Gene Thomas
PRICE – Myron Eugene Thomas Jr., age 74, passed away peacefully on Jan. 30, 2007 at Parkdale Care Center with his friends Brittany and Steve at his side.
He was born May 9, 1932 in Salt Lake City, the only child of Myron E. Thomas Sr. and Violet Lund.
Gene served two tours of duty between 1950 and 1964 as a co-pilot with the United State Air Force. He served in the Korean War and again in Vietnam, where his plane was shot down and he was taken prisoner. He was a POW for six months before being rescued by American forces. Gene lived the rest of his life suffering from injuries he received from being tortured by the North Vietnamese. He was awarded the Purple Heart for those injuries.
Gene loved to cook and he worked as a chef at several Salt Lake City restaurants. His hobbies were woodworking, hunting, fishing, playing pool, and he especially loved working in his garden.
Gene is survived by three sons and one daughter, Myron E. Thomas III, Chip Lund Thomas, Kevin Watson Thomas and Gina Ann (Shayne Wallace); three grandchildren, Shayne Wallace II, Dacian and Kaedynce Wallace; his friends, Valerie Clark, Brittany Alaniz, Steve Laude Sr.; fishing buddies, Sam Smith and Lonnie Anderson; and best little friend and companion, “Puggy.”
We would like to thank the staff at Parkdale Care Center for caring for Gene the past 16 months. Gene was a friend to all that knew him and he will be dearly missed.
A viewing will be at Mitchell Funeral Home Tuesday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. with an evening service starting at 7 p.m. Gene will be buried with military honors on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m., at the Utah Veterans Memorial Park at Camp Williams, located at 17111 South Camp Williams Road in Bluffdale.
Frank Bertot
HELPER/GREEN RIVER, Wyo. – Frank John Bertot, 80, of Green River, Wyo., died Jan. 31, 2007 at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County in Rock Springs, Wyo., after a lengthy illness.
He was born Feb. 16, 1926 in Helper, the son of John and Josephine Buffo Bertot. He attended schools in Helper and Price and graduated from Carbon High School Class of 1944. He also attended an aircraft mechanic technical school in California. He married Irene Dalton Sept. 3, 1953 in Las Vegas, Nev. They divorced after 40 years of marriage.
Frank served in the U.S. Navy during the end of World War II. He was employed with Stauffer Chemical for many years, retiring in 1986.
He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Green River, Wyo. His interests were golfing, painting, woodworking, cooking and his grandchildren.
Survivors include five daughters, Charisse Upshaw of Denver, Colo.; Cindy Wickham and Mike, Fran Romango and Mike, all of Green River, Wyo.; Lori Bertot of Rock Springs, Wyo.; Lisa Foutz and Kenny of Salt Lake City; four sisters, Lena Rados and Louie; Emma Harmon; Bea Kounalis, all of Roseville, Calif.; Rosalie and Ray Christensen of Price; seven grandchildren, Chasity, Jon, Russell, Ashley, Keirsta, Mallorie and Lily; one great-granddaughter, Estrella; numerous cousins in Italy; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents; brothers-in-law, Karl Harmon; and Otis Kounalis.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 3 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Green River, Wyo. A Holy Rosary was recited Friday, Feb. 2 at the church. Cremation will take place at Fox Crematory, Rock Springs, Wyo.
Lori Gallegos
EAST CARBON – Eleria Montano Gallegos, age 73, passed away Jan. 31, 2007 in Price.
She was born May 2, 1933 in Durango, Colo., to Delphin and Rita Rodriquez Montano.
She was a resident of East Carbon since 1982. She enjoyed reading, sewing, crocheting and crafts. Lori dedicated her life to her family and she will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Survived by children, Joey Lopez, Salt Lake City; Dean Montano, Farmington, N.M.; Angel Gallegos, Stacy (Blair) Burton, Jodi Nunez, all of East Carbon; companion of 43 years, Joe Quintana; brothers, Del, Paul, George; sisters, Mary and Jackie; 21 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by parents; sons, Dave and Randy Lopez; and grandsons, Nino Gallegos and Jay Lopez.
Services were held Saturday, Feb. 3, at Eleria’s home.
Travis Schmidt
PRICE – Our beloved Travis Martin Schmidt passed away at home on Jan. 28, 2007 after battling the effects of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
He was born Dec. 22, 1987.
Survived by parents, Patty Schmidt (Stephen); Tim Schmidt (Rudy); brother, Mike; sisters, Tara and Tabby; grandparents, Bill Schmidt (Judy); Joyce Cook; aunts; uncles; cousins; stepsisters and brothers. Preceded in death by Grandpa and Grandma Rich; Grandpa Christensen; and stepsister, Cynthia Owen.
