OBITS: The Spectrum 31 Mar 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 Gena Higbee Hirschi Gena Hirschi was born October 12, 1923, in Toquerville, Utah and passed away on March 25, 2005, in Tucson, Arizona. She was born Gena Higbee, and was married in 1942 to Melville Hirschi of Rockville, Utah. They had three sons, Yance, Courtland, and Brett. Her husband joined the military and Gena was transformed from a small town girl into a world traveler, and she loved it! She experienced the cultures of Europe, South America, Australia and every corner of the United States. Our mother was a lady of great compassion, courage, beauty and generosity. She stood up firmly against bigotry while the family was stationed in the South at Maxwell AFB near Montgomery, Alabama, in 1964. She personally confronted it when a posse of "ladies" came to visit one day. They told her quite rudely that she was being far too generous to her black housekeeper by "tipping" her with extra cash, clothing, and even food for the housekeeper's children. Our mother simply stood up, walked over and opened the front door, and pointedly said, "You are all invited to leave." She, of course, continued to do what simple decency demanded. Later, while at Hanscom Field in Massachusetts, she was elected as President of the Officers Wives Club. She became affectionately known as "Boss Lady" and for "rounding up the women" on base and assigning them to various committees. She accomplished the most enjoyable and effective fundraisers they ever had, all for the children and wives of military men who had died while serving their country. For decades, up until a few months before her death, she donated money and time to various organizations for children and veterans, sewing dresses and shirts for them. Many more examples could be cited, but not once did she become prideful or seek accolades for her work. She did things because it was the right thing to do. Gena Higbee Hirschi was our brave, beautiful, and loving mother. We will all miss her deeply. She is survived by her: sons, Yance (Marcia) and Brett; two grandchildren, Aaron and Niles; and two sisters, Wilma Kemp and Maree Gardner. She is preceded in death by her husband, Melville; son, Cortland; sisters, Eleen Harris and Nola Palfreyman; and brother, Lamond Higbee. Funeral service and visitation dates and times to be announced on Friday, April 1, 2005. Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, UT, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to offer their condolences at www.spilsburymortuary.com. Click on the dove. Obituaries are also available at our Web site. Click on the rose. Originally published March 31, 2005 Elizabeth LaPriel Bradshaw Edwards MANDERFIELD - Elizabeth LaPriel Bradshaw Edwards, 95, passed away March 28, 2005 at the Beaver Valley Long Term Care Center. She was born July 1, 1909 in Beaver, Utah to George & Rose Ellen Muir Bradshaw. She married Jess Thello Edwards June 25, 1931 in the St George LDS Temple and he preceded her in death on October 20, 1985. LaPriel and Jess had a wonderful marriage that lasted 54 years, and from that marriage they have three beautiful daughters. She was an active member of the LDS church where she served as a Sunday School & Primary teacher, Relief Society Visiting Teacher for 50 years. She also served in the Beaver Stake Mission. LaPriel always worked side by side with Jess until his death. She is survived by her three daughters, Beth LaRae (LaVar) Cox of Manderfield, Glenda Houghland of Henderson, NV., and Arleen (Rodney) Nelson of Redlands, CA. She has 10 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. Two brothers, John J. (Julia) Bradshaw of Beaver & Harold Ward (Marilyn) Bradshaw of Adamsville and two sisters, Alice Leone Rollins of Nephi and Elrietta (William) Miller of Lehi. She was preceded in death by her husband, Brothers, George Roy, Melvin & Alvin Bradshaw and sister, Norma Rose Edwards. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2005 at 2:00PM at the Beaver LDS 5th Ward Chapel. Family & friends may pay their respects on Saturday from 12:00PM to 1:30PM at the Church. Interment will be in the Mountain View Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be sent to www.sumfamily.com. Originally published March 31, 2005 Orpha J. Larsen Orpha Johnson Larsen, age 93, died Monday, March 28, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was born March 13, 1912 in Brigham City, Utah to Lucius O and Florance Rebecca Wilde Johnson. On October 26, 1933 she married Kedrick "Ted" Ezra Larsen in Brigham City, Utah. In 1950 they were sealed in the St. George LDS Temple. He preceded her in death on November 1, 1999. Orpha and Ted grew up in Brigham City and later relocated to San Fernando Valley, California where they raised their children. In 1978, they retired to St. George, Utah living there until moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1995. As a young girl, she loved to dance and sing and was very active in school programs. She went on to become a preschool teacher and retired from the Los Angeles City School District. Orpha also enjoyed reading, genealogy and spending time with her family. She was active in the LDS Church, serving in many capacities throughout her life. Survivors include her daughter, Colleen Waldron; her son, John both of Las Vegas, NV; 17 grandchildren; 50 great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 2, 2005 at 11 a.m. at the Brigham City LDS Chapel, 105 W. Fishburn Dr., Brigham City, Utah. