Frank Cecil Toner

BURLEY – Frank Cecil Toner, 97, passed away at his home in Burley on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, surrounded by his loving family.

Cecil was born on July 31, 1915, in Burley, Idaho, the son of Frank Brown and Ethel Wolfe Toner. The family farmed south of Burley, and when Cecil was 3 years of age, the family sold the farm and moved to California. His father went in search of work, eventually stopping in Yakima, Washington, where his family joined him. Dad finished the first grade there. Due to Depression times, the farm was turned back to his dad, so the family returned to Burley where they farmed the original farm, with additional farms being added.

Dad graduated from Burley High School with the class of 1933, after which he went to a mechanic school in Portland, Oregon. He returned to Burley to farm with his father on the family dairy farm.

Cecil met Clarice Emma Brady, who just happened to be a close neighbor. Upon her graduation from high school, they married on Oct. 30, 1941, and to this union came four children, Bill (Dorothy) Toner, Betty (Ivan) Olsen, David (Susan) Toner, and Darice (Paul) Okelberry.

After retirement, Dad continued to help his son, Dave, on the farm, swathing hay and topping beets until into his early 90s. Dave always said he couldn’t retire until his dad quit farming! Dad took great pride in his beautiful vegetable garden each year, growing one even last summer. We all attribute his ethics of hard work and deep moral character to his longevity.

Mother and Dad enjoyed traveling together, visiting Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, Canada, and several trips across the United States where they met and made many lifelong friends. They maintained a home in Quartzsite, Arizona, for nearly 40 years, where they enjoyed the winter months and getting to know and learning to love the countless friends they made there. During those months, they became rock hounds and silver smiths, creating beautiful jewelry, and their stained glass and etched glass creations were a wonder to behold.

The great pleasures of Dad’s life revolved around his family. We all have precious memories of the many fishing and camping trips and the many family gatherings with extended family.

Cecil is survived by his loving wife of nearly 72 years, Clarice Toner of Burley; his children, Bill (Dorothy) Toner of Burley, Betty (Ivan) Olsen of Clarkston, Wash., David (Susan) Toner of Burley, and Darice Okelberry of Twin Falls; two sisters, Marjorie Leifchner of Burley, and Nadine (Dow) Rathbun of Twin Falls; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother and an infant sister; two great-grandchildren; and a son-in-law, Paul Okelberry.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, where friends and family may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, May 13, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery.