Claude Cyril Tremelling

Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 West Main Street, Rigby, Idaho 83442, 745-6604 Claude C. Tremelling, 86, of Rigby passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 10, 2008, at Fairwinds Sandcreek Retirement Community in Idaho Falls. He was born on July 28, 1921, at the family home in Lyman, Idaho. He grew up on the family farms in Lyman and Lorenzo where he learned the tremendous work ethic that he exhibited his entire life. He attended schools in Lyman, Rexburg, and Rigby. He graduated from Heyburn High School. Claude was an officer in the United States Air Force. During World War II, he was a B-17 pilot and a member of the Hell’s Angels, 303rd Bomb Group. He was stationed in England where he flew bombing missions over Germany and participated in the bombing of Berlin. During the Korean War, he flew cargo and personnel missions to Alaska and Greenland. He married his high school sweetheart, Madge Johnson, on May 18, 1946. The marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS temple. They made their home in Rigby. Claude farmed in Grant, Shelton and Lorenzo. He worked for Utah Power and Light until his retirement in 1982. He served as a Rigby City Councilman for many years and as the Mayor of Rigby from 1980 to 1984. He was known for his meticulously manicured yard and his beautiful garden, often lovingly referred to as his “North 40”. He enjoyed sharing the harvest of his garden with family, neighbors and friends. His favorite past time was golfing at Heise with his buddies, locally known as “The Mafia.” He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He fulfilled many church callings throughout his life. Claude was preceded in death by his wife, Madge; a grandson, Trent, his parents, Jesse and Janet Tremelling; sisters, Veda Richman and Nina Nielson; and brothers, Jesse and Louis Tremelling. He is survived by his three children, Gregory (Val) Tremelling of Idaho Falls, Tim Tremelling of Idaho Falls, and Claudia Tremelling of Pocatello; a grandson, Tracy (Michelle) Tremelling of Idaho Falls, and three great grandchildren, Cole, Taylor and Halee of Idaho Falls. Services will be held on Friday, May 16, 2008, at 1:00 P.M., at the Rigby LDS Stake Center. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby. The family would like to thank the many friends, neighbors, relatives, the residents and the entire staff at Fairwinds and the Hands of Hope Hospice for the love, kindness and care shown to Dad during his illness.