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the chapel. Interment will follow in the Brigham City Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Moapa Valley Mortuary, 702 281-0484. Originally published March 31, 2005 Jerry Mayer MILFORD - Jerry Mayer, 67, passed away on March 28, 2005 at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center after living courageously with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia for two and a half years. Jerry was born on April 16, 1937 in Harvey, North Dakota to George & Lillian Jesse Mayer. He married Janice Terry on September 17, 1966 and is the father of Joel Scott (Rebecca) Mayer, Sierra Vista, AZ., Jill (Jeff) Stauffer, Monmouth, OR., & Jerilyn Harris, Plano, TX. He is known as Partner, Grandpa & Papa by his six grandchildren, Devon Mayer, Rachelle, Tina & Natalie Stauffer, and Ethan & Logan Harris. He is the brother of Don (Judy) Mayer, Sandy, George Mayer of Milford, Karen (Gary) Leigh, Cedar City, Marilyn Ransom, Woods Cross, Tom (Kim) Mayer, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA & Doug (Lisa) Mayer, Boise, ID. He is the step-brother of Jim (Joyce) Cook, Clarkdale, AZ., and Loni (Dale) Shadle, Snowflake, AZ. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and step-father H.C. Cook. Jerry loved his community and the Milford Valley. He was a living example of service and hard work, giving his time and talents to the Milford Valley Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, Twin M Soil Conservation, Milford Fire Service District, Milford Valley Pumpers Association & Utah Farm Bureau. Jerry made friends with everyone he met and greeted each day with a smile and a song. Jerry delighted in his green alfalfa fields and the smell of fresh cut hay. Just walking in his fields brought him closer to his Savior. A life long member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, he had a strong commitment to God, and embodied the commandment "Love one another, as I have loved you." Jerry's favorite things were laughing with family and friends, visiting at the coffee shop, driving truck reading the classifieds, and collecting hats. Beside his farm, his favorite place was Disneyland, where he loved skipping down Main Street USA with his children and grandchildren. Jerry considered his greatest achievement to be his family, his beloved wife, children & grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2005 at 11:00AM in the Milford LDS Stake Center. Viewing will be held Friday evening, April 1st from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at the Southern Utah Mortuary in Milford and Saturday, prior to the funeral services from 9:30AM to 10:30AM at the Stake Center. Interment immediately following the funeral service at the Milford Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be sent to www.sumfamily.com. The family would like to acknowledge the enormous outpouring of love from the community and the care given by Doctors James Jaussi, Tawfik Shabana and Gene Keys, as well as the Milford Valley Memorial Hospital Staff. We express our love and special thanks to Dr. Brian Tudor and his associates, Dr. Cordell Bott and Dr. Igor Abolnik, and the entire staff of the Central Utah Medical Clinic Oncology Department. Our endless gratitude goes to the amazing staff of Utah Valley Regional Medical Center's seventh and second floors. You are awesome! We love you. Originally published March 31, 2005 Dilia A. Melograno ST. GEORGE - Dilia A. Melograno, age 91, passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George. She was born January 9, 1914, in Lima, Peru, a daughter of Antonio Raborg and Magdalena Ristelli. Dilia arrived in New York City in 1929, with her family, as members of the Diplomatic Corps. She married her childhood sweetheart, and they later moved to Mexico City, Mexico. Surviving family include her: daughters, Adriane (Miguel) Martinez, Lucia (Warren) Christensen, and Nicole (Michael) D'Orlando; ten grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Melagrano, and daughter, Madeleine (Mariano) Sole. "Mother, your essence was sweet, gentle and pure, a sure reflection of your beautiful soul. You absence leaves a hole in our hearts." A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, March 31, 2005, at 10:00 a.m at the St. George Catholic Church, 259 W. 200 N., St. George. A Rosary will be Wednesday, March 30, at 7:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary. Interment will be Saturday, April 2, 2005, at 12:30 p.m. at the Woodlawn South Cemetery in Miami, Florida. Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, UT, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to offer their condolences at www.spilsburymortuary.com. Click on the dove. Obituaries are also available at our Web site. Click on the rose. Originally published March 31, 2005