Chester Alfred Marcum

Pocatello- Chester "Alfred" Marcum , beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away Wednesday, December 9, 2009, with his family by his side. He was 93 years old.

Alfred was born on August 11, 1916, at the family home in Tetonia. He was the third of twelve children born to Chester Arthur Marcum and Nettie Ruth Nethercott Marcum. He attended area schools, and graduated from Teton High School.

In 1941, Alfred joined the United States Army. After basic training in California and Texas, he was sent to Oran, North Africa. There, as well as in Germany, Italy, and France, Alfred helped set up the Fire Direction Centers, maintain the firearms and equipment, and plan the strategy for combat. During his years of service, he was engaged in 458 days of combat. He was in five battle campaigns, and was awarded five battle stars and the Good Conduct Award.

While serving overseas, Alfred began a long distance courtship with Winnie Minerva Sherman, also of the Teton Valley. Once back in the states, his first phone call was to Winnie, whom he would soon wed. Alfred and Winnie were married on December 5, 1945 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Their marriage was the first recorded in the Idaho Falls Temple.

The new couple settled in Victor. Alfred worked for the US Forest Service and farmed. Winnie was a homemaker. They are the parents of four children. Alfred was an avid horseman and taught his children to ride.

In 1983, after a long battle with cancer, Winnie passed away. Their daughter, Berdeanna, began to play cupid and introduced Alfred to his second wife, May Elaine Larsen Archibald of Pocatello. They were married on April 19, 1986 in the Idaho Falls Temple, and resided in Pocatello.

Alfred was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. For many years, he was the secretary of the seventies quorum. He also worked as an officiator at the Idaho Falls Temple, and sang in ward choirs.

He is survived by his wife, May, three sons, DelRoy (Bertha) Marcum of Helena, Montana; Dan (Kathy) Marcum of Kirbyville, Texas; Fred (Kathy) Marcum of Idaho Falls, Idaho; one daughter, Berdeanna (Larry) Plooster, of Pocatello; step sons, Larry Archibald of Wisconsin, Dave Archibald of Pocatello; brothers, Orin (Louise)Marcum, Shelby (Joyce) Marcum of Boise; Laverne (Ruth) Marcum of Rexburg; Selar (Elva) Marcum of Tetonia; Dale (Maureen) Marcum of Victor; one sister, Ethel (Percy) Parry of Washington; 19 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Winnie, his parents, two brothers, three sisters, one step-son and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 14, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Highland Stake Center (Satterfield Drive) with Bishop Dan Ruth of the Highland 4th Ward officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening, December 13, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave. and on Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Victor Cemetery, Victor, Idaho, with Military Rites provided by the Hulet American Legion Post 95, Gary Henry, Commander. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel.