Einer W. Macki

 Einer W. Macki, or ''Mack'' as he was often called by his friends, passed away at the age

of 82 early Sunday morning, May 27,2001. Einer was known for his wonderfully warm heart, but he had struggled over the past years with declining health and succumbed after a bout with pneumonia. Einer was born in Enaville, Idaho on November 10, 1918 to Jakob and Hilma Macki who had immigrated to northern Idaho from Finland. He graduated from Mullan High School. and attended Idaho State Normal School where he was known as an outstanding athlete in basketball and football- ''the smallest and fastest halfback'' on record. After school, he followed his father's example and worked in the silver mines near Mullan until he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1941. His military service was outstanding. He was assigned to the Eighth Air Force in England, flying as a radio gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress named ''The Zoot Suiters.'' These remarkable heroes flew bombing raids over Germany during the early days of American involvement in World War II, without the protection of fighter escorts. Einer was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with a Presidential Citation, the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters, and was personally credited with downing a Messerschmitt 109. His crew completed the full complement of 25 missions, including the Eighth Air Force's most successful precision bombing raids at Regensburg, Marienburg and Schweinfurt. Einer married LaFonda Mott in October, 1942 while he was stationed in Salt Lake City, Utah. After his military service, they settled in Richland where he worked at Hanford as an instrument technician until his retirement in 1984. Einer and LaFonda had a daughter, Pam, and raised two nephews, John and Jim The Mackis had an active and fun-Ioving retirement. They were members of the Elks and Moose organizations. Einer was an excellent dancer, bowler and golfer with many friends who will remember him with deep affection. They will always think of him with a smile, remembering his generosity, his warm and teasing sense of humor and his ability to liven up a party. Einer leaves his wife, LaFonda, daughter Pam, brother Verner, and many nephews and nieces. He joins his parents, his sisters Martha Jokela, Velma Haugen, Lempi Savage, Toini Swan, Vieno Kelling, Thelma Macki, his brothers Reino Macki, John Macki, Toivo Macki, and Allen Maki. Funeral services will be held at 11 :00 a.m. on Friday, June I, 2001 at Einan' s Funeral Home located at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 915 By-Pass Highway, Richland, WA 99352. Visitations may be made at the funeral on Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 7pm. Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association at 805 S. Auburn Kennewick, Wa 99336