John Franklin Faerber, 92, of Idaho Falls, passed away on May 4, 2024, surrounded by his large family.

John was born to Marie Young Faerber and Rudolph Faerber in rural Oakdale, Oklahoma on March 28, 1932. After graduating high school, he joined the United States Navy, where he served his country for twenty years. He was assigned to submarine duty and visited ports around the world. John acted as Senior Engineman and later as Chief Petty Officer. He was proud to serve aboard the USS Triton, the first nuclear submarine mission to circumnavigate the world submerged. He retired as Chief of the Boat, the highest position available for an enlisted seaman.

The Navy sent John to Idaho Falls in 1956 for nuclear school. While there he met Sherie Rachell Georgeson, who introduced him to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was baptized, and they were married on July 20, 1956. Military transfers took them to New York, Connecticut, and Hawaii. When he retired from the Navy, they settled in Idaho Falls, where he had a second career at the INEL site.

John and Sherie were parents to eight children. Following Sherie's death in 2007, John married Colleen Steed Peterson. Together they served a mission in South Dakota for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

John was a master storyteller with an uncanny memory for detail. He had an engineer's mind and a can-do attitude: In addition to building his own home, he was a private pilot, he built and flew RC airplanes and restored violins. He spent many devoted hours with his original and second families, remembering them by name in daily prayers and sending yearly birthday cards to each of the thirteen children and their spouses and each of his forty grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen Faerber of Idaho Falls, ID; brother, Paul (Delta) Faerber of Oklahoma City, OK; sister, Dorothea Faerber of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Michael Faerber (Eileen) of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Bill (Sandy) Faerber of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Steve (Jacki) Faerber of Ammon, ID; daughter, Kristina Harris of Lebanon, OR; son, Paul (Kate) Faerber of Orem, UT; daughter, Lisa (Daniel) Ezell of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Becky (Brian) Heiner of Ammon, ID; stepdaughter, Camille (Ron) Rathfon of French Lick, IN; stepdaughter, Julie (Dan) Wolfley of Pocatello, ID; stepdaughter, Carmonie (Brett) Russell of Idaho Falls, ID; stepson, Russell Peterson of Salt Lake City, UT; 40 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren (with 4 more on the way).

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Sherie; and his oldest daughter, Glenna Berry.

Many thanks to EIRMC Hospital staff, and to Aspen Home Healthcare who helped comfort John and his family.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at the Idaho Falls 39th Ward, 7940 N. 35th W. (Osgood Rd.). A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, May 6, 2024, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls, and one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the New Sweden Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.coltrinmortuary.com.