Merlin Roberts

SANDY, UT -- Merlin Mortimer Roberts, 78, of Sandy, Utah, died October 27, 2007, at Alta View Hospital in Sandy following a seven-week illness with West Nile Virus. He was born May 11, 1929, in Sugar City, Idaho, to Horace Lenn Roberts and Alice Mortimer Roberts. His mother died when he was eight years old and he lived with his grandparents, Horace E. & Martha “Louie” Roberts, part of his growing up years. His father married Freda Bertha Rindlisbacher Allen, who helped raised him. He attended schools in Sugar City and graduated from Sugar-Salem High School in 1947. He married Norma Birch June 7, 1949, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They lived in Rexburg, where he worked for Christensen Motors. In 1950 they moved to Idaho Falls and he worked for Thayne Earl Texaco. He later worked in tire sales and service for Firestone, Hock Tire, and Wright Tire & Oil. During that time he also drove bus for School District #91, and was a night custodian for the LDS Church. In later years he worked for worked at V-1 Oil, L & B Hearing Service and Boozer Oil. He retired in 1991 and moved to Sandy, Utah, where he worked part-time as a courier for BMA Data until the time of his death. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in various capacities over the years, including ward clerk, executive secretary, Sunday School President, and Bishop's counselor. He enjoyed fishing, horses, word puzzles, playing horseshoes, helping his wife and children, and orchestrating our family reunion each year. He was a hard worker, loved to visit with people and do service for his friends and neighbors, and was an avid Utah Jazz fan. Surviving are: His wife: Norma Roberts of Sandy, UT Daughter: Norma Jean (Roger) Nelson of Ontario, OR Son: Kent (Ardis) Roberts of Idaho Falls, ID Daughter: Susanne (Kirk) Nielsen of Idaho Falls, ID Son: Jeffrey (Lori) Roberts of Boise, ID Daughter: Teresa Alldredge of Fillmore, UT Daughter: Melanie (Robert) Hardy of St. George, UT Daughter: Patricia Evans of Albany, OR Son: Shawn (Tammy) Roberts of Idaho Falls, ID Daughter: Margaret Rose Roberts of Grantsville, UT Son: Matthew (Andrea) Roberts of Orem, UT Brother: Bryant (Diana) Roberts of Grangeville, ID Brother: Mark (Linda) Roberts of Kimberly, ID Brother: Darrell (Cherria) Roberts of Orange, CA Sister: Winona (Ralph) Munger of Marsing, ID Brother: Wayne Roberts of Salt Lake City, UT Sister: Marene Holm of Nampa, ID Sister: Ruth (Lance) Merchant of West Valley, UT 39 Grandchildren and 11 Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, Bonnie Lee (Danny) Moss and Amy Camille Roberts, two brothers, Blair and Farrell Roberts, and a infant sister, Helen Edith Roberts. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 3, 2007, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, Idaho Falls, with Ben Ray, first counselor in the Sandy LDS Riverbend Ward officiating. The family will visit with friends Friday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday for one hour prior to the services, both at Wood Funeral Home. The family will visit with friends in Utah from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, November 1, 2007, at the Riverbend Ward, 8825 South 150 West, Sandy, Utah. Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, November 3rd at the Wilford Cemetery in Wilford, Idaho, under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. ---------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Kelsey & Benjamin Dean I was glad we were there yesterday to be together as a family. Grandpa is such a wonderful man . . . .so devoted to his family. I can still hear his voice when I think of him. I hope that you know how much we love you both. Kelsey Dan Hersam Thank you for sharing the news with us about Merlin's passing. I was just thinking about the fond memories I had visiting with the both of you each month. You were both a pleasure to know and he will be missed. As I always said when I visited, if there's anything we can do to help, please let us know. We send our love! Dan Diane Deputy I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your dear and faithful husband, Merlin. I know it must have been a hard few weeks for him and for all of you during his illness. But now he is at peace with the Lord, and with his many loved ones on the other side. May the Lord continue to bless you with every needful thing in the days ahead. You have many who love you. Love, Diane Deputy Jessica Bryant My heart is full of love for my sweet Grandfather. He was such a loving figure in my life. I have so many fond memories especially in the last few years. He will be missed deeply. I love you Grandma and I am here whenever you need me. You two have both been such a bright light in my life. Thank you for all that you have given me. Love always, Jessi Rachael Hardy I love Grandpa and I am so glad he was able to be a part of my life. Patricia Evans pattigirle@yahoo.com Daddy, you were always my Hero. I always knew I could count on you for love and support when times were hard. You were so strong and you loved us all so much. I will miss you so much in my life. I am so grateful to have had you as my Father. I look forward to getting one of your sweet, poochy kisses when I see you again. Until then you are always in my heart. Love, Patricia Katie Hersam Norma, we are sad to hear this news about your husband. We wish we could be there to pay our respects. We always enjoyed visiting you and Brother Roberts. He always had something funny to share and loved seeing our children. We'll be praying for you and your family. Thank goodness for our knwledge of the plan of Salvation. Love, Katie Hersam Mary Thelen My parents (Vernon and Beverly Thelen) and I would like you to know how sorry we are to hear of Merlin's death. You will all be in our prayers. It seems so long now since we have been neighbors, but I have many happy memories of times spent with your family. Norma Nelson rnandnj55@cableone.net Daddy, I miss you so much, just knowing you were there to talk to when I needed you, or just to hear your sweet voice, just made my day. I got so excited when we had family activities just knowing you were coming, and we could visit. And the knowing that you were there for our families no matter what or when, is the best ever. I am going to miss you constantly, and just knowing that you and Bonnie and Amy are together is very warming to me, and that we will be a family always . . . and we'll soon be together. Be happy and I'll see you soon. I'll always love you . . . Your loving daughter, Norma Jean Lynette (Dayley) Anderson The Dayley Family, who lived next door to the Roberts Family for many years, is sorry to hear of Merlin's passing. We all send our condolences and love. Linda Herbst lrfh@msn.com We are sorry to hear about Merlin's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers. The Jay Foster Family Sherry Branson Garcia sherjoeg@wmconnect.com Susanne, Kirk & Girls! Sorry to hear of your Dad/Grandpa's passing -- I just learned of it this afternoon. I had four wards to visit last week so didn't make it to our ward to hear about it. Such a hard time for all of you. Our love to all of you. God Bless you all! Sherry, Joe, Michelle & Shawn