OBITS: Daily Herald 27 Feb 2005; Provo, Utah co., Utah

text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen
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Source: Daily Herald http://www.daily-herald.com

Gray, Lela
LEHI - Lela Irene Hansen Gray, age 86, of Lehi, died February 25, 2005, at her
home, of natural causes. She was born January 4, 1919, in American Fork, Utah,
to Isaac Walter and Hattie Luella Wagstaff Hansen. She married Oris Roberts
Gray, June 14, 1937, in Salt Lake City. Their marriage was later solemnized in
the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Oris died August 2, 1998. Lela was a member of the
LDS Church, having served in the Relief Society and the Primary. She was a
visiting teaching supervisor for many years. She loved homemaking and canning
and was an excellent pie maker. She enjoyed her trips to Kohler's. She also
loved flowers and camping; and, most of all, she loved her children and
grandchildren. Survived by one son and two daughters: Oris Ramon (Sally) Gray,
Lindon; Glenna Lue Miller, Lehi; Colleen (Robert J.) Harris, Salt Lake City;
eight grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her
brother, Eldon Hansen; and sisters, Florence Holman and Erma Miller; and a
son-in-law, Delmar Miller. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 1,
2005, at 11 a.m., in the Wing Mortuary Chapel, 118 E. Main, Lehi, where family
and friends may call Monday evening from 6-8 p.m.; and, also Tuesday, one hour
prior to services. Interment will be in the American Fork City Cemetery.
Published in the Daily Herald on 2/27/2005.

Halladay, Merle Blanche
Merle Blanche Von Hagen Halladay, 92, of Provo, passed away at her home,
Thursday, February 24th, of causes incident to age. She was born in Carson,
North Dakota, on June 22nd, 1912, to Arnold Albert Von Hagen and Blanche
Hammond. She married Dean L. Halladay on April 11th, 1942, in Lewiston, Idaho;
their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. She and her
husband moved to Provo, where they raised their three children: June (Morgan)
Edwards, of Covina, Calif.; David D. (Terry) Halladay, of American Fork; and
Christie H. (Greg) Jarrard, of South Jordan, Utah. Dean passed away October
22nd, 1981. Merle was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, serving over the years as stake Young Women's president,
ward Relief Society president, and as a temple worker at the Provo Temple,
where she served with her husband for many years. As a young adult, she
completed business courses and later went to work at BYU, where she retired as
supervisor of the university's records and admissions office. She was tireless
in her service to others; at the age of 92, she was serving as Relief Society
visiting teaching supervisor and was still making calls the day before her
death. Since being introduced to the Gospel by her husband, she did "press
forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope"
and enduring to the end. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean;an
infant son, Jimmy Lee; and grandson, Terry Edwards. Besides her three living
children, she is survived by 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. The
family would like to express their appreciation to Alpine Hospice Care and to
her ward home teachers and other members of her LDS ward for the kind care
rendered to her. Funeral services are planned for Tuesday, March 1st, 2005, at
11:30 a.m., at the Rivergrove 1st Ward Chapel at 7th West and 8th North in
Provo. A public viewing is scheduled at the church beginning at 10 a.m., prior
to the services. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Berg Mortuary in
Provo. Burial will be in the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to
www.BergMortuary.com
Published in the Daily Herald from 2/27/2005 - 2/28/2005.

Hardy, Terral Erwin
Terral Erwin Hardy ended life as he began it. He was born January 24, 1949, in
Payson. He passed away this same day in 2005 in Payson, Utah. Terral married
Gayle Harvey on March 8, 1975. They divorced in 2000. Terral retired after 24
years as a coal miner in Emery County, Utah. He was active in the United Mine
Workers of American Union and served in various positions in that
organization. He was very talented with his hands and enjoyed building things,
including furniture and leather crafts. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping,
hunting and fishing. Terral will be missed by his family. They include his
parents, Junior and LaJean Hardy of Spanish Fork, UT, and his siblings, Steven
(Gloria) Hardy of Palmyra, UT, Glenna Hardy of Orem, Larry (ReNee) Hardy of
Mona, and David Hardy of Spanish Fork. Terral is also survived by his
children, Angie (Paul) Hendricksen, Gaithersburg, MD and their children,
Daniel, Amelia, Steven and Meghan, Brian (Kimberlie) Hardy and their son,
Zachary, of Menifee, CA, Russell (Andrea) Hardy and their son Trevor of San
Diego, CA, Kimberly Hardy and her son Kaulin of Taylorsville, UT, Michael and
Jeffrey Hardy of Virgin, UT. His family and friends paid their last respects
to Terral E. Hardy on Friday, January 28, 2005.
Published in the Daily Herald on 2/27/2005.

