Gladys Nielsen Meeks Mathis
PRICE-Our mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend passed away peacefully at her residence in the Heirloom Inn at Price, Utah, Feb. 4, 2007.
Gladys was born to Robert Arthur and Matilda Nielsen Meeks, Nov. 11, 1917. She lived on her family’s cattle ranch in Bicknell, Wayne County, Utah, till she left home for Brigham Young University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.
She was the fourth daughter of six sisters, five of whom lived to maturity, who remained close throughout their entire lives. She nor her sisters ever forgot their roots and always loved their home in Utah’s Wayne Wonderland where they felt they received every advantage necessary to live life to the fullest. We are sure that after finding our father, it is those folks she looked for when first she stepped beyond the veil.
Gladys was a school teacher who started out in 1941 as the only teacher at the Cainville School in Wayne County; she was the last teacher there. After that school was closed she spent the rest of her career with the Carbon County School District, retiring in 1979.
She was always proud of Carbon County Schools and CEU. She loved her students and found great satisfaction in their accomplishments. She enjoyed going to class reunions and visits that were extended to her at home by her students.
She married Wallace Mathis, from Price in the Manti Temple, in June of 1942. This began her life as a cattle rancher’s wife, a role she found pleasing and satisfying.
Gladys was always active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many positions in the MIA, Primary, Sunday School and Relief Society. It was the Relief Society, which she came to mostly after she retired from school teaching, where she found her special place and loved serving with her sisters there. It was her goal to be an “angel of mercy.”
The couple endured Wallace’s service in the Pacific during World War II, and began their family as soon as they could after his return from the war. She was always grateful for Dr. Quinn Whiting who helped them get their family started. She was a wonderful mother.
Their children are Robert Arthur (Barbara) Mathis, Midway, Utah, Katherine Mathis (Arthur L) Reid, Sandy, Utah, Scott Wallace (Donna) Mathis, Price, Utah.
She was grandmother to eight grandchildren, Jason Robert (Marie) Mathis, Heber City, Utah, Brian Alan (Camille) Lighthall, Schoolcraft, Mich., MaryAnn Mathis, Heber City, Tanner Scott (MaeDean) Mathis, Price, Utah, Charnae Darlene Mathis (Lance) Donathon, Price, Utah, Chanda Dawn Mathis (Brooke) Dotson, Price, Utah, McKenzie Reid (Joseph) Hansen, Morgan, Utah, Emily Reid, Sandy, Utah. She had 12 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her sisters Cora Elizabeth Meeks, Romania Meeks Wise, Margaret Meeks Huber and Mary Ethel Meeks Bishop.
She is survived by her sister, Arthur Meeks Cooper of Mesa, Ariz., her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.
She and Wallace lived their married life on the family farm south of Price, where she stayed till she moved to the Heirloom Inn, a lovely assisted living facility in Price. There she not only found accommodations that suited her taste, but she also found a home where she received kind thoughtful care to the end of her days.
The family is grateful for the care extended to her by the staff at Heirloom and the Rocky Mountain Hospice Service.
The family will receive visitors at the Fausett Mortuary, 680 East 100 South, Price, Utah from 6-8 p.m., Feb. 7, 2007. Funeral Services will be at the Price Sixth Ward Chapel, 300 West 500 South, Price, Utah at 11 a.m., Feb. 8, 2007. The family will receive visitors at the Chapel beginning at 10 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Price City Cemetery following the service, under the direction of Fausett Mortuary 435-637-1181.
Michael Jesse Williams
Michael Jesse Williams, 67, died suddenly on Jan. 24, 2007 at his home in Emery, Utah. He was born Dec. 27, 1939 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Jesse Peter and Ila De Acord Williams. He was married to DeAnna Kay Oyler, later divorced, and Kathleen Carol Johnson, later divorced.
Mike was raised in Salt Lake City. He graduated from South High School in 1958, attended Snow College, and graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1964. He also attended New York University.
