Virgil Glen Rutledge

On the morning of May 11th Virgil Glen Rutledge passed away peacefully in his sleep. Virgil was born February 11, 1928 in Rupert, Idaho. He was the tenth child of eleven children born to Lenora Kathleen Hunt Rutledge and John Anthony Rutledge. His father passed away when he was four years old. His early childhood was spent on a farm in Acequia, Idaho. At the age of fourteen the family moved to Annis, Idaho to a forty acre farm. At that young age, he taught himself farming skills and all other necessary skills to provide for his Mother and younger brother. He attended school in Acequia and Midway High School. Shortly there after he met the love of his life, Donna Lou Gold at the Royal Theater in Rigby, Idaho. Virgil and Donna married April 26th, 1948 in Burton, Idaho. They bought the adjoining farm next to Virgil’s mother where they spent the next 61 years farming, raising sheep and cattle. They worked many extra jobs to make ends meet. Virgil started Rutledge Excavating in 1969 which still operates today by his son Monty and Grandson Michael. Virgil served on the West Labelle Irrigation Company board of directors for many years. He was member of the Eagles Lodge in Idaho Falls where many Saturday evenings were spent with many friends. Dad enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hunting, fishing and in later years, wintering in Yuma, Arizona. Dad was very attached to his farm animals, especially to his miniature dachshunds that were his constant companions. Virgil is survived by his children, Monty (Chris) Rutledge of Rigby, Idaho, Lana Jean (Jay) Hill, of Twin Falls, Idaho, JoAnn (Kent) Clark, of Menan, Idaho, Kathy (Bill) Paul, of Pocatello, Idaho, Cory (Tammy) Rutledge, of Rigby, Idaho, fifteen grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren, two brothers, Howard Rutledge and Curtis Rutledge. Virgil is preceded in death by his wife Donna, his parents, four brothers, Wayne, Harold, Milton, and Junior, and four sisters, Marjorie, Ella, Hester (Heady) and Hazel. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2009, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main Street, Rigby. The family will visit with friends from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, both at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Annis Cemetery, under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.