Lewis James Ehardt

Lewis James Ehardt, 75, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2011 with his family by his side.

He was born April 19, 1936 in Montevista, Colorado to Peter Harold Ehardt and Sarah Susie Lentz.  He attended school in Colorado and Alaska.  He was drafted into the army and served from 1958-1960 as a paratrooper in Laos.

Before it became a state, he worked in the Alaskan territory as a pilot and professional hockey player.  He was the sheriff of Montevista, Colorado. He worked for the Department of Agriculture for 35 years before retiring in 1996.

He married Shelia Coburn on September 14, 1963 and later divorced.  They had three children.

In 1985, he coached a Babe Ruth 14-15 year old team that went to the Word Series in Jamestown, New York and took 5

th

in the nation.  His son Greg was a pitcher on the team.

On March 19, 1996, he married Jo-Ann Fielding.  They lived in Shelley, and later moved to Idaho Falls, spending winters in St. George, Utah.

He enjoyed golfing, horseback riding, sports, and spending time with his family, including many years coaching his children.

He is survived by his wife, Jo-Ann, his children, Barbara, Lewis Jr. (Leslie), and Gregory (Susan), four brothers, Leroy, Charles (Linda), Larry (Loretta), and Paul (Nancy), his step children, DeAnn (Steven) Thompson, Kurt Fielding, Paul Fielding, and Michael Fielding, 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

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

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, November 7, 2011 at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley. The family will receive friends Monday from 12:30 till 1:40 at the funeral home.  Interment will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery with military rites performed by the David B. Bleak Post 93 assisted by the Idaho Honor Guard.