Obituaries of Piute Co., Utah

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OBITUARIES

Elijah Behunin
Pleasant Dale, Piute County,
Utah, December 30th, 1884.
Editor Deseret News: About 3 o'clock p. m., this day, the family of E. C. Behunin was thrown into the depths of grief by the sad news of their oldest son's death. About 1 o'clock p. m. yesterday, the two oldest sons of B.C. and Jane Behunin started to go to attend a sheep herd, the distance from home being about 11 miles. When they had got about seven miles from home it began to snow. The oldest boy was aged 14 years, 7 mouths and 23 days, his brother and only companion is 12 years and 11 months. When they were a mile and a half from the herd Elijah complained of being very tired. After this complaint he failed very fast, and when they were about one mile from camp he said "I do not want you to feel bad or nothing of the sort for I am going to die, for the Lord has called me and I am forced to go."
They traveled about three-quarters a mile and stopped by a cedar tree and made a fire, The younger boy pulled off his coat and put it around his brother. They reached this place about 10 o'clock p.m. The younger brother spent the remainder of the night getting wood, which was plentiful near by. He would turn his brother over very often to keep him warm. He died at sunrise on the 30th of December, 1883. The younger boy went to the camp and after getting a quilt returned to his dead brother, he spread it out and rolled him over upon it, straightening his limbs and returned home, which point he reached about 3 o'clock p.m., having spent about 26 hours without food or sleep. The day being very cold he had his feet frozen badly. On returning home he did not even stop for food, but taking a small piece of bread in his hand got on a horse and rode four miles to his uncle's to get him to go to Thurbersville to apprize his father of the sad event that had fallen upon his family.
Deceased was born at Spring City, Sanpete county, Utah, May 7th, 1870, was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when eight years old. He was a prayerful, faithful Latter-day Saint, and much beloved by all who knew him. Mrs. Behunin states that when her sons left home the day was line and warm, and remained so until sundown, and that to all appearance they were both hearty and well.

AN IMPROVISED INQUEST
January 1st, 1885, in Thurbervllle, The Justice of the Peace was not at home and there was no coroner there, yet it was deemed advisable to hold an informal or unofficial inquest so the parents and friends of the deceased called in three men to act in the premises, namely, D. H.. Dalton, George Rust and Elias Johnson, who were bound under the following oath: You do each solemnly swear before each other and those present, that the verdict you shad give in the case now before you shall be the truth, according to the best of your ability, and that yon will try your utmost to find out the cause of the death of the deceased now lying dead before you. So help you God. An appropriate oath was also administered to the witnesses.

Wm. Calvin Behunin and J. Jorgenson were the witnesses examined, the testimony being in substance in accordance with the narrative given above. After deliberating, the jurors found a verdict according to the facts.
The funeral was held at the residence of the parents, Jan. 2, 1885 at 2 o'clock p.m.. The remains were then borne to their last resting place by four Elders. The services were conducted by Mesiah Behunin, J Jorgenson, Elias Johnson and D. H. Dalton. - E. C. and Jane Behunin
[Deseret News, Salt Lake City, Jan. 28, 1885 - Transcribed by Candi H.]

Irene T. Elder
NEWSPAPER: The Deseret News
DATE: May 14, 1991
Submitted by Sandra Davis
Irene Tate Elder, age 80, of Marysvale, died May 13, 1991 in the Richfield Care Center.

Born February 16, 1911 in Marysvale, a daughter of Joseph Branch and Margaret Merrill Tate. Married Ray M. Elder; later divorced. She was a writer and historian. She served as editor of Piute County News in the 1940's. She also taught school and worked as a freelance writer, having ties with several newspapers and other publications serving the intermountain area. Served as Piute County Recorder 1947-75.

Survived by her son and his wife, Clark R. and Lois J. Elder, Marysvale; four grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother, Arnold Tate, Marysvale.

Graveside services Wednesday, May 15, 1 p.m., Mountain View Cemetery in Marysvale, under the direction of Springer-Turner Funeral Home Richfield and Salina.

George Kennedy
NEWSPAPER: The Deseret News
DATE: February 15, 1994
Submitted by Sandra Davis
George Albert Kennedy, 86, of Marysvale, died February 13, 1994 at his home in Marysvale, Utah.

Born May 6, 1907 in Marysvale, Utah, to William Cyrus and Clara Mabel Banyard Kennedy. He married Georgia Rose Dalton July 25, 1931 in Richfield, Utah; she died on March 13, 1989.

Survivors: one son and two daughters and spouses, Nonna and Joel Johnson, Kenda Stapel, George Kimball ''Kim'' and Sheri Kennedy; 19 grandchildren, 28 great-grandgrandchild; one brother, Russell H. ''Heath'' Kennedy. Preceded in death by his sweetheart, Georgia Rose; son, Kerry Dale and daughter, Marga Darlene Kennedy Sylvester and one grandson, Brian Kreg Stapel, his parents, two brothers, two sisters, and one half brother.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 17, 1994 at 1 p.m. in the Marysvale LDS Ward Chapel in Marysvale, Utah. Friends may call at the ward chapel in Marysvale, Thursday morning from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial will be in the Mt. View Cemetery in Marysvale, Utah. Funeral Directors: Neal S. Magleby and Sons Mortuary of Richfield, Utah.

Rhoda "Met" Bird McIntosh
NEWSPAPER: The Deseret News
DATE: January 3, 1990
Submitted by Sandra Davis
Rhoda ''Met'' Bird McIntosh, 79, died January 1, 1990, Panguitch, Utah.

