OBITS: The Spectrum 17 May 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 Norma Smith Burton Norma Smith Burton, 84, our beloved mother, grandmother and sister, died peacefully at her home in the early hours of Sunday morning, May 15th, after years of serious heart problems. Norma was the youngest of four daughters, born to William Delbert Smith and Josephine Barney Smith in Parowan on May 3rd, 1921. She was raised in Parowan, and was lovingly referred to as "Del's boy," since she loved to help her dad with all of his chores and rarely left his side. After graduating from Parowan High School, she attended B.A.C. (now Southern Utah University) in Cedar City. While attending college she worked at the public library in Cedar City, and then obtained employment with the United States Post Office. On July 11, 1946 she married her sweetheart Charles Franklin Burton in the St. George Temple. Together they raised five children, Charlene, Frank (deceased), Lawrence, Rex, and David. The family have many happy memories of the many summers they spent camping in the Brian Head and Cedar Breaks areas, while taking care of their sheep operation. Norma was born with a congenital heart defect, and in the early 1960's, she underwent one of the first open heart surgeries in Utah, performed by Dr. Russell M. Nelson. Miraculously, she recovered from a stroke she suffered at the time, with no adverse effects and was able to raise her family. Norma was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and worked for many years as a primary teacher, visiting teacher and librarian. After Charles' death in 1978, Norma worked for a time in the public library in Parowan. She was known for her outgoing and warm personality. Her home on Center Street was the gathering place for the family. There was rarely a day when her home was not filled with her grandchildren. She took great delight in all of their activities and how she loved them. Many times she could be seen shuttling them around town, and they loved sleeping at Grandma's house, even in their teenage years. She was such an influence for good in the lives of her family. In 2003, she suffered another stroke which robbed her of the ability to speak, however, not of the ability to communicate her love to her family. She worked hard to say the words, "I love you!" Well Mom, Grandma - we love you! She will be missed greatly. Norma is survived by her children: Charlene (Terry) Harrop of Parowan, Lawrence (Rebecca) Burton of Ivins, Rex (Christine) Burton of Parowan, and David (Deia) Burton of Parowan, daughter-in-law, Judy Burton of Enterprise, and sister Della Gurr of Parowan. She leaves 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Franklin Burton, son Frank Smith Burton, and sisters Alice S. Pryor and Edith S. Pryor. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 19, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. in the Parowan 3rd Ward, Main Street Chapel. A visitation will be held Wednesday, May 18th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Parowan Southern Utah Mortuary at 15 East, 100 North, and 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 19th, in the Relief Society room. Internment will be held in the Parowan Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences may be sent through our website at www.southernutahmortuary.com. Originally published May 17, 2005 Robert L. Muir LAS VEGAS - Robert L. Muir passed away Saturday, May 7, 2005 at Silver Hills Health Care Center. He was born in Beaver, Utah November 10, 1920. He lived in Cedar City for 60 years before moving to Las Vegas where he spent the last five years. He was a veteran of the United States Navy serving in WWII. He is survived by his wife, Carol Muir; daughter, Virginia Lee Neilson, both of Las Vegas; daughter, Denis Berry of Santa Cruz, CA; sister, Ella Young of Oregon; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Arrangements handled by Affordable Cremation & Burial Service, 2457 N. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89108. (702) 464-8560. Originally published May 17, 2005 Harry (Harrison) Hale Harry (Harrison) Hale, age 55, passed away on May 13, 2005 at Valley View Medical Center in Cedar City, Utah. He was born on September 16, 1949 in Norfolk, Virginia to Lawrence Harrison & Peggy Doris Denton Hale. He married Audrey E. Davis on April 10, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Harry was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He attended Morningside High School in Inglewood, CA. He then attended El Camino College in Redondo Beach, CA and Bendicks Brake School in Tacoma, WA. Harry had a great love for the Titanic. He had his very own Titanic Collection Museum. He was registered with the Titanic Historical Society as the 6th privately owned collection in the United States. Harry is survived by his wife, 4 children, parents Lawrence & Peggy Hale of Kanarraville, Utah and Aunt "Deedee" and her family of Irvine, CA. Also his brother David Hale of Florida. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Lawrence Albert & Lois Denton. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. in the Cedar City 15th Ward Chapel .Friends may call on Wednesday morning one hour prior to services at the Church. Interment will be in the Kanarraville Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent through our website at www.southernutahmortuary.com. Originally published May 17, 2005