Roxella Gordon
PRICE/EAST CARBON – Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Roxella Behunin Gordon, age 94, passed away April 29, 2005, with loved ones at her side.
Born Dec. 3, 1910, in Ferron, to Joseph H. and Mary Zwahlen Behunin. Married Shefton Gordon Oct. 4, 1930, and the marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Roxie attended East High School, graduated from Carbon High and attended the College of Eastern Utah where she studied fine arts. She was a talented artist and produced exquisite and unique paintings. Roxie was a dedicated chorister in all organizations in the ward in East Carbon and more recently at the LDS 1st Ward in Price. She had been residing at the Heirloom Inn where she had many friends whom she greatly enjoyed.
Survived by three sisters; two daughters, Lee Gordon, Mary K. Gordon (James L.) Liddiard, both of Salt Lake City; 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by husband, Shefton Gordon; daughter, Carol Jean Gordon Miller; seven sisters; three brothers; and great-granddaughter.
Funeral service Monday, May 2, noon, East Carbon LDS Ward Chapel. Interment, Price City Cemetery under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home of Price.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to the Scholarship Program, sponsoring a student in Fine Arts at the College of Eastern Utah in the memory of Roxella Behunin Gordon.
Betty Bunderson
EMERY – Betty Maurine Bunderson, 82, of Emery, passed away and was reunited with her husband, April 28, 2005, in Emery.
She was born March 29, 1923, in Emery to Floyd and Surelda Hansen Brinkerhoff. She married Rex Alvin Bunderson June 26, 1942, in the Manti LDS Temple.
Betty was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was so proud of her family. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a temple worker for 15 years. She served an LDS mission with her husband to Indiana. She held numerous church callings and was a volunteer at the Pioneer Museum for many years.
Betty is survived by children, Janice (Clifford) Snow of Ferron; Perry V. Bunderson of Moore; Eric (Sharon) Bunderson of Castle Dale; Brent (Beverlee) Bunderson of Grantsville; Michael (Shari) Bunderson of Bluffdale; Mark Bunderson of Emery; Marlene (Donn) Blackburn of West Jordan; Kent (Nan) Bunderson of Vernal; Shelly (David) Umphenour of Riverton; Gayle Larsen of Castle Dale; 54 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren. Also survived by brothers and sisters, Sheila Davis of Salt Lake City; Joyce (Bazel ) Snow of Kearns; Kay (Maxine) Brinkerhoff of St. George; Kirk (Joan) Brinkerhoff of Heber City; and Judy (Gary) Jensen of Emery. Preceded in death by husband, Rex A. Bunderson.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 3, noon, in the Emery LDS Chapel. A viewing will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Burial, Emery Cemetery.
Nick Rukavina Jr.
SPRING GLEN – Nick Rukavina Jr., age 76, passed away on May 1, 2005, at Castleview Hospital in Price, from the effects of Parkinson’s disease.
He was born June 26, 1928, in Spring Canyon, to Nick and Mary Yengich Rukavina.
Nick graduated from Carbon High School in May of 1946 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 26, 1946, where he was honorably discharged on Jan. 29, 1948. He served aboard the USS Prairie and was stationed in Shanghai, China, U.S. Naval Port facilities as a Seaman 1st Class. Nick was employed in various coal mines in Carbon County for over 40 years. He started to work in the mines at the age of 16 beginning at the Independent Coal & Coke Company in Kenilworth, as a boney picker on the tipple. Through the years he became section foreman, and general mine foreman for Carbon Fuel Braztah Mine in Helper, from 1971 to 1977. He retired from the Valley Camp Coal Mine in Scofield on Jan. 12, 1990.
Nick was highly regarded in the coal mining industry for his integrity, hard working ethics, fairness, his ability to get along, his vast knowledge of coal mining procedures and his attention to the safety of those who worked under his supervision. He was also known for his incredible strength. He was innovative, creative and could literally repair any equipment to get it back in working order whether in the mine or at home.
He was a very kind, considerate, compassionate and generous person to his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and would often place their needs before his own. He was a true friend to all his friends and neighbors.
In his younger days he liked to hunt and fish, enjoyed football and one of his favorite pastimes was going to Wendover.
Member of the United Mine Workers of America, Price Elks Lodge and the Slovenian Home.
Survived by two sisters, Kathryn “Kay” Rukavina, and Josie Blanc, of Spring Glen; brothers, Mike Rukavina, Spring Glen; Joe (La Dona) Rukavina, Price; many nieces and nephews, and a special friend, Adeline Fowler. He leaves behind a community of friends and relatives and he will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by parents; and one sister, Mary Clear.
Funeral service, Wednesday, May 4, 11 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home, 233 E. Main Street, Price. Family will be at Mitchell’s Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., and Wednesday one hour prior to service. Interment, Price City Cemetery.
Anna Picco
HELPER – Anna Krajnc Picco, age 93, died April 28, 2005, at home while surrounded by her family and friends.
Anna was born March 28, 1912, in Oakview, Colo., to Joseph Krajnc Sr. and Fredericka Schaffer. Married Mario Picco Sept. 27, 1930, in Price. He died April 24, 1975.
Survived by two children, Eugene (Beulah) Picco and Patricia (Frank) Politano; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by parents; son, Charles Frank Picco; and eight brothers and sisters.
Memorial Mass Saturday, April 30, 11 a.m.. St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Committal service, Price City Cemetery under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Anna’s memory to the Moran Eye Center, Attn: Eve, 50 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132 in support of research for macular degeneration.