Melinda Chester

Melinda Kay Briggs Chester, 63, of Idaho Falls, passed away June 9, 2011, at her home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, of COPD. She was under the care of Hospice of Eastern Idaho. Melinda was born May 27, 1948, in Rexburg, Idaho, to Lennis Briggs and Gladys Vay Hansen Briggs. She grew up in Rexburg and graduated from Madison High School. She then attended Boise State. She married Richard Allen Chester in 1967 at Rexburg, Idaho, and they were the parents of three children, Dawna, Patrick, and Stephanie. They were later divorced. Melinda lived in the Idaho Falls area most of her life and worked as a beautician, in childcare, as a dispatcher and driver for CART, then drove bus for School District #91 and drove truck for Killpack Trucking. Melinda was a Christian. She enjoyed fishing, bowling, crocheting, baking, and spending time with her grandkids. Melinda is survived by: daughter, Dawna (fiancee, Brian Petersen) Chester of Idaho Falls, ID, daughter, Stephanie Kay (Jose) Zamora of Idaho Falls, ID; brother, Larry (Carolanne) Briggs of Rexburg, ID; sister, Marlynn Carter of Rapid City, SD; best friend, Bill Andersen and 7 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Patrick Allen Chester, and a sister, Diana Sucher. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 13, 2011, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge, with Pastor Tony Maupin of Shiloh Foursquare Church fficiating. The family will visit with friends for one hour prior to the services at Wood Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Annis-Little Butte Cemetery.