Franklin Lambert VanFleet, 86, of Wilder, Idaho, died Friday, May 3, at a Nampa care facility.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2002, at Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Caldwell, with Bishop Greg C. Mayes conducting. Interment will follow at Wilder Cemetery.
Frank was born at Farmington, Utah, on May 19, 1915, a son of John and Mary Ellen Blamires VanFleet. While growing up, Frank worked at the Lagoon Amusement park during the summer months. On his 18th birthday he joined the C.C.C., being stationed at Pineville, Utah. Upon his return to Farmington, he worked with his father and two brothers who were carpenters. Just before World War II, he had a contract to repair the Bamberger Railroad Dept. He worked for Hill Field for a few years then went back to work for Bamberger Railroad in North Salt Lake after the war.
He married Maretta Higgs on February 13, 1936. From this union, 3 children were born, Deanna, Robert, and Linda VanFleet. They were later divorced.
He married Pauline Smith Nelson on April 22, 1950. They lived in Preston, Idaho with Pauline's children Sara Meredith, Bart and Bruce Nelson.
Frank worked for the Franklin County Sugar Company in Whitney, Idaho and in 1954 they moved to Wilder, Idaho. Frank remodeled a building which had been a service station and they opened the Polar Bear Drive-In on October 10, 1954. They operated the business for 24 years, retiring in 1978. They then moved to Central Cove with their home overlooking the Snake River and Owyhee Mountains. In 1992 they moved to the senior citizen complex in Wilder. Pauline passed away April 18, 1997. Frank moved to Assisted living in Caldwell, in November 2000.
Frank was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Odd Fellows Lodge #137, Wilder.
Frank is survived by his son Robert and Glenda VanFlett of Kaysville; daughter, Linda and Jim Housely of Cottage Grove, OR; stepdaughter, Sara Meredith Denney of Caldwell, ID; step-son, Bruce and Patricia Nelson of Nyssa, OR; brother, Gordon and Evelyn VanFleet of Farmington; sister, Norma and Reed Larson of Salt Lake City; sister-in-law, Ruth VanFleet of Layton; 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Pauline, brother Reed VanFleet, daughter Deanna Hutchinson, stepson Bart Nelson, and step-son-in-law John Farrell Denney.
Memorials may be made to Wilder Odd Fellows #137, in care of Glen Osborn, P.O. Box 42, Wilder, ID 83676, or Wilder Quick Response, P.O. Box 222, Wilder, ID 83676.
Friends may call on Friday May 10, from 5 to 7:00 p.m. at Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Caldwell and an hour before the service.