Jerome J. (Jerry) Cebula

His most memorable characteristic was his sense of humor, always at play, and it will be missed at local organizations like the Canyon Birders and Kelly Creek Flycasters. Cebula family reunions will never be quite the same without him. He had a gift for focus, which other people always appreciated - especially when he used that focus to turn otherwise dire circumstances to laughter.

He grew up in Goodland, Kan., with his siblings, Robert, Willie, Stan and Janice, and his parents, Tom and Stella. The family remains close-knit to this day, with regular get-togethers enjoyed by three generations. His nieces and nephews particularly enjoyed his company.

On the family farm he learned to love the many faces of nature and found joy in fly fishing, bird watching, hiking, hunting, gardening and any excuse to spend time outside. He moved to Lenore in 1993 to enjoy such enthusiasms full-time after retiring from a career wherein he manufactured glass eyes for taxidermists. At that time, Lenore was a less bustling place than it is today. So, it was also his original intention to find solitude in his new surroundings. But this priority rapidly flew by the wayside as he met more and more remarkable people in the community. These folks ended up becoming his dear friends, friends that stayed by his side regardless of how difficult the circumstances became during his illness. He fell in love with Sarah Walker, and she changed his life for the better every day he knew her.

For the last several years he has been a long way from alone.

His passing was quiet and entirely without pain - one final light in the string of exemplary care he received throughout the course of his illness.

We would like to specifically reach out to all of his caregivers at St. Joseph Hospital and Cancer Center: Dr. Jones, Dr. Morgan, Dr. Kumar, Dr. Shah, Jennifer, Dean, Dolly, Naomi, Amy, Becky, Kara, Elizabeth, Allie, Sarah, Sara, Kim, Kasie, Karen, Rae, Tammy, Alexis, Judy, Tamara, Jennifer, Andi, Kristen, Jenny, Shari, Leann, Gina, Linda, Carolyn, Chelsea and Fran.

You are all amazing people, and we are grateful to you. We never would have made it through this without your infinite care, generosity, gentleness and humor.

Sarah and Travis are planning to hold a celebration of life in the Lewiston area in the near future; details still to be determined. But until then, may the sun shine and the warblers keep singing from all the treetops.