This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hemmert, Buttars, Earley Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hd.2ADI/1689 Message Board Post: Idaho State Journal, 06/18/06 LIBERTY — On Friday, June 16, 2006, at the Portneuf Regional Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho, Don Buttars Hemmert, 76, of Liberty, Idaho, peacefully passed away after a long, excruciating battle with diabetes. He was born into the life he cherished on June 24, 1930, to Ida Maria Buttars and Robert Hans Hemmert in St. Charles, Idaho. He married his best friend, Jennie Lee Earley on April 22, 1955, and the friendship was eternally sealed on July 16, 1958, in the Logan, Utah Temple. Don and Jennie raised three daughters and one son, Debbie, Shellie, Dan, and Diana, as well as two Indian Placement children. After graduating from Fielding High School, Don immediately volunteered to serve the country he loved. He was proud to serve in the Korean War, and his selfless service in combat on the front lines resulted in Epidemic Hemorrhagic Fever. Because of the fever, his health was broken, but his patriotism, spirit, and love for life was never touched. Don lived in the Bear Lake Valley all of his life. He co-owned and operated the Liberty Sawmill with his friend, DeWain Passey, and later worked as a builder and contractor. He took great pride in each hay shed completed in both the Cache and Bear Lake Valleys. Many years of his life were spent in service. As an active LDS member of the Liberty Ward, Don served as a counselor in the bishopric for seven years, bishop for seven years, Young Men’s president, Stake Sunday School president, and Stake high councilor. In addition, he served on Bear Lake’s hospital board and in the Boy Scout organization as district chairman and earned the Silver Beaver Award. Compassion and love defined Don’s life. He was devoted to helping others, especially those who were forgotten. He befriended many who needed a friend, cheered up the lonely, and loved everyone. Don cherished life. He truly enjoyed each day he could spend outdoors riding horses or 4-wheelers, watching sunsets, and listening to the sweet songs of nature. Always a child at heart, he truly loved the little ones, the children. He gained great joy from each memory created by their presence. A true hero for each of us to emulate, Don’s life will guide our paths until we meet again. Don and Jennie have four married children: Debbie and Jay Sleight of Richmond, Utah, Shellie and Doug Thompson of Georgetown, Idaho, Dan and Linda Hemmert of Liberty, Idaho, and Diana and Jeff Hanke of Neola, Utah. In addition, they have fifteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Don has three brothers and one sister: Clyde Hemmert of Richfield, Utah; Lloyd Hemmert of Salt Lake City, Utah; Lavor Hemmert of Liberty, Idaho, and Arlene Johnson of Ovid, Idaho. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, June 21, at noon in the Liberty Ward Chapel in Liberty, Idaho. Friends may visit with family at Matthews Mortuary on Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday at the church from 10 to 11:45 a.m. The interment will be in the Liberty Cemetery.