OBITS: The Spectrum 22 Dec 2004; St. George, Washington co., Utah

text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen
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Source: St. George The Spectrum http://www.thespectrum.com

Maurice William Jackson
Washington -- Maurice William Jackson, 76, passed away early in the morning at
home in Washington, Utah on December 19, 2004. He was born September 25, 1928
in Moroni, Utah to William Delbert and Elsie Maurine Hardy Jackson.
He spent his boyhood in Moroni and the Fountain Green area. He attended Moroni
and Fountain Green schools until 1944 when his father moved the family to the
Ranch at Thistle. He graduated from Spanish Fork High School and attended BYU
until he was called and served an honorable LDS Mission to the Southern States
from 1949 to 1951.
He joined the ORC (Officers Reserve Corp.), and served his country during the
Korean conflict serving at Fort Ord, CA and Fort Lewis, WA where he earned the
Good Conduct Medal and received an honorable discharge in 1954.
He married Leah Gene Grasham of Dallas, TX on November 21, 1952 in the Manti
Temple. To this union a daughter Debra was born in 1954. In 1964 they adopted
a daughter, Neita, and two sons, Richard and Lance. He lived in Thistle until
the 1983 flooding of his home where he helped to evacuate all residents
including his aging father and mother. He lived in Payson for 10 years until
he retired from US Steel after working at Geneva for 30 years.
In the fall of 1994 they moved to Washington, Utah where they were called and
served an honorable LDS service mission at the LDS Employment Center in St.
George, Utah.
He loved reading the scriptures, attending the Temple, making homemade
chocolates, prospecting and geology, being in the outdoors and growing things.
He was a generous and caring man and could often be found doing good deeds for
neighbors and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, a brother Loyd (Faye) Jackson,
Thistle, UT, daughters; Debra Hengst, Washington, UT, Neita (Bill) Sorensen,
Mount Pleasant, UT, sons; Richard (Betty) Jackson and Lance Jackson,
grandchildren; Russell Hengst, Katie, Michael, Paul, and Alison Sorensen,
Brian, Cory, Austin, Nigel and Aubrey Jackson, and one great-grandson, Porter
Sorensen. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Boyd.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 23, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at the
Washington 11th Ward LDS Chapel, 650 E. Telegraph Rd., Washington, Utah.
Visitations will be held on Wednesday, December 22, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m at
Metcalf Mortuary, 300 W. St. George Blvd., and on Thursday, from 10:00 to
10:40 a.m. prior to services at the chapel. Interment will be at the
Washington City Cemetery under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary,
435-673-4221. Condolences may be sent through Metcalf's Web site at
www.metcalfmortuary.com. 

