Elvin Joseph 'Eli' Holt, 30

| December 2, 2008 8:00 PM

Elvin Joseph "Eli" Holt, 30, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008, in Sagle, Idaho.

Viewing for friends and family will be held today, Wednesday, from 3-6 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint with Charley Packard officiating. A reception will follow in the Lakeview reception area.

Eli was born on April 27, 1978, in Sandpoint, to Dale Holt and Jackie Jennings. He grew up in Oregon and Idaho with seven brothers and sisters, and many friends. He attended local schools including Farmin Stidwell Elementary, Sandpoint Middle School and Sandpoint High School.

He will be remembered as a caring father, loving son and a well respected friend. Eli was known for his charm and witty sense of humor, a person that could put a smile on your face by simply walking into a room. Eli was a great source of pride for his parents, and inspiration for his friends. He walked through life free and happy, making sure that those he cared about were taken care of no matter what the cost.

Eli enjoyed helping people, protecting others, and he was especially good with little children.

He is survived by his father, Dale (Alice) Holt of Sandpoint; mother, Jackie Jennings (Mike Bethel) of Eugene, Ore.; grandparents, Gene and Edna Jennings of Prairie City, Ore.; four sisters, Emily Holt, Hannah Zabriskie, Erica, and Sophie Jennings; three brothers, Weylin Zabriskie, Christopher and Hunter Nelson; three stepsisters, Anna Blackford, Marita and Amy Rose Freir; and a stepbrother, Ian Freir; aunts Mary (Dell) Goff of Sandpoint and Emily Alley of Eugene; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Elvin and Josephine Holt.

Eli, you are a rare breed and we are all very sorry we could not help to protect you, but know in our hearts we love you very much and your spirit will live on through all of us. You have truly given a gift to all that had the privilege of meeting you and the joy that you have brought into many lives.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Eli's online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.