R. Harold Sidel

Harold “Ray” Sidel was born to Raymond Gale and Florence Louren Sidel on October 27th, 1931, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Ray had one sister, Joann Hannar. He died March 12, 2016, at SHMC. He was 84 years old.

Ray graduated from East Side High School in 1948. He joined the Navy after graduation and served as a corpsman for two years. During his time in the Navy, he was stationed in Korea and was involved in the Invasion of Inchon in 1950 serving on a hospital ship. Ray left the Navy later that year and joined the Air Force. He worked in radar operations and later served as 1st Sergeant. During his 20 years in the Air Force, his station posts included Geiger Field in Spokane, Alaska, New Mexico and four years in Hoff Germany. He retired from Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts and then moved his family back to Spokane.

Ray married Annie Ringheim on July 20, 1956. The two were married until Ann’s passing in November of 2009. Ray and Ann had three children, Joy Vold (Ron) of Sprague, Cheryl Holder of Spokane Valley and Mark Sidel of Spokane. They have eight grandchildren; Ryan Vold (Anne), Angela Vold, Nicole Erickson (Josh), Traci Ann Holder, Fallon Holder, Tory Brown, Brandon Sidel and Taylor Sidel. They also have nine great- grandchildren.

Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, and RVing with Ann. They worked at various campgrounds at Lake Havasu, Arizona, Nevada and California as camp hosts.

After Ann’s passing Ray moved into the Spokane Veterans’ Home where he developed many good friends. He enjoyed his table buddies and it was often said they had the most fun table. He had a special roommate in Samuel; they shared many hours of watching old westerns, especially the old John Wayne movies. He had many excellent nurses and care givers during his stay at the Veterans’ home. Ray had a great sense of humor and enjoyed joking with everyone around him.

Memorial Service will be Friday, March 18th, 2016 at 1PM at St. John's Lutheran Church, 223 S. Hallett St, Medical Lake, WA 99022. The Graveside Service will follow at 2:30PM at Greenwood Memorial Terrace, 211 W. Government Way, Spokane, WA 99224.