Vearl C. Crystal

Vearl Charles Crystal, 92, of Rigby, died Thursday, October 20, 2011, at Life Care Center in Idaho Falls. He was born May 29, 1919 in Roberts, Idaho to Andrew Vernon Crystal and Bessie Venetta Randall Crystal. He attended Garfield Grade Schools, and graduated from Ucon High School. He continued his education at the University of Idaho, Southern Branch in Pocatello. He entered the US Air Force in 1941, serving during WWII, and achieved the rank of Master Sergeant; he was honorably discharged in 1945. On November 23, 1942, he married Brinda Merrill in Rigby, Idaho; their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on January 8, 1958. Vearl founded Crystal Brothers Rodeo in 1946; he was President of Eastern Idaho Rodeo Association and served as Chairman of the Board of Intermountain Rodeo Association. From 1946 to 1976 he worked as Jefferson County Assessor. He then served as State Senator representing Jefferson County, Clark County, Lemhi County, Custer County and Butte County from 1977 to 1989. Vearl was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; he served on the High Council in the Rigby, Roberts, and Menan Stakes, as councilor in the Grant Ward Bishopric, and as Bishop. He also served as High Priest Group Leader and as a Home Teacher. He was a Lifetime Member o f the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion Lloyd Crystal Post and Disabled American Veterans. He is survived by his Daughter, Nancy K. Nucholls, of Moses Lake, WA. Sisters, LeVon Hill of Idaho Falls, ID, Lois Jones, of Garfield, ID, Betty (Gerald) Hansen of Goshen, ID, brother, DeMont Crystal, of Grant, ID, 2 grandchildren and 1 great Grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, a son Charles Brent Crystal and 2 sisters. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 25, 2011, in the Grant LDS Chapel 3431 E. 100 N. with Bishop Roger Prestwich conducting. The family will receive friends Monday Evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby, and from 9:30 to10:45 a.m., prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Grant Central Cemetery under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.