Homedale High School

Class of 1965

    Parents of Judy Markley

Owyhee Avalanche

March 11, 1998

            Harold L. Markley

            Harold L. Markley, 85, of the Homedale Adrian area, passed away Sunday, March 8, 1998 in a Boise hospital of natural causes. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Homedale First Presbyterian Church, 320 N. 6th St. West.

            Reverend John W. Pickrell will officiate, under the direction of Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Homedale. Burial will be in the Marsing-Homedale Cemetery.

            Mr. Markley, a farmer and rancher, was born April 8, 1912, at Nampa. His family lived in Absarokee, Montana for a time and later in the Nampa area where he attended grade school and high school. He married Irene Johnston on May 19, 1937 at Nampa. They farmed in the Melba area until 1941, before moving to Homedale. They have continued to farm and ranch and were residing on their ranch, west of Homedale at the time of his death.

            For many years, Harold was an avid bowler and he enjoyed racing on of his favorite horses. He enjoyed his ranch and working with his cattle. Family time was very important (with his wife Irene always at his side), whether it be working together or celebrating an almost weekly birthday or anniversary event for a family member. Watching his children and grandchildren at their sporting events and the fun trips to their tournaments was important to him. When time came to move cattle in the Owyhees, often more family than cattle would show up.

            Harold is survived by his wife, Irene, three daughters and sons-in-law; Darlene and Kenne Metzer, Charlene and Rufus, Jr. Uranga, and Judy and Bill Purdom all of Homedale, and a sister, Carolyn Rohrbacher of Nampa. Family includes eleven grandchildren; Randee Garrett, Lori Badiola, Julie Uranga, Teri Uria, Diana Maxwell, Christi Smith, Lynne Johnson, Steve Purdom, Teresa Ryska, Greg Purdom, Kellie Purdom, 21 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

            Harold was preceded in death by a son, Robert Harold Markley, a twin sister, Helen Anacabe, 2 brothers, Henry Wells and Graydon Markley and his parents, Ray and Marguerite Markley.

            Memorials may be made to the Homedale Fire Department, P. O. Box 608, Homedale, ID 83628, Homedale First Presbyterian Church or Homedale Friends Church.

Owyhee Avalanche

July 22, 2009

            Irene M. Markley

            Irene M. Markley, 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 17, 2009 at home in Homedale, Idaho.

            Irene was a “true Idahoan.” She was born on her parents’ ranch in the Wilson Community in the heart of Owyhee County on December 8, 1918. She was the sixth of eight children. Irene’s ranching heritage ran deep, with her father, Charles Johnston being born at Reynolds Creek and becoming a successful rancher in Owyhee County. Her grandfather played his fiddle at the first public dance held in Silver City.

            Growing up, Irene attended the Wilson schoolhouse through 8th grade with her brother and sisters and approximately 30 other community children. She later graduated from Melba High School. In 1936, Irene met a young farmer named Harold Markley. They were married May 19, 1937 and farmed in the Melba area until 1941. The Markleys then moved to Homedale where they continued farming on their place west of town along Succor Creek. In 1955, they purchased their home place, a cattle ranch in the Ridgeview area (further up the creek) on the Oregon/Idaho state line between Homedale, Idaho and Adrian, Oregon, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were married for nearly 61 years at the time of Harold’s death in March of 1998.

            Having suffered polio in high school which severely affected her right side, it was a real blessing being a busy farmer and rancher’s wife. Milking cows by hand proved to be the very best therapy for her arms. She regained muscle strength which may have otherwise been lost. She was even able to learn to bowl left-handed and joined a bowling team. She also loved to go fishing or dancing with Harold when time allowed.

            Irene was always at Harold’s side, whether on a cattle drive, doctoring cattle, irrigating, repairing farm equipment, driving tractor, attending a family birthday party or a sporting event for one of the grandchildren. It was not uncommon to see her driving a stock truck full of cattle or horses or operating the International loader while grandkids picked up rocks. She not only taught most of her grandchildren how to trap gophers, but also how to welcome and feed an army of ranch help or visiting guests. No one ever left her home hungry! Although a hard-working ranch wife, she was always classy and well-dressed when a social occasion arose. She set a quiet example for her family on how to love and accept, serve, remain positive, never complain and enjoy life.

            Irene is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Darlene and Kenne Metzer, Charlene and Rufus Jr. Uranga and Judy and Bill Purdom, all of Homedale. She also leaves two sisters, Anna Mary Curtis and Beatrice Boston, as well as one brother, Calvin Johnston. Survivors include 11 grandchildren, Randee (Metzer) Garrett, Lori (Uranga) Badiola, Julie Uranga, Teri (Metzer) Uria, Diana (Uranga) Maxwell, Christi (Purdom) Smith, Lynne (Metzer) Murphy, Steve Purdom, Teresa (Uranga) Ryska, Greg Purdom and Kellie (Purdom) Trout as well as 26 great grandchildren, three great, great grandchildren, four very special step-great grandchildren and six step great, great grandchildren.

            Irene was preceded in death by her husband Harold, son Robert Harold, her parents Charles and Mary Johnston, brothers, Ed and Tom Johnston and twin brother and sister, Walter and Berniece Johnston.

            Viewing will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22 at Flahiff Funeral Chapel in Homedale.

            Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 23 at Mountain View Church of the Nazarene, near Homedale, where Irene attended.

            Irene left the legacy of a very large and close-knit family; most who choose to remain in the Homedale area where they gather together often. She rarely missed a family or community function and has left her mark on the hearts and lives of so many that she loved and accepted unconditionally. Mom and Grandma — such a wonderful matriarch of our entire large family — we love you — “In Our Hearts Forever!”

Owyhee Avalanche

June 25, 1987

      Harold & Irene Markley

      A surprise 50th wedding anniversary family celebration for Harold and Irene Markley was held Sunday, May 24, at the home of their granddaughter and husband, Teri and Dennis Uria in Homedale.

      The Markleys were married May 19, 1937 at Nampa, Idaho. Their wedding attendants were her sister and brother-in-law Anna Mary and Alfred Curtis. Irene was the former Irene Johnston of the Wilson community near Givens Springs. They made their first home in Melba where Harold was farming. The couple moved to Homedale in 1941 where they bought a farm 1/2 mile west of Homedale on Succor Creek. They are now living on a ranch southwest of Homedale on Succor Creek in the Adrian District where they are still actively engaged in farming and raising cattle.

      The occasion was hosted by their three daughters and sons-in-law, Kenne and Darlene Metzer, Junior and Charlene Uranga, Bill and Judy Purdom and their families, including 4 grandchildren.

      The couple cut the three-tiered anniversary cake which was followed by dinner. Decorations and table centerpieces were of peach, white and the traditional gold. Entertainment included a comical musical “rapping skit" entitled "We are the Markley Cousins" and "Our Grandma and our Grandpa are the very best!" by the couples eleven grandchildren - Randee Garrett, Lori Badiola, Julie Uranga, Teri Uria, Diana Maxwell, Christi Purdom, Lynne Meter, Steve Purdom, Teresa Uranga, Greg Purdom and Kellie Purdom.

      Other relatives present were Mrs. Alfred (Anna Mary Johnston) Curtis and Mrs. Tom (Dorothy) Johnston of Homedale, Bill and Beatrice (Johnston) Boston of Boise, Mrs. Berniece (Johnston) Austad of Nampa, Calvin Johnston of Melba and Mrs. Sam (Carrie Markley) Rohrbacher of Parma. Also several nieces and nephews of the couple were present.