Archived Marriage Records
Russell E. Dickenson
Former Director of the National Park Service 1923 ~ 2008
Russell E. Dickenson died peacefully in the presence of his family on February 19, 2008. Russell was born in Melissa, Texas on April 12, 1923, and graduated from high school in McKinney, Texas in 1940. He graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1947, and served four years in the Marine Corp. attaining the rank of Captain.
Russell began his National Park Service career in 1946, as a Park Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park. After distinguished service in a variety of field assignments, he was appointed Director in 1980. At the time, he was the first director to have started his career as a Park Ranger. He received the Department of Interior's Meritorious Service Award, the Cornelius Amory Pugsley Gold Medal Award, the George Washington Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the National Society for Park Resources Award for Excellence.
Northern Arizona University awarded Dickenson the honorary Doctor of Science degree in 1982, and the Distinguished Alumni Award. He became the first American to receive the Golden Flower of Rheydt Award from Germany in 1983, for contributions made in preserving the environment on a national and international level.
After his retirement, he co-authored a book titled National Park Service: The Story Behind the Scenery. He remained active as an affiliated professor in the College of Forest Resources at the University of Washington, served on the National Park Advisory Board, and was President of the Washington National Parks Fund, 1985-98. He served on numerous boards of directors, including North Cascade Institute, and Eastern National Parks and Monument Association, among others.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ollie Maxine Dickenson; two siblings, James and Edwin Dickenson; his children, Vivian Lee, her husband Bart Barber, and son Russell Steven. He has four grandchildren, Tawnya, Sean, Tiffany, and Lyndsey; and one great grandson, Chandler Keaton Dickenson.
Russell was a devoted father, loving grandfather, and great grandfather. He was and avid golfer, and ardent conservationist. He lived to preserve the great wilderness which is the special treasure of the United States of America.
Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family's online guest book at: www.flintofts.com. Flintoft's Funeral Home and Crematory.
Don Salisbury, Henry's Lake
Don Salisbury, owner of the Diamond D Ranch on Henry's Lake, passed away on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 after suffering a lung infection and then a massive heart attack. All his family was with him. His winter home is in southern California.
Don will be buried in the Targhee Creek Cemetery, which he owns, after a service not yet scheduled.
Phyllis McArdle Clause
Phyllis McArdle Clause, an Ashton summer resident, died Wednesday, March 5, 2008, in San Diego, California. She was born December 6, 1925, in Salt Lake City, a daughter of Phillip and Erma McArdle.
Phyllis earned a BS and MA in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah. She was a school psychologist in the Ogden City School, and a teacher and school counselor in Granite School District for 25 years. She was honored as the Utah State Counselor of the Year in 1976-1977. Phyllis was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, The Order of the Eastern Star, a former President of the Catholic Charities of Salt Lake City, and former President of the Catholic Diocesan Board of Education. She was an accomplished violinist and played for the McCune School of Music and Art Symphony Orchestra of Salt Lake City.
In 1980, Phyllis married Melvin Clause and they spent their winters in San Diego and their summers in Ashton.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, a brother — Dr. Gilbert (Jacqueline) McArdle, and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald, and her parents.
A memorial mass was held in the Cathedral Parish in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Henry Griffel
Henry C. Griffel, 88, of Ashton, died Monday, March 3, 2008, in Idaho Falls, following a short illness.
He was born February 29, 1920, in Squirrel, to Arthur "Pete" Griffel and Minnie Lenz Griffel.
He grew up on the family farm and attended school at Hugginsville.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army in September 1941.
His first assignment was with the U.S. Calvary.
He served in the Army until the end of World War II.
When he returned from his service, he began farming with his family.
He married Donna Phillips on January 6, 1951, and they continued farming until 1967.
At that time, they purchased a lumber and hardware business in Ashton.
He remained active in his business until just recently.
He is survived by his wife Donna; daughters, Nancy (Jack) Marotz, Phyllis (Ted) Sturm, and Kaye (Mark) Kuehl; son, Richard (Julie) Griffel all of Ashton; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by a brother, Earl Griffel of Ashton, and sisters-in-law Ann Griffel of Swan Valley, and Aimee Griffel of Ashton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Irene Burt, and brothers Floyd Griffel and Everett Griffel.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a. m. on Thursday, March 6 at Zion Lutheran Church in Ashton.
The family will greet family and friends at Baxter Funeral Home in Ashton from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening and again Thursday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church.
Burial will be in the Squirrel Cemetery.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in Henry’s memory to Zion Lutheran Church in Ashton, or the City of Ashton / Ashton Community Center for the community center renovation project.
Darwin Chambers, Ashton
Darwin Glen Chambers, 71, of Ashton, died Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at his home of natural causes.
He was born July 11, 1936, in Ashton, to George and Louise Chambers.
He attended school in Ashton and graduated from North Fremont High School.
