Russell Rock

RUSSELL H. ROCK HEBER CITY, UTAH -- Russell Harland Rock, 86, formerly of Idaho Falls, died October 26, 2004, at his home in Heber City, Utah. He was born July 24, 1918 at American Falls, Idaho, the son of Russell Hamilton and Lois Fifield Rock. Russell grew up on a ranch and attended school in Rockland, Idaho, graduating from high school in Aberdeen, Idaho, in 1935. During World War II he served in the Navy as a corpsman in the South Pacific, attached to the Third Marine Division. He was wounded and received four Purple Hearts, the final one when he lost his leg on Guam. He also received the Bronze Star and Silver Star, and was retired from the Navy as a Chief Pharmacists Mate. Upon his return from two years in the Naval hospital at Mare Island, California, he was employed by the Idaho Department of Employment in Idaho Falls until his retirement in 1990. He lived in the Lincoln area of Idaho Falls, and was a member of the Lincoln Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served in several capacities including that of Bishop. He served an LDS Stake Mission and also served a mission to Deseret Industries working with the handicapped. He was a member of the American Legion Post #56 where he had served as Commander. He also was local and state Disabled American Veterans Commander and National Vice Commander. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 40-8, and Lodge #1087 of the Elks. He has been honored for being on the War Bonnet Rodeo committee for 60 years. Idaho Governor Robert Smylie honored him for his work with the physically handicapped, and he spent many years working with veterans as a service officer to help returning veterans from the Korean and Vietnam wars receive the benefits to which they were entitled. He married Embere Ririe March 24, 1947 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Embere passed away September 18, 1959. He married Doris Bouton Villella June 30, 1961 in the Idaho Falls Temple. He is survived by his wife, Doris; two daughters, Denys Wheeler (Gerald) of Rexburg, Idaho, and Mischelle Horn (Steve) of Roy, Utah; one sister, Lou Veda Sears of Idaho Falls; and one brother James Rock (Elene) of Las Vegas. He is also survived by stepchildren Nancy Hart (Richard), Vincent Villella, Cliffie Ann Johnson (Clint), all of Heber City, Utah; Betty Lamb (John) of Cedar Hills, Utah, and Jean Hoover (Kim) of Midway, Utah. He leaves 47 very loved grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Embere Ririe Rock and sister Joan MacKay of Orem, Utah. A sister Afton and brother Ralph died as infants. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, 2004, at the Idaho Falls LDS Lincoln Ward, 3700 E. Lincoln Road. The family will visit with friends from 12:00 p.m. until time of services. He will be interred in the Lincoln Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. Military Rites will be perform by the American Legion Bonneville Post #56.