My cute grandpa died on Wednesday, gone home to be with his sweet wife! It hit me a lot harder than I thought it would. I've known he was on his way home for a while now, and knew I was ok with the idea. But when my mom called to tell me I was just struck. I was on my way out the door to dinner at a neighbors, which ended up a good distraction. Then I came home and my mom called again, and I lost it when we hung up the phone! I think a lot of it was realizing life is so short, and am I savoring the time with my own parents enough? And I really will miss my sweet grandpa Joe! He has not been himself for a few years, at least to me. He has had a hard time remembering me, probably in large part because he couldn't see or hear me--but that was so hard on me. When I was a little girl and he would come to visit, he would always take us out to the store to get a toy, and a Happy Meal! We had to sneak around, which I thought was fun--but it turns out it was because my grandma was even more of a penny pincher than he was! He always made me feel so special, and I am grateful to have had him in my life. He was such a good man! One of the things I am most happy about him passing for is that now he can realize what an impact he had on people's lives. He carried around SO much guilt from things he had no control over, and it was something I always tried to tell him was silly. Now he can know that for himself! Below is his obituary--I thought it was sweet & thought I'd include it. P.S. I posted a silly thing before this, but check it out too!
Joseph L. Sellers
At the conclusion of a long and productive life, our father Joseph L. Sellers has gone to the next stage of his progression surrounded by his children, to be with his dear wife Erna, his parents, two brothers and many other friends and family.
Joseph was born in his grandfather Lucas' home in Rexburg on January 5, 1919. He is the first of nine children born to Joseph Fischer Sellers and his wife, Myrtle Pearl Lucas. Joseph grew up in Hibbard, where he attended elementary school with his father as Principal.
Joseph was active in sports. He played basketball and baseball. He graduated from Madi- son High School, after which he attended the University of Utah, studying medicine.
In 1939, Joseph was called to serve in the Hawaiian Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served an Honorable mission and his scheduled return in December 1941 was delayed by the bombing of Pearl Harbor; he remained an additional four months to assist in the cleanup from that terrible tragedy.
Joseph entered the Army Air Corps upon his return to Idaho and served as a gunnery instructor, passing on the skills he mastered as a skeet shooter. The constant gunfire resulted in permanent loss of hearing.
At the end of the war, Joseph met Mary Jean Isaacs in Idaho Falls. In May of 1946, they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. Together, they had six children. They were later divorced.
In 1964, Joseph married Erna Martha Wirkus in the Idaho Falls Temple, and they lived together in their home in Hibbard until her death in August of 2007.
Joseph was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having served as a Bishop, Stake Clerk, Sunday School Teacher and many other callings.
Joseph was an accountant in Rexburg for many years, but his real love was farming. He loved to see things grow and flourish. Even this last year he assisted with the yardwork and planted potatoes in the garden.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, little Robert James at 18 months, and Gordon, who was killed in a car accident. He is survived by his brothers, Dee and Keith Sellers; his sisters, Norma Rounds, Dorthy Anderson, Bonnie Hammond and Linda Keele; and his children, Steven Field, Robert Sellers, Mary Jo Rodgers, Valerie Cobabe, Reggie Sellers, Tony Sellers and Monty Sellers. He also had 26 grandchildren as well as 35 great-grandchildren.
His family wishes to express their gratitude for the many hours of service, prayers and love shown to their father from his neighbors, friends and church members in the Hibbard and Rexburg area.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, February 9, at the Hibbard LDS Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday evening at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg and from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church prior to services. Burial will be in Rexburg Cemetery.
Family Tribute
Joseph L. Sellers
At the conclusion of a long and productive life, our father Joseph L. Sellers has gone to the next stage of his progression surrounded by his children, to be with his dear wife Erna, his parents, two brothers and many other friends and family.
Joseph was born in his grandfather Lucas' home in Rexburg on January 5, 1919. He is the first of nine children born to Joseph Fischer Sellers and his wife, Myrtle Pearl Lucas. Joseph grew up in Hibbard, where he attended elementary school with his father as Principal.
Joseph was active in sports. He played basketball and baseball. He graduated from Madi- son High School, after which he attended the University of Utah, studying medicine.
In 1939, Joseph was called to serve in the Hawaiian Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served an Honorable mission and his scheduled return in December 1941 was delayed by the bombing of Pearl Harbor; he remained an additional four months to assist in the cleanup from that terrible tragedy.
Joseph entered the Army Air Corps upon his return to Idaho and served as a gunnery instructor, passing on the skills he mastered as a skeet shooter. The constant gunfire resulted in permanent loss of hearing.
At the end of the war, Joseph met Mary Jean Isaacs in Idaho Falls. In May of 1946, they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. Together, they had six children. They were later divorced.
In 1964, Joseph married Erna Martha Wirkus in the Idaho Falls Temple, and they lived together in their home in Hibbard until her death in August of 2007.
Joseph was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having served as a Bishop, Stake Clerk, Sunday School Teacher and many other callings.
Joseph was an accountant in Rexburg for many years, but his real love was farming. He loved to see things grow and flourish. Even this last year he assisted with the yardwork and planted potatoes in the garden.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, little Robert James at 18 months, and Gordon, who was killed in a car accident. He is survived by his brothers, Dee and Keith Sellers; his sisters, Norma Rounds, Dorthy Anderson, Bonnie Hammond and Linda Keele; and his children, Steven Field, Robert Sellers, Mary Jo Rodgers, Valerie Cobabe, Reggie Sellers, Tony Sellers and Monty Sellers. He also had 26 grandchildren as well as 35 great-grandchildren.
His family wishes to express their gratitude for the many hours of service, prayers and love shown to their father from his neighbors, friends and church members in the Hibbard and Rexburg area.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, February 9, at the Hibbard LDS Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday evening at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg and from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church prior to services. Burial will be in Rexburg Cemetery.
Family Tribute
2 comments:
Dear Lindsey -
I want you to know that I loved your grandpa. He was always sweet and caring. I have childhood memories of him that are happy and fun. I remember being at his house, and loving his beautiful yard that he spent so much of his time working to make so lovely. He was a good man.
I have no doubt that he is just so happy now. He has found home again, and is at peace when he had been agitated for so long now. What a blessing that he could enter into the Lord's rest.
You're so sweet. You be at peace too, ok?
Love,
Ruth
That is such a cute pic of gma and gpa sellers.
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