Retired mail carried Joseph Spencer Clovis died of cancer Saturday at St. Mary's Hospital at Cottonwood. He had been a patient there for 27 days.

He worked as a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service at Craigmont since 1962 until his retirement in 1981.

He was born April 10, 1914, at Orofino to Clyde E. and Christina G. Clovis of Nez Perce. The family moved to Craigmont later that same year.

Joe graduated from Craigmont High School in 1932, then spent one year in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He went to work for the Madison Lumber COmpany in 1935, then in 1936 became manager of Kamiah Hardware and Supply. In 1938 he purchased an interest in Craigmont Hardware and Clovis Mortuary, along with his father and brother Phillip. He sold his interest in the hardware store in 1958 and then worked as office manager for Idaho Seeds until 1962 when he sold his interest in Clovis Mortuary in 1969 to Cletus Uhlorn.

He married Marie Fern Nickel Nov. 4, 1937. She survives him at the family home.

He enjoyed shooting, bowling, fishing, card and sports of all kinds. he was a member of the Craigmont Volunteer Fire Department and had served as fire chief. He was a member of Craigmont Post 38 of the American Legion and a member of past master of Prairie Lodge No. 62 of A.F. & A.M.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, from March 1944 to July 1945. He was made an honorary life member of the U.S. Air Defense Team for his faithful service as a volunteer in the Ground Observer Corps. He was the voter registrar at Craigmont from 1955-1981.

Survivors names omitted per findagrave policy.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Allen, Phillip and Laurance Clovis and a sister, Alta Treadwell.

Lewiston Tribune November 06, 1988, pg. 10
transcribed by Kerry