Archived Marriage Records
Cesira Cominotti
Cesira Cominotti, 86, Blackfoot, died Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at the Bingham Memorial Hospital.
She was born October 29, 1917 in Zurich, Switzerland, the daughter of Severina Bettega Alfieri.
On December 2, 1950, she married Fabio Cominotti in San Francisco, California. Cesira was a member of the Roman Catholic Church. She worked as a maid for three years in Connecticut. She also lived in Clayton, along the Salmon River and then moved to Blackfoot in 1992.
She enjoyed knitting, cooking, reading and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by two sons, Daniel Cominotti, Antone (Maricela) Cominotti, all of Blackfoot; daughter, Edna (Gary) Hagan of Clarkston, Washington; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband and a sister. A funeral service was held Monday, December 15 at the Hawker, Hill Funeral Home.
According to her wishes, cremation followed the service under the direction of the Hawker, Hill Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Blackfoot Senior Citizens Center Meals on Wheels Program, P.O. Box 849, Blackfoot, Idaho 83221.
Mary Piva
Mary Celestina Yacomella was born April 23, 1913 and entered into rest December 1, 2003 at her home in Challis. She was born to Celesta and Marco Yacomella at their home on the East Fork of the Salmon River near Clayton, Idaho. Mary lived on the ranch at East Fork with her parents, her sister, Netta, and her two brothers, George and Frank. She attended school on the East Fork through the eighth grade. After finishing eighth grade, she stayed home and helped at the ranch.
At the age of 19, Mary went to California and spent time with her cousin, Remy and family. Upon her return to Idaho, she worked for various businesses and people in the Clayton and Challis areas.
After a brief courtship, she married Marion Piva on December 15, 1942. They moved to Challis and lived on the lower Piva ranch until they moved to their home on Challis Creek Road. Three children were born to this union, Frankie, Julian and Gary. She kept busy raising her kids and taking care of Marion. She was always there for her family, cooking, cleaning and taking them to school dances, movies and sporting events. They always managed to find time, however, to dance. Mary and Marion loved to dance. They could be seen dancing the night away at the IOOF or the Grange Hall while the kids slept on the piles of coats left on the stage. She always worried about her kids and would never go to sleep until she knew they were all home.
Mary was a friend to everyone and especially those who had none. Her kids’ friends were always welcome at the house no matter what time day or night. Mary took in boarders and babysat to make ends meet. No one ever left her house hungry. Mary made sure her family had three filling meals a day that always required half an hour resting/napping period after eating because there was so much. In her later years, she could often be heard asking her children, grandchildren or guests if they were hungry or needed anything to eat over and over again. “Mangia, mangia” was her mantra.
Mary loved her church and her rosary. She had crucifixes and rosaries all over her house and faithfully went to church.
Mary’s driving was a source of entertainment for everyone in town. People would see her car coming down the middle of Challis Creek Road where she would stay, her head barely showing between the steering wheel and the top of the dashboard. She had about one speed, “slow,” maybe 20 miles per hour.
Mary loved to play cards. Mary and Marion belonged to the Country Club Pinochle group where they often got into bidding wars with each other when they were on opposing teams. In her later years, she often kept her caretakers awake playing rummy into the wee hours of the morning.
Her caretakers (Beverly, Kathy, Kim, Terri, Amy, Cheryl, Mimi, Carol, Elaine, Kristi, Deb, Mary and Sue) enabled Mary to stay in her home when she required full time attention. And when Mary was acting up, we could always count on Dr. Jim as the threatened enforcer. These people gave her back much of the love and care she had given to so many others throughout her life. To them, we are eternally grateful.
Mary’s family was her diamonds and jewels. Besides her three children, Frankie, Julian and Gary, she had 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She loved them all very much. She was our sister, mom, grandma, and friend. We will all miss her forever.
Mary is survived by her three children, Frankie Polson of Dillon, Co., Julian (Peggy) Piva of Challis and Gary (Sue) Piva of Meridian, her sister Netta Jones of Challis, 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Marion Piva, her father, Marco Yacomella, and mother, Celesta Fontana Yacomella, and two brothers, Frank and George Yacomella.
A mass of Christian burial was held at Living Waters Ranch Saturday, December 6 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Paul Wander officiating. Interment was at the Challis Cemetery.
Elza Mary Piva
Elza Mary Piva, 76, passed away on Monday, October 27, 2003 in Emmett, Idaho. She was born on the East Fork of the Salmon River on August 6, 1927, the youngest of five children born to Antonio and Dominica (Delrey) Yacomella.
She grew up on the East Fork of the Salmon River and attended East Fork elementary, Jr. High in Clayton and graduated from the Challis High School with the class of 1946.
On October 8, 1946 Elza was united in marriage to Bruno Piva in Hamilton, Montana in a double ring ceremony along with her sister Minnie, who married George Yacomella. To this union five children were born: Marilyn, Joe, Dan, Mike and John. Bruno and Elza made their home at the ranch northeast of Challis for 57 years.
Elza dearly enjoyed being a wife, mother and grandmother. She shared her home with many nieces and nephews and everyone else’s children. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life, and she traveled on many occasions to watch them participate in their activities and events.
At election time she was faithfully there year after year to help out. She was an active member of the Saint Louise Catholic Church. In her spare time she enjoyed bowling, playing cards, crocheting, gardening and cooking. The cookie jar was never empty at her house.
Her week often started out with a Sunday afternoon drive to the East Fork with a picnic.
She will be dearly missed by her family and her many longtime friends.
