Eugene Johansen
CASTLE DALE – Oral Eugene Johansen, 83, passed away at his home on April 29, 2002 of natural causes.
He was born Sept. 24, 1918 in Castle Dale to Peter Eugene and Oral Koffod Johansen. His mother having died in childbirth, he was reared by Myrle Beckstrum Johansen. He married May 11, 1940 to Grace Lee Nixon in the Manti LDS Temple.
His 37 years as a teacher of history, political science and forensics at Emery High School set him apart as an individual who knew full well the value of education and its immutable and cardinal place in our world education has.
Throughout his life, he served his fellow citizens with great compassion and uncommon wisdom.
And moreover, he served on many and varied fronts. He served as chairman of the Emery Water Conservancy District since its inception in 1962. He was president of the Cottonwood Creek Consolidated Irrigation Company for 50 years.
While choosing to teach those who would control the future, he also served on countless civic councils and boards and, additionally, chose to serve with distinction as the mayor of Castle Dale.
He accepted and excelled at service and responsibilities with singular dedication. His tireless work on the state water resources board is yet another testament to his vision and to his commitment to the people and to the future.
Throughout his life, he diligently worked to give back that which he received.
Eugene is survived by his wife of 62 years, Grace Johansen, of Castle Dale; his sons and daughters, Craig (Jonnie) Johansen of Castle Dale; Margaret (Dave) Oveson of Tetonia, Idaho; Brent (Debbie) Williams of Ogden; Scott (Laurel) Johansen of Castle Dale; Brice (Christine) Williams of Orem; Natalie (Gary) Wood-roffe of Vancouver, Wash.; Nathan (Debbie) Johansen of Castle Dale; 32 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Kent Johansen. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan.
Funeral services will conducted be Saturday, May 4, at 11 a.m. at the Castle Dale LDS Stake Center. Friends may call Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary in Castle Dale and one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Castle Dale Cemetery.
Sandra Dvorak
HELPER – Sandra Kaye Dvorak, age 49, passed away suddenly April 29, 2002.
She was born March 23, 1953 to Grady and Louise Brown O’Hearon in Price.
She attended school in Price and worked as a waitress until she became disabled to work.
She enjoyed taking walks, cleaning, writing, reading the scriptures and especially spending time with her family.
She was engaged to Robert Bejare.
Sandra is survived by her fiance, Robert; two daughters, Miranda O’Hearon of Midvale; Melissa Dvorak of Montana; sisters, Tanya Skinner of Helper; three brothers, Grady O’Hearon of Price; Rick (Jody) O’Hearon of Carbonville; Ted (Jana) O’Hearon of Price; several nieces and nephews. Also her mother, Louise O’Hearon of Kansas. She was preceded in death by father; sister, Esther Warshaw; one brother, Mayo O’Hearon; and daughter, Tricia Gomez, who died at birth.
Graveside services will be Friday, May 3, 11 a.m., in the Carbon County Cemetery in Carbonville. The family will be available from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Fausett Mortuary.
Bill Kirkwood
HELPER – Bill Lamar Kirk-wood, age 72, passed away April 29, 2002 at his home.
He was born Aug. 17, 1929 in Thistle to Dean and Catherine Lombardi Kirkwood. Married Merlene Montoya July 16, 1960 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Helper.
Member of the Catholic Church. Graduate Carbon High School Class of 1947 and Carbon College in 1949.
Bill served in the U.S. Army as a corporal while stationed in Germany.
In 1956, he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelors’ in mining engineering. He was employed by U.S. Steel with various jobs and retired as superintendent of the Wellington coal cleaning plant in 1986.
Bill was active in (AMC) American Mining Congress and the American Institute of Mining Engineers. Member of the Helper Lions Club and honorary member of the Elks Lodge 1807 of Hotchkiss, Colo.
