Ethel Pierce Claunch

Ethel Pierce Claunch, 80, of Idaho Falls, ID, formerly of Aberdeen, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013 due to a fall at home.

Ethel was born Feb. 18, 1933 in Aberdeen, ID, to Angus Franklin Pierce and Cornelia Hiatt Pierce. She was raised in Aberdeen, graduating from Aberdeen High School.

On June 15, 1950 Ethel married Harold Claunch in Aberdeen. They had five children, Dennis, Dallas, Sherry, Joleen and Patricia.

Ethel was a wonderful homemaker. She also worked as a secretary for the family tire business for over 20 years. In her free time she enjoyed genealogy, teaching piano lessons, being involved in musical activities in her church and community and sewing. Her favorite activity was spending time with her family.

Ethel was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Texas Dallas Mission in 1994 with Harold and served as a temple officiator for five years.

She is survived by her husband, Harold; children, Dennis (Lorna) Claunch of Burley, Dallas (Kathryn Ann) Claunch of Chubbuck, Sherry Evans of Idaho Falls, Joleen (Curtis) Waltman of Aberdeen and Patricia (Robert) Lee of Island City, OR; brother, Stanley Pierce of American Fork, UT; sisters, Hazel Becker of Bellevue, WA, and Ramona Anderson of Ammon, ID; 21 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren.

Ethel is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Leo Pierce; sister, Lois Babb; son-in-law, Morgan Evans; great-granddaughter, Angel Dawn Davis; and seven half-brothers and half-sisters.

A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28, at the Lakeview LDS Church in Springfield. The family met with friends and relatives from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 27, at Hawker Funeral Home, 132 South Shilling Avenue in Blackfoot and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services at the church. Interment followed at the Springfield Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at condolences@hawkerfuneralhome.com.