Richard Leo Clinesmith

1930 - 2016

Richard Leo Clinesmith, age 85, passed into eternal glory on Monday (Aug. 8, 2016), from Hospice House in Spokane, Washington. He was formerly from Whitewater.

Clinesmith was born Nov. 9, 1930, in Endicott, Washington, the son of James and Elsie (Honn) Clinesmith. He grew up in Benge, Washington, graduated from Washtucna High School, briefly served in the U.S. Army and then graduated from Whitworth College.

He taught primary school for several years in the U.S. before moving to Morocco, where he continued to teach and met his future wife, Lois Roth. On February 25, 1961, they were united in marriage in Tangier, Morocco. This union was blessed with two children: Mark and Sharon. He and Lois served as missionaries with Avant Ministries (formerly Gospel Missionary Union) in Morocco, Spain, and in Alaska until their retirement to Whitewater in 1989.

Richard is preceded in death by his son Mark Clinesmith, a brother, Harold Clinesmith, and his wife Lois. He is lovingly survived by his daughter Sharon Canada of Spokane, Washington, his granddaughter Stephanie Canada of Hanoi, Vietnam, and his brother Robert Clinesmith of Benge, Washington.

Visitation with family will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday (Aug. 13, 2016), at Lamb Funeral Home, Whitewater.

Services will be on Sunday (August 14, 2016), with the Committal Service at 2 p.m. at the Swiss Cemetery, and the Funeral Service following at 3 p.m. at the Whitewater Community Church, both in Whitewater.

Memorials have been established for the Hospice House of Spokane or for Malaga Media Center (Avant Ministries) in care of Lamb Funeral Home, 120 S Main, Whitewater, KS, 67154.

Online condolences may be left at www.zeinerfuneralhomes.com