Arva Smith
PRICE – Arva May Mercer Smith, 78, died peacefully April 22, 2003 in Salt Lake following a short illness.
Arva was born July 3, 1924 in Lehi to Charles E. and Geneve Evans Mercer. While working in Provo, she met her husband, John W. Smith, on a blind date. John, after graduating from BYU, worked for the Internal Revenue Service.
She often reflected upon her youth in Lehi, particularly her grade school years, with much fondness. Arva graduated from Lehi High School and from Brigham Young University during World War II, when the Y was still a small school located at the old lower campus. Following graduation with a degree in English, Arva worked as a journalist for both The Daily Herald and Salt Lake Tribune. Following the birth of their first two children, Michael and Shelley, the family was transferred to Price. The family grew to seven with the birth of three more children, Craig, Miriam and Andrea. Arva and John raised their family and lived the rest of their lives in Price. Arva and John were married for 45 years until John’s death in 1995.
While living in Price, Arva was active in civic and church affairs. She was a band mother, a choir mother and, even though she was not a sports fan, Arva frequented the sidelines of her children’s baseball, football, and softball games and track and field meets. Arva served in many church positions, but seemed to enjoy those most when she worked with the youth.
Arva continued her journalistic endeavors in Price becoming an award-winning correspondent for the Deseret News and an award-winning staff writer for the Sun Advocate. Arva loved to read and owned thousands of books. She also loved the arts, particularly theater and movies. She would recount her impressions of plays she had seen from her early childhood to the numerous plays and musicals she saw on Broadway and beyond. Arva will be remembered by those who knew her for her kind and sensitive heart. A wonderful mother and grandmother, Arva was very proud of her children and grandchildren and their accomplishments. One truly tragic event of her life was the unexpected loss of her oldest son, Michael, while he was serving an LDS missing in Australia in 1970. Arva was an avid traveler and was fortunate to be able to spend her last few years traveling around the country and abroad.
Arva never lost her zest for life or her interest in current events. She read the newspapers every day and was a fan of television news and news magazines. She grew to understand the power of prayer and her last years were filled with faith.
She is survived by daughter, Shelley (Robert) Beatty, Kansas City; grandchildren, Jennifer, Becca and B. J., who is serving a mission in the Czech Republic; son, J. Craig (Anneli), Salt Lake City; grandchildren, Courtney, Ethan and Dylan; daughter, Miriam, San Francisco, Calif.; and daughter, Andrea (Wasim) Khan, Kansas City; and grandchildren, Zain and Aalia. She is also survived by four siblings, Charles (Dorothy) Mercer, Simi Valley, Calif.; Jedda (Dave) Monson, Bountiful; Julian (Diana) Mercer, Lehi; and Bill (Beverly) Mercer, Menan, Idaho; many nieces and nephews, as well as three special aunts and one uncle, Lillian Reader, Zona Steiner, DeVere Oliver and Glen Evans.
The family wishes two thank Arva’s exceptional caring neighbors and friends in Price; the doctors and staff at the University of Utah Medical Center and the Salt Lake Specialty Medical Center.
Services will be held Monday, April 28, 1 p.m., at the Price 5th LDS Ward in Price with visitation Sunday evening, April 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary and one hour prior to services on Monday. Interment, Price City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a donation in Arva’s name to the College of Eastern Utah scholarship fund is suggested.
Donna McKendrick
PRICE – Donna Lynn Brundage McKendrick, age 62, passed away April 21, 2003 in Provo, surrounded by her loving family after a brief battle with cancer.
She was born July 13, 1940 in Price to George S. and Reva K. Brundage. Donna Lynn married Norman S. McKendrick July 15, 1955 in Price.
She enjoyed crafts, quilting, doll making, crocheting and ceramics, but her primary love was her family. She always put them first in everything she did, though her failing health made it difficult at times. There was a hug and a cup of coffee for anyone who happened to drop by. Her tender love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be deeply missed.
She is survived by loving husband and best friend, Norman of Price; children, Sheldon D. (Gina) McKendrick, Terri (Dan) Allred, Monty R. (Joy) McKendrick, all of Price; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Also survived by sister, Twila Mae (Roy) McKendrick of Clearfield; brothers, George E. (Judith) Brundage of Bluebell; and Gerald (Loreen) Brundage of Price. Preceded in death by parents; and brothers, Rawlin and Sheldon.
Funeral services will be Friday, April 25, 11 a.m., in Ascension St. Matthews’s Church. Friends may call Thursday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary in Price. Burial, Cliffview Cemetery, Price.
Karen Needs
PRICE – Karen Brown Needs, age 48, passed away April 22, 2003 while surrounded by her loving family.
She was born Dec. 22, 1954 in Salt Lake City and moved to Price in 1988.
Karen was a beautiful person; all who knew her loved her. Karen was a beautiful mother, and a beautiful grandmother. Karen was also a beautiful stepmother. She sure was pretty to all who knew her. Karen was living history in Utah. Her great-grandmother and great-grandfather were called by Brigham Young to settle Cache Valley.
Karen chose a life to help those in need. She chose to help all of us. Karen’s spirit is not gone from us. We will miss the touch of her hand.
Karen is survived by loving husband, Thomas J. Needs; two children, Heather Nicole Miller and Elder Adam Joseph Needs; granddaughter, Nicole Candice Miller. Karen is also survived by mother, Doris C. Brown; brother, Craig Brown; sisters, Dorene Larsen, Nancy Hansen, and Jodi Rix. Karen was preceded in death by father, Walter D. Brown; and brother, Richard G. Brown.
Memorial services will be held April 18 at Price 5th LDS Ward at 10 a.m. Karen will be laid to rest in peace at Wasatch Memorial in Salt Lake City.
Katie Bruce
KENILWORTH – Our beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Katie Bruce, age 87, gracefully passed away in Salt Lake City on April 20, 2003.
She was born Jan. 22, 1916 in Sunnyside, the daughter of Pete and Agnes Sesa Savoni. Married Wesley L. Bruce June 28, 1938 in Price. He died April 11, 1979.
A kind, gentle woman who devoted her life to her family and friends, she was a faithful employee of Carbon County Nursing Home for many years and a member of the Italian Lodge.
Katie was a longtime resident of Kenilworth.
Survived by son, Thomas James (Gay), Nacona, Texas; daughter, Judy (Jeff) Judd, Salt Lake City; seven grandchildren, Natalie Gillespie, Todd Bruce, Kim (Matt) Allen, Brett (Becky) Judd, Quentin (Shelly) Judd, Brandy (Courtney) Clifford, Mitch Judd and six great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by brother, Julio Savoni.
Funeral service Friday, April 25, 10 a.m., at Mitchell Funeral Home. Family will be at Mitchell’s Thursday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. and Friday one hour prior to services. Interment, Price City Cemetery.