Kendall Dial Kelley

Kendall D. Kelley, 77, of Frith passed away peacefully at EIRMC in Idaho Falls on January 5, 2021 with pneumonia, a complication due to Parkinson’s Disease.

Kendall was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on September 14, 1943, the last of nine children born to Floyd and Fern Kelley. His siblings are Marilyn (Delwin) Fielding, Gerald (Helen) Kelley, twins Fawn and Fern Kelley, Norman (Leola) Kelley, Neil (Louise) Kelley, Marceil (Val) Petersen, Karl (Connie) Kelley.

He grew up and completed his schooling in Shelley, Idaho.

Kendall served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints beginning on his 21st birthday. He served in, what was then, the Central States Mission with headquarters in Independence, Missouri. He loved his mission and talked often about his service there and the wonderful people he worked with.

Six weeks after returning from his mission, he received a notice from the government calling him into service for his country. He served as a Spec 4 in the U.S. Army for 18 months in Alaska after completing six months of training in Washington. He was released from active duty on September 29, 1968, and another four years as a reserve member, receiving full discharge with honor on October 26, 1972.

Soon after arriving home, he met Carla Bea Hopkins at a young adult activity and finally asked her for a date the following April. They had a very active courtship (Carla’s parents thinking it was a little too active) and became engaged in October. Kendall’s parents were on a mission in Eastern Canada, so they chose to wait for marriage until they returned. They were married in the Idaho Falls LDS temple on July 10, 1970.

He worked for U&I Sugar Company for a short time, then at Idaho Supreme Potatoes for the next 40 plus years.

Kendall loved his church and was an active member his whole life. He served as cubmaster, cub committee chair, explorer advisor, ward clerk, and assistant ward clerk (a position he held until his death).

Kendall loved his family and was very devoted to and loved by his nieces and nephews. Though they were never blessed with children of their own, he and Carla fostered five children.

He loved farming, teasing, and travel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, and two brothers.

His wife would like to extend a sincere Thank You to Brio Hospice Services for their kindness and caring in helping Kendall and her through this difficult event.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 11, 2021 at the Kimball Ward Chapel, 744 N 600 E in Firth, Idaho, with Bishop Darren Leavitt conducting. The funeral service will be streamed live at http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/firthidahostake.

The family will meet with friends Sunday evening from 5:00 till 7:00 P.M. at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W Oak Street in Shelley. Burial will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery with military rites.










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