Dale ‘Bird’ Black
HUNTINGTON- Dale Ray Black, age 48, died Aug. 16, 2007 in a coal mine accident trying to rescue fellow miners trapped in the Crandall Canyon mine disaster.
He was born Aug. 4, 1958 in Price to Roscoe and Earlene Allred Black. Married Wendy Sitterud on Sept. 18, 1982.
“Bird” loved life. His wife and children were the most important things in his world.
He loved to ride four-wheelers, hunt, fish and golf.
The mountains and desert will never be the same without him.
He loved everybody and they loved him.
Selflessly, Dale was dedicated to finding his fellow workers and, to our misfortune, died a hero in that effort.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survived by wife, Wendy Black, Huntington; daughter, Ashley (Brad) Pruitt, Salt Lake City; son, Corey Dale Black, Huntington; mother, Earlene Black, Huntington; two brothers and seven sisters, Lynn (Bob) Louie, Salt Lake City; Lee (Clair) Cratsenburg, Huntington; Guy (Helen) Black, Price; Jacka (Russell) Jones, Castle Dale; Drew Black, Huntington; Gayle (Steve) McDonald, Huntington; Allison (Larry) Kosikowski, Illinois; Jill (Gordon) Anderson, Salt Lake City; Roberta (John) Poglajen, Vernal; in-laws, Gene (Lorraine) Campbell, Huntington; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Lannie (Glenys) Sitterud, Emery; Lorrie (Robert) Denison, Huntington; and Carl (Jodi) Sitterud, Cleveland. Preceded in death by father, Roscoe Black; niece, Jera Lynn McDonald; father-in-law, Douglas Sitterud.
Funeral service for family and friends Tuesday, Aug. 21, 11 a.m., at the Little Bear Creek Campground in Huntington Canyon. Family will be at Mitchell Funeral Home Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the campground Tuesday beginning at 9 a.m. Interment, Huntington City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price.
Brandon Kimber
PRICE – Brandon Kimber, 29 of Price, died in a mine accident on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007, while attempting to rescue six of his fellow miners and friends.
At the time of his death, he unselfishly threw himself in harm’s way to save another miner, resulting in injuries that took his life.
Brandon loved life. His family and friends were the most important things to him.
He loved his job and what he did at the mine. He loved leading men into the mine everyday, supervising their work and making sure they returned home safely to their families. To hear that Brandon risked his own life to save another will come as no surprise to any of us.
Brandon was born and raised in Moab, where he lived most of his life before moving to Price to make a better life for his family in the mines.
He was born June 22, 1978 at Allen Memorial Hospital to Golda Jean Christensen Kimber and Doyle Ray Kimber. He graduated from Grand County High School in 1996.
Brandon excelled in all sports that he played and always loved a good challenge. He was an avid golfer, who especially loved golfing with his father, brothers and friends. He loved to bowl, spend time with his three children at the park or just watching movies. He enjoyed riding motorcycles as often as he could.
Brandon was preceded in death by his mother and survived by his father; children, Bryton, Paxton and Payton; his ex-wife, Kristen; four brothers, Scott (Michelle), Steve (Shelly), Kevin (Lisa), all of Ogden; and Shannon (Victoria) of Price; two sisters, Brenda Glover (Chuck) of Ogden and Melinda Mayberry of Moab; and many, many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins. Brandon also leaves behind a girlfriend, Christina Shumway, and many other friends.
Brandon, our son, brother, father and friend, you will be missed. We know God holds a special place in Heaven for heroes such as you.
A viewing will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 22, at Mitchell Funeral Home in Price. Another viewing will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23, at the 4th North LDS Chapel in Moab . Private funeral services will be at the family cemetery on Friday, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m. in Moab.
Harvey Ferguson
PRICE/LYMAN, Wyo. – Harvey Kent Ferguson, age 62, was called home on Aug. 17, 2007 at the Castleview Hospital after a valiant 15-year battle with a lingering illness, never giving up hope that he would talk and walk again.
Harv was born July 3, 1945 in Price to George L. Ferguson and Elizabeth (Harvey) Ferguson. He married his lifelong sweetheart, Lorraine Fausett, June 19, 1965 in the Manti LDS Temple.
Harv loved life and had many friends.
Harv lived for the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, golfer and trap shooter.
He also enjoyed bowling and billiards.
Harv loved to travel and took his family on many trips enjoying all of his hobbies.Some highlights of his life were fishing in Alaska and obtaining his pilot’s license.
Harv was very proud of his children and grandchildren and he loved them very much.
Harv is survived by his devoted wife, Lorraine, of Price; three children: Lorri Barney (Parker), Ogden; Jace H. Ferguson (Teri), Logan; Darrin W. Ferguson (Sabrina), Martinez, Calif.; 16 grandchildren; his mother, Elizabeth Ferguson, Sunnyside; a brother, Randal Ferguson (Alice), Las Vegas, Nev.; sister-in-law, Liz Ferguson, East Carbon City; and many loving extended family members. He was preceded in death by his father, George L. Ferguson; two brothers: LeRay Ferguson and Bruce Ferguson (infant).
