ALVIN DUANE PANCHERI

Alvin Duane Pancheri, 81, of Star, formerly of Melba died May 1, 2011 of natural causes. Duane was born June 5, 1929 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Joe and Diantha Pancheri.

Duane was raised in Idaho Falls until about the age of five when the family moved to Melba where he resided and attended Melba schools, graduating in 1947.

He married the love of his life, Laura Ellen Cogdill, on September 17, 1948 in Melba. The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were able to enjoy 62 years of marriage together.

In Melba, he started a small farm and dairy with his wife and parents. They began purchasing property on their own and after selling the dairy cows, they began a commercial cow-calf operation. They purchased their first ranch in Donnelly, ID in 1952 and then later bought their current ranch in Cascade, ID. They farmed in the Melba area for 60 years raising row crops and feed grains. Due to health conditions, they sold the farm in Melba and moved to Star, ID, where he semi-retired.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he held numerous positions over the years, including serving in the bishopric of the Melba Ward. Duane also served on the Melba School Board twice, was named Outstanding Young Farmer, was listed in Who’s Who in American Agricultural; was awarded Outstanding Sugar Beet Producer for 55 continuous years; was a member of the Melba labor board for ten years; served on the Payette Water Board and served on the Terry Reilly Clinic Board for 6+ years. Along with others, Duane and Laura donated the land where the Melba Terry Reilly Clinic was built.

Duane is preceded in death by his father and mother and an infant grandson, Jared. He is survived by his wife, Laura; children: Loraine (Alden) Neal of Malad, ID; Leonard Pancheri of Cascade, ID; Lori (Mark) Hadley of Melba; ten grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held May 6, 2011 at the Star Second Ward LDS Chapel. Burial will be held at the Melba Cemetery following the funeral.