Jensen, Mary Edna Dawson
Mary Edna Dawson Jensen, 88, of Pleasant Grove, Utah, passed away on Thursday,
February 24, 2005. She was born June 14, 1916, in Hanrahans, North Carolina,
to John and Lillian Mumford Dawson. She married Vern S. Jensen on March 23,
1945, in San Francisco, California. Vern passed away in 1994. Mary grew up in
Ayden, North Carolina, and attended schools there, graduating from Griffith
High School. She was fond of her youth growing up on the family cotton farm
with her six sisters and two brothers. Mary had a desire to see the world and
moved to New York and worked at Grummen Aircraft. She joined the Marine Corps
during WWII; and, met and fell in love with Vern while stationed in San
Francisco. Mary and Vern moved to Pleasant Grove after the war and made their
home there. Mary enjoyed sewing, cooking, and working in the garden with Vern.
Her life was devoted to service for anyone who was in need. Mary's greatest
joy was spending time with her family, whom she loved dearly. She is survived
by her daughter, Burdette (Bryant) Powell, Lehi, UT; eight grandchildren:
Ryan, Adam, Alecia, Tameron, Britton, Lisa, Aaron, and Alec; and 13
great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include five sisters: Mildred
Loromer, Ayden, NC; Doris Coston, Kinston, NC; Ruth Koldjeski, Morehead City,
NC; Ida Cudney, Arlington, TX; and Joyce Erickson, Merritt Island, FL. She was
preceded in death her parents; her son, Peter John Jensen; and siblings: James
Dawson, Frank Dawson and Catherine McClohorn. Funeral services will be held
Tuesday, March 1, 2005, at 11 a.m., in the Olpin Family Mortuary Chapel, 494
South 300 East, Pleasant Grove. Friends may call Monday evening from 6-8 p.m.
at the mortuary; and, on Tuesday, one hour prior to services. Interment will
be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Military Rites will be conducted by
District IV of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family would like to extend a
special thanks to the caregivers at Greenwood Assisted Living and Alpine
Valley Care Center for their kindness to Mother over the past several years.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinfamilymortuary.com
Published in the Daily Herald on 2/27/2005.

Mayer, Erna Robbins
Erna Robbins Mayer, 85, of Payson, passed away February 23, 2005. She was born
December 4, 1919, in Knightsville, Utah, to Antrim Zeezrom and Zelpha Celesta
Openshaw Robbins. Erna was raised in Knightsville and Payson. She graduated
from Payson High School and later studied vocal and piano in Salt Lake City
and Los Angeles. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. She served as a chorister, teacher, and presidency member within the
Primary, MIA, and Relief Society. She was a member of the LaNesta Chorus for
over 45 years, the Payson Civic Chorale for 23 years, and the Jr. Cultus Club.
She was a member of the DUP and taught lessons. Erna married Ronald S. Mayer,
June 2, 1941, in Ely, Nevada. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake
LDS Temple, June 2, 1943. He preceded her in death May 10, 1996. She was also
preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Zora Robbins Schaerrer. She is
survived by her five children: Richard S. (Jan), Denver, Colorado; Carolyn
Wikan (Ed), Hurricane; Dennis R., Payson; Dianne Quigley (Duaine), Pocatello,
Idaho; Michael E. (Jolyn), Riverton; a brother, Lester O. (Elaine) Robbins,
Payson; 33 grandchildren and 52 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be
held Thursday, March 3rd at 11 a.m. in the Payson Third Ward Chapel, 191 North
Main Street. At Erna's request, there will be no public viewing. Family will
greet friends at the church from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment,
Payson City Cemetery.
Published in the Daily Herald on 2/27/2005.

