Sidney Johnson
Sidney Browning Johnson, loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather, 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, in Logan, Utah.
Sid was born Dec. 6, 1927, to Sidney E. and Florence M. Johnson in Ogden, Utah, the youngest of three children and only son.
Sid was an adventurous young man who loved the outdoors, fishing, hiking and camping. At age 18 he joined the Army Air Corps and served for two years. He then attended Utah Agricultural College (now Utah State University).
Sid spent his summers working for the forestry service as a surveyor and hiked throughout the mountains of Northern Idaho, surveying national lands for future road building. While attending USU, Sid met his sweetheart, Alice Mae Burt. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sept. 12, 1949.
The year 1951 brought lots of change to the Johnson family. Sid’s first child, Karen, was born, and he received an officer commission in the U.S. Air Force. He began 20 years of military service while raising a family with his wife and four children, always on the move.
He was privileged to serve stateside and overseas. His tours of duty included Ohio, California, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Utah, Greenland, France, Greece and Viet Nam. He served as base civil engineer in many of his assignments and was instrumental in spinning up one of the original Prime Beef (now Red Horse) engineering teams.
After retiring from the Air Force Sid and family settled in Brigham City, Utah, where they resided for 46 years. During that time Sid was an engineer at Thiokol Chemical Corp. and retired from there after 20 years.
Sid was a member of the LDS Church. He served many years as ward and finance clerk under five different bishops. Later in life he and his wife served for six years as service missionaries at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
He was a member of the Sons of Utah Pioneers, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
To stay busy after retirement Sid took up woodworking in between trips to Alaska to go salmon fishing with his sons. When there was extra time, Sid and his sweetheart would travel. Together they visited over 20 different countries on their own, with family or friends. Travel destinations often included visits to spend time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Baptisms, graduations and birthdays were among their favorite celebrations with all the kids.
Surviving are three children: Karen Johnson Tam, Scott (Jane) Johnson, and David (Heidi) Johnson; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren.
Sid was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Mae Burt Johnson, and son, Van Burt Johnson.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 18, at 11 a.m. Gillies Funeral Chapel, 634 E. 200 South, Brigham City. Viewing will be held Friday, May 17, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m at Gillies Funeral Chapel.
Interment in the Brigham City Cemetery.
Send condolences to www.gfc-utah.com.
Darwin Lamar Bywater
Darwin Lamar Bywater died May 9, 2019, in Newton, Utah, of heart failure.
Darwin was born in Brigham City, Utah, on Jan. 30, 1942, the youngest son of Milton Alfred Bywater and Lilas Simper Bywater.
He attended Bear River Elementary School and Box Elder High School, class of 1960. Darwin was an avid horseman and in his early years loved to compete in rodeos in bareback, saddle bronc, and bull rider events.
He served in the Utah National Guard from 1960 to 1964.
He married Betty McMurtrey in 1965 and made his home in East Bear River City until they divorced in 1992. He raised two children, son, Jay, and daughter, Cherie. He loved supporting his children in high school activities and 4-H.
He bred and raised thoroughbred quarter horses that were raced in chariot competition by himself, his son and daughter, and together they won many championships including the Utah State Chariot Racing Championship in 1985, with Jay as the driver. Darwin also donated his time for many years to race his chariot teams for the Jackson Hole Shriner’s Children’s Hospital charity benefits. Darwin worked as a transport driver and heavy equipment operator, building bridges, roads, airport runways and dams. He retired as a teamster in 1995.
After a 36-year separation, he married his high school sweetheart, Darla Rockwood, on March 26, 1996. They made their home in Lynn and Newton, Utah. In 1999, Darwin and Darla established the Almo Creek Outpost, a popular steakhouse restaurant and lodge in Almo, Idaho, which they built and operated until 2006. It was a labor of love for them both, a major highlight of their new life together. They enjoyed meeting people who came from all over the world to visit the City of Rocks National Reserve in Almo. They made many new friends, as well as enjoyed visiting with old friends.
Darwin is survived by his wife, Darla; son, Jay D. Bywater (Shelley); two grandsons, Jay Dylan Bywater (Grace) and Spencer Gene Bywater; a great-grandson, Horace Lamar Bywater; daughter, Cherie Bywater; and one older brother, Milton S. Bywater (Marie).
