Obituary of Harold Eshelman

Harold was born at home in Meridian, ID on December 15, 1937, to Ray and Pauline Eshelman.

In 2017 he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and his family feels very fortunate to have gotten to spend 4 more years with him.  Harold passed away on August 28, 2021.

Harold went to school at Lake Hazel Elem, Meridian Jr High and graduated from Meridian High School, where he was still in contact with classmates from 1^st grade – High School. In his senior year he enrolled in Idaho Air National Guard at Fort Sheppard Air Force base in Texas and completed 6 years. During his time there he was enrolled in Boise Junior College (presently BSU) where he met Jacquie Rogers.

He majored in Science and Math, which he taught at Meridian High for 11 years.  He loved his students and they him, from those days on he couldn’t go anywhere and not run into someone he knew.  He developed and implemented a class called “How to repair anything”. Every Friday a student would bring in a broken appliance and he would show them what was broken and how to fix it...and they did!  He was truly a “Jack of all Trades”.  He also taught Drivers Training at Meridian and owned several Drivers Training Companies throughout the years. In the summer he worked for the National Forest Service and was on 38 fires: traveling to Oregon, Washington & California fighting fires there too.  He worked for many chemical companies, one of which he started and owned, Western Systems Company.

He was involved with many organizations including, but not limited to Maple Grove Grange, where he has been the President for many years and served as the State President for 2 years; several veterans Organizations – Ada County Veterans Council (where he was serving as the President), Am Vets - Post 4 (which he just started in honor of his cousin, Henry Schauer). He is Charter/Lifetime member of Foundation for North American Wild Sheep and has served in many positions with the local Chapter. Perhaps his most important work was founding Wounded Vets Fishing Alaska a non-profit – which started about 15 years ago and will continue under the watch of his daughter and son- in-law, Cheri and Steven McKinney. 

Harold loved to fish and hunt, a love that he shared with many family members and friends.  He enjoyed working on puzzles, having booths at MGG Flea Markets, and having coffee and breakfast with his buddies.  He had a great sense of humor, especially in his younger years…but he swears that he was not the instigator.

He never knew a stranger!  He was very proud of his kids, grandkids and great-grand kids and loved “Condo” time with them even though it sometimes got crowded and loud.

He is survived by his loving wife, of 60 years, Jacquie; daughters: Teresa (JW) Barnes and Cheri (Steven) McKinney; grandchildren: James (Sarah) Eshelman, Jessie (Ryan) Morisse, Samantha Barnes, Brandee (Shane) Roth, Jennifer (Bryce) Wilson; great-grandchildren: Austin and Hunter Roth; J.R., Isaiah and Patricia Eshelman; special niece, Angie Rogers, and special nephew, Nick (Dina) Rogers and great nephew Jayden Rogers; sister, Lillian McCoy. As well as numerous extended family members. He was proceeded in death by sons: Tom and Terry Eshelman; great-granddaughter, Natalie Rose Wilson; parents, Ray and Pauline Eshelman and sister, Lila Shaul and numerous family members.

Recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, September 21^st.  Funeral mass will be celebrated at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, September 22^nd, both services will be at St. Mark’s Catholic Community.  Services will be live streamed at http://www.st.marksboise.org.  Committal services with military honors will follow at Cloverdale Memorial Park.  Please join the family for a reception at Maple Grove Grange 11692 W. President Dr. in Boise following the service at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Harold’s name to Alaska Wounded Vets Fishing, Maple Grove Grange or a charity of your choice.