Ellis Dale Leffler
HUNTINGTON-Ellis Dale Leffler, age 74, died Aug. 30, 2007 in Provo, Utah. He was born May 11, 1933 in Grace, Idaho to Ellis Paul Leffler and Sarah Irene Casper. He married Ruby Elaine Curzon on Nov. 19, 1952. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple.
Ellis was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a boilermaker by trade and eventually retired from that occupation. Some of his hobbies included: mechanics, hunting, fishing, camping, and he loved to bowl.
He is survived by his children: Howard Ellis Leffler of Pocatello, Idaho, Christine Elaine (Ervin) Cox of St. George, Utah, Johnny Dale (Sherry) Leffler of Huntington, Utah, Kathy Ann (Joe) McNeel of Elmo, Utah, Danny Ray (Leslie) Leffler of Huntington, Utah, Randy Lee Leffler of Wellington, Utah; 21 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; two brothers and two sisters.
He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, and one grandson.
Funeral services will be held Sept. 4, 2007 at 1 p.m. at the Huntington First Ward Chapel (115 Sout 400 East). Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. prior to the service at the chapel. Interment will be in the Huntington City Cemetery, under the direction of Fausett Mortuary.
Serfino Nick
PRICE-Serfino Nick, age 92, died Aug. 27, 2007 while surrounded by family at his home. He was born Nov. 19, 1914 in Hiawatha, Utah the fifth of 10 children to John and Marie Teresa Cortese Nick. Serf attended Notre Dame and graduated from Carbon High School in 1934.
Shortly after high school, he became acquainted with a pilot from Green River who flew into Carbon County long before there was an established airport. Serf trained and earned his private pilot’s license setting down the plane in any field or strip of land that appeared safe. Serf remembers charging 50 cents for a joy ride above Carbon County.
In December 1941, one week after Pearl Harbor, he volunteered for the service. He enlisted in the Air Force and served from 1941 through December 1945 as a tech sergeant. His position as a flight engineer allowed him to test the bombers shipped from the factory. He test hopped and inspected the B-17, B-24, B-26 and the PBYA naval plane.
As a flight engineer, his duties were to check all flight equipment, examine the planes inside and out, and inspect the mechanics of the bombers before releasing them to war.
After the Air Force, Serf lived in California and was engaged in private flying. He owned and operated Merced Flying Service as a flight instructor, FAA examiner and charter pilot. Serf flew many celebrities in his day and he possessed a wealth of knowledge about aviation history.
Serfino and his wife Delma lived in Merced from 1945 until he retired and moved back to Price in November of 1996. Serfino and Delma restored the Nick family home and returned to be close to family and friends in Carbon County.
He married Delma Cornelius, on Feb. 13, 1945 in Tallahassee, Fla; and she passed away on July 5, 2005.
Serf is survived by two sisters and two brothers, Kerry Fister, Price, Louis (Elaine) Nick, Price, Martin (Charlotte) Nick, San Jose, Calif., Paulmina New, Price; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Frank and Elvin Nick; sisters, Mary Juliano, Josephine Copfer, and Angelina Bonvicin.
Funeral mass was held Fri., Aug. 31, 2007, 10 a.m., Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church. Vigil service was Thursday evening 7 p.m. Mitchell Funeral Home. Family and friends were welcome at Mitchell’s Thursday and Friday one hour prior to services. Committal service, Cliffview Cemetery.
Norine “Dot” Verde
PRICE-Norine McDonald Verde, age 89, passed away peacefully Aug. 29, 2007, in Salt Lake City, while surrounded by her family.
She was born Jan. 15, 1918, in Ferron, Utah, to William John and Eva Jensen McDonald.
Married Daniel William “Willie” Verde in Price, Utah, on July 7, 1940.
During World War II, Dot attended cosmetology school in California while Willie served in the Navy. After graduation, she wanted to support the war effort, so she trained and proudly served her country as an electrician’s mate on Mare Island, Vallejo, Calif., through the end of the war. Upon returning to Utah, Dot and Willie became the proud parents of two children, Danny McDonald and Eve Mary Verde.
Dot had a life-long thirst for knowledge and a deep love for learning and education. She was self taught in areas as diverse as construction and library science, which she taught at the College of Eastern Utah. Her love of education has been passed on to her children, grandchildren and her fondest hope is that it will continue with her great-grandchildren. Her dry wit and keen sense of humor never left her, even in her final days.
