Earl Calhoun Joyner, age 87, returned home peacefully to his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, in Clearfield, Utah. He was born on December 15, 1934, in Provo, Utah to his father, John Archie Joyner, and his mother, Pretty Lee Calhoun. He was the 8th of 9 brothers and sisters. Earl was raised mostly by his sister LaVonia or "Boney" as he would call her, since he couldn't pronounce her name. His family moved to East LA, California around the time he was 10-12 years of age. His father worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and got him his first job there before he passed away when Earl was only 19 years old. While working for the railroad, he was drafted into the army during the Korean War and honorably discharged 18 months later. During this time, he met and married the love of his life, Janet Vilate Bloss on September 14, 1956, in Pico Rivera, Los Angeles, California. Janet and Earl were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on November 19, 1982. They moved to Nampa, Idaho in 1974 where Earl continued to work for the Union Pacific Railroad until he retired in 1999. Earl loved his registered red angus cattle. He developed a passion for raising and selling livestock. They even had their own brand "LazyJJ". He would often share stories about growing up, his old cars, & his bowling days. As his boys got older, he loved to help coach baseball and watch the boys excel in it. Earl always loved a good breakfast, made with love by Janet. He had a love of reading and enjoyed studying church doctrine until his Alzheimer's progressed. Earl had a lot of spit and vinegar in him and was known to raise a little hell from time to time as well. After losing Janet less than a month ago, Earl just couldn't live without her. They were together 66 years. Earl was preceded in death by his wife Janet; his siblings: Eva Lucille (William Whitehead), Russel James (Bernice Leetham) John Archrie Jr "Jack" (Gladys Thelma Louise Morrow), Louise Valentine (Thomas George Hurst), Ella LaVonia (Lester C Allred), Arvilee "Buck" (Mary), and LeRoy (stillborn). He is survived by their three sons: Todd (Misty), Scott (Camille) and Dean (Bobi) Joyner; and sister Alice Joyner Steiner; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 3pm, Thursday, December 15, at the Meridian Cemetery, 895 E Franklin Rd in Meridian, ID 83642. Condolences may be expressed at ZeyerFuneralChapel.com. 208-467-7300 The family would like to express gratitude for all family, friends, staff at Chancellor Gardens and the many medical professionals that helped care for Earl through his final moments. A heartfelt thank you to all!
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