Born March 8, 1910, Circleville, Utah, to Ezra T. and Celia Thomas Bird. Married Donald McIntosh, March 8, 1926, in Junction, Utah. Member LDS Church. Active in the Primary and Relief Society. She worked with the sick and aged. She was faithful to family and friends, highly respected by her community.

Survived by her husband, Don, Junction; two sons, Argie Don and his wife, Marion McIntosh, Battle Mountain, Nevada; Gerald B. McIntosh, West Valley City; 11 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; two nieces, whom were raised with her, Maud Dickinson and Alta Orton, both of Panguitch. Preceded in death by her parents, son, Ezra Boyd McIntosh, sister, Laura Johnson, and brother, Ezra Bird.

Funeral Services Saturday, January 6, 1990, Circleville First LDS Ward Chapel, in Circleville. Friends may call at the ward 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Burial: Junction Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Neal S. Magleby & Sons Mortuary, Richfield, Utah.

Joseph Simkins
NEWSPAPER: unknown
DATE: March 1925
Submitted by Kathie Marynik
Aged Pioneer of Circleville Goes to his Reward
Joseph Simkins, who died in Circleville, March 9, was born at Lancashire, England, December 4th, 1842. He came to Utah in Captain Moody's Company in 1850. He moved with his parents to Cedar City in 1851 and to Beaver in 1857. In 1867 he married Charlotte Lundbald and moved to Lehi, Maricopa County, Arizona, to help colonize that place. He returned to Beaver in 1877 and was sent from there to establish the town of Adamsville in Beaver County. He moved to Circleville in 1887 where he spent the remainder of his life.

He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ in his youth and was an active member all his life. He served in the Sunday school as Superintendent for 14 years; was released for two years and then served another term. He was called into the bishopric from the Sunday school and served with Bishop Jas. E. Peterson for 18 years. During one eight-year period, he blessed 56 babies, that being more than one-fourth of the babies blessed at that period. Altogether while living in Circleville, he blessed and baptized more people than any other man or probably any set of men. He was always the choice of the sick for the ordinance of administration. He served in many of the early Indian wars. Was in the war against Blackhawk and knew him personally. Also knew White Horse and many of the other chiefs personally.

He was preceded to the Great Beyond by his wife who died January 25, 1923. Three children had also gone before. He leaves a large family of grown children to mourn his loss. Joseph Charles, James Williard, Rosten L., Marion A., Daniel H., Angus L., Edgar L., Clarence, Mrs. Emma Neilson, and Mrs. Ellen Roundy. Mr. Simkins has 45 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

The cause of death was general debility caused by old age. He was well though of by all and had a wide circle of friends.

L. Haws Smoot
NEWSPAPER: The Deseret News
DATE: July 10, 1990
Submitted by Sandra Davis
Lester Haws Smoot, 78, of Marysville, died July 8, 1990, in a Provo hospital.

Born April 8, 1912, Marysvale, Utah, to Joseph Lester and Edna Haws Smoot. Married Ione Gleave, October 3, 1932 in Richfield, Utah. She died March 13, 1958. Married Ester Christensen Bushman, March 22, 1960, Las Vegas, Nevada. He was a Continental Oil Agent in Marysvale for several years. He owned and operated Smoots Corner. Was on the Piute County Welfare Board. He also owned and operated a construction company.

Survived by his wife, Ester, Marysvale; five daughters, Mrs. Brent (Lola Dawn) Gottfredson, Marysvale; Mrs. Carroll (Sandra) Savage, Henderson, Nevada; Mrs. Lynn (Susan) McClellan, Annabella; Mrs. Dee (Linda) Parry, Las Vegas, Nevada; Mrs. Sam (Addie) Willden, Page, Arizona; stepson, Ronald Bushman, Marysvale; stepdaughter, Nelda Anderton, Parowan; 17 grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; sister, Mrs. George (Addie) Talbot, Boulder City, Nevada.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, July 12, 1990, 1 p.m., Marysvale LDS Ward Chapel. Friends may call at the Neal S. Magleby & Sons Mortuary Richfield, Wednesday evening 7-9 p.m., and at the ward chapel Thursday 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Burial Antimony Cemetery.

Juanita Lewis Stoker
NEWSPAPER: The Deseret News
DATE: January 14, 1990
Submitted by Sandra Davis
Hazel Juanita Lewis Stoker, 79, of Junction, Utah died January 12, 1990 in Henderson, Nevada.

Born October 31, 1910 in Circleville, Utah to William Barton and Juanita Dell McDonough Lewis. Married Lloyd Leone Stoker January 27, 1927 in Junction, Utah; solemnized May 21, 1935 in the Manti LDS Temple. Hazel was a member of the LDS Church, active in the auxiliaries serving in the Relief Society, Primary and MIA. She was a postal clerk in Junction for many years. Member of the Better Homes and Gardens Club in Junction.

Survived by husband, Lloyd; two sons and two daughters, Mrs. Loren (Leona) Grover, Rexburg, Idaho; Kenneth D. Stoker, Henderson, Nev.; Mrs. Robert ''Bob'' (Linda) Barney, West Valley; Roger L. Stoker, Richfield; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; four brothers and two sisters, Mrs. Helen Smoot; Wayne Lewis; Garald Lewis, all Henderson, Nev.; Ray Lewis; Frank Lewis, both Circleville; Mrs. Morris (Thelma) Cooper, Richfield. Preceded in death by her parents; brother, Oscar Lewis; two sisters, Alta Holyoak; and Lucille Harris; and an infant son, Kent Stoker.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 16, 1990, 1 p.m., Circleville 1st LDS Ward Chapel, Circleville, Utah. Friends may call at the Neal S. Magleby & Sons Mortuary in Richfield, Monday evening 7-9 p.m. and at the ward chapel in Circleville from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. Interment, Junction Cemetery.