15 Feb 1944 – 26 May 2013
3rd Great Grandson of Philip Cardon amd Martha Marie Tourn
2nd Great Grandson of Jean Paul Cardon and Susannah Goudin
Great Grandson of Martha Mary Cardon and Marriner Wood Merrill Jr.
Grandson of Marriner Oran Merrill and Flossie Mildred Webb
Son of Kelton Oran Merrill and Helen Marie Christensen
Leslie “Les” Kelton Merrill, 69, of Salem died peacefully Sunday morning, May 26, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family after a long battle with pneumonia.
Les was born February 15, 1944, in Preston, Idaho to Kelton and Helen Merrill. He graduated from Preston High in the spring of 1962. That fall he started school at Ricks College where he met the love of his life Linda Wellard.
Les was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission to the Eastern United States.
Les and Linda were married April 16, 1965 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple and have lived in Salem, Idaho their entire marriage. They were blessed with five children and 16 grandchildren.
He worked many years in construction and at the INL, with his last 20 years at Walmart in Rexburg.
Les was a man of service, he loved to serve his family, neighbors, and fellowman. He spent 20 years working with the Cowboy Poets of Idaho where he traveled all over Idaho providing the sound for their gatherings. He also volunteered 20 years with the Madison County Fair, providing the sound for their talent shows and entertainment. In the fall of 2011 Les and Linda were awarded the Dennis Olsen Volunteer Award at the Republican Convention where he spent 8 years providing the sound.
Les had many hobbies, he loved the outdoors, photography, sound, lapidary, woodworking, leatherwork, knot tying and braiding to name a few. His greatest joy and accomplishment was his family. Nothing was more important to him than family.
He is survived by his wife Linda Wellard Merrill, his children, Sandra (Brett) Rosier, Sherrie Bowen, Jeremy (Heather) Merrill, Jason (Lori) Merrill, Christina (Robby) Noble as well as 16 grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother, Helen Merrill, and his sisters, Kathryn Merrill, Annette (Norbert) Weber, and Karren (Brett) Fitzgerald.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 30th at the Salem LDS Chapel. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home and again from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Wilford Cemetery.
Wilford Cemetery, Wilford, Fremont County, Idaho
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