Oliver, Claude
Claude Oliver, age 84, of Provo, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2005
at the Beehive Home in Orem. He was born February 13, 1921 in Thompson, Utah
the 7th of 11 children born to Paul and Mabel Burdick Oliver. He married Alice
Marie Madsen on December 17, 1956 in Las Vegas, NV. Their marriage was later
solemnized in the Provo LDS Temple. Marie passed away November 12, 2002.
Claude served his country in the US Army during World War II. He worked with
his father and brothers and operated a watermelon farm in Green River, Utah.
He later worked for Broderick and Howell Construction Company and helped to
build many of the LDS Churches in Utah County. Claude was a member of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served faithfully in many
callings throughout his life. He enjoyed singing and was a member of the
Skyline Barber Shop Chorus for many years. Survivors include his children:
Tracy (Rick) Hearder of Gypsum, CO and Brett Claude Oliver of Provo and 2
grandchildren: Richard Paul Hearder and Nichole Oliver. He is also survived by
his brother and sisters: LaVar (Carma) Oliver of Mapleton, Betty Smith of
Ogden, Elaine Hammett of Provo and Carol (Bruce) Bown of Orem and two
sisters-in-law Mabel Oliver and Roberta Davis. He was preceded in death by his
wife Marie, his parents, three brothers and three sisters: Katherine Marshall,
Chester Oliver, Rubye Taylor, Paul Oliver, Frank Oliver and Thelma Oliver.
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 28, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. in the
Edgemont North Stake Center, 2950 North 350 East in Provo. Friends may call
Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State
Street, Orem, and also on Monday at the chapel one hour prior to the services.
Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery with military rites provided by
VFW District #4. Condolences may be sent to the family at
www.sundbergolpinmortuary.com
Published in the Daily Herald from 2/26/2005 - 2/27/2005.

Parish, Rebecca Mae
Rebecca Mae Parish, age 30, of Orem, Utah, passed away on February 24, 2005,
from complications following the birth of her third child. Becca Mae was born
November 8, 1974, in Provo, Utah, to Walter Wesley Parish and Anna Marie
Parish. She was the fifth of nine children and was raised in Provo and Orem.
Becca graduated from Orem High School and earned her Bachelor of Arts in
English from Brigham Young University. Becca was married to Matthew J. Linton
in the Salt Lake Temple on December 18, 1994, and later divorced. Rebecca came
to us as a child of light and reverently immersed herself in the glories of
God's creations. Rebecca was a friend to any of God's children and treasured
those relationships. There is a light that emanates from the presence of God,
which fills the universe, and all of God's creations are bathed in that light.
We are all saddened by the shortness of her time with us, but rejoice that she
has returned to that light from whence she came. Becca is survived by her
children: Benjamin Kirby Linton, Anna Rebecca Linton, and Emily Swan Parish;
her father, W. Wesley Parish, Orem; her mother, Anna M. Parish, Orem; six
brothers and two sisters: Paul Jeffery (Amber) Parish, David Benjamin
(Leadelle) Parish, Michael James (Shan'l) Parish, Thomas Bradley (Jenni)
Parish, John Robert (Heidi) Parish, Joseph Daniel (Saerome) Parish, Deborah
Ann (David) Passey, and Kathryn Diane (John) Hill. Funeral services will be
held at 11 a.m. in the Cascade Stake Center, Tuesday, March l, 2005, 481 East
Center Street, Orem. Family and friends may call at the Walker Sanderson
Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem, from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, February 28,
2005, as well as, Tuesday morning, one hour prior to the services at the
church. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery.
Published in the Daily Herald on 2/27/2005.

