Bert Woodland Marley

Bert Woodland Marley, a long time McCammon resident, passed away peacefully September 27, 2017 in Pocatello, Idaho.

He was born July 21, 1923 in Arimo, Idaho to Levi Bert and Sarah Emeline Woodland Marley. The youngest of three children, he lived on the family farm in Robin until he was 12. The family then moved to McCammon, where his parents purchased a farm.

Bert graduated from McCammon High School in 1940, and served his country in the Navy during World War II. When he returned home, Betty Jane Call, a teacher at McCammon Elementary School, caught his eye and his heart. They were married June 9, 1947 in the Logan Temple.

After marrying, the couple lived in Provo, where Bert attended Brigham Young University and received his bachelor and master’s degrees. They then moved to Blackfoot where he taught at the local junior high school and then moved to California, where he taught junior high school in Antioch and Klamath. They returned to Marsh Valley in 1959, at the death of his father, to work the family farm and teach at Marsh Valley High School.

In 1963, they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he earned his Ph.D. in history from the University of Utah. He taught as a professor of history at Idaho State University from 1967 until his retirement in 1989.

He served in the Idaho Legislature from 1979-1990; one term in the House and five terms in the Senate. He proposed the bill to establish the Idaho Museum of Natural History at Idaho State University. He was also a board member of the Idaho Historical Society.

Bert was a lifelong member of the LDS Church. He served in various callings including bishop of the McCammon Ward. He and Betty served two missions; from 1990-92 they served a proselyting mission in Australia and Tasmania and from 2001-02 they served in Nauvoo, Illinois, where he taught history at the Joseph Smith Academy. They also served as temple workers in the Idaho Falls Temple for eight years.

A gifted bass-baritone, he performed as a soloist for “Messiah” sing-ins, many funerals and other productions throughout his life. He loved to read broadly and had an extensive library. Bert’s heart and life were centered in Idaho and especially the Marsh Valley area.

He is survived by his children, Bert C. (Michelle) ,McCammon, Pamela (Michael Gower), Chubbuck, and Quentin (Michelle), Yucaipa, California, 16 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Bert was preceded in death  by his wife Betty Jane, his sons David and Craig, daughter in law Margo, and a granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the McCammon Stake Center. The family will meet with friends on Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave. and on Thursday one hour prior to the service in McCammon.

Interment will be in the Norton Cemetery, adjacent to the McCammon Stake Center, immediately following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials or donations may be made to the LDS Missionary Fund or Special Olympics of Idaho.