Joseph Moats

POCATELLO - Joseph Leslie Moats, 89, passed away on April 2, 2012, at a local hospital in Pocatello, Idaho. He was born on January 7, 1923, near Wallace, Idaho, to Joseph and Florence Moats. His family lived in northern and central Idaho until finally settling in Salmon, Idaho, where he lived until the start of World War II. Joseph attended public schools in Salmon and then attended vocational training at the University of Idaho, Southern Branch (now ISU). Joseph enlisted in the US Army on his 20th birthday and served in several US locations during World War II. He was in Okinawa when the war ended. He returned to Salmon for several years before moving to northern Idaho and also lived in various northwestern states before settling in Pocatello. After his retirement here turned to Salmon. In 1947 he married Laureta June Black in Salmon, Idaho. They were married until 1963. After the war, Joseph worked in auto mechanics, mining, and welding. He worked on numerous construction projects in Idaho, Montana, and Washington. He joined the Ironworkers Union in Pocatello and worked in that capacity until retirement in 1985. He was a member of the BPOE for over 30 years. Joseph was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed all aspects of both sports, including building fishing rods. He also made many friends while doing so He is survived by his daughter Laureta Leslie Anderson (Iain) of East Lyme, CT; daughter Linda Zielinski (Art) of St. Louis, MO; grandson Michael Smith of Washington, D.C.; grandson Kenneth Anderson of Bridgeport, CT; and sister Ilene Sorensen of Salmon, I He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Alice Sherman and brother Lawrence Moats. Services are planned for the second week in May. Further information is forthcoming.