TRUMAN RITTER HEBDON  Died 15 March 15, 1961
 Funeral March 18, 1961 Rigby Idaho


James R. and Mary Ann Hebdon immigrated form England to America and then traveled from New York across this great land, by handcart, to the mountains of the west to Join with others of their faith.  Hardship and privations were theirs, but with faith undaunted, as thousands of others have done, they turned their Hearts to God and placed themselves and their loved ones in His care . Twelve children were born to their union and the seventh was named Truman Ritter Hebdon, born at Whitney, Idaho Dec 8, 1882.

Truman's boyhood was spent around the Preston area  as his father was a builder contractor and was assisting in building the Logan Temple.  The family then moved to Paris, Idaho where Truman , then only 8 years of age was put to work helping his father by mixing mortar to build the Paris Academy.

A few years later the L.D.S. Church called the father and his family to Afton Wyoming to build the Stake Tabernacle there.  In this area Truman grew to manhood.  Shortly afterward the family moved to Thayne, Wyoming.



It was at Thayne, Wyoming that Truman received his call to serve as a miss-ionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern States Mission   He had the opportunity to attend only as far as the 6th grade in school and it took courage for him to say he would fulfill a mission when he barely knew how to read and write, but Truman accepted the call and trusting, as did his parents before him, in the providence of his maker.  At first he had different Scriptures read to him and then through prayer and fasting, in a very short time he was ale to memorize and quote any Scripture.  He had been in the mission field only a few months when the Lord enlightened his understanding and helped his to read and understand all the things a missionary needs to know.  He was made District President and filled an honorable mission, converting many.

During this time his parents were in dire financial circumstances so Truman worked at odd jobs during his mission to support himself~  It was here that he seriously put his beautiful singing voice to use.  He composed missionary songs and also demonstrate songs in a music store to earn a little money to help him finish his mission~

Shortly after Truman returned home to Wyoming, the Bishop's daughter, beautiful, raven-haired Louise, asked this handsome returned missionary to her house for peaches and cream one Sunday Afternoon.  He accented, of course, and many more Sunday afternoons found him in the Butterworth home. It wasn't long until Truman realized Louise  as the girl of his dreams and they were married in the Logan Temple December 13, 1005.

They made their home in Thayne, Wyoming.  Truman secured logs from the canyon to build a little home for them.  He had a larger dairy herd which he and Louie (as he now called her) milked by hand, on October 2, 1906 a beautiful baby boy arriver) to make Truman and Louie's dreams come true. He was named Truman DeWard, August 15, 1910 "sweet little Wanda", as Truman called her, was born to them, but being of such beautiful spirit and countenance. God saw fit to call her home when she was but 6 months old.  Erma, a replica of Wanda, was born April 15 1913. Truman then felt his happiness was full to overflowing with such a wonderful little family,  A second son, Eldon, was born to them at Thayne, August 29, 1917.

Truman was active in his Church at Thayne.  He was Superintendent of the Sunday School for 17 years, lst. Counselor to Bishop Miller for 5 years and 2nd counselor in the Star Valley Stake High Priest quorum for 2 years.

In May, 1920, 42 years ago, they moved from Thayne to the Woods live Stock ranch south of Rigby.  Truman was given the position as foreman by President John W, Hart who was the manager of the ranch at that time.  While here they worked very hard from dawn until dusk. Louie, with little Erma' help, cooked~for the hired hands and Truman helped put up hay and feed the livestock.  It was while they were living there that Nelda was born on May 25,1923.  During this time Truman was also Superintendent of the Rigby 1st ward Sunday School for two years.  He also served as 2nd counselor to Alfred Cordon in the stake Sunday School for 21/2 years.

The family moved to their present farm in 1924.  Here he worked from early 'till late and always had beautiful crops from his sweat and toil. He became interested in growing seed peas and joined the Grower's Asso-ciation and later became its president.  When the Farm Bureau was first started in Jefferson County, Truman traveled its entire length signing up members.  He loved this work because it enabled him to visit with people.  Two more daughters were born to Truman and Louise after they moved to the farm where they have resided these many years: Donalou on October 27, 1925 and Barbara on May 27, 1929.

 Tragedy struck the entire family when one of its members, Eldon was killed in the service of his country in the South Pacific in World War 2. Eldon's passing seemed more than Truman could bear.  Truman loved his Children deeply and losing their boy in a tragic death far from home brought deep sorrow to the family.  Truman also had wonderful plans for Eldon to run the farm when Dad would retire.  Eldon's following his father's footsteps had long been a dream of Truman's.  One night when his grief was great, he wrote this poem:

 When you wake up in the morning
And you're feeling sad and blue,
With a dozen jobs awaiting
That you know you ought to do;
Your burdens will be lighter
And the day won't seem so long
If you whistle up a cheery, tune,
Or sing some happy song.

 There ain't no use complaining'
about the task assigned to you,
For the job's just light and easy
To what the boys are called to do.
But those chaps are not complaining,
And they don't go out on strike,
But when their Captain calls "Go Forward"
They're all ready for the hike.

 And they're right up in the diamond
when their Captain says~ "Play Ball"~.
And I don't mean just one or two,
But I'm sure it's nearly all.
When they enter that invasion,
Passing. through the gates of hell,
Oh, the sorrow and the heart-aches,
None of them alone can tell;
Bullets whizzing all around them,
And they hear the cannon roar,
They see their buddies falling.

 In earth life to walk no more.
And they hear the tanks atrollin'--
Bombs bursting from above,
 The world&'s full of hell and fury,
As he seeks the God of love---
Asking him for strength and courage
To go through this awful snare,
So let you and me, my brother,
Join with him in humble prayer.

