Merle Ernestine Croft

Merle Ernestine Andrews Croft, 84, of Shelley, passed away November 6, 2016 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Merle was born June 28, 1932 in Hyde Park, Utah, to Ardery Elvoid Andrews and Anna Bell Watson.

She attended school in Idaho Falls, Tooele, Boise, Ammon, and attended high school in Idaho Falls until the 10th grade when she had to quit to go to work.

On January 6, 1950 she married James Samuel Croft in Idaho Falls. The lived in Idaho Falls for a short time where Gary was born. They then moved to Ogden where Elden and Val were born. They later moved to Woodville and then settled in Shelley in 1959. In 1960 they were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple. On April 5, 1973 their daughter Janae was born.

She worked at the R.T French Company for many years and then later baby sat in her home.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many church callings.

She liked to crochet and do crafts. She enjoyed traveling, camping, going to family reunions and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her children, Gary (Pam) Croft of Basalt, Elden (Barbara) Croft, and Val (Kalene) Croft, both of Idaho Falls, and Janae Croft of Seattle, Washington, 14 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren; two brothers, Eugene (LaFaun) Andrews of Woodville, Joseph Ross of Ogden, and one sister, Sherren (Clyde) Perry of Ogden.

She was preceded in death by her husband, one sister and three brothers, and one great grandchild.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday November 12, at the Shelley LDS 8th Ward, 184 N. Park Avenue with Bishop Trent Dye conducting. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W. Oak St. in Shelley, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. Saturday prior to the services at the church. Interment will be in Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.