Vernon Kyle, 70

Vernon Enos Kyle, 70, of Mountain Home, died Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, due to complications related to cancer.

A memorial service was held at Aclesa Funeral Chapel in Boise on Dec. 9.

Vernon was born in Weiser on Nov. 22, 1934. When he was just a toddler he wandered away from the family farm one winter day and became the subject of a county-wide search that lasted 36 hours, "thus beginning an adventurous and independent life," his family said.

As a teenager he moved to Portland, Ore., to live with his aunt and uncle. Shortly after that he went to work for the Boeing Airplane Company in Seattle, Wash. After a couple of years, he returned to Oregon and lived in Boring for a number of years. He then moved back to Idaho where he lived first in Weiser, then Boise, and finally in Mountain Home.

He was employed in various occupations over the course of his life and was a hard worker, his family said, but in his free time he enjoyed many hobbies.

He and Bonnie enjoyed frequenting flea markets and garage sales as well as gardening and wood working. They shared a love of animals, caring for many cats and dogs among other creatures throughout the years. Vern also loved to work on clocks and had nearly 100 in his home. He was known to tinker on many projects, especially if a friend or family member needed something built or repaired. More often then not he could be found working on a car with a nephew or giving advice to friends or family on just about any problem, his family noted.

He is survived by: his sister, Ina Mae Lyle of Boise; brothers Dick of San Carlos, Calif., Raymond of Nampa, Jack of Weiser, Dale and George, as well as his long-time friend and companion, Bonnie O'Dell, her three sons, many nieces and nephews and "many other devoted friends."

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Edward Kyle and Virginia Mary Kyle.

The family requests that instead of flowers, donations be made to the Cancer Society.