Rex Merlin Merrill

Rex Merlin Merrill, 75, of Rigby, died Thursday, December 29, 2011, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls. He was born April 9, 1936, in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Rex Smith Merrill and Mildred Ione Tolley Merrill. He was raised and attended schools in Menan, graduating from Rigby High School. After high school, he joined the US Army National Guard. On July 9, 1954, he married Raelene Ball, his high school sweet heart, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple, she preceded him in death. On December 16, 1999 he married Ena Horman in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He worked at Idaho Fresh Pac as a Laborer and a Machine Operator, was the Annis Little Butte Cemetery and Rigby Pioneer Cemetery Sexton from 1989 to 2001, he worked in California plastering and repairing swimming pools and he farmed in the Othello Washington and Menan Idaho for several years. Merlin was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served as Ward Liberian, as High Priest Group Leader and served a working mission at West Pine Creek from 2008 – 2009 and a mission at the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. He was a HAM radio operator, enjoyed gardening, camping, making walking canes, and spent many days in the morning, bicycling. He was also an active member of the Rigby Lions Club and was serving as District Governor. He is survived by his wife, Ena Merrill, of Rigby, children, Clara Merlene Merrill, of Idaho Falls, Jana Lee (Wayne) Cooper, of Rexburg, Raylin Eric Merrill, of Fountain Valley, CA, Lori (Mike) Berrett, of Rigby, Randy (Staci) Horman of Rigby, Jerry Horman, of Rigby, siblings, Glenda (Steve) Weeks, of Idaho Falls, Diane (Butch) Widerberg, of Bullhead City, AZ, Bonnie Hammon, of Idaho Falls, Keith (Louise) Merrill, of Massachusetts, Terry (Debbie) Merrill, of Idaho Falls, Kim (Shirley) Merrill, of Yuma, AZ, 14 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, his 1st wife, Raelene and a brother Loren. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 2, 2012, at the Labelle 1st Ward LDS Chapel 4223 E. 528 N. Labelle The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Sunday evening, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main Street, Rigby, and from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.