He was called to the Southern Australian Mission in 1960. He worked as an inspector for the Food and Drug Administration from 1964 until his retirement in 1990. During his employment with the FDA, he spent time in Colorado, New York, New Jersey, California, Maryland, Washington and many other locations on assignments.
He enjoyed photography, travel, and the outdoors, especially the mountains of Central Utah. From January 1998 to January 2007 he served as the mayor of Emery Town. He was known for his sense of humor. He wanted the youth of Emery Town to have fun and be safe, as they were very important to him.
Mike served on many boards and organizations and enjoyed the camaraderie these provided. He had just received his 10-year pin in December for driving the Emery County ambulance. He had enjoyed frequently attending the Manti Temple and getting around to some of the other temples in the area. On the day of his death he had been approved to be an ordinance worker at the Manti Temple.
His grandchildren, and the good people of Central Utah will especially miss Mike.
Mike is survived by his sisters, Shirley Williams Giles, and Susan Williams Johnson, brother Raymond Williams, all living in the Salt Lake Valley, children, Michael (Kelly) Williams of North Salt Lake and Danielle (Todd) Light of Monroe, Wash., grandchildren, Jessica Light, Michael and David Williams. His beloved black Lab, Bud, who is no doubt barking his head off at Mike to throw some rocks for him, preceded him in death.
A viewing was held Mon., Jan. 29 from 6-8 p.m. at the Emery Ward Chapel, 70 North Center Street, Emery. Funeral services were Tues., Jan. 30 at 11 a.m. also at the Emery Ward Chapel. Interment was in the Emery Town Cemetery, under the direction of Fausett Mortuary 435-637-1181.
Verla Dunn
HELPER-Verla Bee Bartlett Dunn, age 78, passed away Jan. 30, 2007 in Price. She was born Aug. 11, 1928 in Helper, Utah to William J. and Lola Draper Bartlett. Married Leo B. Dunn on April 1, 1949 in Helper, later divorced.
Verla retired from Holy Cross Hospital in 1993 where she worked as a cashier for 26 years. She enjoyed her garden and was an excellent seamstress.
Survived by her children, R. Scott (Michelle) Dunn, West Jordan; Diana Baker, Salt Lake City; grandchildren, Mar (Carly) Dunn, Troutdale, Ore.; Cheryl (Garrett) Wallin, Saratoga Hills, Utah; Terence Strawhun, Omaha, Neb.; Kimberly Pratt, Salt Lake City; and five great-grandchildren.
She will be dearly missed by her devoted friend Pudge Nielson. Preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and two sisters.
Visitation for family and friends was held at Mitchell Funeral Home, 233 East Main Street, Price, on Sat. Feb. 3, 2007 from 2-3 p.m. Interment to take place at a later date at the Mt. View Cemetery in Helper.
Max H. Ralphs
FERRON- Max H. Ralphs, 83, passed away Thurs., Feb. 1, 2007 in Salt Lake City from heart failure. Max was born April 24, 1923 to Mirl Hunter Ralphs and Blanche Cook, at his Grandmother Ralphs’ pioneer home in Ferron, the third child among five sisters. He grew up on the family farm in Rochester, graduated from South Emery High School, and served in the US Marine Corps in the South Pacific in WWII.
Max married Elaine Peacock of Orangeville Dec. 1, 1948 in the Manti Temple. They made their home in Ferron, where Elaine taught school and Max worked the family farm and served as Utah State meat inspector for Emery and Carbon counties for 30 years. They raised five boys and Max was involved with them in scouts, 4-H and FFA projects, riding club, hunting and sports.
Max served on the city council and as Mayor, from 1958-1965, and 1980-1990. He was involved in many inprovement projects for the town, the county, water treatment, plant, seconary water system, sewer system, park improvement, creation of the Millsite State park and golf course and the Mayor’s park.
