Archived Marriage Records
Willis Eugene “Willy” Dale
Willis Eugene “Willy” Dale left this world the way he lived it on the evening of Sunday, November 5, 2006 — with class! After having a lovely dinner with friends, Tom and Deb Hart, he came to a stop sign, knew something was wrong, and turned off the key to his new silver Mustang. He did not have an accident or suffer long but simply left this life quickly at the age of 81.
Willy was born September 6, 1925 to Mae Gertrude Tetrick and Fred M. Halverson. His mother and Roy G. Dale raised him in Helena, MT. As a boy of 17 he enlisted in the Navy during World War II by misstating his age so he could serve with his dad, Roy, and brother-in-law, George Eklund. He was honorably discharged after four years, having traveled the Pacific Theatre.
After working as a guide in Yellowstone National Park he married Wanda June Ray in 1949. They spent the first few years in Montana before settling in Utah, and had three children, Shannon Dale Miller (Jim), Laurie Jeanne Dale (Charlie) and Robin Dale (Steve). He taught his daughters to love Utah’s skiing, and to appreciate a good joke. In 1975 he married Janet Oberg and later divorced. His legacy includes two great-grandchildren and seven grandchildren, including Ivy, Shelby, and grandson, Calvin, who is serving in the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan.
Willy retired from civil service as a GS 11 at Hill Air Force Base. Square dancing, cooking, and socializing were some of his loves. His goal was to place one of his beautiful handmade wooden bowls in each of his chum’s homes. He enjoyed his friendships with the many mates from his youth, from his years in Yuma, Phoenix, and Rancho McCrea in Island Park, and with his fun neighbors in Layton. Willy voted early in the current election to be counted before departing. Willy Dale was quite a character in all our lives and will be missed. From his Masonic ring and spiritual tradition, “Virtus Junxit Mors Non Seperabit” — “What Virtue Has Joined Together Death Shall Not Separate.”
Friends are invited to his funeral, Saturday, 11 Nov, at 12:30 at the Gateway Masonic Lodge #29, exit 334, Clearfield, 452 E. 700 S. Following the service will be a potluck supper and then a short graveside service at Lindquist Cemetery, corner of Antelope Drive & Fairfield Road, Layton. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Shriner’s Hospital, /www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals, (801) 536-3500.
Bill Ashton, Island Park
William “Bill” David Ashton, 68, of Island Park, died Thursday, May 25, 2006, in Gillette, Wyoming at the home of his son, Bill Jr.
He was born April 20, 1938, in Idaho Falls, to William Hubbard Ashton and Emily Elaine Davis Ashton.
He attended O. E. Bell Elementary and Idaho Falls High School. He served in the U. S. Navy and Air Force during the Vietnam War.
Bill married Patricia “Pat” Suzan Hemmerman on June 30, 1961, in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. After he retired from the Air Force, they moved to Idaho Falls and then to Island Park, where they lived for 20 years.
He was a retired Air Force mechanic and also worked at the INEL. Later, he and Pat managed Lakeside Lodge in Island Park. He also worked for the Idaho State Parks and Recreation Department. He was a volunteer for the Island Park Ambulance, Fremont County Search and Rescue, and the Island Park Fire Department. He served on the Island Park Planning and Zoning Board. He was a founder of the Island Park Kids Fishing Day at Mill Creek Pond, a body of water he dredged to make more suitable for the big trout kids love to catch. He was a member of the Island Park Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and served on the chamber’s snowmobiling promotion committee.
He ran twice for a seat on the Fremont County Commission to represent Island Park and Ashton. Although the Island Park area does not have enough voters to put someone in the seat, his messages about Island Park concerns were heard by the successful candidates and other members of the commission.
Bill ran a locksmith business and helped many people who were locked out of their vehicles, always giving locals special service.
At Lakeside, Bill and Pat hosted Halloween and Christmas parties for area children. Bill dressed up as Santa Claus and gave children treats after listening to their special wishes.
Bill was the 2002 Island Park News Community Achievement Award program’s “Man of the Year.” He was a good friend and neighbor to many people, always ready to help in any way he could without hesitation. He loved Island Park and often expressed his desire to preserve its beauty.
