Merle Cleon Parkinson, 86, passed peacefully on August 6, 2011 in Rexburg at the Homestead Assisted Living Center surrounded by loved ones.

He was born in Plano on February 21,1925 to Clarence Cleon Parkinson and Charlotte LaVera Weatherston. He graduated from Edmunds high School in 1943, playing on the basketball team all four years. He continued to enjoy sports all of his life, playing softball and basketball and later becoming an avid spectator. In 1943 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served as an instructor for the 82nd Battalion until his honorable discharge as Staff Sergeant in 1946.

He married Evelyn Powell on February 14,1945 in the Salt Lake LDS temple. After Merle's discharge from the Army, together they began to build a life of farming in Plano. Merle served as a board member for the Madison Co-op for a number of years as well as a lifetime of service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including 10 years as bishop, 10 years in two stake presidencies, and 18 months on a mission with Evelyn to the Florida Ft. Lauderdale Mission.

He will be remembered for his love for his family, how he enjoyed a good story and a good laugh, his gift of easily connecting with people from all walks of life, his love of music and dancing, and his late-in-life passion for tending roses. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather with far-reaching influence.

He is survived by his sweetheart of 66 years, Evelyn Powell Parkinson and their five children; Vicky (Jerry) Weimer of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Corine (Jerry) DeTurk of Salt Lake City, Randy (Renee) Parkinson of Plano, Lyle (Vicki) Parkinson of Boise, and Merlynn (Steve) Price of Plano; 20 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren. Also surviving is Merle's brother Delmer (Sue) Parkinson of Plano.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Belva and brother -in-law Phil Worlton of Shelley, and two grandsons, Jayce Steven Price, and Jason Merle Parkinson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 12, 2011 at the Plano Ward Chapel with Bishop Randolph Brown officiating. The family will receive friends and family Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg and at the Plano church from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Plano Cemetery with military rites by the Madison County Veterans and the Idaho Honor Guard.

The family would like to thank the loving and compassionate staff of the Rexburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Creekside Home Health and Hospice, Madison Memorial Hospital and Homestead Assisted Living Center for all their kind service during Merle's illness.