John F. Butterfield, 82, passed away Friday, June 27, 2014 at Portneuf Medical Center.
John Francis Butterfield, Jr. better known as Johnie, was born in Shoshone, Lincoln County, Idaho, at his Butterfield grandparents home, October 2, 1931, to John Francis Butterfield, Sr. and Lucille Alice Tripp. Johnie made a shaky entrance into this life on the day he was born because his mother had Eclampsia and was seriously ill. His grandma, Adelia Quigley Butterfield, was at the bedside when he was born and she took care of him for several months until his momma was well enough to take care of him. He went home to Gooding with his parents and grew fast and healthy.
The family moved to Ketchum when he was five. His father, grandfather, and uncles, worked building the Sun Valley Lodge, and also helped build movie sets for movies that were being produced in the new town. Johnie was with his dad, driving movie stars around in a horse drawn wagon and the female star, Claudette Colbair, picked him up and sat him on her lap. He thought he was pretty special! Especially when she planted a kiss on his cheek!
The family moved to Pocatello and then on to Mackay where John Sr. drove truck for Cotants. Johnie would travel with his father to Pocatello to pick up food and supplies and then back to Mackay for a few hours of sleep. It was up again before daylight and on to the CCC Camps to deliver their truck load of supplies.
Johnie was baptized a member of the LDS Church. Quote, “I get down on my knees once a day and thank God for the way my kids turned out.”
Johnie learned to work hard and went to work with his father building fence for the Caribou National Forrest. Over several years, they built fences all over the Caribou forests with the aid of his three younger brothers. Over the years, he worked for Anderson Dairy, farmed for Walt and Delsa Hayden, he worked for Firestone Tire as a salesman and shop supervisor. He also worked for Rowlands Dairy delivering milk, Zweigart’s Meat Packing Company cutting and wrapping meat, Trophy Homes building homes and delivering them around the country. He farmed for Anton Smith, was a warehouseman for Western States Freeport, and worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, where he served as a ditch rider for the farmers and residents in the Michaud and Arbon Valley area. He retired from the B.I.A. after 32 years of service.
He served in the Army National Guard, Supply Unit, and was a Sharp Shooter. He was very proud to serve his country and had a great love for the United States.
He was a member of the Blue Ribbon Coalition and served for several years as the Secretary/Treasurer. He was also a member of the Pocatello Pathfinders Snowmobile Club, and the American Falls Snowmobile Club.
John married Angela Ann Paniogue on September 17, 1951. They had five beautiful children, Michael J. (Desiree Pieper) Pocatello, Gregory K. (deceased), Rebecca (Jeffery Neilsen) Pocatello, Teresa (Michael Packer) American Falls, and Linda, Boise. They were later divorced.
He has four grandchildren, Cassidi (Scott Holm), Chubbuck, Heather (Kris Bertagnolli), Idaho Falls, Brittney (Jeremy Rydalch), Pocatello, BJ Neilsen, Los Angeles, CA. He also has seven great- grandchildren, Charlie and Daegen Cominotti, Kashlin and Peyton Holm, Gracie, Giada, and Lola Bertagnolli.
John is survived by siblings and their spouses, Glenn (Lois) Clatskani, OR, Hazel, Meridian, ID, Robert (Janet), Payette, ID, Donna (DeMar W.), Gilbert, Inkom, ID, and Paul (Normandia), Woodburn, OR; sister-in-law, Bonnie (Eddie) Butterfield; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, also, one very special friend, Mary Arnold.
He was a wonderful brother, and father. He put everyone ahead of himself. He was a friend to all, and if he had just met you, you were his friend thereafter.
God speed, dear father, brother, grandpa, and friend! Till we meet again, we’ll love you always!
Services for John will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 South 4th Avenue, Pocatello. 208-233-1500. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 3, 2014 from 6 to 8:00 p.m. at Colonial as well as one hour prior to the services on Thursday.
Condolences may be given to the family online at www.colonial-funeralhome.com
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