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers: Max Bywater (Roberta), Marvin E. Bywater (Carolyn), and Harold D. Bywater (Marchine).
Darwin requested there be no funeral or memorial service and that his friends and family remember him as he was in life.
Any condolences for family can be sent to Gillies Funeral Chapel at www.gfc-utah.com.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Salt Lake City Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
Brian D. Nelson
Brian D. Nelson, 61, of Mantua left this earthly life to join his son, Chris, to serve on the other side of the veil on May 10, 2019, from injuries sustained in a car accident on May 1, 2019.
Brian was born Aug. 31, 1957, in Brigham City, Utah, the fifth and last child of Lee Gordon and Doris Gibbs Nelson.
Brian graduated from Box Elder High School in 1975. He married his high school sweetheart, Debbie Busenbark in the Ogden Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 18, 1976.
Brian lived all but the first four years of his marriage in Mantua. He and Debbie built their home in 1980 behind his parents’ home in what was once their horse pasture. They raised their seven children there.
From the time Brian was a little boy he was very active in sports. He played baseball, basketball and softball. He was well known for hitting it out of the park. He played with Champion Homes, Brigham City Merchants and Morton Thiokol. The Morton Thiokol team played in seven national championships. Brian was named to the All-American team several times. He also received many MVP awards. When he was playing two nights a week plus weekends and four of his children were on teams, Debbie convinced him to hang up his cleats and coach his boys. He coached many Jr. Jazz, T-ball and Little League teams. He also served as their Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader for many years.
Brian’s favorite teams were the Indianapolis Colts, the Boston Celtics, the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Bruins.
Brian was a faithful member of the LDS Church and served in many callings. He had a very strong testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ and of the knowledge that we can be together again as families for eternity.
In 1997 Brian and Debbie began a tradition of attending at least one new temple every year for their anniversary. They had been to 39 temples.
Brian began working at Thiokol in 1978 at the age of 21. He spent most of his 35 years there working in the Space Shuttle program as a manufacturing engineer. Part of his job was escorting the booster motors by train from Corinne, Utah, to Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On one of those trips while traveling through Alabama a trestle broke and the train crashed 13 feet down to the creek below. Brian received many injuries and continued to suffer bad headaches from it.
After the Space Shuttle ended and the Aries program was cancelled, he was laid off. He then started a new job with BAE Systems working at Hill Air Force Base as a technical writer.
Brian was a very devoted husband, father and grandfather. His family was everything to him. After hearing a talk by LDS President Dieter Uchtdorf a few years ago he began a tradition of taking each grandchild out to dinner for their birthday. He loved spending the one on one time with them. They affectionately call him “Papa.”
Brian was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Christopher.
Brian is survived by his wife, Debbie, Mantua; children: Monica (Josh) Glover, Brigham City; Brock (AshLee) Nelson, Mantua; Dallas (Corina) Nelson, South Jordan; Skyler (Misti) Nelson, Mantua; Erica (Patrick) Norris, Mantua; and Cory (Sydney) Nelson, Brigham City; grandchildren: Jacob, Mckall, Molly, Emma, Mckynlee, TayLee, Saybree, Lily, Oaklee, Champ, Jaxon, Avree, Casey, Janci, Nora, Blakely, Bridger, and Sadie, with Magnolia coming the end of June; also, siblings: Dorene (Ralph) Valentine, Gordon Nelson, David (Janet) Nelson, and Carol (Rex) Spencer.
A viewing will be held Friday, May 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 205 S. 100 East, Brigham City, and Saturday, May 18, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Mantua LDS 1st Ward building, 237 Willard Peak Road. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church.
Interment in the Mantua Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com.
Mauro Gusman
Jan. 25, 1929 ~ May 11, 2019
Mauro Gusman, 90, of Burnet, Texas, formally of Brigham City, Utah, passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2019.
A funeral service is planned for Wednesday, May 15, at 10 a.m. at Jesucristo La Roca Viva, 656 Park Road 4 S., Burnet, Texas. Interment will follow with military honors at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park.
Mauro was born Jan. 25, 1929, to Prudencio and Concepcion Guzman in Fruitvale, Texas.
Mauro honorably served his country in Korea in the U.S. Army from 1953 through 1954.
He earned an associate’s degree in business.
Mauro married the love of his life, Maria Ernestina Gusman.
He was a migrant worker then later worked for Morton Thiokol for more than 20 years.
Mauro loved working on his house and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Prudencio and Concepcion Guzman, and son, Prudencio Gusman.
Mauro is survived by his wife, María Ernestina Gusman; children: Edna Yvonne Francisco, Elda Guadalupe Johnson and Mauro Gusman; grandchildren: Felicia Francisco, Juan Anthony Francisco, Tamára Matheson, Sarah Johnson, and Walter Johnson; two great-grandchildren, Kayla Alejandro and Cain Wheeler; and brothers and sisters: Gregoria, Luisa, Esperanza, Guadalupe, Macario, Carmen, Marcelino, Maria, and Carlos.
Arrangements under the care of Jenkins Funeral Home, Burnet, Texas.
JoAnne N. Velazquez
JoAnne Nina Velazquez passed away Saturday morning on May 4, 2019, at her home, surrounded by her loved ones, due to complications of colon cancer.
JoAnne lived in Brigham City, Utah since 1985.
She was born Aug. 28, 1934, in Harbin Manchuria, China, to her parents Anatoli Josefovich Sitarek and Polia Nikki Maharinski-Sitarek, who were immigrants from Russia. In 1939, JoAnne and her family took a ship from Yokohama, Japan, to Seattle, Washington.
Four years after arriving in Seattle, Anatoli drowned tragically in a fishing accident in Puget Sound, leaving Polia to raise their children by herself. During the late 1940s, Polia came down with tuberculosis and was quarantined in a sanatorium. Since their father was gone, the children were sent to an orphanage in Seattle to live until their mother’s health improved. JoAnne’s favorite childhood memory was running away from the orphanage with her brothers, Walter and Boris, and sister, Lucy. This occurred three separate times, but they were always caught and sent back to the orphanage. One time, they were able to get as far as Portland, Oregon, before getting caught. JoAnne loved this because she enjoyed seeing different parts of the world and going on adventures.
When she was older, JoAnne enjoyed going on vacations with her son, Shareef, and her grandchildren. Her favorite places to visit were Seattle, California, and Wendover, Nevada.
JoAnne had many hobbies that included completing puzzles, knitting, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She is loved by many in her community and always knew how to make people laugh. JoAnne will forever be remembered as a beautiful soul who cared deeply for her children and grandchildren and would do anything for them.
She is survived by three sons and a daughter: Shareef (Tina) Shakur, Farr West, Utah; Donald Hale, Seattle, Washington; and Ricky Goodwin and Barbara Jordan, both of West Seattle, Washington; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, one sister, one son, and one daughter.
Services were held Friday, May 10.
Interment in the Honeyville Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com.
Craig Hale
Craig Victor Hale, 66, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away surrounded by family on Monday, May 6, 2019, due to injuries incurred in a serious bike accident.
Craig was born in Blackfoot, Idaho, the third child of Elgie Hale and Vera Ruth Judy.
Craig is survived by his father; his wife, Jamie Butterfield Hale; children: Ammon (Jillian) Hale, Aaron (Haley) Hale, Julia Hale, Janel (Derek) Osborne, David (Katrina) Hale, Kathy (Oswaldo) Ramos, Janae (Jaymes) Stone, and Adam Hale; three step-children: Rebecca, Chris, and Rachel Wood. Siblings: Kathy (Jax) Pettey, Brent (Sandra) Hale, Kristen (Danny) Giatras, Bob (Beth) Hale, Ann (Kevin) Packer, and Lisa (Brett) Wells.
He will always be remembered as a fun and energetic grandpa to his 17 (one on the way) grandchildren.
The service to celebrate Craig’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at Gillies Funeral Chapel, 634 E. 200 South, Brigham City. Friends are cordially invited for visitation from 1 to 1:45 p.m. at Gillies Funeral Chapel before the funeral service.
Interment in Brigham City Cemetery.
Craig was known as a quiet, kind man who enjoyed helping others and always gave encouragement to his friends and family. He loved to be in the outdoors and especially enjoyed water sports of all kinds, snow skiing, and camping or hiking, all with his beloved companion, Jamie, by his side.
Craig and Jamie, owned Shutters and Blinds of Tennessee, beginning in 1999. Craig enjoyed the many new friends and business acquaintances he got to know during the last 20 years serving the Knoxville area.
As a youth, Craig served a two-year mission for his church that lead him to develop a strong testimony of Jesus Christ that never wavered throughout his life. His children, step-children and many grandchildren will always remember his unconditional love, support, strong faith, and the fun, active lifestyle that he always encouraged. Craig truly enriched many lives, and will be tremendously missed.
Oleta C. Wheeler
Oleta Cobbley Wheeler, 71, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at Ogden Regional Hospital after a short, courageous battle with cancer.
Oleta was born Nov. 13, 1947, in Payson, Utah a daughter of Reva Gillman and Dean Cobbley.
She attended Springville Elementary, graduated from Bear River High School and attended beauty school.
Oleta married her sweetheart, Lyle Gordon Wheeler, on Sept. 19, 1969, in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She was a faithful member of the LDS Church.
Oleta loved spending time with family and friends, crocheting, quilting, baking pies, making candy, suckers, reading and traveling. She was a caring and loving person who was strong willed and had a stubborn streak.
Surviving are her children: Lyle Brendan (Mindy) Wheeler, Brigham City; Brant Jeremy (Melanie) Wheeler, Collinston; Tanalee (Curtis) Weaver, Brigham City; and Justin Wayne (Heather) Wheeler, Brigham City; 12 grandchildren; and siblings, Neldon (Jalyn) Cobbley and Gary Cobbley.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon; son, Jay Gordon Wheeler; grandson, Nicholas Terry Weaver; baby brother, Dewight Cobbley; and sister-in-law, Phyllis.
Special thanks to Integrity Home Health—Rachelle, Bella, Eric; all the doctors, nurses and staff at Ogden Regional Medical Center; and Encompass Hospice.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 18, at 11 a.m. at the LDS ward building, 506 S. 200 East, Brigham City.
Viewings will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 205 S. 100 East, Brigham City, and on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:40 a.m. at the church.
Interment in the Tremonton Riverside Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com.
Sharen Ward
Sharen Mumford Ward, 87, passed away quietly in her sleep at her home in Mesquite, Nevada, on May 1, 2019, with family by her side. She had battled cancer for over a year.
Born Jan. 14,1932, Sharen is the daughter of LaMar Wardel Mumford and Bessie Crezee Mumford.
She is survived by her daughter, Sherilee Jensen, and husband, Larry, both of Nevada; daughter, Jaylene Summers of Utah; her brother, Jay C. Mumford, of Pennsylvania; grandchildren: Monica (Summers) Short and her husband, Mitchel, of Utah; Melanie (Summers) Clarke and her husband, Mark, of Washington state; and Rylee W. Ward and his wife, Alexis, of Utah; and many nieces and nephews.
Sharen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leland W. Ward; her son, Jon W. Ward; and her parents.
Sharen was a graduate of Utah State University. As an active member in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, she held leadership roles at the state, regional and national level. Sharen was also active in local women’s clubs and community improvement projects, served on the library board, and taught adult education classes.
She was an accomplished seamstress, loved to keep a nice yard, and was a generous friend. She had a beautiful soprano voice and enjoyed singing as a soloist and in ward choirs. Spending time with friends and family at her cabin in Island Park, Idaho, brought her joy and memories she cherished.
A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sharen had a strong testimony and faith in the gospel. She held several leadership positions and used her many talents to serve, teach and enrich those around her.
Sharen lived in Brigham City, Utah, for almost 60 years, and valued the many friends and memories she had in the community. Following her husband’s retirement, she lived seasonally in Mesquite, Nevada, and Island Park, Idaho.
Her concluding months were spent at home aided by her oldest daughter and her son-in-law, members of the Mesquite LDS 8th Branch and the care and support of Mesa View Hospice.
The family is grateful for the caring assistance and final arrangements provided by Virgin Valley Mortuary.
Private family services will be held on a later date. Burial will be in Island Park, Idaho.
