Joseph Milburn Shreve

1924 - 2016

Farewell to a beloved member of the Greatest Generation.
Joseph M. Shreve passed away peacefully, at home, surrounded by his wife Sally and three of his five children, on the morning of June 14, 2016. He was 92 years old. He is most dearly missed. His family finds comfort and inspiration in the vivid image of Joe's sweet smile that often overshadowed his physical ailments, and of his gracious warmth to the many visitors who entered his home, and of his willingness to make a new friend--and be a friend--until the end.

Joe's story began in 1924 in the picturesque, small-town of Wallace, Idaho, located in northern Idaho's panhandle. Wallace was an honest-to-goodness "wild west" town, complete with miners and madams, colorful characters and plain, honest, hard-working folk, a town which needed no embellishing but, nonetheless, doled out stories as tall as the surrounding Bitterroot Mountains... stories, which for Joe's children, were a great source of entertainment, wonder, and bittersweet nostalgia for a time gone by. Joe was the youngest of six children (Rosalie, Winnie, Jim, George and John), born to Katherine Anne (Heiberger) and Francis "Frank" Nelson Shreve. Here, with this family who remained ever dear to him, Joe took his first steps, directed by love, encouragement, some horseplay, and a strong moral compass, which he looked to for guidance throughout his life.

Growing up during the Great Depression, the Shreve children learned to be resourceful. As young teenagers, Joe and his brother John would attend town picnics with folks who lived in the surrounding areas; these picnics usually included a foot race and a monetary prize for "first place." Soon, Joe and John each collected a pile of silver dollars (for their separate age groups). Joe used his winnings to attend the big two-week long "Scout Jamboree" in Spokane, Washington: a dream come true! Lugging a couple straw-filled gunny sacks, in place of a sleeping bag, he traveled to the Jamboree where he swam and fished and hiked and, basically had the time of his life with 200 other scouts! At the campfire on the last night, they held a big dinner and celebration, and as Joe described, "I'll be damned if they didn't call out my name as the Outstanding Boy Scout of the entire camp! For some reason, they thought I was an exemplary role model for the other boys!" He remembers that as one of the greatest highlights of his entire life. Indeed, Joe continued to be a man of honor, as he spent countless hours serving others in his church and community during his time on earth.

At one time or another, the Shreve boys all worked in Idaho's Sunshine Mine, one of the world's largest and most profitable silver mines; the often back-breaking, dangerous work enabled the boys to pay their ways through college at the University of Idaho. However, at 19 years of age, Joe's college life was temporarily interrupted... by the Second World War. Joe served with the Deadeyes, 96th Infantry Division, in The Pacific Theater. The 96th is one of only four entire Army Divisions awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for heroic action during World War II. Notably, Joe participated in the Battles of Leyte and Okinawa. Among other awards, Master Sergeant Joseph M. Shreve received the Philippine Liberation Medal with bronze service star.

After his return from the war, Joe moved to Spokane, Washington. There, while working for the Carnation Milk Company, he met his future wife, Sara "Sally" Fife. On their first date they danced to the music of "Red Nichols and his Five Pennies" band; their dance continued through nearly 64 years of marriage, five children, eleven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Together, Joe and Sally shared a strong faith in the good Lord, which got them through the best of times, and the worst of times. They leave this legacy of faith to their family.

Joe's career as a civil service auditor for the United States Air Force, resulted in several moves for the family, as Joe was transferred to different air bases around the country. They lived in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and California. Joe was also employed by the State of California, in Sacramento. For the past 14 years, he and Sally, have resided in Yorba Linda, California.

In addition to his beloved wife, Sally, Joe is survived by his children Joanie (John B.) of Victoria, B.C., Sheila (Greg) of Brentwood, CA, Tom (Cammie) of Yorba Linda, CA, John P. (Nancy) of Overland Park, KS, Molly (Gary) of Sacramento, CA; grandchildren Sara (Ronnie), Lindsay (Tony), Amy, Lesley, John J., Justin, Ben, Sam, Patrick, Jacob, Spencer; great grandchildren Stella and Ethan. Joe will be greatly missed by his brother, John F., age 97, of San Marcos, CA., as well as many nieces, nephews, and many dear friends, especially Bob and Bobbie Doan.

The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to Providence TrinityCare Hospice for the compassionate care bestowed upon Joe, and the support given to his family. A private funeral was held at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Burlingame, Ca. on June 24, 2016. Joe has been laid to rest in the Veteran's section of Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, Ca. A celebration of his life will be held in Yorba Linda, Ca. at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in support of The Sister Katherine Theresa Fife Music Scholarship Fund are appreciated. Please contact Suzanne Bjork at 509-326-9516 or suzanne@hnmc.org">suzanne@hnmc.org">suzanne@hnmc.org">suzanne@hnmc.org for more information.

We will never forget Joe's quick wit and dry humor, his legendary story-telling and support for the underdog; his fondness for big band music, a good cribbage game, and the Jungle Book movie; his love of wild huckleberries and homemade pies--and his uncanny ability to talk the ears off telemarketers! In the words of one of his favorite American story-tellers, Louie L'Amour, "You're a man to ride the river with," Joe!