Merlin Archibald

David Merlin Archibald, 95 of Rigby died Saturday, November 27, 2010, at The Gardens of Rigby. Merlin was born January 18, 1915, in Rexburg, Idaho to David Watson Archibald and Lillie Isabell Stallings. He was the oldest of 8 boys and 3 girls. They grew up on the ground homesteaded by his grandfather near the Rexburg cemetery and also in the Salem area north of Rexburg. He married Donna Ruth Johnson on June 28, 1940 in the Logan Utah LDS Temple, together they raised 5 children. Merlin graduated from Ricks College and Utah State University and worked for the Bureau of Reclamation throughout Montana, North and South Dakota and Wyoming. They spent 12 years in Cody Wyoming and 30 years in Billings, Montana before moving back to Idaho in 1990. During World War II he served in the Navy and was stationed in California. Merlin and Donna had many opportunities to serve in the LDS church, including missions to Detroit, Michigan, Denver, Colorado and Harlowton, Montana. They spent many years in various temple and family history assignments together. He is survived by his daughters; DeeAnn (Wayne) DeMill of Jemez Springs, NM, Beth Stone of Jonesboro, AR, sons; Brent (Henrietta) Archibald of Layton, UT, Donald (Sherry) Archibald of Rigby, ID Leon (Valeen) Archibald of Ledyard, CT, brother, Ronald Archibald of Salt Lake City, UT and sister Ilene Pearson of Pioche, NV, 27 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Donna Archibald, (August 23, 2010), by his parents and brothers; Keith, Don, Robert, Blair, Reo, Ralph and sisters; Mary Lou Wright and Lola Peterson and a granddaughter Dawn DeMill and a grandson Kenneth MacPherson Archibald. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 2, 2010, at the LaBelle Third Ward LDS Church, t 364 N. 4100 East, Rigby. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 West Main Street, and from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Rexburg Cemetery, under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.