The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their guest book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.
Sidney Browning Johnson, loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather, 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, in Logan, Utah.
Sid was born Dec. 6, 1927, to Sidney E. and Florence M. Johnson in Ogden, Utah, the youngest of three children and only son.
Sid was an adventurous young man who loved the outdoors, fishing, hiking and camping. At age 18 he joined the Army Air Corps and served for two years. He then attended Utah Agricultural College (now Utah State University).
Sid spent his summers working for the forestry service as a surveyor and hiked throughout the mountains of Northern Idaho, surveying national lands for future road building. While attending USU, Sid met his sweetheart, Alice Mae Burt. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sept. 12, 1949.
The year 1951 brought lots of change to the Johnson family. Sid’s first child, Karen, was born, and he received an officer commission in the U.S. Air Force. He began 20 years of military service while raising a family with his wife and four children, always on the move.
He was privileged to serve stateside and overseas. His tours of duty included Ohio, California, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Utah, Greenland, France, Greece and Viet Nam. He served as base civil engineer in many of his assignments and was instrumental in spinning up one of the original Prime Beef (now Red Horse) engineering teams.
After retiring from the Air Force Sid and family settled in Brigham City, Utah, where they resided for 46 years. During that time Sid was an engineer at Thiokol Chemical Corp. and retired from there after 20 years.
Sid was a member of the LDS Church. He served many years as ward and finance clerk under five different bishops. Later in life he and his wife served for six years as service missionaries at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
He was a member of the Sons of Utah Pioneers, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
To stay busy after retirement Sid took up woodworking in between trips to Alaska to go salmon fishing with his sons. When there was extra time, Sid and his sweetheart would travel. Together they visited over 20 different countries on their own, with family or friends. Travel destinations often included visits to spend time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Baptisms, graduations and birthdays were among their favorite celebrations with all the kids.
Surviving are three children: Karen Johnson Tam, Scott (Jane) Johnson, and David (Heidi) Johnson; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren.
Sid was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Mae Burt Johnson, and son, Van Burt Johnson.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 18, at 11 a.m. Gillies Funeral Chapel, 634 E. 200 South, Brigham City. Viewing will be held Friday, May 17, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m at Gillies Funeral Chapel.
Interment in the Brigham City Cemetery.
Send condolences to www.gfc-utah.com.
Darwin Lamar Bywater
Darwin Lamar Bywater died May 9, 2019, in Newton, Utah, of heart failure.
Darwin was born in Brigham City, Utah, on Jan. 30, 1942, the youngest son of Milton Alfred Bywater and Lilas Simper Bywater.
He attended Bear River Elementary School and Box Elder High School, class of 1960. Darwin was an avid horseman and in his early years loved to compete in rodeos in bareback, saddle bronc, and bull rider events.
He served in the Utah National Guard from 1960 to 1964.
He married Betty McMurtrey in 1965 and made his home in East Bear River City until they divorced in 1992. He raised two children, son, Jay, and daughter, Cherie. He loved supporting his children in high school activities and 4-H.
He bred and raised thoroughbred quarter horses that were raced in chariot competition by himself, his son and daughter, and together they won many championships including the Utah State Chariot Racing Championship in 1985, with Jay as the driver. Darwin also donated his time for many years to race his chariot teams for the Jackson Hole Shriner’s Children’s Hospital charity benefits. Darwin worked as a transport driver and heavy equipment operator, building bridges, roads, airport runways and dams. He retired as a teamster in 1995.
After a 36-year separation, he married his high school sweetheart, Darla Rockwood, on March 26, 1996. They made their home in Lynn and Newton, Utah. In 1999, Darwin and Darla established the Almo Creek Outpost, a popular steakhouse restaurant and lodge in Almo, Idaho, which they built and operated until 2006. It was a labor of love for them both, a major highlight of their new life together. They enjoyed meeting people who came from all over the world to visit the City of Rocks National Reserve in Almo. They made many new friends, as well as enjoyed visiting with old friends.
Darwin is survived by his wife, Darla; son, Jay D. Bywater (Shelley); two grandsons, Jay Dylan Bywater (Grace) and Spencer Gene Bywater; a great-grandson, Horace Lamar Bywater; daughter, Cherie Bywater; and one older brother, Milton S. Bywater (Marie).
