Cleone Pixton Parker, longtime resident of Idaho Falls, was called back to her heavenly home Tuesday, January 18, 2011, following an extensive bout with cancer. She had a zest for life and was excited to have been allowed 87 years of life's experiences.
She was born October 15, 1923 in Beaver, Utah, to Robert L. and Emma Schmidt Pixton. She was the fourth child of 12 children -- three boys and nine girls. She attended schools in Fillmore and Sandy, Utah, where she graduated as a Beetdigger from Jordan High School.
She attended college at Utah State University, where she met her eternal sweetheart, DeRay Parker. They were married September 11, 1947 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Cleone graduated from Utah State with a Bachelor's Degree in Speech and English.
The Parkers became active in the Lions Club after settling in Idaho Falls in 1953 where DeRay took a job with the Atomic Energy Commission. Through DeRay's position at the AEC, the Parkers moved their family to Ankara, Turkey, in 1961. During their year assignment, they developed many lifelong friendships.
Upon their return, Cleone became active helping with the Miss Idaho Falls pageants, singing in the Choralaires and later with the Chansonettes. She was very active in the Music Club Federation, where she served a term as the State President, and actively served in the Republican Party of Idaho working for an Idaho congressman.
She was nominated for the "State Mother of Idaho 1977" by the American Mother's Committee Inc. of Idaho. Her greatest joys in life were her children and her grandchildren.
Her most endearing features were her beautiful smile, red hair, love of music and her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She loved to serve wherever she was needed, and her favorite quote was by President Gordon B. Hinckley: "The best medicine for despair is service!"
She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in both stake and ward positions. She was extensively involved with the music in the Idaho Falls 11th Ward for over 40 years. In May 1992 she began a 16-month mission to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
She is survived in life by her five children: Michael (Peggy Wheeler) Parker of Rigby, Idaho, Marilyn (Donald L., deceased) Kelly of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Brian (LeeAnn Dayley) Parker of West Valley City, Utah, Craig (Cindy Birch) Parker of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Jocelyn (Randall L.) Parmer of Highland, Utah; 23 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; three sisters, Janice (Kent) Christensen of Arlington, Virginia, Gayle (Grant) Vest of Providence, Utah, and Joanne (Clyde) Nef of Fresno, California; and two brothers, Robert A. (Eunice) Pixton of Sandy, Utah, and Howard (Margene) Pixton of Alpine, Utah.
She is preceded in death by her husband, a son-in-law, her parents, a brother, and five sisters.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, January 21, at the 11th Ward LDS Chapel at 1235 Juniper Drive in Idaho Falls. Interment will be in Ammon Cemetery. Viewings will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, January, 20, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St. in Idaho Falls, and one hour prior to the service Friday in the 11th Ward building.
Family Tribute
She was born October 15, 1923 in Beaver, Utah, to Robert L. and Emma Schmidt Pixton. She was the fourth child of 12 children -- three boys and nine girls. She attended schools in Fillmore and Sandy, Utah, where she graduated as a Beetdigger from Jordan High School.
She attended college at Utah State University, where she met her eternal sweetheart, DeRay Parker. They were married September 11, 1947 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Cleone graduated from Utah State with a Bachelor's Degree in Speech and English.
The Parkers became active in the Lions Club after settling in Idaho Falls in 1953 where DeRay took a job with the Atomic Energy Commission. Through DeRay's position at the AEC, the Parkers moved their family to Ankara, Turkey, in 1961. During their year assignment, they developed many lifelong friendships.
Upon their return, Cleone became active helping with the Miss Idaho Falls pageants, singing in the Choralaires and later with the Chansonettes. She was very active in the Music Club Federation, where she served a term as the State President, and actively served in the Republican Party of Idaho working for an Idaho congressman.
She was nominated for the "State Mother of Idaho 1977" by the American Mother's Committee Inc. of Idaho. Her greatest joys in life were her children and her grandchildren.
Her most endearing features were her beautiful smile, red hair, love of music and her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She loved to serve wherever she was needed, and her favorite quote was by President Gordon B. Hinckley: "The best medicine for despair is service!"
She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in both stake and ward positions. She was extensively involved with the music in the Idaho Falls 11th Ward for over 40 years. In May 1992 she began a 16-month mission to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
She is survived in life by her five children: Michael (Peggy Wheeler) Parker of Rigby, Idaho, Marilyn (Donald L., deceased) Kelly of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Brian (LeeAnn Dayley) Parker of West Valley City, Utah, Craig (Cindy Birch) Parker of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Jocelyn (Randall L.) Parmer of Highland, Utah; 23 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; three sisters, Janice (Kent) Christensen of Arlington, Virginia, Gayle (Grant) Vest of Providence, Utah, and Joanne (Clyde) Nef of Fresno, California; and two brothers, Robert A. (Eunice) Pixton of Sandy, Utah, and Howard (Margene) Pixton of Alpine, Utah.
She is preceded in death by her husband, a son-in-law, her parents, a brother, and five sisters.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, January 21, at the 11th Ward LDS Chapel at 1235 Juniper Drive in Idaho Falls. Interment will be in Ammon Cemetery. Viewings will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, January, 20, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St. in Idaho Falls, and one hour prior to the service Friday in the 11th Ward building.
