Chester Cairns, 84

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Chester Arnold Cairns, 84, a former resident of Mountain Home, died at the SunBridge Nursing Home in Meridian on Oct. 15, 2004.

A private service will be held for family members. Arrangements were by Summers Funeral Homes, Ustick Chapel, Meridian.

He was born Feb. 1, 1920, in Meridian, and a long-time resident of Meridian and Mountain Home.

He married Lorna Emeline Frost Oct. 17, 1941, in Boise, and worked at theSeattle Boeing Plant as a riveter from 1941-42.

He and Lorna owned a dairy farm on land homesteaded by his father that is now located at the corner of Fairview and Linder roads.

They moved to Mountain Home in 1956 where they raised Black Angus cattle on their ranch on Canyon Creek for 18 years.

Later, they retired to a house in town where they lived for 27 years.

During his retirement, Arnold was well known as a member of the ElmoreCounty Historical Society, and many historical items that he and Lorna donated to the local museum are still on display.

Locally, there was wide demand for his welding skills. He produced many decorative iron railings,gates, and fences throughout the town of Mountain Home.

Surviving family members include: his wife of 63 years, Lorna, of Meridian; a son, Charles A. Cairns (Charlie) of Mountain Home; a daughter, Susan Cairns (Sue) Philley and her husband, Mike Philley, of Garden City; two grandchildren; a sister, Helen Bryce of Meridian;a sister-in-law, Martha Ascuena of Mountain Home; and several nieces and nephews and a cousin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Abrams Cairns and Susie Monlux Cairns, and a brother, Donald.

Donations may be made to charities of the donor's choice including the IdahoFood Bank and the Elmore County Historical Society.