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Donald Edward Kirby, 87, of Shelley, passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at his home.
Dad was born Feb. 4, 1926, in Hyde Park, Utah, to Lafay Kirby and Mary Louisa Elwood. They moved to Idaho Falls in 1931, where he attended school. He graduated from Idaho Falls High School, where he was active in sports and worked at the Post Register, beginning as a paper carrier at 12, and continued at the newspaper in the pressroom until his retirement in 1984.
He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lou Molen, on Dec. 4, 1943, in Idaho Falls. They were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on May 19, 1948. Dad and Mother lived in Idaho Falls until 1954, when they moved to Shelley, and in 1957 moved to their new home, which Dad helped build on West Fir Street. He enjoyed farming, milking cows, and fishing and camping with his family. One of his favorite pastimes was playing golf -- he even got a hole-in-one in Mesquite, Nev.
Dad was active in the LDS church and served in many callings, including as ward clerk, councilor, bishop and stake high councilor. He and Mother served as missionaries at the Idaho Falls Temple Visitors' Center and as officiators in the Idaho Falls Temple. He was still serving at the temple at the time of his death.
Dad is survived by his children, Lynda Chapple of Shelley, Kitty (Darrell) Beard of Pocatello, Don (Traci) Kirby Jr. of Firth, Margy (Dell) Blackburn of Blackfoot and BJ (Robert) Hess of Shelley; a sister, Donna (Dean) Edie of Idaho Falls; a brother, Elwood Kirby of Idaho Falls; 18 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and one brother, Boyd Kirby.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 9, at the Shelley 3rd Ward Chapel, 513 S. Park Ave. The family will meet with friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W. Oak St. in Shelley, and from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Shelley-Hillcrest Cemetery.
Condolences can be sent to the family at www.nalderfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
B.J., Robert, and Nick,
So sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad and Grandpa. May God Bless You at this difficult time. Thinking of your family.
Benny,Pamela,Tyler, and Trevor Coronado
March 12, 2013
We are very sad to hear of the passing of your father. We was a great man.
Vern and Margaret bowden
March 8, 2013
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