Richard Leo Clinesmith

Richard Leo Clinesmith, 85, died on Aug. 2 at Hospice House in Spokane.

He was born Nov. 9, 1930, in Endicott, the son of James and Elsie (Honn) Clinesmith.

He grew up in Benge, graduated from Washtucna High School in 1949, graduated from Whitworth College in 1953 and then briefly served in the U.S. Army.

He taught primary school for several years in the U.S. before moving to Morocco where he continued to teach and met his future wife, Lois Roth.

On Feb. 25, 1961, they were united in marriage in Tangier, Morocco. This union was blessed with two children: Mark and Sharon.

He and Lois served as missionaries with Avant Ministries (formerly Gospel Missionary Union) in Morocco, Spain and Alaska until their retirement to Whitewater, Kansas, in 1989. After the death of his wife Lois, he moved to Spokane to be near his daughter and other family members.

Richard is preceded in death by his wife Lois, his son Mark and a brother Harold.

He is lovingly survived by his daughter Sharon Canada of Spokane, granddaughter Stephanie Canada of Hanoi, Vietnam, brother Robert (Chris) Clinesmith of Benge, nephews Marvin (Nikki) Clinesmith, Michael (Caryn) Clinesmith, Randy (Beth) Clinesmith and niece Connie (Terry) Vance.

Committal and funeral services were held on Sunday, Aug. 14, in Whitewater. Memorial service to be held Saturday, Sept. 10, at 1 p.m. at South Hill Bible Church, 958 East 29th Ave, Spokane, WA 99203.

Memorials have been established for the Hospice House of Spokane or for Malaga Media Center (Avant Ministries) in care of Lamb Funeral Home, 120 S Main, Whitewater, KS 67154.