December 17, 2009

Lyle C. Honn

Lyle C. Honn, 55, Endicott area ag pilot and farmer, died Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, following an accident at his shop.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Endicott. Burial followed at the Endicott Cemetery.

He was born April 2, 1954, in Colfax to Floyd and Bertie (Judson) Honn. He grew up on the family farm between Endicott and Benge along with his two younger sisters. He graduated from Endicott High School in 1972 and attended Spokane Community College where he received a certificate in aircraft mechanics. It is said he loved flying. He owned and operated Honn Aviation and flew many hours as an ag pilot for 27 years. For a couple of years he also was a reserve sheriff deputy for Whitman County.

He married Clara McKenzie in 1976. They made their home near the family farm at the Adams County – Whitman County line. Their union ended in divorce after 11 years.

It is also said he was an avid hunter, an excellent marksman and always enjoyed target practicing. He loved to learn and was always reading and studying about different ways to do things. His library was immense. He enjoyed gunsmithing, anything about airplanes and doing mechanic work around the farm including car diagnostics work with the computer. He recently took up the hobby of machining on his metal lathe.

He invited a neighbor, Janet Hedlund, to be friends in 2003 and the couple have been significant others ever since.

He is survived by his three children, Greg (Trisha) Honn, Endicott, Dana (Kevin) Tastet of Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Denise Honn of Las Vegas, Nev.; his significant other, Janet Hedlund, at their home, three step-daughters, Jennifer Simpson, Spangle, Jacki Tyler of Phoenix, Ariz., and Jamie Hedlund of Garfield; three grandchildren, Hunter, Isaak, and Jaxson; two sisters, Louise Groat of Pomeroy and Elaine Cone of Kennewick; and his parents, Floyd and Bertie Honn, Endicott.

The family suggests memorials be made to the St. John – Endicott Schools Foundation.

An online guest book is at http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com.

Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, is caring for the family.