Chuck Semken
PRICE – Charles Semken, age 79, passed away Jan. 14, 2005 in Price.
Born April 29, 1925 in Moab to Charles Henry and Chlora Hyatt Semken. Married Joyce Call Jan. 7, 1948 in Price, later divorced. Married Madelyn Peterson Dec. 2, 2003 in Price.
Chuck was an avid sports enthusiast who loved BYU football and was also honored on the Utah State Athletic Hall of Fame.
He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing with his buddies, hunting, handball, golfing and bowling.
Honorably served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific Theatre and was a member of the Marine Corp League 515.
Chuck retired as a deputy sheriff from the Carbon County sheriff department, where he was recognized three times for his superior marksmanship in the state. Former president of the Utah State Peace Officers Association and chairman for the state youth parol board.
He also worked at Price River Coal Company, where he was the local president, and while living in San Diego, Calif., he owned and operated his own business.
Chuck was active with the youth and he started the Carbon County Junior League and Christmas Is For Kids in Wellton, Ariz. and San Luis, Mexico.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and will be dearly missed by his family and a community of friends.
Survived by wife, Madelyn Semken, Price; son, Michael (Francine) Semken, Orem; three daughters, Susan (Steven) Blake, American Fork; Shanna (William) Taylor, Price; Renee Prinvale, San Mateo, Calif.; stepchildren, Sue (Scott) Heino, Price; Michael (Wendy) Smith, LaVerkin; Corey (Genefer) Smith, Carbonville; Corinna (Elvin) Anderson, Price; sister, Norma Baker, Price; sister-in-law, Byllee Semken, Price; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by parents; sisters, Mae and Allie; brother, Lee; and grandson, Stephen Prinvale.
Funeral service Monday, Jan. 17, 11 a.m., Price LDS 4th Ward Chapel. Interment, Price City Cemetery.
Beulah Cook
CASTLE GATE/SOUTH JORDAN – Beulah Sarah Cook Day passed away Jan. 12, 2005 in South Jordan.
She was born March 15, 1924 to Andrew Lorenzo and Alta Checketts Cook in Raines. She married the love of her life, Orson D. Day, in 1946. The marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple in 1964.
The couple both worked in the coal mines of Carbon County during the early years of their marriage.
She attended school in Castle Gate and then moved to Salt Lake, where she worked as a waitress for many years.
Hard work was a hallmark of her life. She always held down many jobs while simultaneously raising her family.
She cherished her role as a mother and homemaker, and sacrificed so much for her children.
She valued teaching in the Primary and visiting teaching in the LDS Church. She also enjoyed crocheting, soap operas, WWF wrestling, John Wayne, and garage sales.
In her younger days, she loved dancing, flashy clothes, high heels, jewelry and her mink coats.
Humor was a big part of her life and she was able to keep her quick wit right up to the end of her days. In fact, while going into surgery, the family had indicated that she did not want to be resuscitated if things went poorly. The surgeon came in and asked her if she didn’t want to be brought back. She replied, “No,” then thought for a moment and added emphatically, “Hell no!”
She is survived by children, Sandra (Jim) Foy of Moab; Michelle Fetters of Moab; Cheryl (Don) Aldridge of South Jordan; Jeff (Jeane) Day of Ohio; seven grandsons, five granddaughters and one great-grandson. Beulah was preceded in death by husband; parents; brother, Bryon Cook; daughters, Shirley and Estelle; and grandson, Jeremy Foy.
John Plese
KENILWORTH/SUN CITY, Ariz. – John Plese, age 83, passed away Dec. 24, 2004.
Born Oct. 22, 1921 in Kenilworth, to John and Mary Plese. Married Jean Harkleroad in 1945 in Seattle, Wash.
Served in the U. S. Marine Corps. during World War II.
Survived by wife, Jean; daughter, Pamela; of Sun City, Ariz.; daughter, Bonnie (Neil) Knapp of St. Louis, Mo.; two grandchildren, Jessica Werbick of Yorba Linda, Calif.; and Jonathan Knapp; sister, Mary (Larry) Widman of Price; sister-in-law, Patricia Plese; and nephew, Plese of Tooele; great-niece, Hunter Plese of Tooele; and other nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents; sister, Josephine; brother, Tom.
