Johnnie Casebeer, beloved husband of Faye for 41 years, and father of Dollie, died Dec. 1, 2002, in his home on Whidbey Island.

He was born in 1932 to Earl and Dorothy Singer Casebeer in Pasadena, Calif. Although he had fond childhood memories of Pasadena and Lake Stevens, Wash., he considered Coulee Dam his lifetime home, and was pleased to be among his many friends there at his 50th high school reunion last summer.

After a tour with the Army in the 1950s, he attended North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, then moved back to Coulee Dam to begin a lifetime career in construction as a crane operator. Mr. Casebeer was a member of Operating Engineers Locals 370 and 302, and took pride in working on five Columbia River dams, one of few operators who could boast of pouring over 1 million yards of concrete. He retired in 1982 and made his home on a north Idaho mountaintop, where he and his wife lived until their move to Whidbey Island in early 2002.

Mr. Casebeer enjoyed physical activity, boating and water sports. He was a superb craftsman who not only built his own Idaho home, but was quick to strap on his carpenter’s apron and help others with their building projects. He loved animals and kept the woodland creatures fed through the harsh Idaho winters.

Those who had the good fortune to know Mr. Casebeer will remember his kindness and compassion, a strong man with a gentle manner.

He was preceded in death by a son, Coby Dean Casebeer, and a brother, Nicholas Casebeer.

In addition to his wife, Faye, of Whidbey Island, he is survived by a daughter, Dollie Casebeer of Spokane, and cherished grandchildren Natasha and Levi Nickerson of Rochester, Wash.

Funeral services will be Dec. 7 at the Church of the Nazarene in Grand Coulee with interment at Spring Canyon Cemetery.