Dealing with her health challenges during the past four years has been eased considerably by the love and support of her dear friends Marsha Hopkins and Marge Willingham.
The family expresses deep appreciation to Cheri Uzzel and the caring staff of Alta Ridge of Holladay, as well as to Millcreek Hospice, especially Angel Sullivan, and The Rev. Cheryl Moore.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Madge Larsen; and brother, Sharon “Mac” McDonald.
Dot is survived by her sister, Shannon (Philip) Gee; son, Danny (Ellene) Verde, Price; daughter, Eve Mary Verde, Salt Lake City; three granddaughters, Angela (Erik) Sandstrom, Kristina (Richard) Schade, Natalie (Rickie) Blanton; and her great-grandchildren-the light of her life, Tanner, Vanessa, Miranda, Ashley, Lindsay, Brittney, LeeAnne and Levi. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and much loved in-laws, Joanne McDonald, Lowell and Edith Pitts, and Elsie Verdi.
Dot will happily hum her way into heaven as she eagerly joins loved ones awaiting her.
Funeral service Tues., Sept. 4, 2007, 2 p.m., Mitchell Funeral Home, 233 East Main Street in Price. Family will receive friends at Mitchell’s Tuesday one hour prior to service. Interment, Price City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the Huntsman Cancer Institute or the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
John Escandon
PRICE-Our loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great- grandfather, great-great-great grandfather, and friend John Escandon, age 101, passed away peacefully Aug. 31, 2007 in Price.
He was born March 30, 1906 in Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Mexico to Leonardo Cabral and Petra Santana.
Married Carmen Fernandez on Feb. 13, 1926 in Montrose, Colo. She died Feb. 15, 1952. He then married Anna Marie Canderlaria on Sept. 28, 1955 in Provo, Utah.
John was an avid hunter and gun collector. He loved to work in his legendary garden. He was the oldest member in U. M. W. A. District # 22 and a retired member of U.S. Steel Columbia Local #1206. John was an active member of Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church. He was very interested in politics and loved to debate about them, he said he would live to see Hilary Clinton to be the first women president and he made this prediction eight years ago. He will be dearly missed by his family and a community of friends.
Survived by his children, Richardo (Elizabeth), Bonita, Calif.; Lydia (Manuel), Sunnyside; Bertha (Mike), Salt Lake City; John (Frances), Chula Vista, Calif.; Lena (Steve), West Jordan; Beatrice (Raul), National City, Calif.; Lavinia (Raul), San Diego, Calif.; Louise, Price; Carlos (Mary Ann), Buenos Aires, Argentina; son-in-law, Andrew Konakis, Price; step children, Ruby, Phil, Don, Ralph, and Olivia; 55 grandchildren; 103 great-grandchildren; 46 great-great-grandchildren; and five great-great-great- grandchildren.
Preceded in death by his parents; brothers; favorite Aunt Marina Escandon; daughters, Eva Gonzalez and Maurine Konakis.
Funeral Mass Thurs,, Sept, 6, 2007, 10 a.m., Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church. Vigil service Wednesday evening 7 p.m. at the church. Family will be at the church Wednesday and Thursday one hour prior to services. Committal service Price City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home.
Mert Martinez
HELPER- Our loving wife, sister, and friend, Merlene S. Martinez, age 78, passed away peacefully Aug. 30, 2007 in Price. Born Jan. 24, 1929 in Rolapp, Utah to Jack and Evelyn Prescott Southworth. Married Fred P. Martinez Jr. on June 19, 1948 in Helper.
She was a lifelong resident of Carbon County and graduate of Carbon High School Class of 1947. Merlene was a clerk at the Standard Store and Woolworth’s in Price for many years.
Merlene is survived by her husband Fred, Helper; sister, Colleen Knox, Pahrump, Nev; niece, Kalli Knox and many cousins, Jack Woodward and families; Martin Hamaker and families, Paul Twedell and families; Ralph Fossat and families; and a community of friends.
It is hard to understand why people are taken from us, but find comfort in knowing you were a special part of a well lived life.
You are in my thoughts every step of the way.
Sorrow is a fleeting emotion, but love is infinite.
In lieu of flowers family suggests contributions to your favorite charity.
Graveside service Tues., Sept. 4, 2007, 12 noon, Mt. View Cemetery, Helper. Family will be at Mitchell Funeral Home Tuesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m.