Funeral services were Feb. 1, at Redwood Memorial Mortuary in West Jordan.
Lamont Palmer
CLEVELAND – Lamont C. Palmer, 65, died Feb. 3, 2007 at his home in Cleveland.
Born May 30, 1941 in Teasdale to Arthur and Cora Coleman Palmer. He married Drucilla “Judy” Majors Jan. 29, 1965 in Wellington.
Lamont grew up on family farms in Wellington and Teasdale. He enjoyed working in his shop either fixing a tractor, restoring vehicles or creating wood masterpieces. He loved camping on the desert and riding four wheelers with his family and friends.
Lamont is survived by wife of 42 years; children, Kory D. (Sarah) of Anacortes, Wash.; D’Mont of Cleveland; Tina (Shawn) Ward of Huntington; three grandchildren, Rowdy, Dallyn and Jordan Ward; two sisters, Garna Butler and Ileen Siaperas, both of Wellington; and many family and friends. Lamont is preceded in death by parents; and brother, Willis.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Cleveland LDS Chapel at 11 a.m. and interment will immediately follow at the Cleveland City Cemetery under the direction of Fausett Mortuary.
Gladys Mathis
PRICE – Our mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend, Gladys Nielsen Meeks Mathis passed away peacefully at her residence in the Heirloom Inn at Price Feb. 4, 2007.
Gladys was born to Robert Arthur and Matilda Nielsen Meeks Nov. 11, 1917. She lived on her family’s cattle ranch in Bicknell, Wayne County, until she left home for Brigham Young University where she graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business. She was the fourth daughter of six sisters, five of whom lived to maturity, who remained close throughout their entire lives. She nor her sisters ever forgot their roots and always loved their home in Utah’s Wayne Wonderland where they felt they received every advantage necessary to live life to the fullest. We are sure that after finding our father, it is those folks she looked for when first she stepped beyond the veil.
Gladys was a school teacher who started out in 1941 as the only teacher at the Cainville School in Wayne County; she was the last teacher there. After that school was closed she spent the rest of her career with the Carbon County School District, retiring in 1979.
She was always proud of Carbon County schools and CEU. She loved her students and found great satisfaction in their accomplishments. She enjoyed going to class reunions and visits that were extended to her at home by her students.
She married Wallace Mathis from Price in the Manti LDS Temple in June of 1942. This began her life as a cattle rancher’s wife, a role she found pleasing and satisfying.
Gladys was always active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many positions in the MIA, Primary, Sunday school, and Relief Society. It was the Relief Society, which she came to mostly after she retired from school teaching, where she found her special place and loved serving with her sisters there. It was her goal to be an “angel of mercy.” The couple endured Wallace’s service in the Pacific during World War II, and began their family as soon as they could after his return from the war. She was always grateful for Dr. Quinn Whiting who helped them get their family started. She was a wonderful mother.
Their children are Robert Arthur (Barbara) Mathis, Midway; Katherine Mathis (Arthur L.) Reid, Sandy; and Scott Wallace (Donna) Mathis, Price. She was grandmother to eight grandchildren, Jason Robert (Marie) Mathis, Heber City; Brian Alan (Camille) Lighthall, Schoolcraft, Mich.; MaryAnn Mathis, Heber City; Tanner Scott (MaeDean) Mathis, Price; Charnae Darlene Mathis (Lance Donathon, Price; Chanda Dawn Mathis (Brooke) Dotson, Price; McKenzie Reid (Joseph) Hansen, Morgan; and Emily Reid, Sandy. She had 12 great-grandchildren.
She is survived by sisters, Arthur Meeks Cooper of Mesa, Ariz.; children; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband; parents; sisters, Cora Elizabeth Meeks, Romania Meeks Wise, Margaret Meeks Huber and Mary Ethel Meeks Bishop.
She and Wallace lived their married life on the family farm south of Price where she stayed until she moved to the Heirloom Inn, a lovely assisted living facility in Price. There she not only found accommodations that suited her taste, but she also found a home where she received kind, thoughtful care to the end of her days. The family is grateful for the care extended to her by the staff at Heirloom and the Rocky Mountain Hospice service.
The family will receive visitors at Fausett’s Mortuary, 680 E. 100 South, Price, between 6 and 8 p.m., on Feb. 7. Funeral services will be Feb. 8, 11 a.m., at the Price 6th LDS Ward Chapel, 300 W. 500 South. The family will receive visitors at the chapel beginning at 10 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Interment, Price City Cemetery.
Jerry Burrola
DRAGERTON/GREEN RIVER, Wyo. – Jerry “Pee-Wee” Lewis Burrola, 51, of Green River, Wyo., passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007 at his home. A longtime resident of Green River, Wyo., Mr. Burrola passed away following a sudden illness.
