Ray Larcher
PRICE – Raymond Larcher, age 91, passed away in the early morning of December 31, 2004 in Price.
He was born Dec. 16, 1913 in Sunnyside to Andrew and Catherine Yanes Larcher. In 1908 Andrew and his young wife settled in the farming lands east of Price. On July 17, 1947 Raymond married Gemma Saccomanno at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Helper.
Ray was a graduate of Carbon High School and an accordion instructor and band director for most of his early life. From 1942 to 1945 he served as corpsman in the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1962, Ray opened a small motorcycle shop and with his family guided the expansion of the business.
As a lifelong member of Notre Dame Parish, Ray served as a reserve organist and frequently played at the Saturday afternoon Mass. He was a regular member and entertainer at the Carbon County senior center and Castle Country Care Center where he shared his love of music. He continued with his love of music, playing the organ and accordion at home until his death. His music will live on and be greatly missed by his family, students and a community of friends.
Survived by wife, Gemma Larcher, Price; two sons and one daughter, Robert (Wendy) Larcher, Augusta, Ga.; Paula (Jim) Peterson, Salt Lake City; Jerry (Catherine) Larcher, Bountiful; seven wonderful grandchildren, Philip, Kristen, Kathryn Larcher of Augusta, Ga.; Mike Peterson, Salt Lake City; and Libby, Nicky, Natalie Larcher of Bountiful. Preceded in death by parents; three brothers, Ernest, Gene and Fred; and two sisters, Edith and Irene.
Funeral Mass Tuesday, Jan. 4, 10:30 a.m., Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church. Vigil service will be Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. at the church under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the Notre Dame Church Tuesday at 9 a.m. Committal service, Price City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Notre Dame Church or Rocky Mountain Hospice.
Mary Ghirardelli
HELPER – Our loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to all Mary Louise Howa Ghirardelli, age 74, passed away Jan. 1, 2005 at her daughter’s home in Sandy.
She was born Oct. 23, 1930 in Helper to Mose and Sophie Gazelle Howa.
Our family was truly blessed with the gift of Mary Louise. She dedicated her life to her husband and family. She was married to her best friend and partner, “Joe Joe” for 53 years. She married Joe Ghirardelli Jr. Dec. 23, 1951 at Notre Dame Catholic Church and their relationship exemplified true love.
She always had a smile in her heart and on her face. She never met a stranger and was loved by all whose lives she touched. Her great example, passion for life, and family traditions are legacies that are truly treasured.
She was a lifelong resident of Carbon County and member of St. Anthony Catholic Church. She attended St. Mary’s of the Wasatch and graduated from Carbon High School in 1948. She loved working as a librarian and teacher at Notre Dame School and as a medical staff secretary at Castleview Hospital.
“ZZ” you are our hero! We love you tons!
Survived by loving husband, Joe Ghirardelli, Helper; son, John, (Colleen) Ghirardelli, Springfield, Mo.; daughters, Jody (Sam) Milovich, Sandy; Jill (Johnny) Pappas, Wellington; five grandchildren, John, Joseph and Michael Ghirardelli; Morgan and Daniel Milovich; brothers, John (Kathryn) Howa, Ed (Bernice) Howa; sisters-in-law, Ruth and Nona Howa; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by parents; and brothers, Joseph and James Howa.
Funeral Mass Thursday, Jan. 6, 11 a.m., St. Anthony Catholic Church. Vigil service Wednesday evening, 7 p.m., Mitchell Funeral Home. Friends are welcome at Mitchell’s daily. Committal service, Mountain View Cemetery, Helper.
Gilda Ward
CLEVELAND/PRICE – Gilda Weeks Ward, age 84, passed away Jan. 2, 2005 in Price.
She was born April 27, 1920 in Roosevelt, to Wallace LaVern and Jennie Caldwell Weeks. Married Archie Thomas Ward in 1939 in Heber; later divorced.
Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Gilda loved traveling and she made some wonderful trips to Hawaii, North Carolina, Missouri and California. She enjoyed going to Emery County senior center and playing in the band. For the past four and one half years she resided at Turnquist Retreat where she will be dearly missed by all.
Survived by son, Tom (Sandy) Ward, Price; five sisters and two brothers, Reva Richards, San Bernardino, Calif.; Illa Searle, Midvale; LaVern Loveless, Taylorsville; LaVar Weeks, Grand Junction, Colo.; Jennie Pinegar, West Jordan; Gene Weeks, South Jordan; Calla Rae Loveless, Provo; six loving grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Graveside service Wednesday, Jan. 5, 1:30 p.m., Cleveland City Cemetery. Family will be at Mitchell Funeral Home in Price Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Henry Larson
FERRON – Henry August Larson, age 86, passed away Dec. 29, 2004 in Ferron.
He was born Aug. 3, 1918 in Ferron to Carl and Anna Stocker Larson. He married Edna LaMarr Merrill Jan. 22, 1947 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.
He played football and basketball at Snow College and graduated from Brigham Young University. During World War II he served his country as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps, flying many types of military aircraft including the B-24 D “Liberator”.
As an active member of the LDS Church, he served in numerous callings (bishopric counselor, as a stake missionary, high councilman, lifelong choir member and scout leader). He and his wife served a mission in the Des Moines, Iowa area and for a time they served as workers in the Manti LDS Temple. He worked as a teacher for over 30 years, retiring from the Emery County School District. He also worked in farming and ranching. Henry enjoyed riding horses, singing, dancing, playing horseshoes, family reunions and was an avid BYU sports and Utah Jazz fan.
Henry is survived by wife, LaMarr of Ferron; children and their spouses, Annell Jackson, Dale and Brooke Larson, Charles and Vicki Larson, all of Ferron; Curtis and Maritza Larson of American Fork; 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Also survived by brother, Harold Larson of Provo. Preceded in death by parents, and 10 brothers and sisters.
Funeral services were Monday, Jan. 3, in the Millsite LDS Chapel in Ferron. Burial, Ferron Cemetery under the direction of Fausett Mortuary.