Delbert Smith Parker

Pocatello - Delbert Smith Parker, 86, longtime resident of Pocatello, passed away Saturday, March 31, 2007 at a local care center.He was born February 27, 1921 in Lanark, Idaho, a son of Erwin and Eva Arvilla Smith Parker.

He attended school in Lanark, Idaho and graduated from Fielding High School in Paris, Idaho. He served an L.D.S. Mission for two years to the Southern States. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific. He moved to Pocatello and drove bus for Bear Lake Stages for several years and then drove for Greyhound Bus for two years. He also worked for C & L Electric for about two years. He then started work for FMC in 1949 and retired as foreman after 38 years.

On June 24, 1950, he married Mildred Pierce Byers, in Lanark, Idaho. She passed away June 28, 1983. He married Verla Walker Ellis, July 2, 2001 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They were later divorced.

Delbert liked to fish and hunt and also enjoyed photography and traveling. He was an active member of the L.D.S. Church and was a High Priest at the time of his death.

Survivors include: a son, Harvey (Gladys) Byers, Sheridan, Wyoming; a daughter, Sandra (Rick) Schmidt, Shelby, Montana; a brother, Erwin (Dorotha) Parker, Pocatello; Norma Carver, Preston, Idaho. 11 grandchildren, 31 grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Mildred Parker, and two sisters, Evelyn and Verla.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 7, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave. with Bishop Russell Armstrong, of the Chubbuck 9th Ward officiating. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens with military rites provided by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N.12th Ave. and Saturday for one hour prior to services.