OBITS: The Spectrum 4 Jan 2005; St. George, Washington co., Utah text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen *********************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ut/utfiles.htm *********************************************************************** Source: St. George The Spectrum http://www.thespectrum.com Edmond Dae Coons ST. GEORGE -- Our beloved husband, dedicated father, grandfather and great grandfather, Edmond Dae Coons age 88 passed away in St. George, Utah on December 28, 2004. Dae was born on April 24, 1916, in Richfield, Utah, oldest child of John Edmond and Reba Howarth Coons. He was raised in Richfield, Utah and graduated from Richfield High School. He also attended the University of Utah. Dae proudly served his country in the army during WWII in New Britain and the Philippines. After returning home, and meeting the love of his life Olive Stewart, they were married on Oct. 11, 1947, in Fairview, Utah. Later, their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Together they raised four wonderful children. Dae had many professions -- meat cutter, real estate salesman, building contractor, and building inspector. Dae and Olive lived in Roy, Utah, for 28 years. Dae was an active member of the Roy Lions Club and served as District Governor. He served as a City Councilman in Roy and was politically minded and involved in many cases. He received numerous awards for recognition and service. As an active member of the LDS Church, he and his wife Olive, served as missionaries in the Australia Adelaide Mission and the New Hampshire Manchester Mission. He served faithfully in numerous ward and stake callings including four bishoprics and two stake missions. He left this earthly life with a rich legacy. He blessed us all with his wonderful personality, bright smile and delightful sense of humor. He was an honest soul and a vibrant heart. He was a strong example to his four children, 20 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. He and Olive moved to St. George in 1985. This is the place they loved and wanted to spend the remainder of their lives. Dae enjoyed playing "Hand & Foot" and was an avid golfer. They lived in the St. George LDS 6th Ward. Dae is survived by his wife Olive of 57 years and children; Daenette (Michael) More of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Edmond E. (Sylvia) Coons of Salt Lake City, Jodene (Jay) Meldrum of Jenks, Oklahoma, and Tracee (Felix) Gallegos of Salt Lake City; sister Ila Coons Lyon of Beaverton, Oregon, brother Daniel D. (Georgia) Coons of Salt Lake City. Dae was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty Coons Hansen and great granddaughter Ashlynn Meldrum. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 3, 2005, at 11 a.m., at the Snow Canyon LDS 6th Ward Chapel, 1610 Dixie Downs Rd. A visitation will be held Monday, January 3, from 9:30-10:30 a.m., prior to services at the chapel. Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary 435-673-4221. Condolences may be sent through Metcalf's Web site at www.metcalfmortuary.com. Merle McArthur Merle Wallace McArthur, age 87, died December 30, 2004 at her home, in St. George, Utah, surrounded by her loved ones. She fought a long and valiant battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born September 29, 1917, in St. George, Utah, to Charles Clifford and Sarah Ann Miles Wallace. She lived in LaVerkin, Utah, until the age of seventeen, and then moved to Hurricane, Utah, to live with her sister while finishing High School. She moved to St. George and attended Dixie College. Merle married Andrew O. McArthur on her birthday, September 29, 1938, in the St. George LDS Temple. They spent sixty-six wonderful years together. Merle was a master cake decorator for weddings and special occasions; including cakes for Rhonda Flemming, Susan Hayward, John Wayne and other movie stars. Merle was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many callings including Relief Society President, counselor and teacher, Sunday School Coordinator and others. She served alongside Andrew in the St. George Temple Presidency for six years. Merle loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren very much. They were the light of her life. She enjoyed playing the piano, singing in a trio and sharing her musical talents. She was kind, generous, loving, full of charity and without guile. Merle is survived by her husband, three children: Marilyn Smith (Paul), Murray, Utah; James A. (Denise), St. George; Daniel C. (Julie), St. George. She has 19 grandchildren and 33 great- grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Elizabeth Wallace (Bud) Kelly, Pasadena, California, and a brother, Keith Wallace, Salt Lake City, Utah. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Merle Sarah, sisters Roma Stout and Paralee Cox, and brothers Leon Wallace and Miles Wallace. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 3, 2004, at 11:00 am in the St. George LDS 8th Ward Chapel, 166 South Main Street, St. George, Utah. Viewings will be held Sunday, January 2, from 6-8:00 pm at Metcalf Mortuary and Monday, January 3, from 9:30-10:30 am, prior to services at the chapel. Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary (435-673-4221). Condolences may be sent through Metcalf's Web site at www.metcalfmortuary.com. Vaughn C. Soffe 1913 ~ 2004 Vaughn Carvel Soffe, 91, passed away Monday, December 27, 2004 at his home in Murray surrounded by his family. Born May 8, 1913 in South Jordan, Utah to William Royal and Lucy Ann Stocking Soffe. Married Mary Jenkins in Murray, Utah, later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. Graduated from Jordan High School and attended Utah State University, where he was involved in athletics. Vaughn was the former owner and president of Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary; a Funeral Director since 1938. He served as Mayor of Murray City for 7 years. He was past president of the Murray Kiwanis Club, the Murray Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Utah Funeral Directors Association. He was a member of the Cottonwood Hospital Board of Directors for many years. He was also Charter President of the Murray Jaycees, a past member of the Salt Lake County Volunteer Fire Dept., member of the Board of Directors of Sentinel Security Life Insurance Co., Chairman of the Salt Lake County Fair Parade for 5 years, and president of the Utah League of Cities and Towns. Vaughn was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in numerous callings including Bishopric, Bishop, Scouting programs, and was the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. With his wife, he served 3 missions for the Church. Survived by his wife Mary of 68 years; children Carol Ann (Tom) Bartlett, Jaren (LaRose) Soffe, Gregg Soffe; 17 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; sister Shirla Holt; brother Carlos (Gloria) Soffe. Preceded in death by son Jon Arvil, 2 sisters and 4 brothers. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 3, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at the Murray 3rd Ward, 160 E. 4600 S. Friends and family may call Sunday, January 2, 2004 from 5-8 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 So. State St., and Monday from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment Murray City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Humanitarian Center, 50 E. North Temple, 7th Floor, SLC, UT 84150.