Ersel Gagon
PRICE – Ersel L. Gagon, age 95, passed away March 4, 2002 at his home.
He was born Jan. 8, 1907 in Myton to Ira and Mary Ella Smith Gagon. Married his sweetheart, Yetta, in 1933 in Vernal. She died Jan. 10, 1971.
Retired member of the United Mine Workers of America Hiawatha Local 6363, with 65 years of dedicated service.
Ersel was an adventurous young man who enjoyed bull riding and was a Cub Scout leader for 12 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and sharing his canning with his family and friends. Ersel loved playing Greek Rummy with his grandkids and sharing his many wonderful stories with his family and dear friends.
He is survived by sons, Terry Ersel (Eleanor) Gagon, Atlanta, Ga.; Darel Loran (Meryle) Gagon, Magna; brother, Hugh (Sybil) Gagon, West Valley City; 10 grandchildren, Genevieve, Colin, Jeremy, Molly, Shane, Mike, Brad, Vanessa, Keena, Dave; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four sisters, Vera, Madeline, Cleo, Melba; and brothers, Irvin and Fred.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Ora, Helen, Ray, Bert, John and Jeanette.
Funeral service was Thursday, March 7, Price 6th LDS Ward. Interment, Price City Cemetery under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home.
Opal Jensen
FERRON – Opal Torgerson Jensen, age 76, died Friday, March 8, 2002, surrounded by her children.
She was born July 27, 1925 in Emery to Edward Vaughn Torgerson and Ruby Worthington Torgerson. She married Max W. Jensen Feb. 25, 1949 in the Manti LDS Temple.
Opal was a member of the LDS Church and served in many positions throughout her life. She worked at Emery County Nursing Home and was the director of the Emery County senior citizen center.
She had a love for life, music, dancing, family and friends.
She is survived by two sons and three daughters, Renea (Eddie) Fischer, Salt Lake; Ruth (Dean) Harmer, Salina; Coy Jensen, Clawson; Christine (Kenneth) Tanner, Mesa, Ariz.; Russel (Julie) Jensen, Ferron; one brother, Mark (Darlene), Salt Lake; one sister, Mary (Bob) Ridinger, Salt Lake; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband, Max; parents; one sister and one grandson.
Funeral services will be Saturday, March 16, at noon at the Blue Hills LDS Ward, 35 North Ferron. A viewing will be one hour prior to services. Burial will follow in the Ferron Cemetery under the direction of Fausett Mortuary.
Velma Eden
CLEVELAND – Velma Mortensen Eden, age 93, passed away March 6, 2002 in Ferron.
She was the first baby ever born in Elmo on Jan. 17, 1909 to Hans F. and Ida Knight Mortensen. She married William F. Eden Feb. 11, 1931 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He passed away in September 1964.
Velma served a mission for the LDS Church in the east central states from 1929 to 1931 and later to London, England, after she retired from the school lunch program at the age of 65.
She also served in numerous other callings, most especially in music which she loved throughout her life. She had a profound love for family history, which she shared with many others.
She is survived by her children, Virgina and Blain Jensen, California; LuWana and Ed Brewer, Mesa, Ariz.; Zora Peacock, Castle Dale; John and Arlene Eden, Cleveland; Beth and Darwin Dowar, St. George; Calleen and Lynn Hall, Pasco, Wash.; Kent and Kristena Eden, Pittsburg, Pa.; 47 grandchildren, 107 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren. Also survived by brothers, Orlon and Devoy Mortensen; one sister, Mayzell King; and one son-in-law, Mac Mills. Preceded in death by husband; daughter, DeAnn; and three grandchildren.
Funeral services were Monday, March 11, at the Cleveland LDS Chapel. Burial was in the Cleveland Cemetery under the direction of Fausett Mortuary.
Velma Eden
CLEVELAND – Velma Mortensen Eden, age 93, passed away March 6, 2002 in Ferron.
She was the first baby ever born in Elmo on Jan. 17, 1909 to Hans F. and Ida Knight Mortensen. She married William F. Eden Feb. 11, 1931 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He passed away in September 1964.
Velma served a mission for the LDS Church in the east central states from 1929 to 1931 and later to London, England, after she retired from the school lunch program at the age of 65.
She also served in numerous other callings, most especially in music which she loved throughout her life. She had a profound love for family history, which she shared with many others.
She is survived by her children, Virgina and Blain Jensen, California; LuWana and Ed Brewer, Mesa, Ariz.; Zora Peacock, Castle Dale; John and Arlene Eden, Cleveland; Beth and Darwin Dowar, St. George; Calleen and Lynn Hall, Pasco, Wash.; Kent and Kristena Eden, Pittsburg, Pa.; 47 grandchildren, 107 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren. Also survived by brothers, Orlon and Devoy Mortensen; one sister, Mayzell King; and one son-in-law, Mac Mills. Preceded in death by husband; daughter, DeAnn; and three grandchildren.
Funeral services were Monday, March 11, at the Cleveland LDS Chapel. Burial was in the Cleveland Cemetery under the direction of Fausett Mortuary.
Wayne Johnston
Wayne Elbridge Johnston, age 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family March 4, 2002 at Castleview Hospital in Price.
He was born April 16, 1909 in Cherryville, Kan. He was the fourth child of John A. and Estella Ryan Johnston. He and the love of his life, Edith Ione Cato, eloped Nov. 18, 1929 in Grand Junction, Colo.
To this union, four children were born, Von Wayne and LaRaine Johnston, Wellington; Vion LaVern Johnston, Moab; Vonna Ione and Martin Hamaker, Moab; Valynda Kay and Jerry Muggs Clark, Wellington; 21 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Wayne and Edith worked side by side all their lives. He lived a full and active life of various pursuits. Together, they herded goats and chased wild horses during the depression years. Then they contracted to carry the mail from Cisco to Castleton in 1934. They ranched on the Colorado River and raised cattle.
In 1938, the couple moved to Price where they opened and operated the first livestock auction in Utah, which continued until 1968. They were charter members of the Castle Valley Gem Society and were avid rock hounds and were skilled at cutting and polishing gems.
During the uranium boom, the couple mined uranium in the Yellow Cat district. Wayne also herded sheep and worked as a butcher.
He had a lot of fun in all his endeavors and his motto was: “I think I can make it.” He offered his services as an auctioneer for any worthwhile project, including 4-H, schools, Boy Scouts, and helping raise funds for many LDS Church buildings.
He said his pay would be another star in his crown.
He is survived by wife of 72 years, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters; two brothers; and a daughter-in-law, Colleen Johnston.
Funeral services were Friday, March 8, at the Price LDS Stake Center. Graveside service followed in the Grand Valley Cemetery in Moab under the direction of Fausett Mortuary.
Nell Barnett
PRICE – Nell Irene Graham Barnett, age 90, passed away March 9, 2002 at Castle Country Care Center in Price.
She was born July 19, 1911 in Tracy, Iowa, to Joseph and Flora Shilling Graham. Married John A. Barnett March 9, 1931 in Harlan, Iowa. He died Feb. 25, 1986.
Nell loved her church and reading her Bible.
Longtime resident of Hiawatha prior to moving to Price in 1976.
She enjoyed her flowers, gardening and canning. Nell loved making quilts for others and playing scrabble.
Survived by five daughters, three sons and their spouses, Helen B. Garr, East Carbon; Pearl B. (Devon) Oliver, Price; John J. (Jerri) Barnett, Emery; Norma B. (Quint) Pickup, Price; Andrew K. (Wilma) Barnett, Price; Roy R. (Lynda) Barnett, Price; Joy B. (Duane) Hanson, East Carbon; Dorthy B. (Ryan) Hansen, Price; two sisters, Eliza Crozier, Knoxville, Iowa; Pearl Phillips, Keosauqua, Iowa; 34 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by brothers, Buell, Marsh and Melvin; sisters, June and Ona.
Funeral service Wednesday, March 13, 1 p.m., Mitchell Funeral Home. Family will be at Mitchell’s Tuesday evening, 7 to 9 p.m., and Wednesday one hour prior to services. Interment, Price City Cemetery.