Merril Tew Blake

Merril Tew Blake, 65, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother, passed away on February 8

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, 2015, at his home in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Merril was born November 23, 1949 in Idaho Falls to Ferron Joseph Blake and Klea Tew Blake.

Merril was the 8

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child of 9 children.

He graduated from Shelley High School and later from Idaho State University with an Associate Degree in Business.

Merril was a lifelong entrepreneur with a keen interest in land development and real estate investments.

He also loved farming and ranching and spent many years running several hundred head of cattle on the family ranch.

In 1972, he married Wanda Straight in Denver, Colorado.

They were later sealed in the St. George LDS temple.

Together they have four daughters and one son.

Merril served in various church callings through the years.

He was also active in his community where he served as a member of the Shelley School Board, Bingham County Planning and Zoning Board, Boy Scouts of America, and as an EMT for the Shelley Quick Response Unit.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda “Windie” Blake, his children Jamie St. Louis (Louis), Jessica Carlson (Mike), Kassidy Brotherson (Matt), Randi Cook (Philip), Keegan Blake and sister Barbara Iles.

He was also the proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ferron and Klea Blake, brothers Wayne and Lynn Blake and sisters Eileen Blake, Sylvia Blake, Ramona Dugger, Irene Price and Starla Stroud.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 14

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, 2015 at the Jameston Ward Chapel (1101 East 1250 North). The family will meet with friends Friday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. at the church. Interment will be in the Taylor Cemetery.