Obituary: Crnkovich, Ivan William

CRNKOVICH, Ivan William (Age 78) Of Spokane Valley, WA passed away peacefully on November 8, 2014 at home with his lovely wife Barbara of 53 years.

Ivan was born in Mullan, Idaho May 17, 1936 the youngest son of Kate and John Crnkovich, Croatian immigrants.

Ivan lived the majority of his life in Mullan, Idaho with his wife Barbara Crnkovich and raised three beautiful daughters (Kathy, Bobbie and Laura).

After working for Hecla Mining Company for 42 years, Ivan retired in March of 1999 and he and Barbara settled in Spokane Valley, WA.

Ivan and Barbara were partners in life that began in 1960 when they met at a basketball tournament at North Idaho College and married a year later.

Their love for sports continued through the years as they both loved rooting on the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Seattle Mariners, and the Seattle Seahawks.

Ivan was a very kind and social man and he and Barbara made numerous lasting friendships and have a large group of loving friends that spans decades.

These friendships have grown from high school days, to living in the Silver Valley, their Mullan Pinnacle Crew, along with their close friends and neighbors in the Spokane Valley.

Ivan is preceded in death by his parents Kate and John Crnkovich, brothers, Frank Crnkovich, George Crnkovich and his baby sister Katherine Crnkovich and is survived by his wife Barbara Crnkovich, daughters Kathy Crnkovich (daughter-in-law Shelly Williams), Bobbie Crnkovich Smith (son-in-law Perry L. Smith), Laura Crnkovich Spalla (son-in-law Tom Spalla) and two beautiful grandchildren Parker J. Spalla and Demi M. Spalla (his pride and joy), brothers Joe Crnkovich, Mike Crnkovich (sister-in-law Helen Crnkovich), Steve Crnkovich (sister-in-law Violet Crnkovich), sister-in-law Julie Crnkovich, sister-in-law Margaret Elyard (brother-in-law Chuck Elyard), brother-in-law Jim Makovec (sister in-law Mineko Makovec) along with many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.

A service for Ivan will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (304 S. Adams Rd., Spokane Valley, WA 99216) Saturday, November 22nd at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations could be made in Ivan’s memory to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.