Bill was active in many civic duties. He served as zoning administrator for Helper city and Carbon County Planning and Zoning.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and spending time with his grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his wife, Merlene Kirkwood, Helper; daughter, Linda (Michael) Bal-lard, Price; son, Billy (Nicki) Kirkwood, Helper; grandchildren, Mikelle Ballard, Price; Jessica and Jake Kirkwood, Helper; brothers, Lanny Kirkwood, Logan; Fred (Pamela) Kirkwood, Helper; many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law; sister-in-law, and a community of friends. Preceded in death by parents; brother, Wallace; and infant sister, Catherine.
The family would like to thank the University of Utah Medical Center, the Huntsman Center and Dr. John Ward, Dr. Gordon Watson and their staffs for all their care.
Funeral Mass Friday, May 3, 10 a.m., St. Anthony Catholic Church in Helper. Vigil service Thursday evening, 7 p.m., Mitchell Funeral Home in Price. Friends are welcome at Mitchell’s daily. Committal service, Mountain View Cemetery, Helper.
Ruby Lunelli Sporcich
HELPER – Ruby D. Wilson Lunelli Sporcich, age 75, passed away May 4, 2002 at Parkdale Care Center in Price.
She was born July 31, 1926 in Blackfoot, Idaho, to Alfred and Marguerite Rowland Wilson. Married Tullio Louis Lunelli Sept. 29, 1946 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He died April 1, 1961. Married Frank A. Sporcich July 9, 1966 in Helper.
Member of the Catholic Church. Ruby was a longtime resident of Helper. She enjoyed camping and dearly loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survived by her husband, Frank Sporcich, Helper; son, Alan (Trish) Lunelli, Carbonville; daughter, Ann (Larry) Young, Sandy; daughter, Patricia (John) Perla, Hotchkiss, Colo.; sister, Afton Marie Gough, Blackfoot, Idaho; sister, Jean (Max) Heino, Helper; eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by parents; brother, Milton Wilson; sister, Yvonne Trudell; grandson, Darrell Young.
Funeral Mass Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m., St. Anthony Catholic Church. Vigil service Friday evening, 7 p.m., St. Anthony Catholic Church. Family will be at the church in Helper Friday and Saturday one hour prior to services. Committal service, Mountain View Cemetery, Helper, under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home.
Patti Giandonato
PRICE/NATHROP, Colo. – Patricia Mele Ruden Giandonato, age 41, passed away April 30, 2002 in Nathrop, Colo.
She was born July 22, 1960 in Price to Louis and Claudette Wright Mele. Married Randy Ruden June 1977 in Price, later divorced. Married John Gian-donato Nov. 21, 1997 in Denver, Colo.
Patti’s greatest joy in life was her children. She especially enjoyed watching the boys wrestle and Michelle play ball. Patti loved hunting, fishing and running the river with her family.
She will be dearly missed by her family and a community of friends.
Patti is survived by her husband, John Giandonato, Nath-rop, Colo.; sons, Jimmy Ruden, Price; Michael Ruden, Nathrop, Colo.; daughter, Michelle Ruden, Price; parents, Lou and Claudette Mele, Price; brothers, Louie (Kathy) Mele, Glasgow, Mont.; Greg (Kym) Mele, Vernal; sister, Jamie Rodriquez, Santaquin; grandmother, Thelma Wright, Price; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Sam and Rose Mele; grandfather, Wilmer Wright; and niece, Amanda Mele.
Graveside service Sunday, May 5, Cliffview Cemetery under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home.
Thomas Kent Frandsen
BOISE, Idaho – Thomas Kent Frandsen, 62, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, Idaho, Saturday, May 4, 2002, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Kent was born July 17, 1939 in Price to Glen and Irene Frandsen. He was a graduate of Carbon High School. He was active in athletics playing basketball, track, and received a football scholarship.
Kent married Carole Lynne Baker of Price in 1964 in the Manti LDS Temple.
Kent served a mission for the LDS Church in the Central States Mission. He was drafter and served three years in the U.S. Army. He earned a BS in business administration from Metro State University in Denver, Colo. He was a 25-year resident of Boise, where he raised his four children.
