BERT BLAIR

Grace – Albert “Bert” Earl Blair, 63, Grace died Monday morning at the Caribou Memorial Hospital.

He was born Oct. 4, 1921, at Logan, Utah, to Earl Moroni and Edith A. Lucherini Blair. He was raised in Inkom and attended Inkom schools.

He was married to Leah Fowler Jan. 18, 1943, in Inkom. She died in 1970.

He was married to Bernice Merchen Sept. 28, 1970, in Elko, Nev.

He also lived in Mackay, in Grace from 1943 to 1965, in Pocatello from 1965 to1967, and in Conda from 1967 to 1974. In 1974, he returned to Grace where he had since resided.

He had been employed by Gem Valley Green Growers for 10 years and J. R. Simplot for 18 years, retiring in 1984.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1942 to 1945.

He was a member of the Grace LDS First Ward, Veterans of Foreign Wars Caribou Post No. 9141, and served as president of the Conda Rod and Gun Club. He enjoyed fishing and camping.

He is survived by one son, Albert Jay Blair, Orem, Utah; one daughter, Mrs. Van (Sheri) Garner, Soda Springs; one stepson, Phillip Merchen, and one stepdaughter, Mrs. Lynn (Sharon) Harris, both of Soda Springs; one brother, Wayne Blair, Pocatello; three sisters, Mrs. Ross (Beth) Kelly and June Collins, both of Pocatello; Opal Lish, Inkom; and 17 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Wendel Blair.

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. At Grace LDS Stake Center. Friend may call at the Allen-Sims Funeral Home in Soda Springs today from 7 to 8 p.m., and at the Grace LDS Stake Center Wednesday from 11:30 a.m., until 12:45 p.m.. Burial will be in the Grace Cemetery.