Gary Cantral

Gary Neil Cantral, 88, of Idaho Falls, passed away September 2, 2026, at Lincoln Court Retirement Community. He was under the care of Oakstone Home Health and Hospice and his loving family.

Gary was born March 2, 1938, in Rexburg, Idaho, to Neil Brooks Cantral and Esther Wyman Cantral. He grew up in Teton and attended schools in Newdale. In 1947, his family moved to Idaho Falls where he graduated from Bonneville High School. He also attended the Idaho State Post Academy and the FBI National Academy. Gary served in the United States Navy aboard a submarine, the USS Bang, and a destroyer, the USS Rowan.

On November 14, 1959, he married Jane Bickford in Saco, Maine. Gary and Jane made their home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Gary worked as a Bonneville County Deputy Sheriff. Jane passed away on February 4, 2021. He later married Patti Eisenbrandt Schroeder in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She passed away May 1, 2025.

He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting, and playing pinochle and bingo. He loved his home in Swan Valley. He disassembled, moved, and reconstructed a historic barn featured in the “Historic Barns of Bonneville County”.

Gary is survived by his son, William (Chiyo) Cantral of Yakima, WA; son, Daniel (Michelle) Cantral of Hoquiam, WA; son, Charles Cantral of Albany, OR; sister, Lois Butikofer of Idaho Falls, ID; sister, Carol (Russ) Spain of Iona, ID; 3 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Phyllis Stanger; former spouse, Jane Cantral; and wife, Patti Cantral.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2026, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends Friday from 10:00-10:45 a.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road. Military Honors will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Navy Honor Guard.