 Truman found much happiness in service to his Church.  Other service  he has rendered are:  An 8 year stake mission, teachers of different groups in the Sunday School, a committee member for the Old Folks' organization, leader of the High Priest's Quorum and Supervisor of the Ward Teachers. His work in Ward Teaching is one he particularly loved and when ill health came to him he was unhappy to think he couldn't do the Lord1s work each month.  Truman's life was wrapped up in his faith, and also his family and his farm~  He farmed last summer alone and planned to do the same this summer   He loved to dance, write poetry, sing;, tell funny stories (he had just the right broque for any of them.)  He always had a little song or joke to tell no matter what the occasion,  The children have pleasant recollections of his stepdancing.  When he and Louie were younger and living in Thayne they used to dance until the wee hours of the morning at the old Thayne Community  Center.  Truman loved life and enjoyed living

Truman was ambitious.  he was always up by 4:00 A~M. and working hard on his farm. He raised beautiful crops.  Louie, always cheerful, loving and encouraging, was a wonderful campion and wife and a good mother for his children.  Truman loved her and was appreciative of this and was always considerate of her and concerned with her welfare and worried that she had so much to do.  Shortly before his passing, Truman remarked what good care she had given him and what a wonderful partner she had been for 55 years

An invitation to stay to. dinner was always given to anyone who went to the Hebdon home.  In fact, Truman always insisted they stay, whether there was anything special to eat or not. This hospitality, this kindness, is indicative of his genuine interest in others.   Whenever anyone was ill, he was concerned, and was often the first one t'~e-pa to act VJ';at he could do to help.  one of his daughters relates th.9t when she was ill with flu last win ter her father came to see her.  Truman wasn't felling well himself, but evermindeful and loving of his children, he went to her home and finding her aileep, didn't awaken her, but when she did awaken and went to her kitchen she found groceries of all kinds that he had left flour, meat, even a nice rosy apple to tenipt her appetite.  He often paidd a bill on the sly for one of his f-n i?y and ehjoyed Seeinpt the expression on their face when they found &t was taken care of 9  11e often slipped spending money tb his grandchild~e~   Not many gra~ndfathers would loan their car to their grandsons to go on their dates, but Truman was ever offering his car to them

He was faithful and constant in gathering his family about him each morniner.. for family prayer.  They gathered around the breakfast table and it didn~t matter of the school but was on its way or not, prayer was held in their household.  the menory. of this beautiful practice will forever remain with Truman and Louie's children 9



Each of the Hebdon children had received a special blessing at the hands of their father through the power of the Preisthood.  Under the insprration of God He has given a father's blessing to each one of his children and they testify that many of these blessings have already been manifest and fulfilled in their lives.

Truman and Louie celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary together Dec. 13, 1955. Among Truman~ 5 personal effects can be found a notebook filled with beautiful poems of his own composition  few knew that he possessed this talent.  His poetry is beautiful and has feeling and depth.  I~would like to read to you some of his last thoughts which he put into rhyme:


 Our dear Lord loves sweet music, He has said so in his word, And he gave to us sweet voices So in song we may be heard

 So let us raise our voices
In sweet praises to our King,
 And he'll lift us up and make us
Strong and fit for everything.

 Louie's beautiful raven hair has turned to beautiful silver. Her character is comparable in its beauty   She survives Truman, as do five of their seven children, and a noble posterity:  DeWard Hebdon, of Idaho Falls  Mrs Harry Erma) Lee, Rigby; Mrs Ray (Nelda) Baker, Teton City;  Mrs Jack (Donalou) Hart, Rigby; and Mrs Jerry (Barbara) Hovis, Shelly.  Three brothers and one sister also survive;  Enos Hebdon, Pocatello; Edward Hebdon, Clifton, Idaho  William Hebdon, Thayne, Wyoming, and Mrs Phoebe Nelson, Boise.. 26 Grandchildren also survive as well as.25 Great Grandchildren.

Truman had a~firm Testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He often testified to this fact and of the power of prayer and healing at the hands of the Elders.   He was a spiritual man and did his utmost to see that his household learn to love and strive for the things of God,  He had written a list of rules which be had entitled:   My Creed.

 I feel that the Lord is my best friend, therefore, I believe it is my duty to love Him and strive to 'keep his commandment and defend them against all enemies.

 I will love my neighbors and pray for those that despitefully use me.

 I will practice true politeness.

 I will try to make everyone happy by rendering untiring and unselfish service at all times,

 Inasmuch as God created all men equal, I believe in fairness to all and special privileges to none.

 Louie relates that two or three days before his passing, Truman seemed as though he were speaking to the Lord.  Truman did not fear death.  He has an understanding of this great and glorious Plan of Life and Salvation that is given~to us by our rather in Heaven and he~was anxious to pass through that veil that separates; earth life and the spirit world where spirits go after they leave their earthly bodies.  He died peacefully at the family home March 15, 1961 at the age of 78.

If I may I would like to add a word of comfort to those who mourn his leaving them.  This is but a temporary separation.  If you could see your Husband, your father, your grandfather, your loved one, you would see him busy, you would see him active, happy and anxious in the Lord's work, for there is a tremendous and glorious missionary organizations functioning among those spirits who have left this earth; and many there are being taught the beautiful  principles of the Gospel which Truman so well knows.  While his body lies There still before us, his spirit is alive and busy.  I testify of this to you and of another fret which I know to be true.  It is this: If we mortals will live the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness, our Eternal happiness and our Eternal home with our Father in Heaven is assured.  I say this humble, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.