ROBERT J. MICHAELSON

POCATELLO – Robert J. Michaelson, 81, passed away February 21, 2011, surrounded by his family.

He was born October 19, 1929 in Clarion, Utah, to Chris C. and Thalia Childs Michaelson, he was the youngest of seven children. When he was seven years old he moved with his family to Aberdeen, Idaho, where his father was a farmer. He attended schools in Aberdeen, being active in football during high school. He drove the school bus picking up the other children on his way to attend school and drove them home afterward.

Before completing his senior year of high school he enlisted in the United States Army. He was a tank driver for the 77th Heavy Tank Battalion, 7th Division, 31st Infantry Regiment at Camp Crawford, Chitose, Japan, from January 1949 to May, 1950. He was recalled November, 1950, due to the outbreak of the Korean War and was sent back to Chitose, Japan, and was then discharged in September, 1951.

He married Doris Ann Long, May 24, 1953; they resided in American Falls, Idaho. From that marriage they had three children, Von, Debra and Jalene.

He was a member of the Teamsters Union working at FMC, where he served as a union steward. He drove concrete truck for Patton and Litton and Monroc, he was a ditch rider for Falls Irrigation in American Falls, he owned and operated his own excavation company, Michaelson and Sons, and he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a welder.

He married Ava C. Facer Edwards on November 3, 1974. To this marriage Ave brought her five children, Denise, Bruce, Marla, Vance and Rebecca.

From the time he was a young man he loved hunting and fishing. In 1989, he was forced into early retirement due to a heart attack and he took up gardening and was an avid rose gardener. He also took up woodworking, building tables and rocking chairs for family and friends. He built rocking chairs for his three oldest great grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Ave; children, Von (Laurie) Michaelson, Debra (Brent) Moore; Jalene (Jim) Phillips; Denise (Steve) Walker; Marla (Brett) Arnold; Vance (Lorri) Edwards and Rebecca Seibert; 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and his six siblings, Deon, Therald, Don, Travis, Margery and Glee; stepson, Bruce Edwards; and step-grandson, Daniel Williams.

Memorial services are under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home and will be held February 26, 2011 at Colonial Funeral Home, Pocatello. Burial will be at Restlawn with military rites by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard.