Samuel Sommers Jr.

Samuel Sommers Jr., 85, passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at his home in Idaho Falls from Kidney Failure. Samuel was born in San Bernardino, California the eldest of seven children born to Samuel Sommers and Estella Grace Rock Sommers on September 26, 1923. At the age of seven he came to Idaho with his parents and three younger siblings. He was raised in Rexburg and Hibbard and attended Rexburg and Hibbard elementary schools. At an early age he learned the trade of plastering from his father. He gradually included setting Ceramic Tile and Stucco finishing. He worked on thousands of beautiful homes, schools and churches throughout the valley and neighboring states. Sam will be remembered for his fine workmanship. He also worked in the Copper Mines in Butte, Montana. Sam served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the South Pacific Theater spending most of the time in New Guinea in Battery D 743rd Anti Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion. He aided in the liberation of the Philippines. After the end of the war he volunteered to go to Japan to assist in the disarmament of Japan and the destroying of their weapons. Sam was honorably discharged in January 1946. Sam was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a High Priest. He served as a home teacher and enjoyed service in the LDS Temple. He married Bessie Spencer, November 4, 1941 at Burton, Idaho. This marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple. They were blessed with three children. Sam was an avid fisherman and enjoyed fishing trips in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Washington, Mexico and Alaska. He resided in Rexburg, Butte, Montana, Hibbard and Lewisville for 50 years before moving to Idaho Falls in 2003 due to health issues to be near family. He is survived by his wife Bessie, his children Garold (Ronna Lee) Sommers, Marilyn (Byron) Wheatley, of Idaho Falls, sister Dorothy Martinez, of Kelsyville, California, step-brother Frank (Norma) Hinckley and step-sister Gloria (Lyle) Hansen of Idaho Falls, son-in-law Lee Mortensen of Roy, Utah, 13 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Linda Kay Mortensen, two Sisters; Barbara Jones and Merelene Hanson and three brothers, Gail, Dee and Terrell. The family extends special thanks to Aspen Home Health and Hospice for their care and willingness to help. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in the Lewisville LDS Chapel, 474 N. 3450 E., Lewisville, Idaho. The family will visit with friends on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Church. Burial will be in the Lewisville Cemetery, under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.