Ike (Lyle) M. Fisher of Tonasket, Wash., passed away peacefully at home on May 17th, at 13:40 hours, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Tacoma, Wash. on April 22nd, 1930, to William and Pearl (Paul) Fisher. Ike was 85-years-old.

After losing his mother, and with his father away for work most of the time, various relatives stepped in to help raise him. When Ike was only a year old, his mother passed away, and then his father died when he was eight-years-old. Ike was living with his grandmother at the time of her passing; he was nine-years-old then. Ike, along with one of his brothers, were sent off to live with their Aunt Myrtle, who already had a house full of children– but took them in anyway. As a teenager Ike and his brother tried out bucking horses for the Moomaw rodeo stock. When he was not attending school, Ike also worked for a local rancher.

At the age of 19 Ike entered the United States Coast Guard, to which he served honorably for three years, three months, and 25 days. Due to his time overseas, he was eligible for early release.

During his tour of duty he met and married Sue Bettes of Galveston, Texas. Of this union, two boys were born; Ronald Fisher of Radcliff, Kent. and Melborn Fisher of Elk, Wash.

Post discharge from the U.S.C.G., Ike worked again for the same rancher that employed him as a teenager. A short time later he purchased a logging truck and drove that for a while. Eventually he began driving truck for Tony Grillo (Dick Johnson took over the company after Tony passed away) and continued driving for that company and after 36 years of truck driving, he finally retired in 1990.

Ike and Sue ended up getting divorced, after which he met and married Doris Picard, giving him two more children from the start. Pamela Perron, and Terry Fisher, both of Spokane, Wash.

Doris later passed away, and in 1989 Ike married his long-time friend, Nadean Lyon. This union gave him three more sons, and three more daughters. Steven Long (deceased), Dirk Long (deceased), Mark Long of Taylorsville, MS., Ronni Sandoval and Sherri Thomas both of Tonasket and Christine Richey of Spokane. Ike also helped to raise Nadean’s granddaughter, Reizel Beatty of

Tonasket who was six-years-old at the time of their marriage.

Ike was preceded in death by his mother and father, brother Gordon Fisher; wife Doris Fisher and sons Steven and Dirk Long.

He is survived by his brother William (Bill) Fisher of Brewster, Wash., wife Nadean Fisher of Tonasket, four sons, four daughters and many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and even one great-great-grandchild.

Ike was an inspiration to his entire family, and anyone else who was lucky enough to know him. He silently taught us hard work, patience, endurance, strength, and unconditional love. He is dearly missed, but his life is greatly celebrated.

Full military honors will be held at the Tonasket Cemetery on Saturday, June 6 at 1 p.m. and a memorial service and light luncheon will follow at the Tonasket Eagles. The family has requested that donations be made in Ike’s name, to the American Legion family of Tonasket, Wash. in lieu of flowers.