He was born two months premature on Feb. 21, 1921, in Ammon, Idaho, to Marvin Joseph Anderson and Flora May Hammer Anderson. He grew up on the family farm south of the Ammon town site and in 1939, he graduated from Ammon High School. He earned an Associate degree in Agriculture from the University of Idaho in Moscow.

On April 19, 1944, he married his high school sweetheart, Edna Wetzel, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They just recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. In August of 1944, Alton left to serve his country for the next three years. During World War II, he earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Alton was a farmer, sheepman, a teacher of agriculture to returning veterans, and a chemical technician at the INEL for 29 years, but he always felt his first and foremost responsibility was to his family; families are forever.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young man, he served a mission to Eastern Canada. Among the callings he held were Elder's Quorum President, High Priest Group Leader, Stake missionary, Scoutmaster, and as a temple worker in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple for 20 years.

Alton served his community as a school board member for Bonneville School District 93.

He enjoyed gardening, listening to music, fishing, and spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by the following: wife, Edna Anderson of Ammon; daughter, Rose Marie (Tom) Fallon of Idaho Falls;daughter, Shiela (Jim) Ritchie of Sylmar, CA; daughter, Jean (Jim) Cox of Clinton, UT;son, Alton Charles (Dena) Anderson of Apple Valley, CA;son, Donald (Lorie) Anderson of Blackfoot;daughter, Nancy (Don) Wood of Dutch John, UT; son, Robert (Lisa) Anderson of Blackfoot:son, Daniel (Lynn) Anderson of South Weber, UT; brothers: Merlin (Bonnie, deceased) Anderson; Marvin (Rose Marie) Anderson; Jarvis (Venetta)Anderson all of Ammon; sister, Shirley (Merlyn) Browning of Shelley;40 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Marcel and Dorcel Anderson; a sister, Marcine Pierson and a great-grandson, Jason Cox.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 4, 2009, at the Ammon Foothills LDS Stake Center, 3934 E. 49th S. with Bishop Craig Tibbitts officiating. The family will visit with friends Sunday evening from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St., Idaho Falls, and at the church Monday one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in the Ammon cemetery with military rites by the Bonneville County Veterans Team and the Idaho Honor Guard.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com .

Map to the church

Map to Ammon Cemetery