Orville Dean Black, 87, of Boise, died on Monday, Aug. 23, 2010, at a local care center. A Graveside Service will be held Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. at Ketchum Cemetery in Ketchum, Idaho.
Orville was born to Charles and Edith (Smith) Black, on Jan. 3, 1923, in Colfax, Ill. He attended schools in Kent and Creston, Iowa, and started high school in Illinois before moving to Ketchum in October 1937.
He began work for Union Pacific Railroad at a young age, before entering the U.S. Army as an engineer. He was stationed in England and France during World War II from 1943-1946. Upon Orville's return to Ketchum, he worked for Sun Valley as a groundskeeper for Union Pacific and Janss Corp. In 1975, after 30 years at that job, Orville made a change and went to work at Louie's Pizza as a clean-up man.
He remained a life-long bachelor who enjoyed keeping himself occupied with hobbies such as working crossword puzzles, making jigsaw puzzles, reading, singing and entertaining people. Throughout the years he entertained many visitors and residents of the Ketchum, Sun Valley area with his antics. He was known for his recycling fervor, picking up cans and other reusable items to supplement his income, to help others and just because he enjoyed it.
Orville served as steward for the Laborers Union, AFL-CIO, while working at Sun Valley, under the Ketchum-Sun Valley Trades Council Agreement.
His survivors include nieces and nephews LaVon M. and Bud Young of Boise, Lois M. and Kenneth Gentry of Rupert, Laura M. and Richard Clark of Ogden, Utah, LaVern M. Anderson of Boise, LaDell M. Anderson of Boise, Robert D. and Helen Black of Hailey, Neva M. Cox, and John O. and Madeline Black of Jerome, Carol R. Roberts of Salmon and Adella C. and Tony Garcia of Omaha, Neb.; niece-in-law Gail Anderson; numerous great-nieces and nephews; great-great-nieces and nephews and several great-great-greats.
Orville was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Clete O. Black and wife, Dorothy; two sisters, Alma D. Anderson and Elva R. Juarez and husband Floyd; a niece and a nephew; two nephews-in-law; three great-nieces and one great-nephew; and one great-great niece and one great-great-nephew.