Wayne Johnston
Wayne Elbridge Johnston, age 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family March 4, 2002 at Castleview Hospital in Price.
He was born April 16, 1909 in Cherryville, Kan. He was the fourth child of John A. and Estella Ryan Johnston. He and the love of his life, Edith Ione Cato, eloped Nov. 18, 1929 in Grand Junction, Colo.
To this union, four children were born, Von Wayne and LaRaine Johnston, Wellington; Vion LaVern Johnston, Moab; Vonna Ione and Martin Hamaker, Moab; Valynda Kay and Jerry Muggs Clark, Wellington; 21 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Wayne and Edith worked side by side all their lives. He lived a full and active life of various pursuits. Together, they herded goats and chased wild horses during the depression years. Then they contracted to carry the mail from Cisco to Castleton in 1934. They ranched on the Colorado River and raised cattle.
In 1938, the couple moved to Price where they opened and operated the first livestock auction in Utah, which continued until 1968. They were charter members of the Castle Valley Gem Society and were avid rock hounds and were skilled at cutting and polishing gems.
During the uranium boom, the couple mined uranium in the Yellow Cat district. Wayne also herded sheep and worked as a butcher.
He had a lot of fun in all his endeavors and his motto was: “I think I can make it.” He offered his services as an auctioneer for any worthwhile project, including 4-H, schools, Boy Scouts, and helping raise funds for many LDS Church buildings.
He said his pay would be another star in his crown.
He is survived by wife of 72 years, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters; two brothers; and a daughter-in-law, Colleen Johnston.
Funeral services will be Friday, March 8, 10 a.m., at the Price LDS Stake Center, located on the corner of 100 South and 500 East. Friends may call Thursday evening from 7 to 9 a.m. at Fausett Mortuary in Price, located at 680 East 100 South, and one hour prior to services at the church. Graveside service will follow in the Grand Valley Cemetery in Moab at 3 p.m.
Bryon Snow
PRICE – Bryon Sharp Snow, age 43, of Price, passed away Feb. 27, 2002.
He was born March 12, 1958 in Los Angeles, Calif., to Barney Ray and Beverly Marie Sharp Snow. On Jan. 7, 2000, Bryon married Michelle Dianne Benedict in Orem.
Bryon was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife were active in the Westwood LDS Ward in Price.
After high school, Bryon joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nev., where he served as a fireman.
Bryon is survived by wife, Michelle; daughter, Erin; three sons, Ryan, Sean and Samuel; and an unborn child; parents, Beverly and Ray Snow, Fresno, Calif.; two brothers, Eric S. Snow, Clovis, Calif.; Keith S. Snow, Orem; and sister, Shireen S. Malan, Fresno, Calif.
A memorial service will be conducted for Bryon Sharp Snow March 7, 7 p.m., at the Westwood LDS Ward meetinghouse, 175 N. 1280 West, Price.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Bryon Snow Memorial Fund set up at Wells Fargo Bank.
Velma Eden
CLEVELAND – Velma Mortensen Eden, age 93, passed away March 6, 2002 in Ferron.
She was the first baby ever born in Elmo on Jan. 17, 1909 to Hans F. and Ida Knight Mortensen. She married William F. Eden Feb. 11, 1931 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He passed away in September 1964.
Velma served a mission for the LDS Church in the east central states from 1929 to 1931 and later to London, England, after she retired from the school lunch program at the age of 65.
She also served in numerous other callings, most especially in music which she loved throughout her life. She had a profound love for family history, which she shared with many others.
She is survived by her children, Virgina and Blain Jensen, California; LuWana and Ed Brewer, Mesa, Ariz.; Zora Peacock, Castle Dale; John and Arlene Eden, Cleveland; Beth and Darwin Dowar, St. George; Calleen and Lynn Hall, Pasco, Wash.; Kent and Kristena Edan, Pittsberg, Pa.; 47 grandchildren, 107 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren. Also survived by brothers, Orlon and Devoy Mortensen; one sister, Mayzell King; and one son-in-law, Mac Mills. Preceded in death by husband; daughter, DeAnn; and three grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Monday, March 11, noon, at the Cleveland LDS Chapel. Friends may call Sunday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary in Castle Dale and from 10:30 to 11:40 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Cleveland Cemetery.
Gee Pierce
WEST VALLEY CITY – Gee W. Pierce, age 71, passed away at his home March 4, 2002.
He was born Feb. 22, 1931 in Wellington to James Wiley and Sarah Clarissa Tidwell Pierce. He was the youngest of nine children. Gee married LaVee Colby May 31, 1954. The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
He is survived in the Army as an ammunition sxergeant in Korea. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and going to Mountain Men rendezvous. He worked for many years for Rio Grande Motorway as a local driver. He also worked for NDS and Utah Metals.
He is survived by wife, LaVee, West Valley City; daughter, Shelly Martinez, Pleasant Grove; sons, Kirk Pierce; and wife, Shamarie, Tehachapi, Calif.; Troy Pierce, Midvale; one sister, Marie Houskeeper, Wellington; eight grandchildren, one great-granddaughter; and numerous, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Friday, March 8, 11 a.m. at the Jordan View LDS Ward, 1165 W. 2320 South, West Valley. Friends may call Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Redwood Memorial Estates, 6500 S. Redwood Road, Taylorsville, and one hour prior to services at the church. Interment, Wellington City Cemetery at 4 p.m.
Ersel Gagon
PRICE – Ersel L. Gagon, age 95, passed away March 4, 2002 at his home.
He was born Jan. 8, 1907 in Myton to Ira and Mary Ella Smith Gagon. Married his sweetheart, Yetta, in 1933 in Vernal. She died Jan. 10, 1971.
Retired member of the United Mine Workers of America Hiawatha Local 6363, with 65 years of dedicated service.
Ersel was an adventurous young man who enjoyed bull riding and was a Cub Scout leader for 12 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and sharing his canning with his family and friends. Ersel loved playing Greek Rummy with his grandkids and sharing his many wonderful stories with his family and dear friends.
He is survived by sons, Terry Ersel (Eleanor) Gagon, Atlanta, Ga.; Darel Loran (Meryle) Gagon, Magna; brother, Hugh (Sybil) Gagon, West Valley City; 10 grandchildren, Genevieve, Colin, Jeremy, Molly, Shane, Mike, Brad, Vanessa, Keena, Dave; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four sisters, Vera, Madeline, Cleo, Melba; and brothers, Irvin and Fred.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Ora, Helen, Ray, Bert, John and Jeanette.
Funeral service Thursday, March 7, 11 a.m., Price 6th LDS Ward. Family will be at Mitchell Funeral Home Wednesday even-ing from 7 to 9 p.m. and at the church Thursday one hour prior to services. Interment, Price City Cemetery.
Zella Dewey
HUNTINGTON – Zella Guymon Dewey passed away Feb. 25, 2002 in Arlington, Va.
She was born in Huntington to William Albert Guymon Jr. and Almira Brown May 29, 1901. Married William Ernest Dewey in 1923
Zella is survived by children, Carolyn (Frank) Simmons, Williamsberg, Va.; Gordon (Barbara) Dewey, Lusby, Md.; Don (Shirley) Dewey, Vienna, Va.; daughter-in-law, Sylvia P. Dewey, Salt Lake City. She has 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by parents; daughter, Moine Paul; sons, Dr. Lowell G. Dewey, Jack Dewey; grandson, Mark Dewey; three brothers, Gene, Clarence, Lee; and three sisters, Elizabeth, Alice and Katie.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 6, 1:30 p.m., at the Arlington, Va. LDS Ward. Interment Arlington National Cemetery.