OBITS: The Spectrum 14 Oct 2005; St. George, Washington co., Utah text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen for The USGenWeb Archives Project *********************************************************************** 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 Emma Burke Hair CEDAR CITY - Emma Burke Hair passed away Wednesday, October 12, 2005 due to age-related natural causes at the age of 86 in her home in Cedar City, Utah. Emma was born on August 1, 1919 to Thomas James and Emma Charlotte Burke in Beaver City, Utah where she was raised in a close knit and loving family. She graduated from Beaver High School with highest honors in 1937. Shortly thereafter, she met a dashing young man from Louisiana who was working in the area with the C.C.C.'s as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic. She and Harry married in 1942 and together raised ten children - 5 boys and 5 girls. They moved to Cedar City in 1948, where they spent the rest of their lives. Emma was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the age of 18 when she was asked to be Drama Director and given a class of "Beehive" girls. When she and Harry were finally baptized in 1955, she then held a succession of "official" positions in the old 6th Ward for the next 25 years. A lady with a marvelous sense of humor, Emma lived a full and active life, keeping extremely busy as Mother, housekeeper, cook, chauffeur, listener and confidant, little league scorekeeper, general high school athletic supporter, and full-time JAZZ fan. Following her husband's death in 1975, Emma worked for the next 20 years at the Jr. High School as secretary, counselor, and friend to all. All who have known Emma Hair have had lives enriched by her sense of humor, loving understand and her listening ear. She is survived by her children, Calvin (Ruth) Hair of Cedar City, Utah, Dixie (Brent) Hatch of St. George, Utah, David (Linda) Hair of Las Vegas, Nevada, Roger (Chanda) Hair of Bellvue, Washington, Marilyn Jean (Eric) McClure of Cypress, California, Betty Jo (Michael) Whiteley of Sierra Vista, Arizona, Linda (Donald) Presser of Eagle River, Arkansas, Michael (Michelle) Hair of Spokane, Washington, Steven (Joy) Hair of Chicago, Illinois, Kristine (Chris) Hermansen of Moorpark, California, one sister, Hazel Bullock of Cedar City, Utah, 25 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandparents Robert and Agnes Burke, William and Ann Carlow, Jane Charlotte, brothers, James (Emma) Burke, Hampton (Beniti) Burke, and sister, Lucille (Ralph) Skinner. Funeral services will be held on Monday morning, October 17, 2005, 11:00 a.m. at the Cedar View Ward Chapel located at 1925 West 320 South. Viewings will be held on Sunday evening, October 16, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Southern Utah Mortuary and Monday morning, October 17, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent through our website at www.sumfamily.com Originally published October 14, 2005 Marianna LaDamus ST. GEORGE - Marianna (Russo) LaDamus our beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away October 9, 2005 after a 15-year battle with cancer. She was born November 6, 1930 in Palermo, Sicily to Francesco and Maria Russo. After surviving World War II she came to the U.S.A. in 1947, where her family settled in New Jersey. She married George A. LaDamus on June 1, 1952 in the Catholic Church and remained faithful to her church and spouse until her death. The center of her life was her family, church, and helping the destitute, hungry and oppressed throughout the world as a missionary supporter of the Mary Knoll Missions and Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. She was an active member of the Roman Catholic Church and held many positions of service as a Eucharistic Minister, Pastoral Councils and Diocesan Pastoral Council Member. She was also a member and supporter of the Blue Army, Alter Rosary Society and Catholic Women of America. She always had a smile on her face and loved everyone she met. She kept her pain and suffering to herself and God. Marianna is survived by her husband, George A. LaDamus I; daughter, Annamarie LaDamus; sons, Gerard and George II LaDamus; grandchildren, Davinna and Anthony Reeder, Zack, Adam, Melissa, Rebecca, Emily and Eric LaDamus. She was preceded in death by her father, Francesco; mother, Maria; brothers, Salvatore and Andrew Russo. Marianna will be missed by all of us for as long as we live and will be remembered for her love and compassion. A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, October 14, 2005, 1 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 690 South Cove Drive, Cedar City, Utah. Interment will be at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Salt Lake City, Utah. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in memory of Marianna be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101. Arrangements are under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary (435) 673-4221. Condolences may be sent to the family through the Metcalf website at www.metcalfmortuary.com. Originally published October 14, 2005 Delroy "Del" Angus Merrell SALT LAKE CITY/HURRICANE - Delroy "Del" Angus Merrell was born in Naples, Utah, (Vernal area) on April 14, 1925. He was the 12th child born to Sarah Christeena Angus and Fuller Remington Merrell. He passed away at home Tuesday, October 11, 2005. His growing up years were during the depression and all the family worked hard to provide. Del's family hauled and cut timber in the Uintah Mountains. Del raised a wild colt for his own horse. All the boys became accurate with the rifle because they only got one shell to get the job done. Del enlisted in the Merchant Marines at 17. Then, he enlisted in the Army 11th Airborne 187th Regiment Co. B for three years. When that tour was ended, he worked at various places and then enlisted with the 6th Army Headquarters. He later transferred to TAD at Tooele, where he met his future wife, Connie Dunn. They spent two years in Germany while Del served with the 7th Army. Their marriage was later sealed with great joy in the Salt Lake Temple. After Del's honorable discharge from the military, they moved to Salt Lake City. Del worked for Chevron Oil, and was later employed at the University of Utah, first, as Grounds Supervisor and then as the supervisor for the Custodial Department. After 27 years, he was given early medical retirement. In 1994, he talked Connie into retiring and they bought a trailer and proceeded to tour the West. After a year they settled in Hurricane, Utah, because it was closer to family. The past 11 years have been the most wonderful for both of them. They were called to a mission as workers at the St. George Temple. They have had the privilege of going through 14 temples, visited 24 states, did volunteer work for the Fish & Wildlife in Oregon, and spent one wonderful summer at Long Beach, Washington. He is survived by his: wife, Connie, of Hurricane; children, Reed (Colleen) of Kaysville, UT, Sydney Newson, of Salt Lake City, UT, David Merrell and Danette (Robert) Cleland, both of Holliday, UT; 11 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter who were the light of his life; and brothers, Grant and Harold Merrell, both of Vernal, UT. The family wishes to thank Southern Utah Hospice for their kind and loving staff and all of Del's special physicians, Dr.'s Price, Klein, and Tom Jones. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 15, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at the Hurricane Stake Center, 677 S. 700 W., Hurricane, meeting with the family from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m., at the Stake Center. Interment will be Monday, October 17, 2005, at Mountain View Memorial in Salt Lake City, 3115 E. 7800 S., with a short service in the Chapel and burial to follow. Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary. (435) 673-2454. In lieu of Flower, please donate to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary fund. Friends and family are invited to offer their condolences at www.spilsburymortuary.com. Click on the dove. Obituaries are also available at our website. Click on the rose. Originally published October 14, 2005 Margaret Heward Stout Margaret Heward Stout, 88, died quietly and peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Oct. 10, 2005 in Las Vegas, NV. Born Nov. 30, 1916, the fourth child of twelve born to John Edwin Heward and Hazel Turley in Dry Lake, AZ, where she had fond memories attending a one-room schoolhouse for ten years. She was a homemaker who loved quilting, needlework, and traveling with her family. She resided the last 40 years in Las Vegas. Her marriage to Lawrence Fisk Stout, August 21, 1939 in Hurricane, Utah was later solemnized in the St. George LDS Temple on November 11, 1965. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and participated in visiting teaching, singing in the Salt Lake City Tabernacle - Las Vegas Choir, teaching both Sunday School and MIA. She is survived by her daughter, Hazel Stout Merryman of Las Vegas, Nevada; a granddaughter, Margaret Anne (Paul) Lewis, and great grandson, James H. Lewis of Fairford, England. She was preceded in death by her husband, and great-grandson, Brian Jacob Lewis. She is also survived by two sisters, Marvine Duncan of Pleasant Grove, Utah; Anna Seeley, of Hooper, Utah; two brothers, Elmer (Jean) Heward, Grass Valley, California and Dale (Jeannine) Heward of Salt Lake City, Utah; a brother-in-law, Dell C. (Corrine) Stout of Hurricane, Utah; three sister-in-laws, Rae (Lee) Banks of Cedar City, Utah; Verlyn (Wood) Stout of St. George, Utah; and Jonna (Pulsipher) Stout. Visitation will be Fri. Oct. 14, from 6-8 pm at Bunker Mortuary. Also, Sat. Oct. 15, 9:00 am at the LDS Chapel, 8th Street & Franklin, Las Vegas. Funeral at 10 am. Graveside and Internment, 4:00 pm at Hurricane, Utah Cemetery. Originally published October 14, 2005 Ronald Theman Walker MILFORD - Our husband, father, "Papa," brother, Ronald Theman Walker, made his last journey, into the arms of his beloved Savior, Jesus Christ on October 10, 2005 while hunting deer in the Paunsaugunt with his son. Born in Milford, Utah on July 28, 1948 to Theman Ezra and Opal Thompson Walker, married Teria Miller on April 24, 1971. They had a daughter and later divorced. He met the love of his life, Tracy Lynne Baxter and they married September 4, 1976. Together they raised four sons and recently celebrated 29 years of constant love and companionship. Ronald was raised on his family farm in the Milford Valley by loving parents and