Kent worked 36 years for the department of interior, serving with the BLM as the administration officer in Bakersfield, Calif., and Boise. He later transferred to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, where he served as budget analyst until his retirement in January 2001.
He is survived by his wife, Carole; daughter, Ann (Greg) Johnson, Highland, and children, Brie, Hunter and Elise; son, Dan Frandsen (Leah), Mesa, Ariz., and children, Savannah and Broc; son, David Frandsen, Highland; son, Paul (Tara) Frandsen, Tracy, Calif., and children Gabriel and Parker; mother, Irene Frandsen, Helper; sister, Phyllis Sillitoe, Helper; brother, Stanley Frandsen, Woodruff; sister, Marlene Carlson, Salt Lake City; sister, Jolene Owens, West Valley; and brother, Ted Frandsen, Salt Lake City. He was preceded in death by his father, Glen Frandsen.
Funeral services Wednesday, May 8, 2 p.m., at the LDS Chapel located at 11918 W. Ustick Road, Boise, Idaho. Friends may call one hour prior to services. Graveside service Friday, May 10, 1:30 p.m., Price City Cemetery. Friends may call one hour prior to services at Mitchell Funeral Home.
Fay Jensen
EMERY – Our beloved Fay M. Johnson Jensen, age 83, left her earthly home and returned to her heavenly home May 4, 2002.
She was born Nov. 14, 1918 in Emery to Arile and Beata Keele Johnson. She married Dewey M. Jensen Nov. 19, 1938 and April 2, 1954, they were sealed together in the Manti LDS Temple.
She loved gardening, sewing, quilting and was an extremely hard worker. Her house and yard was always kept clean and neat.
She was a member of the LDS Church and served in many positions, including Primary teacher and visiting teacher.
She is survived by children, Morrie (Ronnie) Sorensen, John (Vickie) Byars and Gordon (Jane) Manchester, all of Emery; 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; and brothers, Travest, Eldon, Rex and Max Johnson, all of Eastland.
Friends may call at the Emery LDS Ward Chapel on Tuesday, May 7, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Funeral services will be held at the chapel at noon. Interment will follow in the Emery City Cemetery under the direction of Fausett Mortuary, Castle Dale.
Clifford Ned Leavitt Jr.
ORANGEVILLE – Clifford Ned Leavitt Jr., age 38, died May 1, 2002 in Orangeville.
He married Deborah Bronson on Jan. 16, 1982 and they were blessed with two children, Jeramy and Bethany Leavitt.
He lived in Orangeville for 34 years.
He had a love for fishing, hunting and camping as a young boy and young man and had a love of motorcycles that never ended.
He worked a short time in the coal mines, then he became a proficient prefab welder at Tram Electric.
Cliff was loved by many and will be missed by all. All his life struggles have ended and he is at peace from them with his Heavenly Father, for which we are grateful.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie Leavitt; son, Jeramy (Janice) Leavitt; daughter, Bethany Leavitt; and parents, Ned and Geraldine Leavitt; also brother, Kip (Julie) Leavitt.
Graveside services were May 3 in the Orangeville Cemetery and interment followed under the direction of Fausett Mortuary, Castle Dale.
Yolanda Stella Greco
PRICE/ALBANY, Calif. – Yolanda Stella Greco, age 84, died April 29, 2002 in Richmond, Calif.
She was born Nov. 20, 1917 in Green River to Giorgio (George) Stella and Concetta Navicella. Married Dominic Greco in Martinez, Calif.
Former resident of Carbon County, where she attended schools in Helper.
While residing in California, she owned and operated Yolanda’s Beauty Shop in Albany for many years.
She is survived by her husband, Dominic Greco, Albany, Calif.; brother, Frank Stella, Reno, Nev.; sister, Theresa Holeman, Orville, Calif.; many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Mike and Tony Stella; and sister, Mary Ryan.
Graveside service Monday, May 6, Mountain View Cemetery, Helper, under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home.