Diantha Cox Messick, 85, passed away March 21, 2009, in Orem, Utah, at the home of her daughter, Juleen Durrant.

She was born April 2, 1923, in Shelley, Idaho, to Leonard Delaun and Diantha Esplin Cox.

She married Ray Eugene Messick on Sept. 24, 1946, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Ray passed away suddenly on Thanksgiving Day 1975, the birthday of their 13-year-old son, Owen. Diantha raised her two youngest sons by herself, with great courage and wisdom.

Diantha taught junior high and high school for 32 years in the Firth and Shelley school districts. She taught P.E., typing, shorthand and English. In 1955, she received her degree in library science and was very proud of the library she created in Shelley at the junior high school. Diantha was devoted to her faith. After retiring, she served an LDS mission in Dallas, Texas, and a second mission at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.

Diantha loved her family. She is survived by her children, Noal C. (Valerie) Messick of Shelley, Delaun T. (Polly) Messick of Kemmerer, Wyo., Owen K. (Athena) Messick of Shanghai, China, and Juleen (Dean) Durrant of Orem, Utah. Diantha has 29 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Diantha was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; two sons, Cleston R. Messick and Veldon E. Messick; a grandson, Shane Messick; and a great-grandson, Daniel Messick.

There will be a viewing from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday night and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Nalder Funeral Home located at 110 W. Oak St. in Shelley. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Shelley 5th Ward Chapel, located at 513 S. Park Ave. in Shelley. Diantha will be buried in Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery, next to her beloved Ray. Condolences may be sent to the family at www .nalderfuneralhome.com.