She is survived by her husband Bruno of Challis, daughter Marilyn Qualls and her husband Dean of Emmett, Idaho, four sons: Joe Piva and his wife, Linda of Challis, Dan Piva and his wife, Cheryl of Rathdrum, Idaho, Mike Piva of Challis, John Piva and his wife, Kathy of Challis; 13 grandchildren: Dennis Qualls of Twin Falls, Etta, Tim, and Anna Qualls all of Emmett, Jennifer Piva of Challis, Victorio Piva of Boise, Idaho, Kelsey and Dylan Piva of Rathdrum, Idaho, Josh Franks of Boise, Chelsea Piva of Challis, ZhohnAnn, BreeAnn and Kaden Piva of Challis, two great-grandchildren: Ruger and Rowdy Jarvis; one sister, Minnie Yacomella of Challis and one brother Tony Severino Yacomella and his wife, Madge of Challis, many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Tony (in infancy) and Cleto Yacomella.
Mass of Christian Burial was conducted from the Living Waters Ranch of Challis on Monday, November 3 with Reverend Paul Wander officiating. Interment was in the Challis Cemetery
following the services.
Visitation and Rosary was Sunday, November 2 at the St. Louise Catholic Church of Challis.
A memorial fund has been established in Elza’s memory at the Wells Fargo Bank of Challis, or to your favorite charity.
Arrangements were under the direction of Jones & Casey Funeral Home of Salmon.
George John Gilbert
Mr. and Mrs. George John Gilbert
George John Gilbert, 88, longtime Darlington resident, died December 7, 2003 at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello.
He was born December 31, 1914 in Moore, Idaho, a son of James and Martha Ann Dent Gilbert. George was raised and received his education in Moore and Elko, Nevada.
On December 21, 1935, he married Wanda Asay in Salmon, Idaho. They made their home in several locations as George worked with the Civil Service Corp. (CCC). Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple. Together they raised five children.
In 1943, George enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater until his honorable discharge in 1945. After his enlistment in the Navy he worked construction as a heavy equipment operator. He also farmed and worked as a maintenance manager for the Big Lost River Irrigation District.
Following George’s retirement in 1981 from the Irrigation District, he and Wanda purchased a ranch in Overton, Nevada. They spent their winters there making many wonderful memories. On May 6, 1998 Wanda passed away.
George was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he served for many years as a faithful home teacher. He was also a member of the VFW Harland Clendenin Post #7137, the American Legion Joe Nowacki Post #16, he served on the Board of Directors for the Soil Conservation and commissioner for the Lost River Highway District. He enjoyed visiting with people and loved his grandchildren more than life. He also enjoyed traveling and fishing.
On August 14, 1998, George married Rula Bingham Lawson in Mackay. They enjoyed several good years together before Rula passed away in August of 2000.
He is survived by two sons, George A. Gilbert (Vera Jean) and Robert E. Gilbert (Janita), both of Leslie; three daughters, Martha L. McCoy (Alvin), Challis, Marie Lanier (Merritt), Leslie, and Charlene Clark (Charles), Pocatello; a brother, Leo Gilbert, Pocatello; a sister Martha; 27 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchild-ren and 14 great-great-grand-children.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, seven sisters and his parents.
Funeral services will be held Friday, December 12 at 2:00 p.m. at the Leslie LDS Ward Chapel with Bishop David Fullmer conducting. A viewing will be held Thursday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Leslie LDS Ward Chapel and for one hour prior to services at the church.
Interment will be in the Leslie Cemetery
under the direction of the Hawker Lost River Funeral Chapel in Arco.
Edgar Frank Coleman
Edgar Frank Coleman, Jr. was born in Challis December 8, 1909 and died December 4, 2003.
He was known in the area simply as “Junior.”
He was the youngest of the four children of Edgar “Frank” and “Kate” Coleman.
He married Evelyn Thornhill in 1936 and moved to California.
They settled in Modesto, California in 1941.
He was a surveyor with the City of Modesto until his retirement in 1973.
In their retirement, they travelled extensively throughout the United States and Canada.
The Diamond D Ranch was the summer ranch of the Colemans’ prior to Demorest and the Boyles.
He is survived by one daughter, Karen Sawtelle of Oroville, California, five grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. He was the uncle of Gerry Lewis of Challis.
Judith Joanne Taber Wilson
Judy and her husband Duane at camp
Judith “Judy” Joanne Taber Wilson, 66, a resident of Newberry Springs, California for 24 years, died Monday, November 17, 2003.
She was born in Kansas City, Kansas November 18, 1936. She worked as a homemaker for 50 years. She was a very loving mother, grandmother and friend.
She enjoyed her world traveling, family gatherings, helping other people, arts and crafts, and performing in the theater. She has been a performer at Calico Ghost Town and in many films and commercials. She was an EMT and the first woman firefighter in Eagle Nest, New Mexico.
She has been the campground host at Cottonwood campground for the past five years, in which she took much pride. She considered Challis her second home.
She, her husband and children, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary October 10, 2003.
Survivors include her husband, Duane C. Wilson Sr., of Newberry Springs; daughter, Lorraine J. Williams of Telluride, Colo.; sons, Duane C. Wilson Jr. of Mesa, Ariz., and John S. Wilson of Winnemucca, Nev.; mother, Virginia K. Henderson of Springerville, Ariz.; sisters, Donna Carroll of Springerville, Ariz., Janelle Mosher of Lemon Grove, Calif., Susan Morland of Spring Valley, Calif., Carol Taber of Angeles City, Philippines, Joan Morley of Las Vegas, Nev., Lavon Laursen of American Fork, Utah, and Doris DellaSilva of Anchorage, Alaska; brother Stan E. Wilson of Jakarta, Indonesia; eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild due in March and many nieces and nephews.
