Lyle H. Bailey, life long St. John area farmer, passed away Sunday, January 2, 2011 at his home. He was 82. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, January 8th at 11:00 am at the St. John United Methodist Church. A private family burial will be at the St. John Cemetery. Viewing will be Thursday and Friday at Bruning Funeral Home in Colfax. Lyle was born at the family farmhouse near St. John September 14, 1928 to George and Lola (Harwood) Bailey. He attended grade school in Ewan and graduated from St. John in 1947. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was considered one of "Truman's Troopers". He served as a maintenance worker and as a truck driver before being honorably discharged. He returned to St. John and worked briefly at the grange supply and as a farm laborer. He married the love of his life and a long time classmate of his, Marylu Loomis March 24, 1950. They farmed out toward Lamont and later in the Cherry Creek area for many years, raising mainly wheat and cattle. They turned the farm over to their three sons in 1986 and moved into St. John. Lyle never truly retired and enjoyed helping the boys whenever he could. One of his favorite things to do was to drive out to the ranch and simply sit in his pickup and watch them from a distance. Lyle was a member of the Eaton Grange, served on the board of the St. John Grain Growers and also the board of the Palouse-Rock Lake Soil Conservation District. He was a St. John Community Club Member and a member of the St. John Golf & Country Club. He enjoyed fishing and liked to go for rides. Family was always very important to Lyle and he absolutely loved following his grandkids in their sports or other activities. He was proud of his children and their families. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marylu, at their St. John home; his three sons and their wives; Bruce and Tammy, Gary and Linda, Mark and Jamie all of St. John; his brother, Norman, St. John; and his sister, Nancy Hanneman of Cheney; 8 grandchildren; Blake, Heath, Travis, Jared, Ashley, Mikael, Erin and Gus; and 4 great-grandchildren; Bailey, Grant, Layne and Lily. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers, Floyd and Everett. The family suggests memorials be made to the St. John-Endicott Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 411, St. John, WA 99171. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, is caring for the family.