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers: Max Bywater (Roberta), Marvin E. Bywater (Carolyn), and Harold D. Bywater (Marchine).
Darwin requested there be no funeral or memorial service and that his friends and family remember him as he was in life.
Any condolences for family can be sent to Gillies Funeral Chapel at www.gfc-utah.com.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Salt Lake City Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
Brian D. Nelson
Brian D. Nelson, 61, of Mantua left this earthly life to join his son, Chris, to serve on the other side of the veil on May 10, 2019, from injuries sustained in a car accident on May 1, 2019.
Brian was born Aug. 31, 1957, in Brigham City, Utah, the fifth and last child of Lee Gordon and Doris Gibbs Nelson.
Brian graduated from Box Elder High School in 1975. He married his high school sweetheart, Debbie Busenbark in the Ogden Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 18, 1976.
Brian lived all but the first four years of his marriage in Mantua. He and Debbie built their home in 1980 behind his parents’ home in what was once their horse pasture. They raised their seven children there.
From the time Brian was a little boy he was very active in sports. He played baseball, basketball and softball. He was well known for hitting it out of the park. He played with Champion Homes, Brigham City Merchants and Morton Thiokol. The Morton Thiokol team played in seven national championships. Brian was named to the All-American team several times. He also received many MVP awards. When he was playing two nights a week plus weekends and four of his children were on teams, Debbie convinced him to hang up his cleats and coach his boys. He coached many Jr. Jazz, T-ball and Little League teams. He also served as their Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader for many years.
Brian’s favorite teams were the Indianapolis Colts, the Boston Celtics, the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Bruins.
Brian was a faithful member of the LDS Church and served in many callings. He had a very strong testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ and of the knowledge that we can be together again as families for eternity.
In 1997 Brian and Debbie began a tradition of attending at least one new temple every year for their anniversary. They had been to 39 temples.
Brian began working at Thiokol in 1978 at the age of 21. He spent most of his 35 years there working in the Space Shuttle program as a manufacturing engineer. Part of his job was escorting the booster motors by train from Corinne, Utah, to Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On one of those trips while traveling through Alabama a trestle broke and the train crashed 13 feet down to the creek below. Brian received many injuries and continued to suffer bad headaches from it.
After the Space Shuttle ended and the Aries program was cancelled, he was laid off. He then started a new job with BAE Systems working at Hill Air Force Base as a technical writer.
Brian was a very devoted husband, father and grandfather. His family was everything to him. After hearing a talk by LDS President Dieter Uchtdorf a few years ago he began a tradition of taking each grandchild out to dinner for their birthday. He loved spending the one on one time with them. They affectionately call him “Papa.”
Brian was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Christopher.
Brian is survived by his wife, Debbie, Mantua; children: Monica (Josh) Glover, Brigham City; Brock (AshLee) Nelson, Mantua; Dallas (Corina) Nelson, South Jordan; Skyler (Misti) Nelson, Mantua; Erica (Patrick) Norris, Mantua; and Cory (Sydney) Nelson, Brigham City; grandchildren: Jacob, Mckall, Molly, Emma, Mckynlee, TayLee, Saybree, Lily, Oaklee, Champ, Jaxon, Avree, Casey, Janci, Nora, Blakely, Bridger, and Sadie, with Magnolia coming the end of June; also, siblings: Dorene (Ralph) Valentine, Gordon Nelson, David (Janet) Nelson, and Carol (Rex) Spencer.
A viewing will be held Friday, May 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 205 S. 100 East, Brigham City, and Saturday, May 18, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Mantua LDS 1st Ward building, 237 Willard Peak Road. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church.
Interment in the Mantua Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com.
Mauro Gusman
Jan. 25, 1929 ~ May 11, 2019
Mauro Gusman, 90, of Burnet, Texas, formally of Brigham City, Utah, passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2019.
A funeral service is planned for Wednesday, May 15, at 10 a.m. at Jesucristo La Roca Viva, 656 Park Road 4 S., Burnet, Texas. Interment will follow with military honors at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park.
Mauro was born Jan. 25, 1929, to Prudencio and Concepcion Guzman in Fruitvale, Texas.
