Joseph ‘Max’ Dalton, 78, passed away January 13, 2026, at the home of his daughter in Meridian, Idaho.

Max was born on his mother’s birthday, July 31, 1947. He was the fifth of seven children born to Joe and Ida Dalton. He graduated from Highland High School in 1966, and to this day we hear about how great the Highland Rams are. He worked at various jobs such as a machinist, electrician, maintenance worker and retired from the Bannock County Jail. He maintained ‘Supervisor’ status on any project that his family may have been working on – advice wanted or not.

On June 18, 1971, he married Annette Hall. They were married for 28 years, raising two daughters, Kelli Sue and Katie Jo. They were later divorced.

Max was always the life of the party which has created many stories, and quick witted Maxisms, that he has left us with. Max was an avid hunter and fisherman, especially in his younger years. He spent many hunting seasons in the Pahsimeroi Valley with his Madsen cousins or in Dairy Creek with Tom Palmer, Craig Wright and Paul Kent. Numerous stories were from his many fishing expeditions with Doug Dalton on the Oregon Coast, with his son in law, Brian Peck, fishing for steelhead in Lewiston and with his brother, Syd, on the reservoir. Max was the owner/operator of K&K Bait, which he somehow convinced his two young girls to start a bait business off their front porch. This little business lasted for over 35 years, often employing family and friends, or anyone else who could count to twelve. Max had a love for a fast racehorse. He enjoyed breeding and racing Thoroughbred racehorses and had quite a few Basco-name horses that he was proud of.

He was finally blessed with a boy when grandson, Max ‘Carson’ Elison was born. Max and Carson were inseparable from day one. Max hauled Carson to any event he was signed up for. From baseball tournaments to wrestling to hunting or fishing, Max was always there on the sidelines as his biggest fan. Carson returned the favor and has been Max’s caregiver for the last few years.

It was important for Max to ‘make the rounds’ visiting his friends and having an Oly for the road along with way. He enjoyed his daily calls from Randy Merica to discuss the weather and hear all about Randy’s grandkids’ accomplishments in the roping pen. Ron Woodworth kept him up to date on all things happening in Pocatello.

For the last few years, Max lived with his family in the Caldwell area. He was able to be cared for and now ‘supervised’ by his family, which was never an easy task.

Max is survived by his daughters, Kelli Sue Peck (Brian) and Katie Jo Haylett (Jason), his grandchildren Carson (Alyssa) and Taytem Elison and Louis and Emma Peck, siblings Kay Warren, JoAnn (Joe) Osier, Karen Dalton, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Ida Dalton, and four brothers, Clark, Dennis, Don, Syd and brother-in-law, Boyce Warren. We know that grandma has her hands full once again with all the Dalton boys in one place. She always said what one wouldn’t think of the other one would.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Pocatello. Per Max’s wishes he will be buried by his family in Malad, Idaho, with some ashes spread in the Pahsimeroi Valley. Happy trails, Max, until we meet again…