Joseph Donel Martindale passed peacefully at home on December 22, 2024 at the age of 92. Born March 10, 1932 in Burley Idaho, he was the first child of Cleora and Lyman Martindale. His growing up years were spent in Burley where his parents owned a neighborhood grocery store, Martindale’s Eastside Groceries.
Don attended BYU in Provo, Utah after graduating from Burley High School in 1950. He studied accounting and graduated in 1956. From 1952-1954, Don put his studies on hold and served as a full-time missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints In the Texas-Louisiana Mission headquartered in Houston. Upon completing his mission, he returned to his studies at BYU and to the girl that had waited for him for two years.
Shirley Fay Mackey and Joseph Donel Martindale were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 2,1955. Their first dwelling was a basement apartment in Provo. In less than a year, they purchased a house in Orem. Orem was home for 10 years before work with the federal bureau of public roads took the family to Sacramento for a year and then another transfer to the Phoenix office. Don and Shirley bought a home in Tempe where they raised their family. In 1997, they bought a lot and built a home in Mesa where they lived until passing.
Don worked for the Federal Highway Administration for 34 years, retiring in 1997. Prior to that he worked for Rico Argentine Mining company, 1 year, Bonham Corporation (manufacturer of Tote Gote), 5 years and Lehi Lumber Company, 1 year. Upon retiring, he and Shirley served at the Mesa Family Search library for three years. He enjoyed traveling and visiting with family and friends, especially in Idaho!
Don is preceded in death by his wife Shirley, his parents, Lyman and Cleora, three sisters, Delna, Pam and Lorna and one grandson, Kirk. Family remaining includes: brother David (Joan) in San Luis Obispo, CA and sister Joyce in Bear River, Utah. Sons: Alan (Marla), Kent (Estrella) and daughters Marie (Craig Tate), Kalene (Tom Sims), Brenda (Carl Gwilliam), LeAnn (Larry Ruettinger), Darla (Tere Lemieux) and Denise (Mark Bohn). He leaves 40 grandchildren, 104 great-grand-children and 3 great-great grandchildren.
Services will be held at the LDS Chapel, 2618 N Lindsay Road, Mesa AZ. at 10am on January 6, 2025.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
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