Mauro honorably served his country in Korea in the U.S. Army from 1953 through 1954.
He earned an associate’s degree in business.
Mauro married the love of his life, Maria Ernestina Gusman.
He was a migrant worker then later worked for Morton Thiokol for more than 20 years.
Mauro loved working on his house and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Prudencio and Concepcion Guzman, and son, Prudencio Gusman.
Mauro is survived by his wife, María Ernestina Gusman; children: Edna Yvonne Francisco, Elda Guadalupe Johnson and Mauro Gusman; grandchildren: Felicia Francisco, Juan Anthony Francisco, Tamára Matheson, Sarah Johnson, and Walter Johnson; two great-grandchildren, Kayla Alejandro and Cain Wheeler; and brothers and sisters: Gregoria, Luisa, Esperanza, Guadalupe, Macario, Carmen, Marcelino, Maria, and Carlos.
Arrangements under the care of Jenkins Funeral Home, Burnet, Texas.
JoAnne N. Velazquez
JoAnne Nina Velazquez passed away Saturday morning on May 4, 2019, at her home, surrounded by her loved ones, due to complications of colon cancer.
JoAnne lived in Brigham City, Utah since 1985.
She was born Aug. 28, 1934, in Harbin Manchuria, China, to her parents Anatoli Josefovich Sitarek and Polia Nikki Maharinski-Sitarek, who were immigrants from Russia. In 1939, JoAnne and her family took a ship from Yokohama, Japan, to Seattle, Washington.
Four years after arriving in Seattle, Anatoli drowned tragically in a fishing accident in Puget Sound, leaving Polia to raise their children by herself. During the late 1940s, Polia came down with tuberculosis and was quarantined in a sanatorium. Since their father was gone, the children were sent to an orphanage in Seattle to live until their mother’s health improved. JoAnne’s favorite childhood memory was running away from the orphanage with her brothers, Walter and Boris, and sister, Lucy. This occurred three separate times, but they were always caught and sent back to the orphanage. One time, they were able to get as far as Portland, Oregon, before getting caught. JoAnne loved this because she enjoyed seeing different parts of the world and going on adventures.
When she was older, JoAnne enjoyed going on vacations with her son, Shareef, and her grandchildren. Her favorite places to visit were Seattle, California, and Wendover, Nevada.
JoAnne had many hobbies that included completing puzzles, knitting, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She is loved by many in her community and always knew how to make people laugh. JoAnne will forever be remembered as a beautiful soul who cared deeply for her children and grandchildren and would do anything for them.
She is survived by three sons and a daughter: Shareef (Tina) Shakur, Farr West, Utah; Donald Hale, Seattle, Washington; and Ricky Goodwin and Barbara Jordan, both of West Seattle, Washington; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, one sister, one son, and one daughter.
Services were held Friday, May 10.
Interment in the Honeyville Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com.
Craig Hale
Craig Victor Hale, 66, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away surrounded by family on Monday, May 6, 2019, due to injuries incurred in a serious bike accident.
Craig was born in Blackfoot, Idaho, the third child of Elgie Hale and Vera Ruth Judy.
Craig is survived by his father; his wife, Jamie Butterfield Hale; children: Ammon (Jillian) Hale, Aaron (Haley) Hale, Julia Hale, Janel (Derek) Osborne, David (Katrina) Hale, Kathy (Oswaldo) Ramos, Janae (Jaymes) Stone, and Adam Hale; three step-children: Rebecca, Chris, and Rachel Wood. Siblings: Kathy (Jax) Pettey, Brent (Sandra) Hale, Kristen (Danny) Giatras, Bob (Beth) Hale, Ann (Kevin) Packer, and Lisa (Brett) Wells.
He will always be remembered as a fun and energetic grandpa to his 17 (one on the way) grandchildren.
The service to celebrate Craig’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at Gillies Funeral Chapel, 634 E. 200 South, Brigham City. Friends are cordially invited for visitation from 1 to 1:45 p.m. at Gillies Funeral Chapel before the funeral service.
Interment in Brigham City Cemetery.
Craig was known as a quiet, kind man who enjoyed helping others and always gave encouragement to his friends and family. He loved to be in the outdoors and especially enjoyed water sports of all kinds, snow skiing, and camping or hiking, all with his beloved companion, Jamie, by his side.
Craig and Jamie, owned Shutters and Blinds of Tennessee, beginning in 1999. Craig enjoyed the many new friends and business acquaintances he got to know during the last 20 years serving the Knoxville area.
As a youth, Craig served a two-year mission for his church that lead him to develop a strong testimony of Jesus Christ that never wavered throughout his life. His children, step-children and many grandchildren will always remember his unconditional love, support, strong faith, and the fun, active lifestyle that he always encouraged. Craig truly enriched many lives, and will be tremendously missed.
Oleta C. Wheeler
Oleta Cobbley Wheeler, 71, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at Ogden Regional Hospital after a short, courageous battle with cancer.
Oleta was born Nov. 13, 1947, in Payson, Utah a daughter of Reva Gillman and Dean Cobbley.
She attended Springville Elementary, graduated from Bear River High School and attended beauty school.
Oleta married her sweetheart, Lyle Gordon Wheeler, on Sept. 19, 1969, in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She was a faithful member of the LDS Church.
Oleta loved spending time with family and friends, crocheting, quilting, baking pies, making candy, suckers, reading and traveling. She was a caring and loving person who was strong willed and had a stubborn streak.
Surviving are her children: Lyle Brendan (Mindy) Wheeler, Brigham City; Brant Jeremy (Melanie) Wheeler, Collinston; Tanalee (Curtis) Weaver, Brigham City; and Justin Wayne (Heather) Wheeler, Brigham City; 12 grandchildren; and siblings, Neldon (Jalyn) Cobbley and Gary Cobbley.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon; son, Jay Gordon Wheeler; grandson, Nicholas Terry Weaver; baby brother, Dewight Cobbley; and sister-in-law, Phyllis.
Special thanks to Integrity Home Health—Rachelle, Bella, Eric; all the doctors, nurses and staff at Ogden Regional Medical Center; and Encompass Hospice.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 18, at 11 a.m. at the LDS ward building, 506 S. 200 East, Brigham City.
Viewings will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 205 S. 100 East, Brigham City, and on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:40 a.m. at the church.
Interment in the Tremonton Riverside Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com.
Sharen Ward
Sharen Mumford Ward, 87, passed away quietly in her sleep at her home in Mesquite, Nevada, on May 1, 2019, with family by her side. She had battled cancer for over a year.
Born Jan. 14,1932, Sharen is the daughter of LaMar Wardel Mumford and Bessie Crezee Mumford.
She is survived by her daughter, Sherilee Jensen, and husband, Larry, both of Nevada; daughter, Jaylene Summers of Utah; her brother, Jay C. Mumford, of Pennsylvania; grandchildren: Monica (Summers) Short and her husband, Mitchel, of Utah; Melanie (Summers) Clarke and her husband, Mark, of Washington state; and Rylee W. Ward and his wife, Alexis, of Utah; and many nieces and nephews.
Sharen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leland W. Ward; her son, Jon W. Ward; and her parents.
Sharen was a graduate of Utah State University. As an active member in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, she held leadership roles at the state, regional and national level. Sharen was also active in local women’s clubs and community improvement projects, served on the library board, and taught adult education classes.
She was an accomplished seamstress, loved to keep a nice yard, and was a generous friend. She had a beautiful soprano voice and enjoyed singing as a soloist and in ward choirs. Spending time with friends and family at her cabin in Island Park, Idaho, brought her joy and memories she cherished.
A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sharen had a strong testimony and faith in the gospel. She held several leadership positions and used her many talents to serve, teach and enrich those around her.
Sharen lived in Brigham City, Utah, for almost 60 years, and valued the many friends and memories she had in the community. Following her husband’s retirement, she lived seasonally in Mesquite, Nevada, and Island Park, Idaho.
Her concluding months were spent at home aided by her oldest daughter and her son-in-law, members of the Mesquite LDS 8th Branch and the care and support of Mesa View Hospice.
The family is grateful for the caring assistance and final arrangements provided by Virgin Valley Mortuary.
Private family services will be held on a later date. Burial will be in Island Park, Idaho.
The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their guest book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.