Melvin T. Kyees
Melvin T. Kyees, affectionately known as "Duke", returned to his Heavenly
Father on Friday, December 17, 2004, following surgery to re-align the hip he
had broken in a fall early that morning. Duke had been a resident at Atria
Assisted Living center, where he received excellent care since being seriously
injured in an accident in October of 2003. He told daughter Dawn that he had
been "talking to the Man upstairs" (the Lord God) praying that He would let
him return home (to heaven) to be reunited with his wife Helen on their 60th
wedding anniversary, December 18th, for he missed her so. His prayers were
answered. Family members are sure Duke and Helen are having a joyful reunion,
along with other relatives who have passed on.
He was the fifth child born to Richard Kyees and Margaret Groft Kyees on
August 3, 1918 in New Albany, Indiana, and was given the nickname: "little
Dude". When growing up, he learned the value of working hard while still very
young, as his father was tragically killed when "Dude" was only 9 years old,
and his mother died just 3 years later. So, orphaned at the young age of 12,
he began doing chores for neighboring farmers to earn his keep.
It was not unusual in those days for young people to only go to school through
the 8th grade --which "Dude" did, in a one-room school house not far from
home. After earning his keep by doing farm work for a few more years, he
decided it was time to strike out on his own. Having very little money, he
hopped a freight train and went out west to California. He joined the Sea-Bees
and his nickname "Dude" changed to "Duke". When it was discovered that he was
only 16 instead of the required age of 18, he was discharged. -- But because
of his willingness to work hard, and do difficult and unpleasant jobs others
often avoided, he had no problem in being employed in the construction
business steadily. His exceptional work-ethic drew the attention of a
particular Plumbing Contractor, who hired Duke at a good wage, and quickly
advanced him to the position of job foreman. Duke lived frugally and saved his
money, with the goal in mind to have his own plumbing business one day. This
worthwhile goal was achieved when he was just 33 years of age, which was quite
an accomplishment for a boy orphaned at age 12 with only an 8th grade formal
education. Duke rapidly earned the reputation of being honest, fair, and
dependable with the general contractors, companies, and all with whom he did
business. Although frugal personally, he was never stingy. Over his lifetime
Duke helped many with financial assistance, and often donated time and labor
on various home-improvement projects family and friends were working on; as
well as donating numerous hours of labor on the construction of 2 new
churches.
In 1943, Duke met Helen Robinson Muir, a divorcee who had two young daughters.
Duke and Helen fell deeply in love, and married on December 18, 1944, and
built their home in Downey, CA.
He legally adopted Helen's daughters in 1948. In 1954, they adopted a newborn
son they named Richard Melvin, and called him "Dickie" as a child. He brought
great happiness to their now "empty nest", since both daughters were married
by then. One of the activities father and son enjoyed greatly was when Duke
was the "Chief" (leader) of the YMCA's "Indian Guides" when Dickie was 8.
Following their son's untimely death in 1981 they moved to St. George, Utah,
where daughter Dawn lived with her husband and five children. Duke then began
going to Church with Helen and with Dawn's family. After listening to the
Missionary lessons, studying the scriptures and praying, Duke was baptized a
member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, early Christmas
morning in 1988. He and Helen pledged their eternal marriage vows in the Manti
Temple on March 24, 1990, and Helen exclaimed: "This is the happiest day of my
life! Now I know we'll be together forever!" -- When Helen had to endure poor
health, Duke unfalteringly attended to her every need. They were truly devoted
to each other.
Duke was preceded in death by his wife, Helen and son, Richard Melvin, Duke's
parents, his sisters: Nellie (in infancy) and Hazel (Anderson), his brothers:
Dickie and Orville, a grandson: Bruce Wilson (in infancy), and a
granddaughter: Dawn Louise Roberts.
Duke is survived by his daughters: Dawn (Mrs. Bill) Roberts, and Maureen (Mrs.
Brooks) Wilson, and nine grandchildren: Ian Kyees, Brooks Wilson Jr. and his
twin sister Jennifer (Mrs. Michael) Synhorst, Colleen (Mrs. Michael) Carrell,
and Merry DeAnn (Mrs. Gary) Green, Bill Roberts Jr., Chris Roberts, John
Roberts, and Mark Roberts, as well as 25 great-grandchildren and many beloved
nieces and nephews.
This Thursday, December 23, 2004, there will be a viewing from 6:00 to 7:00
p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary in St. George, followed by a Family Prayer Service
in the Spilsbury Mortuary Chapel. Then, as Duke had requested, Spilsbury
Mortuary will transport his mortal remains to Rose Hills Memorial Park in
Whittier, California, where there will be a Graveside Service Monday, December
27 at 2:00 p.m., followed by interment in the family plot. His wife Helen and
son Richard, Helen's parents, Duke's brothers and their wives, and several
other relatives lie at rest in Rose Hills.
Friends and family are invited to offer their condolences at
www.spilsburymortuary.com. 

