Homedale High School

Class of 1965

 

 

    Parents of Shielda Mealey

 

 

Idaho Press-Tribune

June 17, 2000

            Richard ‘Dick’ Mealey

            Richard A. “Dick” Mealey, 87, of Middleton, died Tuesday, June 13, 2000, in Caldwell. He was the devoted husband of Zella (Manus) Mealey for 58 and a half years, and a loving father of Jean Mealey Ramsay and husband, Chet of Coatesville, PA, Jimmy Leon Mealey, Nonna Mealey Wagner and husband, Dave of Middleton, and Shielda Mealey Talich and husband, Randy of Caldwell.

            Dick was born Aug. 24, 1912, at Carlyle, Kan., to Fred Albert and Nellie (Wilson) Mealey. Fred died in the flu epidemic of 1918, when Dick was 6 years old. At 11, Ross Culbertson became Dick’s stepfather, and Harry Culbertson his stepbrother. Richard married Darlien Morris, and to that marriage Jean was born. Richard and Zella (Manus) Mealey married on Dec. 4, 1941, and their only son, Jimmy, died in an accident at 19 months.

            Out on his own at 13 years of age, Dick’s life became a series of adventures; riding the rails, stomping broncs, sheep ranching, cattle ranching, working the fruit ranches and logging, to name a few.

            He placed his faith in Jesus as a young father, and encouraged his children and grandchildren to follow the Lord.

            When he “retired,” he operated his own gas station and owned R.A.’s Saw Sharpening. After losing much of his eyesight, Dick found great pleasure in helping Zella tie quilts to give to the Boise Rescue Mission and Lifeline Crisis Pregnancy Center. He enjoyed and supported the radio ministry of Caldwell First Baptist Church.

            Dick is survived by his wife, his daughters and their families, Jean’s family includes Connie and Bob Roemer with their four children of Kennett Square, PA, and Dianne and Ralph Caldwell with their two sons of Coatesville, PA. Nonna’s family includes Terry Mealey of Middleton; Nonnalee and Tony Parker with their five children of Caldwell; Shirley and Bill Hoobery with their three children of Caldwell; Kelli Wagner and her three children of Middleton; Kevin and Anna Wagner with their four boys in Kentucky; and Jerry and Shauna Wagner with two sons in Boise. Shielda’s family includes Tim Roach of Caldwell; Kelly and Amanda Talich with two sons of Kuna; Daniel Talich; Shaunerie Talich of Nampa, with her four children and Amanda and Coby Barlow of Nyssa, OR.

            Zella’s brothers and sisters became Dick’s family. Surviving are his much loved sisters-in-law, Emma Rena Lynskey, Loretta Payton, Bertha Smith and Lenora Brown, and brother-in-law, Thurman Manus. Emma Rena has spent countless hours caring for Dick, and her dedication is greatly valued by all the family.

            He was preceded in death by his father, mother, stepfather, stepbrother and son, Jimmy.

            Graveside services will be held Monday, June 19, at 2 p.m. at Melba Cemetery. Friends are invited to join family at Nonna’s home at 5:30 p.m.

Idaho Press-Tribune

December 17, 2006

Zella Mae Mealey

            Zella Mae Mealey died peacefully in her sleep the morning of December 14, 2006. She was born January 27, 1914, in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Her parents were Charles and Susie Manus. She had three brothers and five sisters. They moved from Oklahoma to Texas when Zella was 14 and to Idaho when she was 22.

            She met Rickard (Dick) Albert Mealey in a little country spot between Murphy and Silver City, ID. They married on December 4, 1941. They were best friends all their 59 years together.

            Their son Jimmie Leon was killed in an accident when he was 19 months old, and then two daughters were born. When Dick died in June 2000, Zella spent the summer with her younger daughter Shielda and son-in-law Randy Talich, then made her home for the last six years with her daughter Nonna and son-in-law Dave Wagner. She greatly enriched our lives.

            She put her faith in Jesus as her savior and trusted Him as she chose to be grateful in all things. She loved to read or hear the Bible and tried to apply it to her life. She was a woman who constantly prayed.

            Through the years, Zella enjoyed gardening, raising animals, cooking, canning and sewing. She was a good cook and often cooked for family and friends in large gatherings in her home. She always welcomed anyone to her well-laden table. Zella sewed many stuffed toys and Raggedy Ann dolls, selling a few and giving some to all the children who crossed her path. She made quilts for all of her children, grandchildren, and for many others. She and Dad made many quilts to give to the Boise Rescue Mission. When her hands got too much arthritis to tie the quilts, he took up the task and tied countless quilts that she sewed together. They were a real good team.

            She was faithfully involved in church until she got so troubled with arthritis. She enjoyed sermons preached on the radio. Her vision limited her TV time to the program, “Love Worth Finding” where the late Adrian Rogers sermons continue to be aired.

            She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dick, son Jimmie and daughter Shielda. Brothers Eliga, Thurman, and Quinton Manus and two sisters, Pearlie Jacobs and Bertha Smith.

            Surviving are her sisters, Loretta Payton of Clarkston, Washington, Emma Rena Lynskey of Melba and Lenora Carpenter of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; daughter Nonna and son-in-law Dave, son-in-law Randy Talich and wife Sharon; grandchildren Terry Mealey, Nonnalee Parker (Tony), Tim Roach, Kelly Roach-Talich, Danny Talich (Jennifer), Shirley Hoobery, Kevin Wagner (Anna), Jerry Wagner, and Kelli Wagner, Shawnerie Talich and Amanda (Don) Perkins and Pat Meakins, whom she loved like a grandson. She has 27 great-grandchildren.

            She is also survived by her stepdaughter Ila Jean Ramsay (Chet) of Pennsylvania.

            Graveside services will be performed by Pastor Richard Shaw at the Melba Cemetery on Tuesday, December 19, at 10:30 with a memorial service at the Caldwell First Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. Services are under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell.

            Special thanks to Margaret and Chaplain Joseph of Four Rivers Hospice who gifted Zella and her family with new friendships and encouraging visits.