Raymond Bache

Longtime Western News columnist Raymond Albert Bache, 89, died Monday, March 20, 2006 at St. John's Lutheran Hospital in Libby.

He was born Nov. 4, 1917 at Kalispell to Fred S. and Minnie S. Bache.

Raymond was ordained into the ministry in 1944 at Livingston at the Montana District Council. He served as pastor at Browning, Polson and Midland, Calif. He served Assembly of God in Libby as a visitation pastor for many years.

As a young man he worked for J. Neils Lumber Co. as a Caterpillar operator, logging road builder and then during the 1950s he worked in partnership with his nephew, Wayne Grames, in logging operations in Missoula and northern Idaho. He and his son-in-law, Leonard Emett, did contract logging for St. Regis throughout the 1960s.

The joy of his ministry years was the focus he was able to put upon helping to meet the needs of hurting people. His Friday afternoons as hospital chaplain at St. John's brought comfort to many. Libby Care Center residents were among his dear friends that happily encouraged with visits and prayer.

The Good News column in "The Western News" became another avenue for him to encourage people and share his faith.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers, Seeley and Esbon; and his sister, Lovi Nixon; and his first wife of 37 years, Dorothy Ann.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Faith; daughter Bonnie and Leonard Emett of Libby, and Dottie and Jim Sheffield of Kennewick, Wash.; and stepchildren, Gary Hicks of Grants Pass, Ore., and Charlotte Mercurio of Southern California; grandchildren: Guy Ray and Michele Emett of Corvallis, Sally Dee and Alan Beaulieu of Columbia Falls, Dorothy and Daniel Monahan of Hermiston, Ore., Elizabeth and Mark Fields of Kennewick, Wash.; great grandchildren: Bradley, Christian and Jordan Beaulieu, Sydney and Hailey Emett, and Ashley Monahan; Nieces: Edith and Louis Bothman, Bessie Grames, Mary Lou and Ronald Calvert, Janice McGhee, and Lois and Gil Emory; and nephews: Lloyd and Virginia, Cecil and Donna, Frank and Sandy, John and Kathy, Kenneth and Helen, and Fred and Grace Bache.

His large extended church family and community friends include so many that there wouldn't be space to mention them all but he had special family-like bonds with his pastors: Kevin Lindren, Dave Ginther, and the church staff - Valerie Crabtree, Georgia Rayson, Robin, Debbie, as well as the church board and special friends Ardell and Sheryll Filler and Gary and Sheri Halvorson. Dave and Theresa Muniz is considered his special "adopted" nephew.

Services will be held at Libby Assembly of God Church, 1108 Utah Ave. at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 24. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. on Thursday. Local arrangements are by Nelson & Vial Funeral Home in Libby.

Memorial gifts may be made to Assembly of God Capital Campaign or Libby Volunteer Ambulance.