Merlin Stoddard

Our beloved Husband, Dad, Papa, & Brother, Merlin J. Stoddard, 68, of Shelley, passed away April 23, 2010 at his home surrounded by his family following a courageous three and a half year battle with cancer.

He was born to Wilford Henry & Ireta Winward Stoddard on August 20, 1941 at Eaton’s Maternity Home in Shelley, Idaho.  He was number 14 out of 16 kids.

Merlin attended school in Shelley with the class of 1959.  He farmed the family homestead for many years.  He also worked for Sunspice, Idaho Supreme, D&D Trucking, GPOD and the City of Shelley where he retired in 2007.

Merlin married Jeanie Lynette Haslam on September 5, 1980 in Woodville, Idaho.  They were sealed together with their family September 5, 1998 in the Idaho Falls Temple.

He loved serving in the 2

nd

Ward High Priest Group and being a home teacher.  He loved going to church and passing out candy to everyone especially the kids.

Merlin loved to fish.  He would take fishing trips to Salmon every year.  He never got tired of sharing his fish stories.  He also loved fishing in Wolverine Canyon & the Snake River.  Merlin was a big supporter of the 4-H & FFA programs.  Every year he would help his kids pick out their market animals and help raise them.  He also helped raise an endowment pig each year.

He had a great love for everyone.  It made his day to be of service to others.  He always seemed to find someone to talk to no matter where he was.  He always had a smile on his face.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanie L. Stoddard, children, Kristy A. Stoddard, Elizabeth L. Stoddard, Joshua O. Stoddard and one granddaughter, Candice Jennifer Taylor all of Shelley;  siblings, Delpha (Don) Beck of Blackfoot; Violet Cox of Hamilton, MT; Connie (Larry) Bumgarner, Neta Nelson both of Shelley; Alta Louise Stoddard of Pocatello; Fred (Sandra) Stoddard of Idaho Falls; Martin (Linda) Stoddard of Woodville; Dennis (LaRue) Stoddard of Shelley; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Lynn Stoddard, parents, and siblings, Florence Johansen, Lorene Hutchens, Darlene Quinn, Dewaine Stoddard, Jay Stoddard, Floyd Stoddard, Charles Amos Stoddard, and three nephews, Brandon Haslam, Mike Beck, and Wilford Webb.

The family would like to thank Dr. Shull, Dr. Cannon, all the many nurses and Alliance Hospice for all they did for Merlin in his battle against cancer.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday April 28, 2010 at the Shelley Stake Center (325 East Locust). The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:30 till 8:30 P.M. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Wednesday morning 9:30 till 10:40 A.M. at the Church.  Interment will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.