Reed, James Waldon
James Waldon Reed 1919~2005 NEPHI / Our loving father and grandfather, James
Waldon Reed, age 85, passed away February 24, 2005, in Nephi, Utah, of causes
incident to age. He was born September 6, 1919, in Nephi, Utah, to James
Mooney and Cleonice Elizabeth Lunt Reed. He married the love of his life,
Thelma Linton, on October 8, 1943, in the Manti Temple. She passed away May 7,
1990. Waldon ranched and farmed all of his life; and, as a youth, traveled
with his uncles herding cattle to Nine Mile Canyon. He accompanied his
grandfather, John Henry Lunt, as they bought and sold cattle throughout the
state and sent them to the San Francisco stockyards. Waldon loved a good
saddle horse, enjoyed raising good quality cattle, and good crops. Baseball
was also a love of his and he played on many city leagues. He loved to fish
and hunt. Waldon was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. He is survived by his children: Gary Reed, and Merrill (Jan) Reed,
both of Nephi; 12 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was preceded
in death by his son, Jim Reed. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m.,
Monday, February 28, 2005, in the Nephi Stake Center, 351 N. 100 West. Friends
may call Sunday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, 94 W. 300
North; and, at the church, one hour prior to the services. Interment will be
in the Nephi Vine Bluff Cemetery.
Published in the Daily Herald on 2/27/2005.

Shields, Wesley Eugene
Wesley Eugene Shields, 78, of Woodland Hills, UT, peacefully passed away on
February 25, 2005. He was born September 1, 1926, to Hoyt K. And Cleone
Bullock Shields, in Pleasant Grove, Utah. He graduated from Pleasant Grove
High in 1944 and joined the Army Air Corps, serving in Japan. After an
honorable discharge, he joined the Utah Army National Guard and became the
commander of C Company, 1457 Engineer Battalion. He retired with the rank of
Major. He was very proud to have served his Country, and loved Old Glory. He
married Marilyn Simper in 1949; they were later divorced. In 1981, he married
the love of his life, Barbara Betzing Wudel, in Midway, Utah. Their marriage
was later solemnized in the Provo LDS Temple. After retiring from 30 years at
Geneva Steel, he sold industrial supplies for several years. At the time of
his death, he was Water Master for the City of Woodland Hills. He was a
faithful member of the LDS Church, and served in the Provo Temple for 10
years. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; and children, Lora Lee Goss and
Jolene Shields; stepchildren, Christopher Wudel and Jaclyn Wudel;
grandchildren: Angela (David) Snyder, Andrea Shields, Ryan (Marylyn)
Sundquist, Katie Goss, Jeffrey Sundquist, Caitlin Wudel; three
great-grandchildren; a brother, Blaine (Yvonne) Shields. Preceded in death by
his parents; brother, Keith; and sister, Eloise Adamson. Funeral services will
be held Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at 11 a.m., in the Salem 5th Ward Chapel,
470 East Salem Canal Road. Family and friends may call Tuesday, March 1st,
from 6-8 p.m. in the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem;
and, one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment will be in the
Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bluffdale, Utah.
Published in the Daily Herald from 2/27/2005 - 2/28/2005.

