1973.
Jean began working for Newport Community Hospital in 1967 as a nurse's aide. At times she would take leave to stay home and raise her kids, but always returned to work. She eventually was promoted to central service manager in 1980 and faithfully served in that position until her retirement in 2000 with more than 28 years of service to the hospital. She also faithfully fulfilled her calling as head pianist/organist for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Priest River for over 20 years.
In 2004 Jean suffered a serious stroke that led to the loss of function of her right side. Determined to move on, she went through much therapy and learned to compensate for her loss. She continued to crochet, knit and cross-stitch and with the help of special sheet music, was able to play her piano with one hand. She also continued to expand her love of knowledge in the world of computers. She was truly a technical whiz and loved keeping up on the ongoing changes in technology. She continued to live independently for 11 years before needing live-in assistance.
In the end, Jean was most proud of raising seven children, becoming a grandmother 24 times and a great-grandmother 11 times. No doubt she will be looking down over the next six months as three more are on the way.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 34 years; her four brothers, Eldon, LaVor, Darreld and Clarence Jr.; and her step-father, William "Sarge" Krapohl.
She is survived by her seven children, Debra Jones, Tricia Kottke (Barry), William "Jeff" Vaughn (Barb), Julie Shanholtzer (Toby), Greg Vaughn (Cheryl), Amy Pounds (Terry), and Lori Massey (Greg); 24 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren (three more on the way); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 11 a.m. in Priest River, Idaho. Interment to follow at the Priest River Cemetery. Sherman-Campbell Funeral Home in Newport, Wash., is in charge of arrangements.
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