Vernon "Bill" Eaton

Vernon “Bill” Eaton, 91, of Shelley, passed away at home on Friday May 16, 2008.            

He was born January 13, 1917 to Zera Eaton and Alice Bertha Starkie Eaton in Shelley, the 5th of 13 children.  He attended school in Shelley.  While growing up he worked many jobs with his family including, logging, farming, and sheering sheep.  Dad learned to repair trucks, cars, and farm equipment.  Our dad became an experienced mechanic and opened a business called, Eaton Brothers Garage, with brothers Bus and Joe.  Because of health problems, dad purchased a truck and went into the trucking business.

Bill married Donna Pearl Tyner on July 4, 1940 in Shelley by Justice of the Peace M.L. Wirt.  They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple in 1948.  Together Bill & Donna raised five children, Tom, Keith, Verlene, Dale, & Larry. 

Bill had a true love of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He was a lifelong member of the church and served in many positions.  He was a High Priest and enjoyed Home Teaching.

He enjoyed boxing, loved camping and fishing with his wife and their children in Island Park, Coffee Pot Rapids and Riverside Camp Ground.  Bill and Donna spent the summers in Island Park on their property on Cascade Lane.  Dad loved the smell of the pine trees and all of the wonderful wild flowers and loved to watch the leaves change color on the Quaking Aspen Trees.

One of the most important things in dad’s life was his grandchildren.  He enjoyed a variety of activities with them including, sitting around the camp fire cooking hot dogs and roasting marshmallows.

He is survived by; daughter, Verlene of Shelley; sons, Tom (Gail), Keith and Dale all of Pocatello; Larry (Gayle) of Donnelly, 13 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren, siblings; Leland, Joe (Sharlene), and Mabel Cannon all of Shelley; Jack (Rayceal) of Boise; and Evelyn Rowbury of Rexburg.

He was preceded in death by his wife Donna, parents, five brothers and two sisters, one granddaughter, and one great grandchild.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday March 23, 2008 at the Shelley Eighth Ward Chapel (184 North Park Ave.) with Bishop Arden Anderson conducting. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7:00 till 8:30 P.M. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and 10:00 till 10:45 A.M. before the services at the church.  Interment will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.