Donald "Don" Edward Knicely, 63 years old, passed away on 01/09/2023 after a three-year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing.

Don was born on 03/21/1959 to Edward and Helen Knicely in Fairmont, West Virginia. He had seven older sisters and one younger brother. Donald moved to Priest River, Idaho in 1976 living with his older sister Patty White. Patty and Don remained close and continued to talk daily throughout his life.  He attended Priest River High School through his Junior year later getting his GED.

After high school, Don worked locally as a carpenter, at Key Tronics in Newport, Washington and then in the planer at Stimson Lumber Mill where he retired after 30 years. He enjoyed volunteer work and was a member of the Odd Fellows and Priest River Volunteer Fire Dept.

He met the love of his life Sharon while still in high school. Don and Sharon married in 1978 and celebrated 44 years of marriage in October 2022. Don and Sharon enjoyed traveling to Oregon, California, Washington, Hawaii and multiple National Parks. Their favorites were Yellowstone and Glacier. They also enjoyed fishing, wine tasting, spending time with good friends and boating at Priest Lake. They remained best friends as well as husband and wife and continued to hold hands and enjoy date nights throughout their marriage. Don also enjoyed coin collecting, gardening, canning, driving his 64 Mercury, and tinkering on cars and in his shop.

Sharon and Don had three daughters Misty Painton (Jaime), Donna Knicely (Jessica) and Kayla Noble (Jake). Don loved his daughters dearly and was so proud of the women they became. He always said being their father was the greatest gift ever given to him.  Don's biggest joy in life was his grandchildren Michel Spencer, Jordan and Felicia Painton, Daxon and Vander Noble, Grayson Knicely, and his great-grandchildren Averi Spencer, and Reese and Luca Francis. Don's daughters and grandchildren were his life and he loved spending time with them. Don had numerous nieces and nephews but was especially close to his sister Patty's girls Robin Hallenius and Sheila Rabidue. He was and will forever be their Uncle Donkey.

Don was an exceptional husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He had integrity, was kind, patient, and  "true north" to all "his girls". His family agrees he is the best man any of them have ever known. There are no words to describe how much he will be missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Helen Knicely, his sisters France Eddy, Ardith Brown, Bonnie Bell, and his mother-in-law Anna Carney (Jim Carney) and father-in-law Harold Gene Spry (Donna Spry).

He is survived by his wife Sharon; his daughters Misty Painton (Jaime), Donna Knicely (Jessica), Kayla Noble (Jake) his grandchildren and great grandchildren, his sisters Patty White (Ed), May Michel (George), Kathy Ross, Jean Holt, his brother Robert Knicely, his sister-in-law Anna Bolton and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial and graveside services will be held in Priest River, Idaho in the spring. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Sherman Campbell Funeral and Cremation Services in Newport, WA is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are welcome to visit their website at www.shermancampbell.com