Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park, of Parker, Idaho, passed away Friday, February 5, 2010, at Mount Vernon Assisted Living in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Lincoln was 85 years old.

Lincoln was born August 5, 1924, in Price, Utah to James and Sadie Park. He grew up in the Murray, Utah area with four brothers and three sisters.

Lincoln volunteered for the U.S. Navy in September of 1941, and was stationed in Alameda, California, when Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. Lincoln was an airplane mechanic on the U.S.S. Saratoga. In November of 1943, his ship participated in the attack on Rabaul Harbor, which was a major victory for the Allies. After achieving the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer, he was honorably discharged one week after World War II ended. Lincoln reenlisted during the Korean War, serving in Japan.

Lincoln dutifully raised two families during his lifetime. He married his first wife, Emma Cankleborg in 1943. They lived in San Jose, California and had three children: Thomas, Steven, and Deborah. In 1971 Lincoln married Marcia, and became a father to her three children: Greg, Kenneth, and Patricia. In 1977 Marcia and Lincoln had a child of their own, Douglas. Lincoln and Marcia spent the happiest years of their lives living along Henry's Fork of the Snake River near Parker, Idaho where they moved in 1973. Lincoln and Marcia escaped the city and loved living the country life, complete with a large garden, cows, goats, chickens, geese, and pets of all types.

Lincoln worked as a jeweler most of his life, repairing jewelry for many local stores. He also designed and crafted jewelry, including intricate elk tooth rings and wedding rings for many couples in the Upper Snake River Valley.

Lincoln was a man of many hobbies, including rock collecting, golf, bowling, and painting. His paintings hang in homes and courthouses throughout the northwest. Lincoln loved sunsets and the ocean; many of his painting were seascapes influenced by yearly trips to Lincoln City, Oregon.

Lincoln was preceded in death by his wife of 32 years, Marcia (2004), his first wife, Emma (2009) and all of his siblings.

Lincoln is survived by his children: Thomas Park (Kat) of Cornelius, Oregon; Steven Park (Trina) of Crescent City, California; Deborah Gannon of Springfield, Oregon; Greg Moeller (Kathy) of Rexburg, Idaho; Kenneth Moeller (Yvonne) of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Patricia Moeller of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Douglas Park (Rachael) of Snohomish, Washington.

At the time of his death, Lincoln's immediate family constitutes 18 grandchildren and 7 great grand children. Lincoln's influence extends well beyond his immediate family as he touched the lives of many in the area. Lincoln was well known for his stories and life lessons.

The family would also like to thank the staff at Mount Vernon and Aspen Home Health and Hospice for their kind and loving care of Lincoln during the last few months of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the South Fremont Education Foundation, which will be ear-marked for the Parker-Egin Elementary School in memory of Lincoln and Marcia Park.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 10 at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. and again prior to services from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Parker Cemetery. Military rites will be presented by the veterans of Fremont County.