Honor Pages

Edwin L. Linard was born March 13, 1947 at the former Rupert Hospital on the corner of 6th and G Street, Rupert. He attended Lincoln Elementary and Washington Junior High school and graduated from Minico High School in 1965. In 1967, after attending Twin Falls Business College, he enlisted in the US Navy and became a submariner storekeeper.

His submarine patrols included the Pacific Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic and under the North Pole. His shore duty included new construction in Newport News, Virginia; New London, Connecticut; Pascagoula, Mississippi and submarine overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo California. He also had shore duty at the Naval Communication Station in Wahiawa, Hawaii and at the NROTC Unit at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. Wherever in the world the submarine made port he liked to go sightseeing. He achieved the rank of Senior Chief Storekeeper (SKCS-SS).

In 1987 after serving 20 years in the navy, Ed retired to Columbia, Missouri and finished a Bachelors degree in Industrial Technology in 1990. The family then moved to Rupert, Idaho. Ed began working at Ore-Ida Foods as a Packaging Dept. foreman and became Sanitation Supervisor for McCains Foods in Burley Idaho in 2009. At age 62 he retired again and became a part-time school bus driver for Minidoka County School District.

While stationed in Connecticut, Ed met and married Jean Morris in 1972. They had two children, Benjamin who was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and Joshua who was born in Groton, Connecticut. When the family lived in Missouri, he became a Boy Scout leader, which continued in Rupert. Ed helped with the 4th of July Parade during the 1990’s. He was a lifelong sports fan, on many bowling leagues wherever he was stationed and recently became an avid golfer. Another lifelong hobby was woodworking. He made furniture, remodeled kitchens, and did finish carpentry. He also enjoyed hunting game birds, camping and fishing.

Throughout all of the years in the Navy, he fondly remembered his family and friends in Rupert and always thought of Rupert as home. Ed often talked about his first newspaper route, playing Legion baseball and high school pranks. He always looked forward to coming home on vacation for class reunions and family events. He recently became involved with the local Submarine Veterans – Trout Base Unit and enjoyed sharing submarine stories. He was a member of the Administrative Council, Finance Committee, Vital Church Team and the choir at the Rupert Methodist Church.

Ed is survived by his wife Jean of 41 years, son Benjamin who lives in Rupert and son Joshua who lives in Grand Junction, Co with his wife Laetitia, also his sisters Barbara (Neal) Nyblad, Elsie (George) Ridgley and brother Rick (Diane) Linard, brother-in-laws David (Janet) Morris and Daniel Morris in Connecticut and many cousins, nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, brothers in-law Neal Nyblad and William Morris.

Memorial services were held Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at the Rupert United Methodist church. Services concluded with burial at the Rupert Cemetery with Military Honors. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary.

Published in the Weekly Mailer – Obituaries on Thursday, June 27, 2013 10:19 am.