Ellis Horyna

Died 9/18/2018

Ellis “Gene” Horyna passed away at his home Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, at age 79. He had congestive heart failure and other health related issues.

Gene was born Dec. 30, 1938, to Arthur and Margaret Horyna in Lewiston.

As a child he lived briefly in the Gifford/Reubens area, and as a teenager lived for approximately a year in Phoenix. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1957 and continued to live between Lewiston and Orofino for the majority of his life.

At age 18 he went to work for the Camas Prairie Railroad, where he worked until retirement, except for serving between approximately 1964 through 1966 in the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed primarily in Okinawa, Japan. He grew up during hard times and knew what it was to work for what you got; Gene overcame a lot of adversity.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Elbert; a half-sister, Elaine and a nephew, Monty.

He is survived by a number of nieces and nephews, including Mark (Roseann) Granlund of Orting, Wash., Rodney (Li) Granlund of Virginia Beach, Va., Ronda Granlund of Clarkston and their mother, Rose Marie Granlund.

Gene enjoyed the simplicity of life. He was a lifelong learner and routinely went to the library to read, attended health-related seminars and workshops, and readily shared the information he learned with others. Gene was a hard worker who enjoyed outdoor work and gardening as a hobby. He enjoyed attending senior events, including taking occasional sightseeing excursions out of town. Gene also honored and cared for his mother, Margaret, while she was living.

There will be a graveside service at Normal Hill Cemetery at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, with the Rev. David Knittel officiating.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home of Lewiston.