Obituaries
Merle Smith
FORT HALL — Merle Edward Smith, 75, was born on July 29th, 1951, to Lucille Brown and Leonard Smith Sr. in Poplar, Montana.
Merle was a proud member of the Assiniboine/Sioux Tribe and grew up on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Frazer, Montana. He passed away peacefully in his home in Fort Hall, Idaho, on April 13th, 2026.
Throughout his youth, Merle moved across the country with his parents where he attended high school in various cities including Denver, Minneapolis, and St. Louis. Despite the frequent relocations he ultimately graduated from his high school in Frazer, back on the Fort Peck Reservation.
On December 30, 1971, Merle married Darlene Theresa Mitchell Smith in Poplar, Montana. They remained partners until her passing on August 4, 1979. Together they had two daughters, Kelly Rose Smith and Tara Theresa Smith-McArthur.
After graduating high school, Merle attended the University of Montana where he played men’s basketball under Coach Jud Heathcote. Later he would attend MSU Billings, continuing to develop his basketball skills in preparation for a professional career. His talents led him to play professionally for three years with the Minneapolis Lakers.
Following his professional basketball career, Merle married Carolyn Boyer Smith on September 23, 1982, in Fort Hall, Idaho. Together they had two children, Magic Merle Smith and Tyree Autumn Smith. After marriage, Merle proudly served in the Army National Guard and successfully graduated basic combat engineer training in 1983. He served as a combat engineer for six years achieving the rank of Private First Class and was honorably discharged in 1989.
Later in life Merle attended Idaho State University where he graduated on December 15, 2000, with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies, and a minor in American Indian Studies and Anthropology. Some of Merle’s proudest accomplishments were reflected in his lifelong work and service. He served as an Idaho State University President’s Intern and worked as a general contractor as the owner and operator of Red Pearl Construction, as well as with Great Plains Construction. He was also a member of the Laborers’ Union in Idaho Falls and served as a safety officer at Simplot while working with R&L Construction in Pocatello. In addition to his professional work, Merle served as Vice President of the National Indian Athletic Association, coordinated numerous Indian youth events, and was a dedicated motivational speaker.
He went on to become a Native American Studies teacher in the Blackfoot School District and later transferred to Sho-Ban High School. There, he served as both a teacher, co-athletic director, and head boys basketball coach, winning 6 District titles. He later returned to the Blackfoot High School, where he also served as head girls basketball coach for 3 years, and a teacher for 15 years before retiring in 2024.
Merle was baptized and in his early youth served as an alter boy. He was a practicing sundancer on the Fort Peck Reservation and took part in traditional ceremonies including sweat lodge. Merle was a well-known champion men’s fancy dancer serving as Head Man Dancer at various powwows and traveling across Indian Country to showcase his style.
Throughout his life, Merle inspired countless students and athletes through the lessons he taught and the players he coached. His hobbies included golfing with his lifelong friends and his son, Magic; dancing at powwows; salmon fishing with his family; and sitting in the stands cheering for his children and grandchildren. He loved sharing stories with his family, friends, students, and players, passing on his knowledge of basketball and culture to the next generation.
Merle made a lasting impact on his community, significantly improving graduation rates among Native American youth at Sho-Ban and Blackfoot High School and starting the first annual Shoshone Bannock Indian High School Graduation Banquet. His achievements in basketball were many, including setting scoring records, playing on the first semi-professional American Indian basketball team, winning seven national basketball tournaments, and receiving numerous awards and recognitions throughout his life.
Merle is survived by his wife, Carolyn Smith of Fort Hall, Idaho; his children, Kelly Smith, Tara Smith McArthur, Magic Smith (April Smith), and Tyree Smith; his siblings, Leonard Smith Jr. (Linda Parker), and Francine Van Maanen (Rick Van Maanen); and his grandchildren, MorningRose (Tony), Pacer, Daysha, Jameson, Javery, Mason, Magic Jr., Carter, Kataya, Tiger, and Mylo, along with many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his nephews/sons, Jason Smith, Todd Adams, Vidal Lavatta, Terrence Dawes, Jordan Plenty Hawk, Alex Smith, Tony Van Maanen and their families; his nieces/daughters, Natalia Lavatta, Shanna Dawes, Marci Dawes, Stephanie Smith, Natalie Smith, Erica Van Maanen, Monica Van Maanen, and their families.
Merle was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Smith Sr.; his mother, Lucille Brown; his brothers, Richard Smith and Everett Wayne Smith; his first wife Darlene Mitchell Smith; and his grandparents Charles Smith, Emma Longee, James Brown, and Agnes Lucky.
Funeral services are at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 2026 at the Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr. High School, 50 S. Hiline Road in Fort Hall. Merle will be taken out to the residence at 874 Sambo Road Wednesday afternoon until time of the service. He will return to the residence until traditional burial services to be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2026 at the Gibson Cemetery.
Tasha Laney Dean Neaman
FORT HALL — Tasha Laney Dean Neaman, 26, passed away April 12, 2026 in Pocatello, Idaho.
She was born March 15, 2000 to Lucinda Lou Neaman.
She went to New Horizons School. She enjoyed salmon fishing, hunting, camping, and she enjoyed beadworking.
Her brother is Carter Dean Peter. She had no children. Her significant other is Tyler Edmo. Cousins include Terrance, Dalton and Robin Martinez, along with Heidi Wahtomy and Thayne Wahtomy Jr. She had numerous aunties, uncles, grandparents, nephews and nieces as she loved everyone dearly with her precious heart.
She is preceded in death by her grandpa Ferlin Dean Neaman and her great grandparents are Wilford and Jane Neaman.
She was brought to her lifelong residence at 413 Cemetery Road, Pocatello, Idaho, April 15, 2026 at 10 a.m. Food was provided throughout the day. Burial is at Cedars Cemetery April 16, 2026, leaving the residence at 2 p.m. Food will be served after burial services.
