Sep. 6, 1929 - Apr. 19, 2026
Date of Service: May 1, 2026
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RUPERT – Shirley Berniece Hunsaker Paoli, daughter of Alfred Hunsaker and Nellie Florence King Hunsaker, was born Friday, September 6, 1929, in Murray, Utah, the second child of five sisters and two brothers. She moved to Rupert while a small child with her parents who bought a farm in Heyburn. She attended Heyburn schools and was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She went to be with her Father in Heaven, Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Burley, Idaho.
She met her sweetheart and future husband, Richard Leon Paoli, at a dance at the Y-Dell Ballroom in Burley where they spent most of their dates. They both loved to dance and especially liked the Jitterbug. Dick proposed to her on Halloween and she received her engagement ring on December 2, 1944. Dick was then inducted into the United States Army on December 26, 1944, and she waited anxiously for his safe return until July 1946. They were married September 13, 1946, at the Heyburn Latter-day Saints Church. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple on May 3, 1960.
To this union were born three children, Gayle Annette Williams (Michael) and Ricky Von Paoli (Penny) all of Burley, and Shirlene Paoli, who was born and who died December 30, 1954.
She was a person who liked to keep busy around the home and yard – which were always immaculately kept. She had a great love for her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She worked for M.H. King Co., in Rupert after her children started school working from August until May each year so she could be home with her children. A high school girl was hired during the summer to take her place. When the children got older she became the lunchroom manager at Minico High School for four years. After Gayle graduated and married, she worked at Idaho First National Bank in the bookkeeping department; as probate clerk for Judge LeRoy Blacker for two years until the courthouse changed over to a Magistrate; and then went to work for Creason & Creason as a legal secretary for 17 years. She also served as senior election judge in her precinct for many years.
After Dick retired, she worked for Betz Industrial five hours a day for four years as secretary preparing presentations for gold mines who used their chemicals. She then fully retired and she and Dick were always together doing yard work, fishing, hunting, camping and taking vacation tours on the Goldwing motorcycle with their children and friends.
She served faithfully in various positions in the Church including dance director with Dick, Sunday School, Relief Society, visiting and Primary teacher, Sunday School secretary, MIA attendance secretary, counselor in the MIA, Sunday School chorister, ward chorister, head extraction person, and Relief Society spotlight news person. Richard and Shirley were called to serve a temple mission at the Boise Idaho Temple in 1989. In 2000, she and Richard were sustained as ward historians. She served as the editor for the Relief Society Sentinel and, in 2005, they were called to be stake baptism directors.
In 1966, she was chosen Mrs. Minidoka County and was in the ten finalists in the Mrs. Idaho for Mrs. America pageant. She was recipient of the Silver Poet Award in 1986, and the Golden Poet Award in 1987, 1988, and 1989 from World of Poetry. She was the author of the poem “The Memory Tree” which is engraved on a plaque in Rupert Square. She has been recipient in numerous contests from Poetry Press and in September 1989, she authored a book of poetry published and entitled “Poetry” - a Legacy of Love. She also gave poetry seminars at both Minico and Heyburn Jr. High schools. She dearly used and loved this talent which gave enjoyment to many.
While very young her mother taught her and her sister, Lois, to sing harmony together. They received requests throughout their lives to sing at weddings, receptions, churches, and funerals. Another sister, Carole, also sang with them as a trio for many occasions including the Miss Minidoka Pageant in 1963.
Her hobbies included cake decorating (including 29 wedding cakes for son, brother, granddaughters, nieces and nephews), oil painting, camping, motorcycle riding, playing the organ, floral arrangements, hunting, fishing, and dancing.
At the Idaho Centennial Dance in Burley, Dick and Shirley won the Jitterbug contest and were chosen as the best overall dancers. They taught us how to dance and accompanied us to many dances at church and at school.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Gayle Annette Williams (Michael) of Burley; her loving son, Ricky Von Paoli (Penny) of Burley; five grandchildren, Tani Rae Smith (Arlin), Mikael Dawn Teply (Michael), Richard Kim Paoli, Trevor Von Paoli (Brandy), and Desirae Shirlene Lee (Chad); eight great-grandchildren, Kayleigh Beebe (Kyle), Ryleigh Jo Lyons (Zane), Landrie Emma Herberger (Jacob), Kyra Dawn Teply, Keana Hobbs (Austin), Hallee Lester, Braxton Lester (Megan), and Skylar Paoli; nine great-great-grandchildren, Rylan Richard, Kinsley Rae, and Maddux Kyle Beebe, Macie Jae Herberger, Jackson, Emily, and Danelle Lester, and Carter and Karson Hobbs; her sister, Carole Jensen (Roy-deceased); two brothers-in-law, Lewis Abrams and Dennis Loosli; and sister-in-law, Susanne Hunsaker.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Richard L. Paoli; her daughter, Shirlene; and her siblings, Lois (Blaine) Rasmussen, Ross (Doris) Hunsaker, Velda (Fred) Barras, Nelma Abrams, Beth Loosli, and Alan Dale Hunsaker.
Mom and Grandma, we love you and will miss your loving face and hugs for now.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 1, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Rupert Idaho West Stake Center, located at 26 South 100 West, Rupert, with Bishop Russell Edgar officiating. Burial will follow at Rupert Cemetery.
Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 East 16th Street, in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday, preceding the funeral, at the church.
A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/8shhVy4oQdE.