Max served in many church positions and was the first Bishop of the Ferron Second Ward. After their retirement, Max and Elaine served in the Manti Temple. Elaine loved to travel, so they took many trips, and Max continued the tradition with his extended family after she passed away. Max was the remaining Patriarch of the Ralphs family in Emery County, and left a great legacy of the Ralphs family unit. He provided the opportunities for his family and relatives to come together at trips, vacations and traditional holidays at the family home in Ferron.
Max resided with Stewart in Salt Lake for the last few years, where he has been close to his family. He is survived by his sons, Michael (Diana), Paradise, Utah; Randal (Tauna), Draper; Philip (Mary), Las Vegas, Nev.; Robin (Stacey), Sandy, and Stewart, Salt Lake City; 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; his sister, Emily (Harold) Daetwyler, Edgewood, Wash.; Louise (Kent) Anderson, South Jordan; and Anna Lee (Kent) Johansen, Holliday. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elaine, his parents, Mirl and Blanche, sisters, Barbara (Dee) Christensen and Kathleen (Norman) Ensign, and infant brother James.
Funeral services, Tues., Feb. 6, 2007, Ferron Stake Center, 11 a.m. Viewing Fausett Mortuary, Castle Dale, Mon., Feb. 6-8 p.m. and prior to the funeral from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Interment at Ferron cemetery.
Gene Thomas
PRICE-Myron E. Thomas Jr., “Gene”, age 74, passed away peacefully on Jan. 30, 2007 at Parkdale Care Center, with his friends Brittany and Steve at his side.
He was born May 9, 1932 in Salt Lake City, Utah the only child of Myron E. Thomas Sr. and Violet Lund.
Gene served two tours of duty between 1950 and 1964 as a co-pilot with the United States Air Force. He served in the Korean War and again in Vietnam, where his plane was shot down and he was taken prisoner. He was a POW for six months before being rescued by American forces. Gene lived the rest of his life suffering from injuries he received from being tortured by the North Vietnamese. He was awarded the Purple Heart for those injuries.
Gene loved to cook and he worked as a chef at several Salt Lake City restaurants. His hobbies were woodworking, hunting, fishing, playing pool and he especially loved working in his garden.
Gene is survived by three sons and one daughter, Myron E. Thomas III, Chip Lund Thomas, Kevin Watson Thomas and Gina Ann (Shayne Wallace) Thomas; three grandchildren, Shayne Wallace II, Dacian and Kaedynce Wallace; his friends, Valerie Clark, Brittany Alaniz, Steve Laude Sr.; his fishing buddies, Sam Smith and Lonnie Anderson; and his best little friend and companion, “Puggy.”
We would like to thank the staff at Parkdale Care Center for caring for Gene the past 16 months.
Gene was a friends to all that knew him and he will be dearly missed.
A viewing will be held at Mitchell Funeral Home, Tuesday evening from 6-7 p.m. with an evening service starting at 7 p.m. Gene will be buried with military honors on Wed., Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Utah Veterans Memorial Park at Camp Williams, located at 17111 South Camp Williams Road in Bluffdale.
Clyde E. Conover
FERRON-Devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Clyde E. Conover, age 87, passed away peacefully in the home of his birth Jan. 30, 2007. He was born April 17, 1919 in Ferron, Utah to Abram Seel and Emma Ethel Jensen Conover.
He married Alice Young June 20, 1944 and the marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple.
Clyde was a cattleman, rancher, and public servant. He served as county commissioner, mayor, board member of the school district, water resource board, and Emery County Care and Rehabilitation Center.
Clyde was an active member of the LDS Church and loved the Lord. He served in numerous callings, but none sweeter than serving with his wife in the Manti Temple.
Clyde is survived by his wife and sons, Barry (Kathleen), Syracuse, and Gil (Melody), Ferron; daughter-in-law, Justine Goodfellow, Boulder City, Nev.; 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by a son, Guy, his parents, three brothers and a sister.
Funeral services were held Sat. Feb. 3, 2007 at noon in the Ferron LDS Stake Center, 555 South 400 West. The family was a Fausett’s Mortuary, Castle Dale, on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. and one hour prior to services. Interment was at the Ferron City Cemetery.
