Archived Marriage Records
Walter Emmett Stark
Walter Emmett Stark, 85, passed away in Rupert at the Minidoka Memorial Extended Care Unit on July 24, 2004.
Walter was born in Kimama, Idaho on October 29, 1918, the son of Carl Lewis and Maria Mai Stark. He grew up in Minidoka County attending various schools and graduating from Rupert High School (the first electric school) in 1936. After graduation, he worked on the family farm and in the copper smelters in Tooele, Utah. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1940. He went to flight school and became a pilot, flying C-47s. He served with the 62nd Troop Carrier Squadron, 314th Troop Carrier Group, 9th Air Force in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and England. He carried paratroopers and supplies. He participated in D-Day by dropping troops on Normandy Beach.
After being honorably discharged from the service, he married Wyota R. Vincent in Chariton, Iowa on Sept. 14, 1945. They then returned to Rupert where he bought a farm north of town and built a house and farmed for a short time. When war broke out in Korea he returned to the U.S. Air Force and did a tour of duty as a Convair Aero-Vac pilot doing Medical Evacuation. After Korea he remained in the U.S. Air Force, making it his career. He continued with Med-Evac and served in Europe, where his family enjoyed living in Germany and France.
He then returned to the States where his assignments lead him from Texas to California. In 1972, after 31 years duty, he retired as a Colonel in San Bernardino, California. He then moved to Longview, Texas. He returned home in 1974 to Rupert where he again bought a small acreage and built another house to finish raising his family.
He satisfied his farming inclination by raising a few animals and a fine garden which he always shared with his neighbors. He moved again back to Weatherford, Texas for a short time, returning again home to Rupert in 1984. He moved to Boise in 1999, returning to the Mini-Cassia area in 2001 where he lived the remainder of his days.
He and his wife were members of the Rupert United Methodist Church. They enjoyed many volunteer activities including delivering Meals on Wheels, serving on the Christmas Council and helping to serve Thanksgiving dinners for people without families.
They enjoyed traveling, fishing, hunting, camping and visiting family and friends near and far. Following his wife's passing, Walter became even more involved in community activities and was an active member on the Christmas Lighting Committee, Minidoka County Historical Society, and volunteered for many church related activities. He enjoyed working with others and always showed up with a cheerful and willing attitude.
In his later years in Boise, when mobility became an issue, he "worked" in his son's store wrapping cookies and handing out food samples to shoppers. He was the life of the party when the lines got long around busy Holiday times and when he could no longer participate, customers continued to ask "Where's Granddad?"
Walter is survived by six sons, Dr. Willard T. ( Candace) Stark, Lancaster, TX, Gordon L. Stark, Oak Point, TX, Ronald M. Stark, Dallas, TX, Maurice K. ( Karen) Stark, Boise, ID, Russell C. ( Holly) Stark, Batavia, OH, John D. ( Jan) Stark, Wimberley, TX; and one daughter, Beth A. (Matthew) Cofer, Paul, ID; fifteen and a half grandchildren; two sisters, Evelyn ( Earl) Burns, Paul, ID and Margaret ( Bob) Cameron, Rupert, ID; and one brother, Bob ( Ardeth) Stark, Heyburn, ID.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; three brothers, Henry Stark, Melvin Stark and Carl Stark; and two sisters, Marie Stark Brown and Louise Stark Stewart.
A celebration of Walter will be held at 11a.m. Wednesday, August 4, 2004, at the First United Methodist Church at 6th and H Street in Rupert with Pastor Keith Wise officiating. Burial will follow at the Rupert Cemetery
with full military rites. A viewing for family and friends will be held 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 3, 2004 at Hansen Mortuary Rupert Chapel, 710 6th St and one hour prior to the service at the church.
The family is requesting donations in his memory to the Minidoka County Historical Society (P.O. Box 21, Rupert, ID 83350) or the Christmas Lighting Committee (c/o Roberta Christiansen, 813 6th Street, Rupert, ID 83350) to continue supporting two organizations Walter enjoyed.
And if you've never been to Rupert at Christmas, you should...and think of Walter.
JAMES J. JANAK
James J. Janak, 89-year-old Burley resident died Monday, May 17, 2004, at the Aspen Grove Assisted Living Center in Burley.
He was born August 28, 1914, in Witten, S.D., the son of Louis J. and Anna Staska Janak. He was born and raised on the family farm and attended school in Carter, South Dakota. He worked driving truck and was a member of the C.C.C.'s in South Dakota. Jim married Hazel Edith Brady on November 15, 1938, in Rapid City, South Dakota. They moved to Idaho in 1945.
Jim worked as a butcher at New Thornton Meat Packing. He later cut meat for Snows Locker Plant and also at People's Market in Rupert. He later became a full time fireman at the Burley Fire Department where he served for 31 years. Jim was a longtime member of the Burley IOOF #118, where he was active for over 50 years. He also was a member of the Burley BPO Elks #1384. Following his retirement, Jim and Hazel loved going to Arizona for the winter.
Survivors include two sons, Jim R. (Tamara) Janak of Burley and Don J. (Maryfern) Janak of Middleton; a daughter, Patty (Tom) Neel of Klamath Falls, Ore.; a brother, Joe Janak of Denver, Colo.; a sister, Teresa Snow of Colorado Springs, Colo.; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Hazel on June 5, 2003; his daughter, Rozann Powers; two brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 21, 2004, at the Payne Memorial Chapel, 221 West Main St., Burley. Burial will be in the Gem Memorial Gardens in Burley.
Friends may call at the Payne Mortuary on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the funeral on Friday.
Jose Amado Vigil
Rupert - Jose Amado Vigil, a 78-year-old Rupert resident, passed away June 5, 2004 at Minidoka Memorial Hospital.
Jose was born May 20, 1926, in Capulin, Colo., to Juan De Dios and Vicentita Martinez Vigil. He was born and raised in Capulin Colo.
He married Erma Linda Ortiz April 2, 1956, in Capulin, Colo. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Rupert where Jose went to work on local farms and ranches. Jose worked for Clinton Ranch as the ranch foreman for over 20 years. He was a member of the St. Nicholas Catholic Church.
He enjoyed fishing, and gardening. Jose loved to have barbeques with his family, and spending time with his grandchildren putting puzzles together.
He is survived by his wife Erma Linda Vigil of Rupert; his three children Floyd (JoAnn) Vigil of Salt Lake City, Utah; Barbara (John) Parker of Twin Falls; and Patricia Vigil of Rupert; his five grandchildren Anthony, Sean, Lee, Lizette and Ivy; his three brother Herman Vigil and Armondo Vigil both of Capulin, Colo.; Felix Vigil of Denver, Colo.; two sisters, Viola Trujillo of Capulin, Colo.; and Olivama Trujillo of Manassa, Colo.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.
A funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, June 10, 2004, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Rupert with Father Gabriel Vargas as Celebrant. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, with a viewing for friends and family at 6 p.m.
Burial will follow the Mass at the Rupert Cemetery.
Services are under the direction of Hansen Mortuary Rupert Chapel.
Reta J. Thurston
Reta Jane Thurston, 68-year-old Burley resident, died Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at Aspen Grove Assisted Living, from complications of a stroke.
She was born June 22, 1935, in Burley, Idaho, the daughter of James Thomas and Hannah Lorena Wixom Prescott. She attended school in Burley, graduating from Burley High School. She then attended Twin Falls Business College.
She married Robert Thurston on December 31, 1960, in Elko, Nev., and their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They made their home in Burley, where they worked and raised their family.
Reta worked for many years at the Burley Processing Plant and later transferred to J.R. Simplot Company in Heyburn, where she was over the security department and later retired from the Personnel Office. Following her retirement, she opened Grandma's Crafty Cupboard, a floral shop in Burley, where she was privileged to work side-by-side with her daughter, Debbie and her granddaughter, Melissa. She was always grateful for the support the community gave her family.
She enjoyed building, gardening, doing crafts and canning. Most important, she loved spending time with her family and in being of service to others.
She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served faithfully in various capacities including, the Primary, Relief Society and working at the Bishop's Store House.
She is survived by her children, Debbie (David) Gonzales of Burley, and Allen Ray (Mary) Thurston of South Salt Lake City, Utah; her siblings, Argile (Bonnie) Prescott of Reno, Nevada, Delora (Dave) Ault of Portland, Ore., Cleo Prescott of Galesburg, Michigan, Twila (Bill) Satchwell of Pocatello, Idaho, and Beverly (Dee) Gorringe of Burley; eight grandchildren, Melissa Quilantan, Jennifer Gonzales, Jeric Gonzales, Matthew Gonzales, Dane Gonzales, Nicole Gonzales, Travis Wood and Emily Thurston; three great-grandsons, Justin and Brandon Quilantan, and Chase Gonzales.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Thurston, who died on Feb. 8, 1999, two brothers, four sisters, and a great-grandson, Aaron Quilantan.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 19, 2004, at the Burley West Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2420 Parke Ave., with Bishop Brian Barlow officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.
Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., Burley, and from 9 until 9:45 a.m. Saturday, at the church.
LaVonda T. Parsons
LaVonda Thompson Parsons, a 94-year-old longtime Burley resident, passed away Monday, June 14, 2004, at Aspen Grove Assisted Living.
She was born April 5, 1910, at Burrvile, Utah, the daughter of Burton P. and Marvel Cloward Fillmore. At the age of three, her family moved to Rigby, Idaho, where they purchased a farm. Six years later, they moved to Burley, where they also engaged in farming. LaVonda attended Springdale School through the eighth grade and graduated from Burley High School.
She married Fred Thompson on Oct. 31, 1928, in Twin Falls. They owned the Greenwell Motel for fours years, where LaVonda served as manager. She later assisted her husband at Fred's Sporting Goods Store in Burley. Fred passed away in 1972.
LaVonda married Jess Parsons on April 9, 1977, and they had a wonderful marriage until his passing on Sept. 5, 1989.
She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was also active in various bridge clubs in the community. For many years, LaVonda was a dedicated member of the Cassia Memorial Hospital's Pink Ladies Organization.
She is survived by her daughter, Marian T. Snow of Burley; one son, Fred T. Thompson, Jr. and his wife Carolyn of Burley; one stepson, William (Bev) Parsons of Burley; her siblings, Albert Fillmore of Farmington, Utah, Lee (Julie) Fillmore of Salem, Oregon, Ray (Nelda) Fillmore of Shelley, Idaho, Keith Fillmore of Provo, Utah, and LaVera (Louis) Moldenhauer of Soda Springs, Idaho; four grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; a son-in-law, Jack Snow; her sister, Lucille Fillmore; a brother, Merriel Fillmore; and a grandson-in-law, Don Brown.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 17, 2004, at the Burley Second, Fourth, and Tenth Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 515 E. 16th St., Burley, with Bishop Brent Lee officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery.
Friends may call from 7 until 9 p.m. Wednesday, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Thursday, at the church.
The family suggests that memorials be directed to the Unity Second Ward Missionary Fund or the Idaho Youth Ranch in care of Rasmussen Funeral Home, Burley.
Andres "Andy" M. Hernandez
Rupert - Andres "Andy" M. Hernandez, 80, of Rupert, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at Minidoka Memorial Hospital.
Andy was born Feb. 4, 1924 ,in Mercedes, Texas, the son of Hijino and Juana Hernandez.
He was raised in Texas and Mexico. He married Geneva Guerrero on Dec. 10, 1955. They moved to Idaho in 1958, residing in Minidoka, Acequia and Rupert.
He worked for Dale Klinger raising horses and then went to work for J.R. Simplot until his retirement in 1997. He was a member of the St. Nicholas Catholic Church. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, in his garden and walking his dog..
Andy is survived by his wife, Geneva G. Hernandez; his children, Albert, Raquel, Marina, Erma, and Edward Hernandez; his grandchildren, Letticia and Kevin Simmons, Kira and Wade Randall, Albert Hernandez, and Lorenzo Chapa; great-granddaughter, Aubrey Lyn Simmons; brothers, Alonso, Apolinar, Hijino and Jesus Hernandez; and sisters, Santos Pequeno and Lupe Montemayor.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hijino and Juana Hernandez; Father and Mother-in-law, Alphoso and Hermelinda Espinoza; daughter, Belinda Hernandez; sons, John and Jose Hernandez; and sisters, Albertha Rendon and Juana Campos.
A funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Friday, June 18, 2004, at the Rupert St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 802 F St. with Father Gabriel Vargas as Celebrant.
A viewing for family and friends will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Rupert Cemetery. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 17, 2004 with a viewing at 6 p.m at Hansen Mortuary Rupert Chapel, 710 6th St.