Valerio, Patsy Marie Mitchell
Patsy Marie Mitchell Valerio left us on February 24, 2005. She had been a
resident of Moab, Utah, for the past 20 years. She was born on August 5, 1941,
in Provo, Utah, to Arzie Reed Mitchell and Wanda Catherine Zobell, being the
oldest of six children. She grew up in Orem, Utah, where she graduated from
Orem High School in 1959. Some of her fondest memories, however, were of the
times she spent with her family, living on the farm in Vale, Oregon. When
Patsy was 11 years old, she contracted all three strains of Polio and spent
the next several years in hospitals. She endured many operations and spent a
length of time in an iron lung. Patsy's many talents, which she developed
throughout her life, included oil painting, water colors, crochet, tatting,
cross stitch, Indian bead work, sewing, decorating, making quilts, ceramics,
doll making, and many others. She has won various awards and recognitions for
her artistic projects. On August 15, 1966, she married Joe P. Valerio in
Provo, Utah (later divorced). Her greatest joy and accomplishment in life came
from her two sons, David and Jared, who were the driving force in her life and
gave her such great strength and endurance to never give up. She was first and
foremost a mother. Patsy left indelible footprints upon the hearts of all who
knew her. The force of her example and the dignity of her character overcame
most every challenge. Despite a life filled with many hardships and struggles,
strong determination and great courage enabled her to lead a full and
exceptional life. Never once did she ask "Why me?" She knew in her heart that
she had a special mission to complete from her Heavenly Father. She has now
completed that mission and is dancing through the meadows of Heaven. Patsy is
survived by her sons, David and Jared; brothers, Evan Mitchell and Alma
Mitchell; sisters, Lynda Jessop and Laurie Volkman; grandsons: Marshall,
Zachary, and Dylan; and longtime friend and companion, Tim Ward; also, many
loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and
brother, Kenneth. She leaves, then, her best wishes for us all and continues
on in how we, her children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, friends, and
acquaintances, practice the best of her life's example. Patsy requested that
this not be a funeral, but a "Going Away Party." It is to be a celebration and
remembrance of the kind and loving touch she left upon all of our hearts and
souls. Services were held on Monday, February 28, in Moab, Utah.
Published in the Daily Herald on 2/27/2005.

Whitaker, George
George Winder Whitaker passed away peacefully on February 23, 2005, at the
Orchard Park Care Center in Orem, Utah. He was born February 6, 1918, in
Provo, Utah, the son of Charles Warren and Susa Paxton Whitaker. He grew up in
Provo, graduating from the Brigham Young Academy and then BYU in 1938. While
working in the library at BYU, he met Lois Emma Smith, whom he married on
October 13, 1939, in the Salt Lake Temple. They made their first home in Cedar
City, where George taught school for two years. He then took a job at ZCMI in
Salt Lake City, until he was drafted into the service in 1944. He served as a
radar technician in the United States Navy for two years in the Pacific
theater. After the war George was employed as a salesman and buyer for ZCMI,
and later for Grand Central Stores and Safeway Super S stores. During the
following 18 years as a manager for Skaggs Drug Centers, he and his large
family moved from Salt Lake City to Pueblo, Colorado, and then to Amarillo,
Texas, where they spent five years. He was transferred to Wichita Falls,
Texas, then to Jonesboro, Arkansas, and finally to Memphis, Tennessee. After
retirement, he and Lois moved to Livermore, California. George returned to
Provo following the death of his wife in 1987. A member of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in many callings, including stake high
councilor, music chairman and choir director, and temple worker. George gave
joy to many with his beautiful bass-baritone voice. At BYU he sang with the
Men's Chorus, in a male quartet, and performed in a number of operettas and
other productions. He was awarded a gold medal for vocal performance in 1938.
In the 1950s and 60s he performed in the Utah Opera company, and the
University of Utah Summer Festival operas, as a Messiah soloist, and on many
Sunday evening "Church of the Air" broadcasts. Wherever he lived, he often
sang at church meetings and funerals. He was preceded in death by his wife
Lois, daughter Laurel Elaine Cleamons, his parents, two brothers and one
sister. He is survived by seven children; Anne (Duane) Bishop, Orem; Georgia
(Richard) Rohde, Liberty; Dr. Charles (Marie) Whitaker, Henryville, PA;
Christine (Richard) Arnold, Springville; Dr. Neil S. Whitaker, Provo; Margaret
(Fon) Jensen, Owasso, OK; Grace Whitaker, South Jordan; 31 grandchildren, 28
great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to
thank the staff at Orchard Park Care Center for their kind and loving care.
Funeral services under the direction of Walker Sanderson Funeral Home of Orem
will be held on Monday, February 28, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. in the Edgemont 19th
Ward, 300 West 4800 North, Provo. Family and friends may call at the church on
Monday, starting at 9:30 a.m. Interment will be at the Provo City Cemetery.
Published in the Daily Herald on 2/27/2005.