Bill was an avid outdoorsman and especially enjoyed snowmobiling, ATV riding, and fishing.
He loved his grandchildren, Alyssa, Kylee, Tate and D. J.
He is survived by his wife, Pat, of Island Park; son Ron (Clair) Ashton, Idaho Falls; son Bill (Kathy) Ashton, Gillette, WY; four grandchildren; his mother, Elaine Kearnes Groth, Idaho Falls; stepmother Thelma King Ashton, Idaho Falls; brother Terry (Tammy)Young, Virginia Beach, VA; brother Gary (Janet) Young, Hawaii; sister Monnette (Roy) Reynolds; sister Bobi Holm, sister: Kathy (Bill) Nelson; sister Jean (Bill) Meppen, all of Idaho Falls; sister Pat (Lynn) Gardner, Irwin, ID; and sister Betty (Dick) Schwabedesen, West Valley, UT.
He was preceded in death by his father, a grandmother, a grandfather, and a sister, Bonnie.
Funeral services were Wednesday, May 31, 2006, at Wood East Side Chapel in Idaho Falls.
Burial with military rights was in the Ammon Cemetery.
Pat Ashton asks people to make donations in Bill's memory to Fremont County Search and Rescue, Box 471, St. Anthony, ID. 83445 or on line with PayPal at https://www.fremontrescue. org
Frances Nall Bales
Henry’s Lake summer resident Frances Nall Bales died Friday, April 28, 2006 of cancer at her home in Manhattan Beach, Calif. She was 82 years old. She was born March 2, 1924 in Phoenix, Arizona, and moved to Santa Ana, California in 1928. Her father, Hubert Birkhead Nall, M.D., was a prominent maxillofacial surgeon and a member of the faculty at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange, Calif. Frances’ childhood memories include attending parties at the Irvine Ranch and generously helping herself to vats of nickels provided for the gamblers. Her mother, Helen Woods Nall, was an amateur artist and descendent of one of the first families to settle New York state before the Revolutionary War. Frances Bales’ maternal great-grandfather was Augustus Campbell, M. D., a ‘49er who prospected for gold, married a goldminer’s widow, and whose stories of crossing the Isthmus of Panama are archived in the California Historical Society. Frances Nall began her career as a dental hygienist, receiving her B.S. degree from the University of Southern California in 1945. She was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. She practiced for many years in and around the beach communities and volunteered with the Sandpipers’ Community Dental Clinic. In 1948, she married Jack Truit Bales of Dana, IN, with whom she launched in the 1960s a successful real estate brokerage, developing many residential and commercial properties in the local area. She was one of the first women brokers in the area, and for more than 50 years, she was active in Manhattan Beach real estate development and civic life. The Bales purchased property in Island Park in the late 1970s. Frances Bales was an avid body-surfer and practical joker. Once while swimming, she found a gaffed shark and, hooking it under her arm, emerged with it on shore proclaiming she had killed it with her bare fingernails. She was instrumental in securing limits for motor boats in swimmers’ waters, testifying before the planning commission on which her husband sat. She had been ill for some years with a debilitating stroke and had the good fortune to be cared for by her neighbor from Island Park, Beverly Pollock. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Jack Bales; a daughter and son-in-law, Susan Nall Bales and Dr. Michael Goldstein of Potomac, MD; and one grandson, Andrew Goldstein of Colorado Springs, CO. A private ceremony was held graveside. In remembrance, the family asks that donations be made in her name to the Fund for Uninsured Children, Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, Ministry Office, 480 S. Batavia Street, Orange, CA 92868.
Lois Maupin
Lois Maupin 83, a longtime resident of St. Anthony died saturday, June 17, 2006 in the Madison Memorial Hospital. Lois was born Nov. 8, 1922 at Tetonia, ID. the daughter of Edward S. & Mary Alice Perry Priest. She grew up in Tetonia and Rexburg where she attended her schooling. She married John Lee McCullock on Feb. 19, 1942. They were later divorced in Sept. of l946. She Married Oscar J. Maupin on Oct. 14, 1946 at Dillon, Montana. Their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on Feb. 3, 1956. They made their home snake river valley eventually settling in St. Anthony. Mr. Maupin died Nov. 23, 1997. Lois was a active member of the LDS Church serving in various positions over the years, Including Relief Society President in l985. She worked for many years as a sales clerk for Porters - Ben Franklin’s in St. Anthony. Lois is survived by her children, Mark McCullock, Hibbard, ID.; Linda Kay (Jerald) Cookston, Meridian, ID.; and William “Bill” (Lori) Maupin, St. Anthony, ID. two sisters, Leta Pietramali, Salt Lake City, UT.; and Edna(Ron) Staley, Egin Bench, ID.; Besides her parents and husband she was preceded in death by two daughters in the last year and a half, Jeris Rae Baldwin and Shirley Lisle Potter, Three sisters Belva Clare Pabst, Barbara Pauline Webb, Joann Priest. a brother- Earl Edward “Ted” Priest Funeral services will be conducted Friday, June 23, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Anthony third & fourth LDS Ward Chapel with Bp. Rick Hill, officiating. Friends may call at the Bidwell Funeral Home Thursday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and at the Church Friday one hour prior to the Services. Burial will be in the St. Anthony Riverview Cemetery.
Jack Alpi, West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone and Island Park lost a kind and gentle soul on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18 when Jack Alpi passed away in the Evergreen nursing home in Bozeman.
Born in Pasadena, Calif. on September 13, 1931, Jack was 74 when he died of complications related to Alzheimer’s.
He married Patty Smith in 1970. He is survived by his wife and four children, Katherine, Julie, Karen, and Joseph, all of California.
Jack and Patty managed the Bear Gulch Ski Area in Bear Gulch off the Mesa Falls Scenic Highway for a few years and lived in Shotgun. After that, they traveled around for a time before settling in West, where Patty now works at Pete’s Pizza and her daughter, Phyllis, works at Westmart.
They were a lovely couple, with his thoughtful, quiet personality and her bubbly enthusiasm.
In his younger years, Jack was an L. A County fireman, and a private memorial service with his family and friends celebrating his life and his service as a fireman will be held in California. Condolences can be sent to Patty Alpi, 642 D Pkwy, West Yellowstone, MT. 59758.
Margaret Johnson
Margaret Leigh Johnson, age 94, died July 13, 2006 at her home in Island Park, Idaho. Margaret was a long time resident of Rapid City, South Dakota.
Margaret was born February 18, 1912, in Manilla, Iowa, the first of four children born to Julius and Sadie Miller. The family ranched in the West River country of South Dakota near Faith. Margaret graduated from Faith High School in 1930. She worked at the bank in Faith after graduation and married Wilbur Johnson in 1931. They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary before Wilbur’s death in 2003.
Margaret and Wilbur worked various jobs around Faith in the early years of their marriage. In 1936, Wilbur went to work for Tri-State Milling Company in Rapid City. They made their home there until 1951, except for an 18 month stay in Milwaukee, where Wilbur was a government grain inspector. In 1951, they bought a hardware store in Huron, South Dakota, which the family operated until 1954. After the hardware store was sold, the family moved to Fairview, Montana, where Wilbur operated the Fairview Mill Co. and Margaret worked part time at the Fairview Drug.
After Wilbur retired from the grain business, they spent a year working at a Presbyterian Mission School in Ganado, Arizona, before returning to Rapid City to the house they had kept at 823 St. James. Wilbur worked for the assessor’s office of Pennington County until he retired in 1974.
They stayed at 823 St. James until health considerations forced a move to the Primrose Assisted Living Center in Rapid City. They moved to Idaho in 2002 to live with their son, Larry, and his wife Joyce. Wilbur passed away in 2003, but Margaret continued to live with relative independence in her own apartment adjacent to Joyce and Larry’s home.
Margaret and Wilbur were active in civic groups and churches in every place they lived, but retained a special relationship with the First Baptist Church in Rapid City, where they particularly enjoyed singing in the choir. Margaret was also a long time member of Sweet Adelines and an active member at the Canyon Lake Senior Center. In Island Park, she was a member of the Targhee Women’s Club and the Red Hat Mountain Mammas. Margaret always had a unique ability to find the good and the humorous in all of life’s situations. This ability is what made it such a joy to be with her.
Margaret and Wilbur are the parents of four children: Kay (Ed) Hammler of Havre, Montana; Joy (Gene) Messier, deceased; Larry (Joyce) Johnson of Island Park; and Wilma (Dave) Hovland of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. They have 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren.
Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, brother Julius (Buzz) Miller, sister Viola Johnson, and daughter Joy Messier. She is survived by her brother, Max Miller of Rapid City.
Memorial services will be held at the Ashton Methodist Church at 11 a. m. Friday, July 21. Another service in her honor will be held at the First Baptist Church in Rapid City at a later date.
Her request to be cremated has been honored and interment will be at the Mountain View cemetery in Rapid City.
JOHN (JACK) FARRELL GIBBONS
John (Jack) Farrell Gibbons, 77, of Meridian, Idaho, passed away on July 20, 2006 from a long illness. Jack was born November 21, 1928 in Malad, Idaho to Ethel and Evan Gibbons. Jack learned an early lesson in hard work as he helped support his family in the beet and hay fields of Malad as a child.
Jack joined the navy as a young man of 17 in 1945. He served two years on the LSMR-410 gunner ship, where he lost most of his hearing. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal for his service during the war.
Jack worked as an internal auditor for the U.S. Navy for 27 years and was in charge of auditing bases all over the Pacific and Southeast Asia. He was proud of his service to his country, both in the war and during his total of 38 years as a civil servant. He retired from the civil service in 1984.
After retirement, Jack and Cathy enjoyed many wonderful years of travel, touring the U.S. in their motor home and going to Europe. They also completed two separate international missions for the LDS church; one in Truk, Micronesia, and one in the Philippines. They spent many winters in Apache Junction, Arizona but Jack especially enjoyed his summers in their cabin in Island Park, Idaho where he loved to fish with his kids and grandkids. His cabin was always on his mind and he longed to go there whenever he was away from it.
Jack was a wonderful husband and father, who cared deeply for his children. He will be greatly missed. Jack is survived by his wife, of 57 years, Catherine Geanette Cooper; and their four children, John, Steven, Kevin, and Teresa. His son Preston, from a previous marriage, also survives him. Jack leaves 20 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 24, 2006 at the LDS church on Black Cat Road in Meridian (just north of Cherry Lane), 1985 N. Black Cat Road. Visitation was from 12:00 until 12:45 p.m. at the church on Monday prior to the services. A military burial was held at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, located at 10100 N. Horseshoe Bend Rd. after the services at 3:00 p.m. Services were under direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel.
The family would like to express heartfelt appreciation for the doctors and nurses at the VA medical center in Boise, where Jack always insisted he be taken whenever he was ill.
Marcia "Marci" Bird Frazier Coburn
Marcia Bird Frazier Coburn, 63, of Idaho Falls, died September 1, 2006, at her home.
She was born September 14, 1942, in Sugar City, Idaho, to Marcell Bird and Roberta Wilde Bird. She attended grade schools in Iona and Idaho Falls and graduated from Jackson Hole High School in 1960. She worked at the Bureau of Land Management in Jackson Hole for the Internal Revenue Service for many years in various cities and at the 49'ers Inn in Jackson.
She owned Manpower Temporary Services in Idaho Falls from 1984-1996. She spent many years operating the entire business from her home. She then moved to Island Park and opened a leather shop. In West Yellowstone, she ran a secondhand store in the old saddle making building on Firehole Ave. Then, poor health brought her back to Idaho Falls.
She owned a cabin on the Buffalo River. Marci was completely devoted to her grandchildren, her children, her husband, and their many pets, including many samoyeds.
Anyone who met her knew that she was a hard worker and a genuinely caring person who would go out of her way for anyone.
Survivors are: Husband: Victor Coburn, Idaho Falls Daughter: Susan Kennedy Woodall, Palouse, WA Daughter: Julie Frazier Blakeman, Idaho Falls Brother: John Lamb, New Hampshire 4 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Mary Beth Kennedy Trussell; and a brother, Lloyd Bird.
Funeral Services were held Friday, September 8, 2006, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge. Burial will be in the Jackson Hole Cemetery.
