Aretha Harvey Chilton, Orofino
Aretha Harvey Chilton, born April 8, 1913, passed away Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011. She was the second of seven children born to Ora J. and Lillie Martin Harvey at Harrisburg, Idaho. She attended the rural school there through the seventh grade. The family moved to Kamiah, where she graduated from high school in 1930. Aretha attended the University of Idaho, where she earned a degree in education. She went on to teach at rural schools for 10 years in Winona, Harmony Heights and Greer. In 1935, she moved with her family to Orofino.
Aretha married Lee Chilton Aug. 12, 1939. They continued to live in the Orofino area, where they raised their family of three children. As her family grew, she became very active in their activities. She was a leader for Camp Fire Girls, a leader for 4-H groups, den mother for a Cub Scout group and Little League baseball coach.
Aretha did substitute teaching in the Orofino school system for several years. She served as Orofino city librarian from 1959 to 1961. She then accepted the personnel assistant position for the Forest Service in the Clearwater National Forest. After her retirement in 1975, she and Lee traveled throughout the lower 48 states, Alaska and Canada.
Aretha kept very busy with her numerous hobbies. She taught herself to do pine needle basket work, lapidary work, wood carving, needle work, quilt making, gardening, card making and wood work.
After Lee's death in 1985, she devoted much of her time doing volunteer work for hospice, her church, RSVP, the hospital auxiliary, the Board of Community Guardians and as service officer for the Retired Federal Employees for 20 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee; her parents; brothers, George and Harry; and two sisters, Bessie Harvey and Lorene Secrest.
Aretha is survived by two daughters; one son; two brothers; one sister; plus many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be conducted from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Orofino Tabernacle Church, followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m. Pine Hills Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Senior Center of Orofino, P.O. Box 93, Orofino, ID 83544.
The Lewiston Tribune, November 20, 2011, p. 7C
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock