OBITS: The Spectrum 7 Sep 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 Leah Thompson Foerster CEDAR CITY - Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Leah Thompson Foerster, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2005 at age 91. A native of Southern Utah, she was born in Greenville on June 10, 1914 to William Theodore and Laverna Dalley Thompson. Leah had great love for the won derful mountains and redrock canyons of Southern Utah, and felt deeply connected to this beautiful country. Her spirituality was grounded in her passionate love of nature, and as a result she was a devoted protector of the environment. Whether as a member of the Environmental Committee of the Women's Legislative Council, as assistant editor and columnist for the Utah Nature Study Society, or as vice president of the KolobVirgin River Audubon Society, she brought her energy and enthusiasm to this cause. Leah graduated as valedictorian of the Milford High School class of 1932, and returned in 1970 with the honor of giving the baccalaureate address. She worked tirelessly in support of education. Through her involvement with the Better Schools Committee of Beaver County, new schools were built in Milford and Minersville. On a statewide level she served an executive secretary of the Council for Utah Education (CUE) helping to bring the business community into partnership with the schools. Writing was an important part of her life, and her poetry and published natural history articles were enjoyed by many. Her smile could light up a room and our hearts. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Richard Foerster; a daughter, Joyce (Mohamed) ElMogazi; grandchildren, Dina (Mark), Raddi, and Ricky (Gretchen); great grandchildren, Alex and Aleah; a sister, Thelma Monson; and brother, James Thompson. Preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Ralph and Earl. Funeral services will be held on Friday morning, September 9, 2005, 11:00 a.m. at the Southern Utah Mortuary. Family and friends may call on Thursday evening, September 8, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Friday morning, September 9, from 10:00 to timeof services, all at the Southern Utah Mortuary in Cedar City. Interment will be in the Milford Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Online condolences may be sent through our website at www.sumfamily.com In Lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be sent to Audubon Society of any environmetal organizations of your choice. Originally published September 7, 2005 Lewis Delbert Heaps, Jr. HURRICANE - Lewis Delbert Heaps, Jr., age 66, passed away Monday, September 5, 2005, at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah. He was born September 22, 1938, in Whittier, California, a son of Lewis D. and Mary Emily Richins Heaps. Lewis and Margaret Dicie Cavitt were married July 12, 1960, in Roseville, California. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Oakland Temple. Born in Whittier, Lewis attended San Juan High School in Sacramento, California. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force where he served for four years, with an additional four years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. After his honorable discharge, he worked on aircraft throughout the United States for the following 14 years. He later was employed as a carpenter in Sacramento and Cedar City, Utah for 20 years. He and his family moved to Cedar City in 1977, where he worked for Yellow Front in the Parts Department, later transferring to their St. George store. He also worked atABC Auto in St. George and Hurricane, and decided to make his home in Hurricane in 1987. Lewis was a member of the Southern Utah Cruisers, an auto club. He loved NASCAR, tinkering with race cars, reading Louis L'Amour as well as historical books. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, where he held many positions over the years. Surviving family include his: wife, Margaret, of Hurricane, UT; sons, Sam Cavitt (Teresa) Heaps, of Cedar City, UT, and Matthew David (Jesse) Heaps, of West Valley City, UT; and grandson, Markus Heaps, of West Valley City, UT. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark A. Heaps. Graveside services will be held Friday, September 9, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cedar City Cemetery, with a visitation Thursday, September 8, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Hurricane Valley Mortuary. Arrangements are made under the direction of Hurricane Valley Mortuary, 140 N. Main St., Hurricane, (435) 635-2454. Funeral Director, Tony Whitney 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 September 7, 2005 Myrna Rae Patrick HURRICANE - Myrna Rae Patrick, age 47, passed away Monday, September 5, 2005, at her home in Hurricane. She was born April 21, 1958, in Salt Lake City, Utah, a daughter of Thomas Garry and Mona Rae Mounteer Patrick. Born, raised, and educated in Salt Lake City, Myrna married very young. She was employed at age 21 with J.B. Roden Oil Company on a drill rig, throwing chain. She later worked in Olympia and Lacey, Washington, as a bartender, and relocated to Hurricane, Utah, in 1999. Myrna was a gentle, loving, and tender woman of great integrity, who had a million dollar smile. She loved the outdoors, taking walks, camping, and hiking. Over the years, she collected jewelry and jewelry boxes. She is survived by her: companion, Ron Davis, of Hurricane; children, Shawn, Adam, and Jessica; one grandchild; brother, Brad Patrick, of Salt Lake City, UT; sisters, Terry (Ron) Jene Keith, of Farmington, NM, Shelly (Manuel) Alcon, of Blanco, NM, and Janeen Trujillo; and aunt, DeVon Oliver, of Alaska. A memorial graveside service will be held Thursday, September 8, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hurricane City Cemetery. Arrangements are made under the direction of Hurricane Valley Mortuary, 140 N. Main St., Hurricane, (435) 635-2454. Funeral Director, Ted Spilsbury 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 September 7, 2005 Raymond Alma Webb ST. GEORGE - Raymond Alma Webb, age 77, died Monday, September 5, 2005 in St. George, Utah following a lengthy illness. Ray was born in San Francisco, California on July 8, 1928, the first born child of Alma Ivor and Ethel Louise Gibson Webb. Ray grew up on the family ranch near Junction City, Oregon with his brothers Dale and Ronald, enjoying a happy childhood. He graduated from Cresswell High School in 1945 and enlisted in the Army as WWII was ending. He was privileged to serve General McArthur as a staff photographer. Upon his discharge, Ray served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints in the Central Atlantic States. Ray married Carol Clayton in the Logan Temple. They are the parents of Mark, Christy and ReNee. They were later divorced. He earned bachelors and masters degrees in sociology from the University of Oregon before beginning his career with Boy Scouts of America. He later served for many years as executive director of United Way in Oregon, and northern and southern California. While in Riverside, California, Ray helped Governor Ronald Reagan develop his health and human services program. Ray married Jean Franklin. They have a daughter, Lisa. They were later divorced. On March 29, 1977, Ray married Sharon Crider in Riverside, California. Their marriage was sealed in the St. George Temple on September 28, 1984. They moved to Santa Clara, Utah in June 10, 1983. Ray loved serving others. A cheerful man, he enjoyed painting, flying, photography, horses, his collies, fishing, cooking, landscaping and making people happy. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Sharon of Santa Clara, Utah; his children: Mark (Kathy) Webb of Peoria, Arizona, Christy (John) Pulsipher of Clifton, Virginia, ReNee (Kevin) Bergeson of Bountiful, Utah, and Lisa (Marie) Graham, Illinois. 14 grandchildren, eight greatgrandchildren and his brother, Ron (Vivian) of Aiken, South Carolina. Ray's family would like to thank Dr. Robert Rignell and the Santa Clara Second Ward for many years of compassionate care and kindness. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 9, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the Santa Clara LDS Stake Center, 1706 N. Desert Dawn Rd, Santa Clara, UT. Visitations will be on Thursday, September 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W. St. George Blvd. and on Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services at the Stake Center. Interment will be at the St. George City Cemetery under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. Condolences may be sent through the Metcalf website at www.metcalfmortuary.com. Originally published September 7, 2005