Donald Dean Staker, 89 of Newdale, passed away peacefully on Sunday February 16, 2014 in Rexburg, Idaho, due to causes incident to age. He was born September 4,1924 at Newdale, Idaho, the first child of Vearl Clifford Staker and Rebecca Lyle Maupin Staker.

Donald attended the Newdale school, graduating in 1940. He loved playing basketball on the Newdale team with his friends during the 1939-40 basketball season. After graduating he started full time employment on the family farm, learning at a very young age to appreciate hard work, learning by his father's side.

Through good friends he met and married his sweetheart Emma Delilah Howard on June 18, 1943. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS temple on July 26, 1961. She passed away on March 5, 2007. They loved their many friends and their families and cherished these wonderful relationships through the years. They participated in many group activities and looked forward to the winter breaks when they would travel with their friends from Newdale. They felt it was a privilege and a blessing to raise their own family there, because of this close knit community.

Donald served in the US Army during World War II where he was with the military police and rated as a sharp shooter. He was awarded the Civic Service, Good Conduct and Victory Medals while he served. He was on his journey across the Pacific Ocean to fight when the war ended. He continued in the service until he was given and honorable discharge May 15,1946.

He successfully farmed his whole life in Newdale growing potatoes, wheat, barley, and hay and raising cattle. He learned much from his father and taught the work ethic to his sons and daughter. His hobbies were his work and family. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He looked forward to their visits and always gave them a treat.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as Sunday School superintendent and as a home teacher.

He is survived by his five children; Ronald Dean (Karen) Staker, Theron C. (Deon) Staker, VerNyle (Alison) Staker, Jill Sharee (Bruce) Harris, Lanny Joel (Julie) Staker, twenty-two grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren. Also surviving are his sisters; Belva Robinson of Newdale, Idaho, June Neibauer of Paul, Idaho and Dorothy (Dale) Siddoway of Newdale.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Delilah and a brother-in-law Wallace Robinson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 22. 2014 at the Newdale LDS Ward Chapel with Bishop Jason Grover officiating. The family will receive friends Friday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg and Saturday at the church from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, with military rites, will be in the Teton-Newdale Cemetery.