his five older sisters, where he learned a deep love of the outdoors, farming, hunting, horses and the value of family. Ronald proudly served his country in the United States Army in Germany from 1967 to 1969. Returning to the family farm to help his father and mother in 1969, he also worked in the mines and on the railroad. Ronald and Tracy moved to Canon City, Colorado in 1977 where the first of four sons were born. In 1980 they returned to Milford to buy the Walker farm where for 21 years Ronald devoted himself to his wife and children and providing the family needs by farming. Ronald loved farming and efficiently tended his fields and crops row by row. He was often seen standing in a field of green, blooming alfalfa surveying a job well done. During this time, he also supplemented family income by working for other farmers, the geothermal plant, and Utah Department of Transportation. In 2001, it was time to move on from farming and the Walker family moved to Cedar City, Utah. The smaller homestead was tended with the same joy and attention to detail that Ronald used in everything he set his hand to. He was the stable foundation for Tracy, his children, and was a loving "Papa" to all of his grandchildren. Ronald loved to hunt with his wife, sons and friends. He thrilled to the wide open spaces of his Southern Utah mountains. He enjoyed working with his horses, Rowdy, Mancha and Storm and was seldom ever seen without his "little buddy" Bugsey. Ronald loved his Redeemer, Savior, and Friend, Jesus Christ with all his heart. He was baptized into the Christian faith in the Baptist Church, Milford, Utah and later joined the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of Milford where he has attended and served for the past 8 years. He is survived by his wife, Tracy Walker of Cedar City, Utah, daughter, Rachele (Laramie) Warby of American Fork, Utah, sons, Ronald Jr. (Jennifer) Walker of Milford, Utah, Garland (Andrea) Walker of Milford, Utah, Nathanael (Audrey) Walker of Cedar City, Bryten (Celest) Walker of Cedar City, sisters, Barbara (James) Mayer of Milford, Marjorie (Edwin) Gale of Cedar City, Carole (Elwin) Marquardson of Cedar City, Darlene (Arthur) Talbot of Holden, Deanna (Linus) Leppink of Denver, Colorado, and grandchildren: Asia JoLee, Sierre Ambrosia, Larado Wade, Ryeder MacLeod, Kierney Rain, Roni Daun, Cameron Jacob Riley, Madison Tracy, Ashlynn Emma, Russell Gaige, Alix Opal, and Evaney Nicole Lynne. He is preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 15, 11:00 a.m. at the Milford City Offices. A viewing will be held on Saturday, October 15 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Milford City Offices. Interment will be in the Milford Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent through our website at www.sumfamily.com. Originally published October 14, 2005 Betty Lou Graff Wintch TROPIC - Our precious wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Betty Lou Wintch, passed away Wednesday, October 12, 2005, after a long illness. She was born April 23, 1923, in Cannonville, Utah, to Samuel T. Graff and Martha Jane Henderson. She married Kent J. Wintch, in the St. George LDS Temple on December 23, 1942. Betty leaves behind her a Legion of friends and a legacy of kindness. She lived in many of the National Parks in the Western United States before retiring to Tropic. She has kept in touch with many of the people whom she met in the various national parks. It seems that all who knew her loved her. Betty's passing will leave a great space in the lives of those nearest to her. Even during the years she was ill, she was a great confident, counselor and friend. Betty was always able to find the best in everyone. She was optimistic and cheerful, quick to smile and to comfort, happy in her own routine and joyful in the tasks she performed. Of all the seasons in the year, Betty loved autumn time most of all. She delighted in the bright colors of red, amber, yellow and orange, and loved to go for a drive during the season to see the leaves change. How fitting she would choose the autumn time to leave this earth. Betty's spirit was valiant and courageous. Her selflessness and legacy of love for her family and friends will long be remembered. She is survived by her husband, Kent, Tropic; children, Charelene Higuera, Orem; Pamela (Randall) Spencer, Longmont, CO; Kenneth (Barbara) Wintch, Brighton, CO; and Rhett (Lisa) Wintch, Idaho Falls, ID; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy (Howard) Leavitt, Cannonville; Sylvia (Monte) Luker, Escalante; and Shirley (Gil) Powell, Salt Lake City; brother-in-law, McCoy Major, Bountiful. She was preceded in death by her son, Samuel; son-in-law, Edward Higuera; parents, Samuel and her mother Martha, who also passed away on October 12, 1942; sisters, Indra (Dell) Dennett; Drucilla (Wally) Reid; Mary (Raul) Crosby; and Connie Major; brothers, Walter Graff; Samuel Graff; and Eugene (Mary) Graff. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. in the Tropic LDS Ward Chapel. Friends may call at the ward chapel in Tropic on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Burial will be in the Tropic Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Gunnison. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com Originally published October 14, 2005