Services were held in Sun City West, Ariz., Dec. 29. Interment, National Military Cemetery, Riverside, Calif. on Jan. 3, 2005.
Geneva Black
HELPER – Geneva Josephine Bonacci Black, age 91, our dear Aunt Jenny, went peacefully to join her loved ones on Jan. 14, 2005.
Born in Helper Aug. 11, 1913 to Joseph and Josephine Scavo Bonacci. Married Raymond O. Black Dec. 29, 1945 in Elko, Nev. Their marriage was blessed Feb. 22, 1976 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Helper. Geneva tenderly cared for her husband in the final years of his life until he died in her arms on June 26, 2002 after 54 years of marriage.
Geneva was full of energy, optimism, and had a great sense of humor. Her life was filled with service to others.
She served as a den mother, was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 56 years where she was involved with Girls State, served in the Castleview Hospital Auxiliary for 31 years, including being past president. She was a member of the Ladies of Elks, a member and former president of the DRGW Veterans Auxiliary, and active in numerous other volunteer organizations.
She received several awards in recognition of her dedicated community service. She was named Woman of the Year by the Utah American Legion Auxiliary 1986-1987. Castle Hospital volunteer of the year 1992, First Humanitarian award Castleview Hospital 1996.
She worked many years as a sales clerk at Cornet in Helper and was a 25 year member of the Helper Business and Professional Women’s Club.
She loved to sing with her church choir throughout her life.
Geneva was a lifelong resident of Helper and was honored as a grand marshal of the Helper city Christmas Light Parade.
Survivors include sister-in-law Edna Mae Glen, Mesa, Ariz.; stepdaughter, Loretta (Frank) Mastroianna, North Glen, Colo.; four grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews who adore her; a community of wonderful friends and her special canine companion, Sophie. Aunt Jenny truly endured with love and faith to the end and will be greatly missed.
Funeral Mass Wednesday, Jan. 19, 11 a.m., St. Anthony Catholic Church, Helper. Vigil service Tuesday evening, 7 p.m., St. Anthony Catholic Church. Family will be at the church Tuesday and Wednesday one hour prior to services. Committal service Mountain View Cemetery, Helper.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Shriners Childrens Hospitals, Fairfax Road at Virginia Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 83103.
Albert Fossat
HELPER – Albert J. Fossat, age 84, passed away Jan. 12, 2005 at his home in Helper.
Born Nov. 29, 1920 in Helper to Louis and Catherine Castagno Fossat.
Member St. Anthony Catholic Church. Graduated from Carbon High School, Carbon College and attended the University of Utah, where he studied journalism.
He was a free-land writer, photographer and accountant.
Albert worked in the central finance office of the U.S. Veterans Administration in Washington, D.C. While in Washington, he was a member of St. Matthew Cathedral Parish, where he was a charter member of the El Camino Real Club.
After several years, he returned to Helper where he became the city recorder under two mayorships.
He later worked as assistant corpsman supervisor over 200 young corpsmen. He received a superior performance award from the Bureau of Land Management for his work with the corpsmen. All of the corpsmen signed a petition to give him an award for care and understanding he gave them. On the close of Job Corps, he became an employee of Job Service as an interviewer and public relations representative. He also received high commendation from the Utah manager of Job Service.
Albert also was a good poet, having received special awards from both state and national competition.
Survived by one brother, William David Fossat; and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by twin brother, Alfred; brothers, Michael, Ralph, Victor; sisters, Irene Hislop and Pauline Tsangaris.
Funeral Mass Saturday, Jan. 15, 10 a.m., St. Anthony Catholic Church. Vigil service Friday evening, 7 p.m. at the church in Helper. Family will be at St. Anthony’s Friday and Saturday one hour prior to services. Committal service, Mountain View Cemetery, Helper, under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, Albert has requested that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.