Former Spokane Valley Deputy Mayor Gary Schimmels dies unexpectedly

Former Spokane Valley Deputy Mayor Gary Schimmels, who lost his council seat in November to an intra-Republican feud, died this morning at his home. He was 75. “He served this community for many years, and along with his family has a special and important place in Spokane Valley life and history,” Spokane Valley Mayor Dean Grafos said in a prepared statement today. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Myrna and all of the Schimmels family.” The city said Schimmels died “unexpectedly in his sleep.” Emergency dispatch records show paramedics responded at 4:07 a.m. to a report of a cardiac arrest at the home. Schimmels had served on the city council since Spokane Valley’s incorporation in 2003 but lost his re-election bid in November to Ed Pace, who now holds the seat. Both described themselves as conservative Republicans. During his years on the city council, Schimmels represented Spokane Valley on numerous boards and committees, including the regional Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the Spokane Regional Transportation Committee. He had also been on the board of directors for Consolidated Irrigation District for more than 30 years. Hennessey Funeral Home and Crematory in Spokane Valley are handling the arrangements.