All Obituaries

Richard Eugene “Dick” Marchant, 76, passed away blessedly, in his sleep on May 30, 2020 at his Las Animas home from type II diabetes which had become severe the last three years of his life. Dick was born on October 5, 1943, in Coalville, Utah to Albert Harper & Ann Eva Elizabeth (Scheel) Marchant.   Dick had over twenty years of education. He graduated from high school in Smithfield, Utah. Then he received his Bachelor and Master degrees from Utah State University...

Geraldine (Jerri) Sorenson Fry, 85, passed away in Orange, California on Monday, June 1, 2020. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, James, and her daughter, Bonnie Watson; Jerri is survived by her sons Brad (Yvonne) and Chris (Patti), daughter Shauna (Bruce) Bengochea; her 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; her brother Paul (Virginia) Sorenson of Spanish Fork, Utah; her sister Alene Bjarnson of Mapleton, Utah; and many nieces and nephews.   Born to...

Erma Jean Besendorfer Phillips, 89, of Springville, passed away unexpectedly in Provo, Utah on June 3, 2020.  Erma Jean was born on December 31, 1930, in Charleston, Utah, to Noah & Nancy Ann Casper Besendorfer.  She grew up in Charleston and graduated with honors from Wasatch High School and from Brigham Young University with a major in Elementary Education.  She was one of the first sister missionaries to be called to New Zealand and served for 26 months.  While...

Annalee Walker Strong, age 93 formerly of Springville, passed away Friday, June 5, 2020.  Services are under the direction of Wheeler Mortuary.   

Elma Patrick Evans, age 96 of Springville, UT passed away on Friday, May 22, 2020 at Spring Gardens Assisted Living Center in Mapleton, UT where she’d been cared for the past 15 months. Elma was born on January 8, 1924, the 1st of twin girls born to Lura Ann & John Hulet Patrick.  She was the 5th in a family of 9 children. Growing up the family never owned a vehicle, but they walked or rode in the wagon wherever they went.  To earn money as a child, Elma cleaned houses,...

Bernetta Hurst, 83, of Mapleton passed away Sunday, May 17, 2020. She was born September 26, 1936 in Salina, Utah to Clyde Brown Cazier and Delna Hatch Cazier. When she was 5 her family moved from Koosharem to Mapleton where she has resided since.   She married her sweetheart, Robert Dean Hurst (Bob), on March 30, 1954, in the Manti LDS Temple. He preceded her in death on February 20, 1993. Bob was the love and joy of Bernetta's life. They had five daughters, Sherra Lyn, Marlene,...

Joseph Wells Austin, our beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away on May 15, 2020 in Provo, Utah. He was born March 10, 1930 to Matthias Wells Austin and Lovina Ruth Larkin Austin. He was married to the love of his life, Rea Alice Kropf on December 15, 1954 in the Logan Temple.  She preceded him in death on April 6, 2011. He was heartbroken when she died, and he missed her terribly since her passing. Joseph served in the Korean War as a Personnel Specialist in Fort...

MESA - Stephen J. Clark,85, passed away while enjoying a sip of root beer on May 10, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona. A Utah boy, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father and brother. Stephen was involved during high school in acting, singing and playing the cello. Attending BYU after graduation, he played and toured with the BYU Symphony Orchestra. He also played cello in the 7th Army Symphony Orchestra in a post-war goodwill campaign tour throughout Europe in 1955-56, where his last concert...

The bleachers will be missing a regular fan; the games will be absent a tireless cheerleader, the children will be lacking their cherished teacher and the neighbors will be deficient endless acts of compassion:  Lora Hilton Whiting concluded her near century of adventure, learning and service on 17 May 2020 at Spring Gardens, in her long-time home, Mapleton, Utah.   Born into a stalwart Mormon pioneer heritage on 10 August 1922 to Wilford “B” and Vera Snow Hilton in...

Joann Blackett Sumsion (91) passed away in the afternoon of May 12, 2020 surrounded by her family in the comfort of her home after TMB (too many birthdays) and a sudden decline in health. We feel comfort in knowing after a life of service, love, and devotion to faith, family, and friends, she was well prepared to return to her heavenly home.   Joann was born and raised with core values of thrift, organization, cleanliness, and hard work instilled by parents Elmo R. Blackett and Mary...