Funeral services will be Aug. 21 at 11 a.m. at the Lyman LDS Chapel, 127 N. Main, Lyman, Wyo. Viewing Monday and Tuesday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Graveside services and interment will be Wednesday, Aug. 22, at 10:30 a.m. at Cliffview Cemetery, Price, under the direction of Fausett Mortuary.
Willard Van Wagoner
WELLINGTON – Willard LaVell Van Wagoner, age 75, passed away peacefully at his home in Wellington, on Aug. 18, 2007.
He was born April 13, 1932 in Wellington to Elden Horace Van Wagoner and Sarah Jane Pinegar. He married Marilyn Mead in the Manti LDS Temple on 1Oct. 8, 1954.
He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
He was raised in Wellington and served his country in the Korean Conflict where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart.
He received his bachelor’s from BYU in 1959. He worked in the finance department of the LDS Church, wherein he filled the post as financial coordinator of the British Isles for three years in England and later served as church fleet administrator.
He was an avid genealogist, loved hunting and camping with his family, dutch oven dinners, woodworking, and had a wonderful tenor voice that filled our hearts.
We will fondly remember water fights, games, fun, wise counsel, father’s blessings and love.
He is survived by his eternal sweetheart: Marilyn Mead; children: Max and Anita, Mesa Ariz.; Kara and Jeff Hunt , Mesa Ariz.; Gerret and Myrna , Bountiful; Martin and Lori, Hyrum ; Traci and Kurt Keller New York, N.Y., Valyn and Chad Tucker, West Haven; Jeanine and Bart Gardiner, Saratoga Springs; Wendy and Matt Horton, Palo Alto , Calif.; 27 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, and two brothers Robert and Fred.He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Enid, Reed, Gerald, Shirley and Ray.
Funeral services will be Tuesday Aug. 21, at 11a.m. at the Wellington LDS Stake Center, 935 East Main. Visitation Monday at Fausett Mortuary in Price and Tuesday at 10 p.m. at the church prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Wellington Cemetery.
Robert ‘Bob’ Seely
GREEN RIVER – Robert “Bob” Seely, age 85, died August 15, 2007 in Green River.
He was born March 29, 1922 in Spring Canyon, the fifth of six children born to Joseph and Florence Amelia Shiner Seely. He married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte Louise Wilson, on Nov. 19, 1941 in Ely, Nev. Their marriage was solemnized on May 21, 1966 in the Manti LDS Temple.
Robert’s family moved to Green River in 1932, where he attended school and graduated from Green River High School in 1940.
Following high school, he went to work for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad where he worked for 44 years. He lived in Emery and Carbon counties while working on the railroad before settling in Green River in 1957. Following his retirement in 1983 from the railroad, he and his wife enjoyed the golden years together.
He was a member of the LDS Church, jeep posse, Railroad Association, and was very active in the Green River community.
He never met a stranger and was known as uncle or grandpa Bob to the young children in the community.
Some of his hobbies included hunting, railroading, electrician work, raising roses, vegetable gardening and exploring the desert. He loved to whistle, music, dancing, dogs, horses, and genealogy.
He was very proud of his family heritage and loved to tell stories. His greatest joy was his family and his wife of 65 years.
He is survived by his wife, Charlotte of Green River; three children, Robert L (Melinda) Seely of Salt Lake City; Jeanny Louise Seely of Craig, Colo.; and Keith Leon (Debbie) Seely of Denver, Colo.; one brother, Norman Richard (Sharon) Seely of Green River; a sister-in-law, Anita Gifford of Fruita, Colo.; 12 grandchildren, Frank, Scott, Christine, Misty, Monica, Monique, Maria, Michelle, Kara, Matt, Nick and Brittany; 15 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, J. Hawley Seely and William Seely; and two sisters, Beulah Seely Bohleen and Jane Stott.
Funeral services were Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Green River LDS Chapel. Interment, Elgin Cemetery under the direction of Fausett Mortuary.
Verna Thomilson
GREEN RIVER -Verna Luella Louise Holtzen Thomilson, age 88, passed away Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, in Green River.
She was born June 12, 1919 in Davenport, Neb. Met her husband, Leland Thomilson, in Idaho and married after WWII on Dec. 12, 1945.
A career in civil service moved them to Colorado, Kansas, Georgia, North Carolina and Illinois and finally retired in Oregon in 1978. After 47 years of marriage, Lee passed away on July 19, 1992. Then in 1998, Verna moved to Arizona near her daughter and, in 2006, she moved once more to Utah with her daughter.
An avid gardener, Verna always had summer gardens and beautiful flowers and canned goods for winter.
She was a lifelong member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church.
She provided a loving Christian home to her surviving two children, Louis Thomilson and JoAnn Williams. She is also survived by two grandchildren. The youngest daughter of Louis and Adelheid Holtzen, Verna was preceded in death by her three brothers, Edwin, Martin and Walter Holtzen; four sisters, Alma Bohling, Hulda Schnachenberg, Esther Wittrock and Alvina Pubanz; a generation has passed away.
A private memorial is planned and she will rest with her Lee in Eugene, Ore., until Jesus gives them both resurrected bodies to abide in heaven. She will be missed by her children, but welcomed by God. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home.