Alvin Dale Sartwell, 73, of Clarkston, passed away peacefully at home on July 30, 2016, with his beloved family by his side.

Alvin was born on May 17, 1943, in Pioneer Township, Mich., to Ralph and Lorraine (Dennis) Sartwell. The family moved from Michigan to Kelso in 1951, where he graduated from Kelso High School in 1961. He met the love of his life, Sheryl Barkstrom, the summer after he graduated, and they were married Feb. 15, 1962, in Lewiston. Their marriage was blessed in the Catholic Church, March 10, 1962, in Kelso, Wash. They were married for 54 years. He and his wife, Sheryl, had three children, Kimberly, Michelle and Brian. He moved his family to Longview, Wash., in 1973, then later moved them to Lewiston in 1980 and moved to Clarkston in 2005.

He lived his life to the extreme; whether it was work or play, nothing was half-done and everything was done to perfection. He loved teaching his children and grandchildren many things, and taught us all how to do it correctly. He was a very hard worker who had a variety of occupations over many years, but his favorite was running heavy equipment. Most recently, he owned and operated Lewiston Waste Management, from 1981 until he retired. He was an entrepreneur who owned several businesses throughout his life. He was a man of his word, his word was his bond and his handshake was more binding than a contract. Just recently he told Sheryl, "The best time in my life was when we were raising our kids."

Over the last 16 years his passion was maintaining the land at our cabin at Baker's Pond. He planted more than 2,500 trees after the School Fire. He thoroughly enjoyed watching the deer come into his property, where he provided plenty of food and water for them. He loved having his family there in the park-like setting he created for all of us. His favorite place was sitting around the campfire in the evening. Al had a great sense of humor and was always joking and laughing with his family and friends.

He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, and passed on the love of it to his children. He was a long-time member of Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. He was a skilled pilot who could drop out of time, focus on the moment and delight in the joy of flying. He was truly at peace when he was flying. He took many road trips to see what was over the next hill or around the next corner, not always to the delight of his children.

He is survived by his wife, Sheryl; daughters Kimberly (Steven) Gates and Michelle Peters; a son, Brian Sartwell; his granddaughters, Angie, Courtney and Kaitlyn Gates and Shawna Sartwell; his grandsons, Justin, Jason and Jordan Peters; his brother, Gerald Sartwell; and many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Lorraine Sartwell; his brothers, Duane and Ray Sartwell; and his sister, Carolyn Duff.

Please join us at 2 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Sartwell Cabin for a celebration of life. If you wish to leave comments you may sign the on-line Book of Memories at www.mtviewfuneralhome.com. The map and coordinates to the cabin will be included on this website.