Mary Elizabeth Crofts

Mary Elizabeth Lyon Crofts, 96, of Firth, passed away April 2, 2008 at her home.

She was born April 13, 1911 in Firth, Idaho to John Joseph Lyon and Elgena “Ellen” Ingelstrom Lyon.  She was raised and worked on her family farm in Firth from a very young age. 

She graduated from Firth High School in 1929.  On December 22, 1930 she married Afton Crofts in the Salt Lake City Temple.  She and Afton herded sheep and raised various crops.  They moved to Patterson in the Pahsimeroi Valley where she took care of her family and supported Afton in his work at the Ima Tungston Mine.  After seven years they moved back to Firth to raise their family. 

She had seven children and many, many grandchildren & great grandchildren. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was active in all of its organizations, including Stake Single Adults. 

She also enjoyed the Shelley Senior Citizen Center. Mary enjoyed traveling with Afton and saw much of the world.  They served a mission to Nome, Alaska.  After her husband’s death she served a mission to the Family History Center in Salt Lake City.  Her family was her greatest joy in this life and she found great pleasure in each and every member and could remember all of their names.

She is survived by her children; Norman (Deon) Crofts of Evanston, Wyoming; Ilene (Kenneth) Johnson of Shelley; Neil (Sharen) Crofts of Firth; Ned (Marilyn) Crofts of Firth; Cheryl (Merrill) Barney of Lehi, Utah; Vincent (Peggie) Crofts of Firth; and Donna (Lloyd) Brittain of Firth; 46 grandchildren, 113 great grandchildren and 16 great great grandchildren; A sister; Althera (Jack) Crofts of Goshen and a foster sister Anna Weber Stringham of Blackfoot. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, Joseph Lyon and two sisters, Letha Spalding and Leah Overson.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday April 7, 2008 at the Firth Ward Chapel (744 North 600 East) in Firth. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6:00 till 7:30 P.M. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Monday morning at 9:30 till 10:40 at the church.  Burial will be in the Basalt Cemetery.