Geraldine V. Smith
PRICE – Geraldine “Geri” Veloy Smith, age 76, was released from her longtime illnesses and returned to her Heavenly Father Oct. 25, 2007 in Lehi while surrounded by her loving family.
Geri was born Geraldine Veloy Hansen on June 2, 1931 in Clear Creek to Arthur Clarence Hansen and Sophia (Jensen) Hansen. She married William A. Barrett, having three daughters and her sons. They later divorced, but always remained friends until his death. She married Grant B. Smith in 1971 and the marriage later solemnized in the St. George LDS Temple.
Geri was raised and educated in Provo, where she was an avid golfer and competed in weight-lifting contests, winning several area titles. She moved to St. George with Grant and the family for several years and then, in 1974, moved to the Price area where she resided since. She worked as a phlebotomist at Castleview Hospital for numerous years.
One of Geri’s greatest joys was her flowers and making her homes and gardens beautiful and adding her own special touch to everything she did. She was constantly doing small things for others to help brighten up their lives.
She will be remembered for her generosity and compassion towards all, being generous to a fault to everyone that was close to her.
Geri loved to work and travel with Grant as he practiced psychology in southeastern Utah.
Geri was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and held various positions throughout her life.
Geri’s greatest love and enduring passion was her family and she was most proud of her children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. Her spirit and her advice shall always be with us. She will eternally live in our hearts and minds.
We shall always be inspired by her courage through life’s challenges. We shall treasure the values we were privileged to receive from her. As we go through our journey of life, we shall always be guided by her faith and unquestionable bravery. We will forever remember her kind words, her soft touch and her beautiful smile.
She is survived by her daughters, Lori (Brad) Harmon, Salt Lake; Anna (Rick) Sandoval, Price; Lisa (Jeff) Thomas, Lehi; and son, Thurston (April) Barrett, Wellington. Geri has 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Geri is also survived by her brother, Gale (Claudia) Hansen, sisters Jean Weight and Bonnie Robison and sister-in-law, Connie Hansen. She was preceded in death by her husband Grant; brothers, Don, Jimmy, Glen and Charles; and sisters, Francis, Bobbie and Arly.
Very special thanks to Dr. John Frischknecht, the IHC hospice program, and her dear friend, Georgia Slane.
A viewing will be Oct.30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary, 680 E. 100 South, Price. Funeral services will be Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. at the Wellington LDS Stake Center, 935 East Main Street, with visitation from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery at 3 p.m.
Mary Metelko
SPRING GLEN – Mary Krebs Metelko, age 84, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 27, 2007, at Parkdale Care Center in Price.
She was born Nov. 22, 1922 in a chicken coop in the old mining camp town of Peerless to Jack and Mary Kos Krebs. Married Rudy Metelko Oct. 12, 1945 in Helper when home on leave from the U.S. Army. Rudy passed away suddenly March 7, 1988.
Mary was a lifelong resident of Carbon County and a devout member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Altar Society and the Merry Mix-Ups.
She was a member of the Slovenian Lodge and the Carbon County Senior Citizen Band.
Mary enjoyed her flower garden, dancing the polka and she treasured all her friends. One of her favorite pasttimes was writing letters in Slovenian to her cousins that lived in Slovenia, Europe.
Survived by three sons and two daughters, Rudy (Judy) Metelko, Price, Mary Ann (Jerry) Nelson, Anthony (Barbara) Metelko, Johnnie Metelko, all of Spring Glen, Rose Boyack, Poway, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.
Funeral Mass Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m., St. Anthony Catholic Church. Vigil service Friday evening, 7:30 p.m., at the church in Helper. The family will be at the church Friday evening at 7 p.m. and Saturday one hour prior to Mass. Committal service, Mountain View Cemetery, Helper. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home.
Elaine Eaquinta
ST. GEORGE – Elaine “Scooter” Eaquinta, as she was known in St. George, age 90, passed away on Oct. 20, 2007.
She was born April 18, 1917 in Missoula, Mont., to George and Gertrude Smith Heck.
At a young age, she moved to Soldier Summit with her family.
She graduated from Carbon High School, where she played the clarinet in the marching band which traveled to Chicago, Ill., to perform at the World’s Fair.
She met and married the ruggedly handsome Joe Eaquinta on April 22, 1939 in Helper. He died Feb. 28, 1973. They ran the family-owned LaSalle Hotel in Helper, which is now a historical landmark.
She taught dance for over 40 years, both in Carbon County and Las Vegas, Nev., where she lived and raised her family.
She was an avid fisherman and loved to travel.
Elaine never met a stranger. She was loved by all and will truly be missed.
She is survived by her daughter Karen (Bill) Sharkey; granddaughters, Keeper Sharkey and Logan Eaquinta; and her daughter-in-law, Korla Eaquinta. Preceded in death by her parents, George and Gertrude Heck; husband, Joe Eaquinta; and children, Joey and John Eaquinta.
Funeral service Saturday, Nov. 3, 2 p.m., Mitchell Funeral Home, 233 E. Main Street, Price.Family will be at Mitchell’s one hour prior to services. Interment Price City Cemetery, Price.
A celebration of life will be Tuesday, Nov. 6, 3 p.m., at the St. George Care Center, 1032 East 100 South.