John B. Mainvil

John B. Mainvil, 95, formerly of Weiser, Idaho, passed away of natural causes on April 1, 2022 in Eagle, Idaho with his family at his side. He is now resting with his true love after a long and fulfilling life.

 John was born in San Bernardino, Calif., to Basque immigrants from Spain and France on Aug. 1, 1926. 

 He attended elementary and high schools in Ontario, Calif., and soon after graduation, was drafted into the Navy during WWII.  

 After receiving a B.S. Animal Husbandry degree in 1950 from California State Polytechnic College (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, John moved to Riverside, Calif., where he grew oranges and purchased a ranch to raise sheep. 

 He married Grace in 1959 and they were blessed with four daughters. In 1972, the family moved to Weiser, Idaho where John owned and operated a farm and sheep operation. 

 In the day, he had as many as 6,000 head of sheep grazing in Hells Canyon (Sturgill Creek), Wallowa-Whitman and Payette National forests, under the watchful eyes of Basque sheepherders. Additionally, in Weiser, he grew mainly grain and alfalfa hay and raised sheep. During the winter months, he drove his truck to haul crops to various shipping ports. 

 He enjoyed family trips to California, Basque picnics/dances/parties, cruises, and trips to Mexico, South America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. 

 He was a resilient, hardworking Basque man, who loved his wife and family, and always enjoyed the simple things in life.

 He leaves behind four daughters: Janice, Joanne (Mick), Louise (Grant), Linda (Mike), six grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by one sister-in-law, Julia. 

 He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Josephine, brothers-in-law (John A., Joe, John L.), sister-in-law Marie, and his loving wife of 58 years, Grace.