He was born on May 29, 1955 in Dragerton, the son of the late George M. and Jennie Hernandez Burrola. He attended schools in Price and graduated from Carbon High School with the Class of 1973.
He was an avid sportsman and hunter. His interests included golf, skiing, bowling, softball, boating, camping, hunting, fishing and was a music lover.
Survivors include his partner in life Lynne Burrola of Green River, Wyo.; one daughter, Halie Purdy of Las Vegas, Nev.; seven brothers, Richard Burrola of West Valley City; Edward Burrola of Grantsville; George Gilbert Burrola of Payson; John Burrola of West Valley City; William Burrola of Anaheim, Calif.; Robert Burrola of Heber; and Thomas Burrola of Salt Lake City; two sisters, JoAnn Curtin of Riverside, Calif.; and Darlene Kibbee of Magna; one uncle, Dan Burrola of New Mexico; one grandchild, Makayla Purdy; and several cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by parents George and Jennie Burrola and Henry and Emma Garcia.
Following cremation at the Vase White Mountain Crematory, a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8 at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, 633 Bridger Avenue, Rock Springs, Wyo. Father Killian Muli will officiate. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to services.
Reon McCourt
WELLINGTON – Reon McCourt, age 81, died Feb. 2, 2007 at the Parkdale Care Center in Price from causes incident to age.
She was born Bertha Reon Winn in Price , Feb. 21, 1925, the daughter of John Lorin Winn and Bertha Wardle Winn. Reon grew up in the East Carbon area and married Edward J. (Ned) McCourt on Jan. 20, 1945. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple.
Reon was active in the LDS church and served in many positions in Primary and Relief Society. She crocheted beautiful afghans and doilies and was an excellent cook who made wonderful family and holiday dinners. She will be dearly missed by family and friends.
Reon is survived by loving and devoted husband of 62 years; sons, Tom (Jeannie), Price; Reed (Eve Von), Wellington; Clyde (Doreen), Wellington; Brad (Lee), Wellington; and Jack (Shauna), Provo; brothers, Var (Diane) Winn, Provo; Jack (Melba) Winn, Moab; and sister, Lorraine (Nathan) Noyes, West Valley; 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by parents; infant sisters, Lorna; brother, Glen (Vauna) Winn; and great-grandson, Brendon Young.
Funeral services will be at the Wellington LDS Stake Center, 935 E. Main Street, on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 1 p.m. The family will be at the chapel one hour prior to services. Interment, Wellington Cemetery.
Max Ralphs
FERRON – Max H. Ralphs, 83, passed away Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007 in Salt Lake City from heart failure.
Max was born April 24, 1923 to Mirl Hunter Ralph and Blanche Cook, at his Grandmother Ralphs’ pioneer home in Ferron, the third child among five sisters. He grew up on the family farm in Rochester, graduated from South Emery High School, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the South Pacific in World War II.
Max married Elaine Peacock of Orangeville Dec. 1, 1948 in the Manti LDS Temple They made their home in Ferron, where Elaine taught school and Max worked the family farm and served as Utah state meat inspector for Emery and Carbon counties for 30 years. They raised five boys and Max was involved with them in scouts, 4-H and FFA projects, riding club, hunting and sports.
Max served on the city council and as mayor, from 1958 to 1965, and 1980 to 1990. He was involved in many improvement projects for the town and county: water treatment plant, secondary water system, sewer system, park improvements, creation of the Millsite State Park and golf course, and the Mayors’ Park.
Max served in many church positions and was the first bishop of the Ferron 2nd Ward. After their retirement, Max and Elaine served in the Manti LDS Temple. Elaine loved to travel, so they took many trips, and Max continued the tradition with his extended family after she passed away.
Max was the remaining patriarch of the Ralphs family in Emery County, and left a great legacy of the Ralphs family unit. He provided the opportunities for this family and relatives to come together at trips, vacations and traditional holidays at the family home in Ferron.
Max resided with Stewart in Salt Lake for the last few years, where he has been close to his family. He is survived by sons, Michael (Diana), Paradise; Randal (Tauna), Draper; Philip (Mary), Las Vegas, Nev.; Robin (Stacey), Sandy; and Steward, Salt Lake City; 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; sister, Emily (Harold) Daetwyler, Edgewood, Wash.; Louise (Kent) Anderson, South Jordan; and Anna Lee (Kent) Johansen, Holliday. He is preceded in death by beloved wife, Elaine; parents, Mirl and Blanche; sisters, Barbara (Dee) Christensen and Kathleen (Norman) Ensign; and infant brother, James.
Funeral services, Tuesday, Feb. 6, Ferron LDS Stake Center, 11 a.m. Viewing will be prior to the funeral from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment, Ferron Cemetery.