From The Lewiston Tribune, posted Thursday, December 25, 2008, "Walter F. (Walt) Odenwald, of Lewiston and formerly of Orofino, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at Tri-State Memorial Hospital in Clarkston. Odie, to old friends and family, has passed on to entertain and care for those who have passed before him. He was 89. Walt was born in Choteau, Mont., Nov. 2, 1919, to Reetha V. Knapp Odenwald and William F. Odenwald. His parents farmed there until 1927, when they moved to McGill Spur, a few miles below Ahsahka, then to Cow Creek, outside of Orofino, to begin a lifelong career in the logging industry.

Walt began working at Johnson's Mill at Cow Creek when he was 14 years old, moving with the mill to the Grangemont Road site, and went on to become a master mechanic for Johnson until the mill closed in April 1972. Walt then worked for Bill Cummings Construction and Ken Miller Logging as a master mechanic until he retired in 1988.

Walt served in the U.S. Army for four years during World War II, the last year being in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1945. He lived his life as a true patriot, proud but humble in his service for his country.

On June 6, 1953, Walt married Frankie White at Orofino, with her two children, Larry and his wife Carol Richardson, and Nancy Richardson and husband Gene Reiland, remained united until Frankie's death May 27, 1972.

On Sept. 13, 1977, Walt married Junia Hill Heaton at Orofino, where they lived until 2004. Walt and Junia raised a large garden for many years; flowers, vegetables, fruit trees, nut trees and grapes. He became a master gardener and food preserver. They traveled throughout the western United States and Canada, visiting family and friends for several years.

In June 2004, Walt and Junia moved to Lewiston to be closer to her children, whom he inherited graciously, Mike and wife Laura Heaton, Jim and wife Wendy Reed Heaton, Deb Heaton, and Paula Heaton and husband Pete Beeson.

Junia passed away July 27, 2008. Also preceding Walt in death were his parents; a sister, Margaret Odenwald Kelley; and brother-in-law, Gas Kelley.

In addition to Walt's surviving six stepchildren, there are 12 grandchildren who will remember him as grandpa and a handful of great-grandchildren who will have to grow up without his wit and stories. He is also survived by his two nephews, Fred and wife Janette Kelley, and Greg and wife Sandy Kelley, as well as their families.

The legacy Walt leaves all of his inherited kids is that of colorful stories of grand old days in the logging industry, and of those who lived in that culture, and his constant will to go forward and keep moving. He always kept that hard hat and those tools nearby.

Arrangements are being made by Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home in Lewiston. Because of the inclement weather, a graveside service at Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens will be conducted at a later date."