Shelby Harold Brownfield, 90, of Boise, Idaho passed peacefully at home on Friday 28 Jan 2022. His home was full of his children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and his wonderful caregivers. Shelby was greatly loved and respected by many in his family, work and life. He had a servant heart, was a hard worker, put others before himself, and kindness flowed from him.
He was born 12 Jun 1931 in Ava, Illinois to William Edward Brownfield and Mabel Ditzler. He had two sisters, one older and one younger. He married Lois Marie Landreth 27 April 1952. They had 6 children, 2 boys and 4 girls. After Lois passed 22 April 1991, he married Joyce Gasperson Landreth 10 Dec 1994. Joyce passed 10 March 2001. He then married his high school classmate Marjorie (Mifflin) Sullivan 24 May 2003. Marjorie passed 6 Oct 2014.
Shelby graduated form Trico High School in 1949 and received his B.S. Degree in Agriculture from University of Illinois in 1954. He worked as a soil scientist for the Soil Conservation Service from 1956 until his retirement in 1986. He also worked for the Idaho Department of Environment Quality and created Associated Earth Sciences Inc. with various colleagues. He was a member of many agricultural and social societies. In his journey with Christ as his Savior and Lord, he was a member of Summit Church (Second Baptist).
Shelby loved spending his free time with family. He traveled across the country with his children teaching them his love of the land, history and those things you can’t learn in school. His love for animals has been carried down through his children and beyond. His house in Boise was constantly filled with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He helped teach them how to read, walk, identify rocks in the backyard, and roast marshmallows over the bonfire.
Shelby was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Willa; a stillborn son, Shelby Jr.; a son-in- law, Joseph (Lori); a grandson, Jacob; and a step-granddaughter, Clarissa. He is survived by his sister, Norma Jean Epplin of Pinckneyville, Illinois, and by his children: Susan Roth (John) of Boise, Nancy Raybourn (Mike) of Boise, Shelby David (Debbie) of Howard Ohio, Judy of Boise, and Lori Van Leeuwen (Joseph) of Boise; step-children: David Gasperson (Cindy) of Bunker Hill, Illinois; Laurie Hester (Mike) of Bunker Hill; and Cindy Rocha of Costa Rica; along with numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Memorial service will be held at Summit Church at 10375 W. Overland Rd., Boise, on 26 Feb 2022 at 3:00 pm. The service will be livestreamed. (www.summitchurchboise.org) His internment will be at Morris Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated for Marion Medical Mission (www.mmmwater.org). Shelby volunteered to serve with them in Malawi, Africa developing water wells.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4 :7