Merle Kearsley

Merle Kearsley passed away November 19, 2010 with loving family members at her side. Merle was born in Salt Lake City, Utah May 17, 1918 to Rose Lofthouse and Elbert Merrill Gleason. She moved with her family to California at the age of six where she grew up, attended school and graduated from Berkeley High School. She married Everett Leo Kearsley in 1938, and they enjoyed an adventurous and loving 47 years together until his death in 1985. As a military wife during and for many years following World War II, Merle and her family traveled and lived in many places including Oregon, Montana, Germany, Texas, Iceland, Arizona, and California. Merle and Everett came to Idaho in 1963, first living in Shoup on the Salmon River where she served as Post Master for a couple of years. They relocated to Tucson Arizona for five or six years, but returned to North Fork, Idaho in 1973 where Merle remained until 1992 when she came to Idaho Falls to be near her daughter. When her health began to decline in 2007, she moved to an assisted living facility in Driggs. She came back to Idaho Falls in April 2010. Merle was a woman of many skills, talents and interests. She crocheted many intricate and beautiful doilies, Christmas ornaments, and afghans for family and friends. She was a dedicated mother, grandmother, teacher, friend and homemaker. She drew and she painted. She took classes in pottery making. She loved to write and left a wealth of stories about her life experiences. Merle is the mother of four daughters, Yvonne (Gary) Brogan of Benicia, CA, Leanna (George) Peterson of Victor, ID, Linda (Bill) Peck of Tucson, AZ and Karen Packwood (deceased). She is survived by sixteen grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 7 great, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was an award winning member of the Idaho Writers League and a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, November 29, 2010 at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue in Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends for one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at the Gibbonsville Cemetery.