Donald Edward Kirby

Donald Edward Kirby, 87, of Shelley, Idaho passed away on March 5, 2013 at his home.

Dad was born February 4, 1926, in Hyde Park, Utah to Lafay Kirby and Mary Louisa Elwood.  They moved to Idaho Falls in 1931 where he attended school.  He graduated from Idaho Falls High School where he was active in sports and worked at the Post Register, beginning as a paper carrier at 12, and continued at the newspaper in the pressroom until his retirement in 1984.

He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lou Molen, on December 4, 1943, in Idaho Falls.  They were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on May 19, 1948.  Dad and Mother lived in Idaho Falls until 1954 when they moved to Shelley, and in 1957 moved to their new home which Dad helped build on West Fir.  He enjoyed farming, milking cows, and fishing and camping with his family.  One of his favorite pastimes was playing golf—he even got a hole-in-one in Mesquite, Nevada.

Dad was active in the LDS Church and served in many callings including Ward Clerk, Councilor, Bishop and Stake High Councilor.  He and Mother served as missionaries at the Idaho Falls Temple Visitors’ Center and as officiators in the Idaho Falls Temple.  He was still serving at the temple at the time of his death.

Dad is survived by his children:  Lynda Chapple of Shelley, Kitty (Darrell) Beard of Pocatello, Don (Traci) Kirby, Jr of Firth, Margy (Dell) Blackburn of Blackfoot, and BJ (Robert) Hess of Shelley; a sister, Donna (Dean) Edie, a brother, Elwood Kirby both of Idaho Falls, 18 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and one brother, Boyd Kirby.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 9, 2013 at the Shelley Third Ward Chapel (513 South Park). The family will meet with friends Friday evening from 7:00 till 8:30 P.M. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Saturday morning from 10:00 till 10:45 A.M. at the church. Burial will be at the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.