Margaret Little Orton
PAROWAN -- Margaret Little Orton passed away December 20, 2004 surrounded by
her family. She was born March 17, 1913 in Penrose, WY the youngest child of
Charles Leo Little and Almera Woodard Johnson. She married Almon Hills Orton
on March 24, 1947 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was an active member of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Baton Rouge,
Louisiana mission and also with her husband in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
mission. She has served in many church auxiliaries and as a temple worker. She
was a member of the Parowan Literary Club.
Margaret is survived by her children Royden (Debbie) Orton of West Valley and
Shauna (Graeme) Russell of Alberta, Canada and stepchildren Virginia (Donald)
Southam and Almon (Sylvia) Orton of Salt Lake City and Max Jensen of Boise,
Idaho, 24 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great
grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband A. Hills Orton, a daughter Jolynn
Orton, a stepdaughter Hilma Jensen, a great grandson Nathan Orton, and all her
brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 23, 2004 in the Parowan
1st/2nd Ward Chapel at 11:00 am.
A viewing will be one hour prior to funeral services. Burial will be in
Parowan City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary.
Condolences may be sent through our Web site at www.southernutahmortuary.com. 

Dale LaVarr Peck
Washington -- Dale LaVarr Peck, 76, died Sunday, December 19, 2004, in the Red
Cliffs Care Center. He was born April 2, 1928, in Salt Lake City, Utah to
Raymond Wixom Peck and Rachel Florence Capson. He married Joyce Thomas on May
25, 1955. They were married for 36 years when she died on September 26, 1991.
Reared and educated in Salt Lake City, he graduated from the University of
Utah in 1955 after completing a mission to the Eastern States Mission and
having served in the Army. Dale spent the first few years of marriage in Salt
Lake City and then moved to Huntington Beach, California where he worked in
the Aerospace industry and raised his family. When he retired he and mom moved
to Bloomington Hills and enjoyed their life in Utah until Joyce's death. Dad
served in many callings in the church including the Bishopric, High Council,
and Young Men's. He loved to read church books and the scriptures. Dad will
always be remembered for his happy countenance and his wonderful jokes.
He is survived by his six children; Kathy (Gene) Hale, Riverton, Utah; Joel
(Debra) Peck; Orange, California; Terri (Paul) Tobler, Washington, Utah; Robyn
(Mike) Panella; Brad (LaRee) Peck, both of Gunlock, Utah; Mike (Trina) Peck,
St. George, Utah; 25 grandchildren, three great grandchildren, with two on the
way.
Funeral services were held for his family at Wasatch Lawn in Salt Lake City on
Wednesday, December 22, 2004, at 12 p.m. Arrangements under the direction of
Metcalf Mortuary 435-673-4221. 

Kolleen O. Wayne
Panguitch / Escalante -- Kolleen Owens Griffin Wayne was born February 8, 1928
in Panguitch and passed away December 16, 2004 in Panguitch. She married
Wilford Baxter Griffin on March 22, 1946. The marriage was solemnized in the
Manti LDS Temple on March 26, 1956. He passed away January 10, 1970. She
married Charles William Wayne in November of 1970, he has since preceded her
in death.
Kolleen is the daughter of David Henry and Rhoana Dee Henrie Owens and is the
sister to David Kern Owens, Lalla Owens, Mary Owens Partridge, Grendene Owens,
Rae Owens Lemmon, Datus Henrie Owens, Theil Q. Owens and Gloyd Q. Owens,
Kolleen was the youngest and last living member of her immediate family.
She is the mother of David Lorin Griffin, Wilford Kent Griffin, DeAnn Griffin
(who is deceased), Peggy Lynn Griffin Meisenbach, Glen Jay Griffin and Russell
Dee Griffin. She is also blessed with 17 grandchildren and 10
great-grandchildren.
Kolleen graduated from Panguitch High School in 1946. She later worked for the
Escalante Post office for more than 10 years.
After her first marriage, she resided in Escalante until the late 1970's when
she moved to St. George and remained until her death.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kolleen served
as a temple worker in the St. George Temple, she also served in her ward and
stake Primary and in the Relief Society organizations.
Services will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. in the
Escalante Cemetery. Friends and family may call at the Escalante LDS Stake
Center that Tuesday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Funeral Directors, Neal
S. Magleby & Sons Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Gunnison, Utah.