Joe Weisz, 95

Joe Weisz, 95, passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Sandpoint.

Graveside funeral services, with military honors, will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 18, in Pinecrest Memorial Park. Dale Coffelt will be officiating.

Joe was born April 30, 1926, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and moved to Sandpoint at the age of 1 year old. He attended local schools, joining the U.S. Army in 1944. He served in the European Theater, earning the Purple Heart. Speaking German, he was able to communicate with the German prisoners of war. He returned home and married Ida Lois Culley on April 6, 1947.

He established the “family farm” on Pine Street and worked on the Cabinet Gorge Dam. He started his logging career with a cross cut saw, and continued running his farm and his logging operation until the age of 95, never fully retiring.

The Weisz property had Sandpoint’s original ski hill, operating an early home-made rope tow. The cleared area, for the ski hill, can still be seen today. The property also has the Pine Street Woods system of walking and biking trails.

Joe is survived by his three children, Tony Chirinos, Gary Weisz and John Weisz; two sisters, Ann Stutzke and Mary Mitton; and his brother, John Weisz. Also surviving are numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and six siblings.

Family and friends are invited to sign Joe’s online guestbook at coffeltfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.