Homer Dee Whittier, 82, of Idaho Falls, died March 20, 2007, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center of a sudden illness. He was born December 9, 1924, in Declo, Idaho, to Raymond Madsen and Opal Hulet Whittier. The family moved to Rockland, Idaho, when he was 4 years old. He graduated from Rockland High School in 1942. He attended the University of Idaho for one year with a $100 scholarship from the Union Pacific Railraod. He joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington for 18 months from 1945-46.

On September 6, 1950, he married Ora Stoker in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. For 10 years, he lived on the farm in Rockland; one year in Newton, Utah, while he was employed at Thiokol; in Moreland, Idaho on a sprinkler farm; in Groveland, Idaho for 3 years where he began his career as an Insurance agent for Farm Bureau. In 1966, he became manager of Bonneville-Jefferson County office and moved his family to Idaho Falls. In 1978, he became affiliated with Lincoln National Insurance Company and established his own agency. He retired in 1992.

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission to Denmark from 1947-1950, as a Stake Mission Leader, Bishop of the Rockland Ward from 1954-1961, High Councilman, High Priest Group leader and secretary, Sunday School teacher, and he and his wife served a Family History Mission in Los Angeles from 1990-1992, and as missionaries in the Idaho Falls Family History Center from 1992-1995.

In his earlier years, he was active in the Republican Party, was a member of the local chapter of Life Underwriters, the Estate Planning Council, and a charter member of the Eastern Idaho Chapter of the CLU where he served two terms as President.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping with family members, classical music, and with his wife he traveled extensively throughout the United States, to Europe, Mexico, and Hawaii.

He loved his family and was especially proud of their achievements in academics, sports, music, and activity in the LDS Church.

He is survived by the following: wife, Ora Whittier of Idaho Falls daughter, Melanie Reynolds of Logan, Utah daughter, Jamee (Kerry) Cooper of Idaho Falls daughter, Dawn (Brad) Doman of Idaho Falls son, Dee (Amy) Whittier of Idaho Falls son, Ray (Denise) Whittier of Enoch, Utah daughter, Elise (John) Church of Copperas Cove, Texas 34 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren sister, Melba Conklin of Boise brother, Karl (Shirlee) Whittier of Pocatello

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Alanna Johnson, brothers: James "Bud" Whittier, LaMar Whittier, Raymond Max Whittier, sisters: Ramona Woirhaye, LaRee Peterson, and Carol Barnard.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 30, 2007, at the Idaho Falls North Stake Center, 955 Memorial Drive with Jerry Hatch of the Idaho Falls 7th Bishopric officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 29, 2007, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St. Idaho Falls, and Friday one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Ammon Cemetery.

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