Ernest DeLoy Armstrong

Preston - Ernest DeLoy Armstrong, 84, former resident of Pocatello, Inkom and Blackfoot passed away surrounded by his loving family early Friday, June 22, 2012 at the Heritage Home Care Center in Preston, Idaho following an illness.

He was born March 28, 1928 in Melba, Idaho, a son of Ernest William and Stella Wilhelmina Petersen Armstrong.

He attended schools in Melba and graduated from Melba High School where he participated in football and was also Student Body President.

Soon after graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Kodiak Alaska. After his discharge, from the Navy, he took flying lessons and obtained his pilots license.

He married Marjorie P. Holladay on November 16, 1948 in the Idaho Falls Temple.

He was a meat cutter for a short time in Melba, Idaho. They later moved to Grants Pass, Oregon where he worked in the saw mills and for Zatolla's Dairy and later for Arden Farms Dairy.

He also became a master bricklayer and built many fireplaces in the Grants Pass , Boise and Inkom area. He developed and patented the Armstrong Super Heater fireplace unit. He was well known for his beautiful brick and rock work.

He always loved music and played several musical instruments including the guitar, trumpet and harmonica. He organized a dance band in Grants Pass and also sang in several Barber Shop Chorus's. He was a member of the Josephine County Sheriffs Posse. He also loved elk hunting and being outdoors.

In their later years, they enjoyed living for 18 years in Inkom, Idaho and in Blackfoot, Idaho for 3 years. Due to health reasons, they moved to Preston, Idaho, to live together in the Heritage Home Care Center. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in various callings including, Scout Master, dance director and sang in the ward choir.

He was always willing to help anyone who needed a hand. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and many friends.

Deloy is survived by his loving wife, Marjorie P. Armstrong, Preston, Idaho; 2 sons, Larry D. (Gloria) Armstrong, Lincoln, California; David W. Armstrong, Eagle, Idaho; 7 daughters, Marcia (Dennis) McGuire, Springdale, Washington.; Patty (Richard) Wheatley, Pocatello, Idaho; Sandy (Wayne) Hoover, Meridian, Idaho; Barbara (Mike) Hammond, Hyde Park, Utah; JoAnn (Russell) Palmer, Preston, Idaho; Pamela (Richard) Stuart, Layton, Utah; Katrina (Steve) Elliott, Blackfoot, Idaho; a sister, Florence (Vance) Lawrence, Grants Pass, Oregon; 39 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Francis Armstrong, a brother, Wesley Armstrong.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Inkom L.D.S. Ward Chapel (Rapid Creek Road) with Bishop Dustin Young, of the Inkom Ward officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave.. and Wednesday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Central, Idaho Cemetery with military rites provided by the Grace, Idaho American Legion Post #50.

The Armstrong Family would like to thank Heritage Home Care Center and Access Hospice for the loving care of Deloy and Marjorie.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave.