Category Archives: Obituaries

Clarence Franklin Turley 1925-1999

Clarence Franklin Turley passed away November 6, 1999, at his home in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. He is the son of Edward Franklin Turley and Ida Eyring Turley and was born July 16, 1900 in Colonia Juarez.

Born and died in the same home. Married Ann Tenny March 10, 1925 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He was a high priest, active his full life in the LDS Church.Fruit grower, cattleman, chiropractor and elementary school principal were his life’s work in Colonia Juarez.

He was preceded in death by his wife Anna on March 9, 1995. He and Anna had nine children: Lucille (Alvin) Romney, Las Cruces, NM; Kathleen (Clayton) Hakes, Mesa, AZ; Marilyn (Lawrence) Lee, Orem, UT; Clarence Franklin Turley, Jr., Douglas, AZ; Luther Dean (Lanon) Turley, Colonia Juarez, Robert W. (Sonia) Turley, West Jordan, UT; Marshall (Ellen) Turley, Colonia Juarez; Fredrick Eyring Turley (Gayle), Colonia Juarez; Melody (Jeffrey) Cooley, Mesa, AZ. Survived by more than 175 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held November 10 at 11 a.m. at the Colonia Juarez 1st Ward.

Mennell Harvey Taylor Sr. 1938-2006

Mennell Harvey Taylor Sr., 68, of Pleasant Grove, Utah, formerly of Edwardsville, IL, passed away Sunday, June 18, 2006 in Provo, Utah. He was born March 24, 1938 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico to Mennell Hyrum and Floriene Farnsworth Taylor. He married Velma Whetten on July 16, 1957 in the Mesa, Arizona LDS Temple. A graduate of BYU and The University of Illinois, Harvey taught for 33 years at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in the Department of Education. He enjoyed teaching and was loved by his many students. He was an archaeologist for the Amerind Foundation in Mexico and worked throughout Central and South America. Harvey was happiest with a fishing pole in his hand and his grandchildren by his side. He was a true friend to all and will be greatly missed by his family. He is survived by his mother, Floriene Taylor, Col. Juarez, Mexico; wife, Velma, Pleasant Grove; five children: M. Harvey (Janet) Taylor, Pleasant Grove; R. Paul (Colleen) Taylor, St. Louis, MO; Nina (Mark) Adkins, Orem; Jefferey (Leslie) Taylor, Thornton, CO; A. Sean (Shannon) Taylor, Ames, IA; 15 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren; six siblings: Shirley Taylor, Carol Wagner, Stephen Taylor, Philip Taylor, Mary Wagner, and Agustin Taylor. He was preceded in death by his father. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. in the Pleasant Grove Stake Center, 275 East 500 South, Pleasant Grove. Friends may call Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Olpin Family Mortuary, 494 South 300 East and at the church on Saturday one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Goshen City Cemetery.

Ernest LeRoy Hatch, M.D. 1911-1995

Ernest Leroy Hatch

Dr. Ernest LeRoy Hatch, 84, physician and former LDS mission president, regional representative and president of the Guatemala Temple, died Wednesday, Oct. 18, in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Born Aug. 31, 1911, in Colonia Juarez, Dr. Hatch graduated from Juarez Stake Academy and from 1930 to 1931 attended Brigham Young University. He received his medical degree from the Uni-vers-i-dad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico in 1945 and had practiced medicine for many years in his native country.In addition to his medical responsibilities and church service, Dr. Hatch was active in the Scouting program. He was award-ed the Distinguished Eagle Award by the Boy Scouts of America.

He served a proselyting mission in the Spanish-American Mission beginning in 1932. He later was the first missionary to serve in Mexico City following a nine-year period in which no missionaries were able to serve in the area.

He was bishop of the Colonia Juarez First Ward, served as a regional representative from 1971 to 1976 and for five years beginning in 1981. He was a member of the Juarez Stake High Council and had been a ward and stake youth leader.

He opened the first Missionary Training Center in Mexico City in February 1980, serving until July 1982. And he was called as president of the Guatemala Temple from 1987 to 1990.

Funeral services were held Thursday in Colonia Juarez.

Clifford Leon Whetten 1946-2011

Clifford Leon Whetten   Slide Show

Clifford Leon Whetten left this mortal existence on September 11, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. His passing was sudden yet sweet, due to complications from pancreatic cancer. At the time of his diagnosis, Clifford was serving as the MTC President for the LDS Church in Lima, Peru.

Clifford was born February 10, 1946 in Colonia Chuichupa, Chihuahua, Mexico to Glen and Ada Whetten. He was the seventh of ten children. His siblings were his best friends throughout his life.

After graduating from the Juarez Stake Academy, he served his first mission in Northern Mexico. He married Rosalyn Hatch in the Mesa, AZ temple on December 21, 1968. Together they were blessed with four children.

After earning degrees from BYU and UTEP, Clifford moved his family to College Station, TX. Upon earning his PhD from Texas A&M, he remained at the university as a professor of education administration and multi-cultural studies. They spent many happy years in Texas raising their family. During that time, he served as a branch president, bishop and as a member of the stake presidency.

Clifford retired from teaching early, at the age of 59, when he was called to serve as president of the Mexico Tuxtla Gutierrez Mission from 2005-2008. Upon completing their mission, Clifford and his wife settled in Utah to be closer to their children and grandchildren. But their love of missionary work was put into action once again when he and his wife went to serve at the MTC in Lima, Peru in January 2010. Clifford received an honorable release from his earthly missionary service on September 7, 2011, four days before his passing.

Clifford is survived by his eternal companion, Rosalyn; their children Diana Windley (Ryan), Carolyn Smith (Jacob), Renee Christensen (Gary), and David (Natalie); their grandchildren Jett, Lauren, Luke, Jenna, Tommy, Carter and Sammy; and his siblings John, Velma, Amanda, Robert, Edward, Earline, and Don.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Glen and Bert.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 16, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Valley View Ward, 2455 North Valley View Drive, Layton. Friends may visit family Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist”s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Croydon Cemetery.

The family gives appreciation to Dr. Mark Ott and the many nurses at IMC who provided our husband and dad with compassionate care during the last five weeks.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the LDS General Missionary Fund.

Vilda Whetten Hunsaker 1918-2011

09/06/1918 ~ 09/13/2011
On a fall afternoon, just one week after celebrating her 93rd birthday, mother returned to the waiting arms of her husband T.D., and to a couple of high-fives from her grandson Dax. Mother was born in Colonia Garcia, Chihuahua, Mexico, the 7th child of John Amasa Whetten and Martha Elizabeth Carling. While still a very young girl, her mother died two weeks after giving birth to her brother Carl. This necessitated in bringing together two households, resulting in a new family of 23.
Mother spent her early years in Colonia Garcia, Colonia Juarez and finally, Colonia Chuichupa, Mexico. She graduated high school from the Colonia Juarez Academy and later served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church) in Mexico City, Mexico. Shortly after her mission, and being fluent in Spanish, she accepted a job as a teletype operator at Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX. While at a Church dance, she met a handsome, curly dark-haired service man who was on leave. Mother was smitten at “may I have this dance”. Six weeks later they were married – a marriage that lasted for 63 years. Blessed to this union were six children, 27 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren.
After Dad was discharged from the army, they moved back to his home town of Honeyville, UT. This is where they remained the rest of their lives together. The same home, back yard, garden and pasture, is where lessons were taught, rules sometimes were broken, love was abundant and you were always safe and respected. In the case of Mom and Dad, their “starter home” became their “finisher home”.
Memories of Mother include the smell of fresh home-made bread or cinnamon rolls wafting from the kitchen. During the summer canning months, rows of wide-mouth Kerr jars lined the kitchen counter, waiting to be filled with the harvest. Her quilting frames set up in the living room. And, being asked to help roll the quilt when necessary was a privilege. You always felt loved, safe and special when on her lap or in her presence. She was a wonderful cook, seamstress, mediator, healer and child advocate. Mother was a devoted wife and often stood still and silent and allowed Dad to stand on her shoulders.
Mother loved the Lord and served faithfully in many leadership and service positions in the Church. After Dad retired, they served two additional Church missions and two decades of service in the Ogden Temple.
After Dad’s passing in 2007, Mother truly felt the sting from the loss of her soul mate. However, she remained in Honeyville for a few more years. With her advanced age, and mourning the loss of Dad, living in an empty house, filled with over a half century of memories, was difficult for her. During this time she welcomed the frequent visits from her children and friends. Her previous good health began to yield to maladies incident to age, and on September 11, 2011 she suffered a stroke from which she never recovered.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Honeyville 3rd Ward chapel, with a viewing one hour prior. Additionally, a viewing will be held at the Myers Mortuary on Friday, September 16, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m., located at 205 South 100 East, Brigham City, UT. Pursuant to Mother’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the General Missionary Fund of the Church. Condolences and love may be expressed at www.myers-mortuary.com.
– See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=153635930#sthash.gkzhy8ST.dpuf