Lamont C. Palmer
CLEVELAND-Lamont C. Palmer, 65, died Feb. 3, 2007 at his home in Cleveland, Utah. Born May 30, 1941 in Teasdale, Utah, to Arthur and Cora Coleman Palmer. He married Drucilla “Judy” Majors, Jan. 29, 1965 in Wellington.
Lamont grew up on family farms in Wellington and Teasdale. He enjoyed working in his shop either fixing a tractor, restoring vehicles or creating wood masterpieces. He loved camping on the desert and riding 4-wheelers with his family and friends.
Lamont is survived by his wife of 42 years and children: Kory D. (Sarah) of Anacortes, Wash.; D’Mont of Cleveland; Tina (Shawn) Ward of Huntington; and three grandchildren, Rowdy, Dallyn and Jordan Ward; two sisters Garna Butler and Ileen Siaperas both from Wellington; and many family and friends.
Lamont is preceded in death by his parents and brother Willis.
Funeral services will be Wed., Feb. 7, 2007 at the Cleveland LDS Chapel at 11 a.m. and interment will immediately follow at the Cleveland City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Fausett Mortuary.
Elton Reed Palmer, Loa Fae Heaps Palmer
Elton Reed Palmer, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, left this mortal experience Jan. 30, 2007 under tragic circumstances.
Born Sept. 28, 1932 in Union, Utah to Elton Walter and Farrel Genevieve Carlsen Palmer. He was the eldest of two sons, his brother Gale Lavell (Marjorie) survives him.
He married his high school sweetheart, Loa Fae Heaps on Jan. 25, 1951 in West Jordan. They were sealed for time and eternity on Jan. 25, 1961 in the Salt Lake Temple.
His life was one of service and love. He served in the House of Representatives. He was very active in the LDS Church, serving in many capacities including the high council for about 18 years. He served in his community in many ways. He will probably best be remembered as the “Bike Man”.
Loa Fae Heaps Palmer loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, left this earthly realm Jan. 30, 2007 with her eternal companion. Fae was born Jan. 24, 1933 in Escalante, Utah to William Nelvin and Violet Lucille Lancaster Heaps. She was the second child of five.
Her siblings are Darrell Reed (Josie), William (Sharon), Alice Judy Christensen (Gerry).
The couple were blessed with four beautiful daughters: Shauna Lee (Lyndon) Gardner, Spring Creek, Nev.; Susan Fae (David) Rivers, West Jordan; Sheryl (Lynn) Bristol, West Jordan; Tamra Lynette Baldwin, Sandy. They were then blessed with 10 grandchildren plus six in-law-grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and two on the way, rounded out their posterity. They were preceded in death by their parents and Fae’s sister, Beth Ward.
Funeral services were Mon. Feb. 5, 12 noon at the Kearns East Stake Center, 4731 South 4300 West. A viewing was held Sunday from 5-8 p.m. at a different church, Academy Park Ward, 4605 West Westpoint Drive (4610 South) and on Monday at the Kearns East Stake Center from 10-11:30 a.m. Interment, Murray City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Utah First Credit Union.
Lori Gallegos
EAST CARBON- Eleria Montano Gallegos, age 73, passed away Jan. 31, 2007 in Price.
She was born May 2, 1933 in Durango, Colo. to Delphin and Rita Rodriquez Montano.
She was a resident of East Carbon since 1982. She enjoyed reading, sewing, crocheting and crafts. Lori dedicated her life to her family and she will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Survived by her children, Joey Lopez, Salt Lake City; Dean Montano, Farmington, N.M.; Angel Gallegos, Stacy (Blair) Burton, Jodi Nunez, all of East Carbon; grandson, William Nunez, East Carbon; and her companion of 43 years Joe Quintana; brothers, Del, Paul, George; sisters, Mary and Jackie; 21 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sons, Dave and Randy Lopez; and grandsons, Nino Gallegos and Jay Lopez.
Services were held Sat., Feb. 3 at Eleria’s home.