After finishing high school he served in the military.
He married Clara Smith and they lived in Indian Springs, Nevada for 30 years before returning to Ashton.
Clara died on November 26, 2007.
He worked in construction as a heavy equipment operator in Nevada.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He enjoyed fishing and making knives.
He is survived by his children, Michael (DuAnn) Chambers of Priest River, Idaho, Tammy Chambers of Boulder City, Nevada, Debbie Chambers of Phalan, California, Lynn Chambers of San Bernadino, California, and Melissa Chambers of Henderson, Nevada.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Clara.
A gathering for family and friends will be held Sunday, March 2, at Darwin’s home, 733 Cherry Street, starting at noon.
Arrangements are under the direction of Baxter Funeral Home.
Betsy A. Dempsey
Betsy A. Dempsey, 67, of Venice, Florida and formerly of Trenton, N.J., died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008 in a snowmobile accident in Island Park, Idaho.
Betsy was born and raised in Trenton, N.J., where she became a registered nurse.
After marrying her husband, Joseph, they relocated in 1972 to Venice.
Betsy was very active in her children's schools and in the community.
In 2000 Betsy and Joseph retired and spent their summers in Brigantine, N.J.
She was a member of Mission Valley Golf & Country Club and enjoyed volunteering for local charities and committees.
Betsy is survived by her daughter, Lisa, and husband, Jim Collins, of Venice; son Scott and wife, Lisa, of Tampa; son Chris and girlfriend, Layne, of Jupiter; and six grandchildren, Thomas, Michael, Matthew, Megan, Kathryn and Patrick.
She is also survived by her brother, John Browning and wife, Pat, of Waynesville, N.C., and sister-in-law Lucy Browning of Venice.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Doris Browning; her husband, Joseph M. Dempsey; and brother Donald Browning.
Betsy is also survived by an extended loving family and many close friends.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 4 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Venice.
Ewing Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, 2801 Fruitville Road, Suite 250, Sarasota, FL 34237, or a charity of your choice in Betsy's honor.
Arlene Burback Kearns
Arlene Burback Kearns, 76, was born on September 1, 1931 in Pocatello.
She passed on peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, February 24, 2008, in Blackfoot.
She and her companion, Doug Smith, spent most of their time at their place in Old West Ranches in Island Park until her health failed.
Mom married Thomas D. Kearns on October 22, 1957 in Elko, Nevada.
They enjoyed 20 years of married life before Dad passed away.
She has four children, Vickie (Dave) Talich, Kent (Marie), Keith (Becky) and Bill (Sharon) Kearns.
She has six grandchildren, Abby (Todd) Hickson, Wes Talich, Thomas and Ryan Kearns, Mike and Chris Jennings, and one great grandson, Tanner Hickson.
Doug Smith came into Mom’'s life 23 years ago and became a loving companion to her — “Smith & Kearns” as they were known.
Doug brought with him an additional family that Mom and the Kearns kids fully embraced.
We all became family: Audrey (Bob) Smith, Jodi (Mark) Palmer, Chris (Russell) Hanson, Shane (Corinne Bozer) Smith and an additional six grandchildren, Taylor and Riley Smith, Alex and Jillian Palmer, Bryce and Kristen Hanson.
Mother was preceded in death by her mother, Vera Heltne, and a brother in-law, Bud James.
She is survived by sisters Joyce James, Verdean (Jim) Scott, and brother, Charlie (Betty) Burback.
According to Mom'’s wishes, there will be no viewing or services.
We know she would want us to have a “big get together”, though.
So anyone who would like to share memories with us, please join us on May 10, at a place to be announced later.
Come celebrate a great lady in the fashion that she would want.
We will miss her more than words can say, but we will honor her by living our lives and making her motto, “LIFE IS GOOD,” ours.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations and/or books to the Blackfoot Public Library, 129 N. Broadway, or donations to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) in Mom’s name.
Larry Garner
Larry A. Garner, 61, of St. Anthony, died Thursday, March 6, at his home after a lengthy illness with his wife and family by his side.
He was born June 29, 1946, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
He was the son of William F. and Jeri Singleton Garner.
He married Shanna Lee Miller on February 2, 1972, in St. Anthony, Idaho.
His family will miss him, his loving ways and wonderful sense of humor - KOLA.
He is survived by his wife Shanna of St. Anthony; sons, Nikky Garner, Thad (Leticia) Garner of St. Anthony; daughter, Heather (Kurt) Cordingley of Ashton; his mother, Jeri Garner of St. Anthony; siblings, Billie Kirkham of Riverton, Wyoming, Vicki Garner of St. Anthony, Zack (Li Yin) Garner of Lewiston, Idaho, and thirteen grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, William F. Garner, and brother, Kent Garner.
At his request no services will be held.
Arrangements are under the direction of Baxter Funeral Home in Ashton.
