Merlin John Mccrary

Merlin John McCrary, 95, of Rigby, died Thursday, August 13, 2009, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, following an extended illness. Merlin was born September 26, 1913, in Portage, Utah, to John C. McCrary and Cecil Gibbs McCrary. He attended school in Osgood and graduated from Ammon High School. He enlisted in the Navy during World War II and served on the USS Robert F. Keller, destroyer escort in the Pacific Theater. After an honorable discharge from the navy he returned to the family farm at Terreton where he spent his life farming and leveling farm land for others. He married Selma Penner on September 26, 1970. She was killed in an automobile accident just two months later on November 23, 1970. He married Jean Maney Pennell on June 12, 1971; they were happily married for 37 years. She died September 11, 2008. Merlin was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holding various callings. He and Jean served four missions for the church. Merlin was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving as Commander of the Verl Skidmore Post 8893 in Mud Lake. He loved music and played the banjo and the harmonica. He is survived by a step-son, Wayne (Liz) Pennell and 3 grandchildren, Christa, Trisha, and Rob; Brothers, LaVor(Betty) McCrary of Blackfoot, Freeman (Betty) McCrary, of Syracuse, UT, Sister, LaRue (Joseph) Bell, of Idaho Falls, numerous nieces and nephews, and 6 great grandchildren He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Glade (Barbara), and 3 sisters, Monda, Connie (Gary) Connell, and Beverly (Rick) Monsen. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 17, 2009, at the Rigby East Stake Center, with Bishop Cloyd H. Jones of the Idaho Falls 18th Ward, conducting. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sunday, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main St., Rigby, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., prior to services at the stake center. Burial will be in the Fielding Memorial Cemetery, under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby. Military Rites will be performed by the Verle Skidmore Post 8893 Veterans Team.