Family Tribute
Cleone Pixton Parker, longtime resident of Idaho Falls, was called back to her heavenly home Tuesday, January 18, 2011, following an extensive bout with cancer. She had a zest for life and was excited to have been allowed 87 years of life's experiences.
She was born October 15, 1923 in Beaver, Utah, to Robert L. and Emma Schmidt Pixton. She was the fourth child of 12 children -- three boys and nine girls. She attended schools in Fillmore and Sandy, Utah, where she graduated as a Beetdigger from Jordan High School.
She attended college at Utah State University, where she met her eternal sweetheart, DeRay Parker. They were married September 11, 1947 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Cleone graduated from Utah State with a Bachelor's Degree in Speech and English.
The Parkers became active in the Lions Club after settling in Idaho Falls in 1953 where DeRay took a job with the Atomic Energy Commission. Through DeRay's position at the AEC, the Parkers moved their family to Ankara, Turkey, in 1961. During their year assignment, they developed many lifelong friendships.
Upon their return, Cleone became active helping with the Miss Idaho Falls pageants, singing in the Choralaires and later with the Chansonettes. She was very active in the Music Club Federation, where she served a term as the State President, and actively served in the Republican Party of Idaho working for an Idaho congressman.
She was nominated for the "State Mother of Idaho 1977" by the American Mother's Committee Inc. of Idaho. Her greatest joys in life were her children and her grandchildren.
Her most endearing features were her beautiful smile, red hair, love of music and her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She loved to serve wherever she was needed, and her favorite quote was by President Gordon B. Hinckley: "The best medicine for despair is service!"
She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in both stake and ward positions. She was extensively involved with the music in the Idaho Falls 11th Ward for over 40 years. In May 1992 she began a 16-month mission to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
She is survived in life by her five children: Michael (Peggy Wheeler) Parker of Rigby, Idaho, Marilyn (Donald L., deceased) Kelly of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Brian (LeeAnn Dayley) Parker of West Valley City, Utah, Craig (Cindy Birch) Parker of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Jocelyn (Randall L.) Parmer of Highland, Utah; 23 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; three sisters, Janice (Kent) Christensen of Arlington, Virginia, Gayle (Grant) Vest of Providence, Utah, and Joanne (Clyde) Nef of Fresno, California; and two brothers, Robert A. (Eunice) Pixton of Sandy, Utah, and Howard (Margene) Pixton of Alpine, Utah.
She is preceded in death by her husband, a son-in-law, her parents, a brother, and five sisters.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, January 21, at the 11th Ward LDS Chapel at 1235 Juniper Drive in Idaho Falls. Interment will be in Ammon Cemetery. Viewings will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, January, 20, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St. in Idaho Falls, and one hour prior to the service Friday in the 11th Ward building.
Family Tribute
She was born October 15, 1923 in Beaver, Utah, to Robert L. and Emma Schmidt Pixton. She was the fourth child of 12 children -- three boys and nine girls. She attended schools in Fillmore and Sandy, Utah, where she graduated as a Beetdigger from Jordan High School.
She attended college at Utah State University, where she met her eternal sweetheart, DeRay Parker. They were married September 11, 1947 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Cleone graduated from Utah State with a Bachelor's Degree in Speech and English.
The Parkers became active in the Lions Club after settling in Idaho Falls in 1953 where DeRay took a job with the Atomic Energy Commission. Through DeRay's position at the AEC, the Parkers moved their family to Ankara, Turkey, in 1961. During their year assignment, they developed many lifelong friendships.
Upon their return, Cleone became active helping with the Miss Idaho Falls pageants, singing in the Choralaires and later with the Chansonettes. She was very active in the Music Club Federation, where she served a term as the State President, and actively served in the Republican Party of Idaho working for an Idaho congressman.
She was nominated for the "State Mother of Idaho 1977" by the American Mother's Committee Inc. of Idaho. Her greatest joys in life were her children and her grandchildren.
Her most endearing features were her beautiful smile, red hair, love of music and her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She loved to serve wherever she was needed, and her favorite quote was by President Gordon B. Hinckley: "The best medicine for despair is service!"
She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in both stake and ward positions. She was extensively involved with the music in the Idaho Falls 11th Ward for over 40 years. In May 1992 she began a 16-month mission to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
She is survived in life by her five children: Michael (Peggy Wheeler) Parker of Rigby, Idaho, Marilyn (Donald L., deceased) Kelly of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Brian (LeeAnn Dayley) Parker of West Valley City, Utah, Craig (Cindy Birch) Parker of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Jocelyn (Randall L.) Parmer of Highland, Utah; 23 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; three sisters, Janice (Kent) Christensen of Arlington, Virginia, Gayle (Grant) Vest of Providence, Utah, and Joanne (Clyde) Nef of Fresno, California; and two brothers, Robert A. (Eunice) Pixton of Sandy, Utah, and Howard (Margene) Pixton of Alpine, Utah.
She is preceded in death by her husband, a son-in-law, her parents, a brother, and five sisters.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, January 21, at the 11th Ward LDS Chapel at 1235 Juniper Drive in Idaho Falls. Interment will be in Ammon Cemetery. Viewings will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, January, 20, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St. in Idaho Falls, and one hour prior to the service Friday in the 11th Ward building.
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