Hal Knight McUne

After 82 years filled with singing, building, and serving, Hal Knight McUne “Hap” passed away Oct. 8, 2023 at the Wildflower of Rigby. He was under the care of One Source Hospice.

Hap was born January 11, 1941 to Haswell Ross and Linden Ida Knight McUne in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He was the oldest of four children. His most frequently related memories were from growing up on a ranch near Burns, Oregon where he loved his horses and dogs, wrestling for his high school team, and playing the trumpet in the school band.

He graduated from Burns High School and attended Oregon Tech. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern States mission.

After returning from his mission, he attended Brigham Young University where he began dating his sister’s roommate, Anke Menssen. They were married June 2, 1967 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. Hal worked at the INL and they made their home in Ucon.

Hap was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spent many years serving the young men of his ward as Scout Master. He served in ward scouting and with Cedar Badge, and was honored with the Silver Beaver Award for his extraordinary service.

He served in the temple, stake music callings, and also a service mission with the humanitarian center in Idaho Falls.

Hap loved music and played the trumpet in community organizations, performed in choirs, and developed multiple “alternative” musical instruments, including the saw, soda bottles, and metal conduit chimes or simply blocks of wood. He had a remarkable collection of strange songs in his repertoire including, “I’m My Own Grandpa,” “Sweet Violets,” and “There Was an Old Bumblebee.”

He played the guitar and harmonica and was a skilled woodworker who was willing to help anyone around with their projects.

He is survived by his children Russell (Dawn) from Rigby; Scott (Treva) from Amalga, UT; Wendy Norman (Matthew) from Rigby, Cynthia from Idaho Falls; Daniel (Becky) from Provo, UT; Randall (Jennifer) from Cedar City, UT, and his sister Sharol McArthur (James) from Orem, UT.

He has 36 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and he was Uncle Hap to many nieces and nephews.

Hap was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his daughters Valerie Flygare and Brenda McUne, his brother, D. Stephen McUne, and his sister Sheila McUne.

Funeral services will be Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Ucon LDS Church at 10854 N 41 E Ucon, ID 83454. A viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 19 at Coltrin Mortuary at 2100 First Street in Idaho Falls and for one hour prior to the funeral services at the church. Bishop Doug Russell of the Cottonwood Ward will be officiating. Interment will be at the Ucon Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Coltrin Mortuary. Condolences may be sent online at coltrinmortuary.com.