Obituaries of Wayne Co., Utah

Harold C. Ekker
Harold C. Ekker, age 83, died May 2, 1991, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Born February 2, 1908 in Hanksville, to Cornelius and Edna Gibbons Ekker. Being the oldest of 12 children he was out making a living when he was a teenager, working for the Western Union Telephone and Telegraph as a first class lineman, along with his younger brother, Horace. He attended school in Hanksville and Green River, and loved the game of baseball along with horseshoes. On May 22, 1930 he married Nell Maxfield, in Price; in 1975 they exchanged vows in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They made their homes in Loa and Hanksville over their 61 years of marriage, where he served Wayne County in many positions. He was a chapter member of the Wayne Wonderland Lions Club and the Civic Club of Southern Utah. He traveled throughout the state of Utah working for better roads in Wayne County, while he served as Wayne County Commissioner for 16 years. He served as board chairman in 1981 and was in charge of the county roads and the county welfare. He served as president of the Hanksville Chamber of Commerce. Hanksville representative on the Wayne Medical Board. He was commission chairman for the 18 County Commission and served with Senator Moss, state and federal officials to get bridges over the Colorado River and the Dirty Devil River, after working to get Highway 95 surveyed and paved in 1976, as the Bi-Centennial Highway. Over the years he worked with Utah Governors Maw, Lee, Clyde, Rampton and Matheson, to promote this area of the state. He mined ore at his claims in Garfield County for many years and received an award from the Atomic Energy Commission for shipping the highest grade of uranium ore from the Colorado Plateau. He was instrumental in getting the highway built through Capital Reef via Fremont River. Harold loved the mountains, the desert and enjoyed finding rocks and bringing them home and slicing with his rock saw into bookends and table slabs. Rock hounds from all over the United States must have one or more of his gem stones. His green thumb quality was shown in his yearly crops of watermelon and cantelope, from his huge patches near his home that his grandsons helped to plant and pick. He already had the fields ready for this year's planting.

Survived by his wife of 61 years, Nell; children, Dennis and Sherry Ekker, Steven and Carolyn Hatch, Kevin and Susan Hatch, all of Hanksville; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Horace, Riter, Jess and Darys, all of Hanskville; Ted and Gladys May, both of Green River; Bruce, Reno, Nevada; Reba Bennett, Denver, Colorado; Julia Cheskaty, Idaho. Preceded in death by a daughter, Norma Ekker Mueller, July 7, 1983, great-grandson, Steven Shae Hatch, and brother, Arthur Ekker.

Funeral services will be held Monday, May 6, 1 p.m., in the Loa LDS Stake Tabernacle. Friends may call for viewing Sunday evening, 7-9 p.m. at the family home in Hanksville and Monday at the church in Loa, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Burial: Loa Cemetery under the direction of the Springer-Turner Funeral Home.
Source: The Deseret News - May 4, 1991
Submitted by Sandra Davis

Emma Forsyth
BICKNELL, Wayne County--Emma Baker Taylor Forsyth, age 86, died December 22, 1991 in a Richfield, Utah hospital.

She was born July 3, 1905 in Bicknell, a daughter of Benjamin J. and Samantha L. Mangum Baker. She married Francis Preston Taylor July 5, 1923 in Loa; marriage later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple. He died October 27, 1951. She married LaVon Forsyth January 7, 1953 in the Manti LDS Temple; he died December 13, 1986. Active member LDS Church, served as Relief Society president in Thurber Ward. Active in Community affairs. She taught school in Bicknell Elementary. Lifelong resident of Wayne County.

Survived by children, Fay and Roy Nydegger, Salt Lake City; Shirley and Wayne Smith, Bicknell; Arden P. and Mae Von Taylor, Escalante; stepchildren, Merrill C. and Melba Forsyth, Bicknell; Ward R. and Judy Forsyth, Aurora; Clark and Karen Forsyth, Salt Lake City; Donald R. and Flovonn Forsyth, Bakersfield, Calif.; Myrna and Dick Chappell, Springville; 34 grandchildren; 78 great-grandchildren; brothers and sister, Claud and Kenneth Baker, both Bicknell; Max Baker, Pleasant Grove; Mrs. Freeman (Eva) Ellett, East Carbon City.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Friday, December 27, in the Thurber LDS Ward Chapel in Bicknell, where friends may call for viewing from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to services. Burial, Bicknell Cemetery under direction of the Springer-Turner Funeral Home.
Source: The Salt Lake Tribune - December 25, 1991
Submitted by Sandra Davis

Cleland C. Hunt
TORREY--Cleland Charles Hunt, age 72, died May 1, 1992, at his home in Torrey.

He was born September 16, 1919, in Torrey, a son of Charles Alfred and Alta Curtis Hunt. He married Madonna Peterson August 9, 1941, in Lyman, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple. He was an elder in the LDS Church, and served as a home teacher. He was a farmer, rancher, and timber man.

He owned and operated Hunt Sawmill & Logging Co. He spent 47 years logging on top of the Boulder Mountain with his sons. Cleland and his wife, Madonna, owned and operated the Hunt Apple Orchard in Torrey, and the Sleepy Hollow Ranch in Caineville, Utah, where he spent many hours herding sheep and cattle. Some of his most enjoyable hours were on the ranch in Caineville.

Survived by: His wife, Torrey; children, Stanley and Loren Hunt, Farmington, Utah; Priscilla and Carl Reichert, Hillsboro, Oregon; Deanna and Jerry LeFevre, Panguitch; Monte Hunt, West Valley City; Gary Hunt, Donita and Jeff Pace, all Torrey; Brenda and Shannon Davis, Ivins, Utah; 18 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother and sisters, Rulon Hunt, Torrey; Duella Weber, Bicknell; Lucille Sawoy, Salt Lake City; Mrs. Leland (Vida) Behunin, Orem; Mrs. Tony (Beulah) Hafen, St. George. Preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Floyd Hunt, and four sisters, Ruby Gibbons, Lillian Long, Donna Lennen, and Violet Chaffin.

Funeral services will be held Monday, May 4, 1 p.m., in the Torrey LDS Ward Chapel. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer-Turner Funeral Home in Richfield, Sunday evening, 7-9 p.m., and at the ward chapel in Torrey, Monday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to the services.

Burial, Torrey Cemetery.
Source: The Salt Lake Tribune - May 2, 1992
Submitted by Sandra Davis

Talmage M. Jensen
Our kind and beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother Talmage M. Jensen, age 65, died May 29, 1991 at his home in Torrey.

He was born February 26, 1926 in Richfield; a son of Athol Boone and Mary Alzada Curtis Jensen. He married Luva Joan Hiskey, December 14, 1948 in the Manti LDS Temple. He was a trucker, farmer, rancher, timberman and musician. He served as director of the Farm Bureau in Wayne County for 22 years. He served on the Torrey Town Board, he worked for Nelson-Ricks Creamery as a truck driver for 21 years. He also worked for Garkane Power Co. as a meter reader. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. during World War II. An active member of the LDS Church. He served in the Torrey bishopric, he was a High Priest. At the time of his death he was actively involved as a Stake Missionary.

Survived by his wife, Torrey; children, Richard A. and Teona Jensen, Bicknell; Wesley T. and Corinne Jensen, Torrey; six grandchildren; sisters and brother, Mrs. Fay (Dessma) Gifford, Toquerville; Mrs. Eddie (Connie) Chapel, Twin Falls, Idaho; Coy Jensen, Tooele. Preceded in death by his parents and one brother Quay.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 1, 1991 at 1 p.m. in the Thurber LSD Ward Chapel in Bicknell. Friends may call at the Springer-Turner Funeral Home in Richfield, Friday evening 7-9 p.m. and Saturday at the church in Bicknell 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial with military honors accorded by the American Legion, Harold Brown, Post #92 will be in the Torrey Cemetery.
Source: The Deseret News - May 31, 1991
Submitted by Sandra Davis

Phyl C. Morrill
MAYFIELD/TORREY, Utah--Our kind and devoted husband, father, grandfather, Phyl Covington Morrill, age 59, died May 6, 1992, in Capitol Reef National Park on his way home from work of a massive heart attack.

He was born October 16, 1932, in Teasdale, Utah, a son of William Dellos and Pearl Covington Morrill. His mother died when he was three years old, and he was reared by his stepmother, Lourie Meeks Morrill. He married Karma June Nickle August 29, 1952, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple; later divorced. He married Renee Reynolds Anderson May 26, 1973, in Pleasant Grove, Utah. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the U.S. Army. He was an active member of the LDS Church. Served in the Elder's Quorum presidency, Sunday School superintendency, as executive secretary and home teacher. He was a High Priest.

He has worked at Capitol Reef National Park since 1974. He loved his family, his grandchildren. He was always looking out for the welfare of others. He was a friend to everyone.

Survived by: His wife, of Mayfield; children, Steven and LaMiya Morrill, Hanksville; Ron and Sherri Morrill, Whiterocks, Utah; Vance W. and Elaine Morrill, Hanksville; Kaye and Allen Marshall, Kim Machuta, all Sandy; Bobbie and David Peterson, Loa; Douglas G. and Dianne Morrill, Ivins; stepchildren, Nancy Ann and Garth Sorensen, Salt Lake City; Russell and Loralee Anderson, Joseph; Newell and Janette Anderson, Gunnison; Darla Jean and Kevin Robison, Orangeville; Mitchell and Marilyn Anderson, Centerfield; Teddy James and Jill Anderson, Salina; 47 grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Wenzel and Millie Morrill, Conn.; Colleen Beckstrom, West Jordan; Karen and Ken Beckstrom, Torrey; Sandra Nash, Layton; Lindon and Lynette Morrill, Spanish Fork; Linda and Carl Hansen, Rondall and Gayla Morrill, all American Fork; Vanetta and Rod Davenport, Calif. Preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, and one sister.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 9, 1992, 1 p.m., in the Torrey LDS Ward Chapel. Friends may call for viewing Friday evening, at the Mayfield LDS Ward Chapel, from 7-9 p.m., and Saturday at the church in Torrey, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial, with military honors accorded by the American Legion Harold Brown Post #92, will be in the Grover Cemetery. Under direction of the Springer-Turner Funeral Home, Richfield and Salina.
Source: The Salt Lake Tribune - May 8, 1992
Submitted by Sandra Davis