Barbara Ann Checketts

Barbara Ann Checketts, 80, died Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at home surrounded by her family.

Barbara was preceded by her husband Richard, son, infant daughter and parents. She is survived by daughter in-law Cheryl, daughter Penney; son Paul and his wife Carren; and 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Born August 3, 1937, in East St. Louis, Illinois, Barbara had a joyous and memorable childhood. When Barbara graduated from Old Fallon High School, she was employed at a St. Louis bank. On a Friday, January 13, 1956, after a flip of a coin at the movie theater, Barbara met her soon-to-be husband, Richard.

Together for almost 60 years, Barbara Little became Barbara Checketts on September 12, 1956, when the two were joined in marriage in Saint Charles, Missouri. Together, they had two sons, Richard and Paul, and two daughters Tracey and Penney.

They enjoyed moving around the world, their children in tow, living in four countries and five states throughout Rick’s career in the US Air Force.

Barbara and Rick remained in Mountain Home where they called home, after Rick retired from the Air Force in 1977. Her and Rick opened two businesses in Mountain Home, and she remained an active member of the community throughout her life.

Barbara was employed with the ambulance service in Mountain Home in 1974. In 1975, Barbara became the manager of the Elmore County Ambulance service until 1989. Barbara helped initiate the EMS system for the ambulance along with starting up the Emergency Medical Technician training for the Elmore County area. Barbara became an Advanced EMT and an Instructor for the Emergency Medical Technician Program. After retiring for the ambulance service, Barbara went to work for the Idaho Department of Corrections as a Medical Tech for five years then became the disciplinary teacher for the Mountain Home Junior High until she finally retired in 2011. She was an active scouting parent, a member of the Elkettes, member of the Order of the Amaranth, Red Cross Volunteer, a member of the City Arts Council, National Education Association and Mountain Home City Traffic Safety Council.

She will be remembered dearly, and missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service will be held at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel on Monday, June 25, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers send donations to the Richard Checketts Scholarship fund at the WestOne Bank, Mountain Home Branch.