Wilbur Thayne Wagner 1930-2013

 

Wilbur Thayne Wagner

10/5/1930 – 12/26/2013

Wilbur Thayne Wagner, 83, passed away December 26, 2013 in Mesa, AZ. Wilbur was born in Colonia Guadalupe, Chihuahua, Mexico to Albert Henry Wagner and Mary Willa

Thayne Wagner on October 5, 1930. He loved his life on the farm and had great stories to tell. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with an unwavering testimony. His witty expressions and stories were filled with great wisdom. He married Carel Robinson in the Mesa Temple December 3, 1953 – they just celebrated their 60th anniversary. He is survived by his dear wife and 8 of their 9 children; Teria (David) Mortensen, St. George, UT; Paula (Art) Whiting, Mesa, AZ; Tamara (Larry) Reeves, Friendswood, TX; Brenda (Eric) Larsen, Orem, UT; Ted (Shauna) Wagner, Laredo, TX; Jana (Kirk) Tryon, Allen, TX; Kevin (Kim) Wagner, Chico, CA; and Shauna Wagner, Mesa, AZ. He is also survived by 27 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 2 sisters, Thelma Bluth and Elizabeth Belnap as well as 3 brothers, Dennis, Vaughn and Rick. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Carla Wagner, granddaughter Savannah Wagner and 4 brothers Kenyon, Dwaine, Henry, and Darryl. Funeral services will be on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 11AM at the LDS church at 2334 E. Pueblo, Mesa, AZ with a viewing 1 hour before. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Clifton Leon Whetten 1917-2013

Clifton Leon Whetten

3/27/1917 – 6/28/2013

Longtime Elfrida resident Clifton Leon Whetten passed away June 28, 2013, at his home, with his wife, Claudia, at his side.  He was 96 years old.

Clifton was born March 27, 1917, in Taos, N.M. He was the first child of Clifford Leon Whetten and Annie Martineau Whetten, who were living in a log cabin at a lumber camp at La Madera, N.M. Clifton was born the day the president of the United States declared war on the Europeans involved in WWI.

Near the end of May, the family loaded a covered wagon with their belongings and began their journey to Chihuahua, Mexico. They eventually settled in Colonia Chuichupa, Chihuahua, Mexico, a small settlement in a high mountain valley. Clifton grew up riding horses, helping at his father’s sawmill, milking cows, as well as helping with the gardens and farm animals. He was also responsible for the range cows and calves. While living in Mexico, Clifton’s sister, Marzelle, and three brothers, Merrill, Clair and Jean, were born.

Clifton attended elementary school thru the eighth grade in Chuichupa, (known as Chupie). He enjoyed anything to do with horses, especially roping. When it was time for high school, he spent the winters down in Colonia Juarez attending the Juarez Academy, working as a school custodian to help to pay his tuition.

Upon his graduation in June 1935, he was asked if he would return to Chuichupa to teach at the elementary school. To qualify for this position, Mexican school officials required that he attend a session of summer school in nearby Pearson, taught by Mexican schoolteachers. In September, he began teaching the seventh and eighth grades. His brother, Merrill, was in his eighth-grade class.

On Aug. 4, 1936, Clifton married Lila Judd, daughter of Jerome John and Cynthia Amanda Brown Judd, also of Chuichupa. They were married in Mexico, then went to Arizona to be sealed in the Mesa LDS Temple. They eventually became the parents of five children. Their first child, a little boy, named Clifton Leon Whetten Jr., died when just 10 days old. Three daughters were born while they were still living in Mexico, Lila Lee, Cynthia Ann and Elaine.

In April 1948, Clifton, Lila and the three young girls moved to Hinckley, Utah. In June of that same year, a son, Clifford Judd Whetten, was born making the family complete. Clifton found employment as a section hand with the Union Pacific Railroad.

Later, he began working as a carpenter at Dugway Proving Grounds near Tooele, Utah. Another move in May 1951 brought the family to Orem, Utah, where he had purchased an orchard with peach, pear, apple and cherry trees, and a raspberry patch.

Clifton built a brick home for his family while he farmed, served in the LDS Church and worked as a yard man at a lumber yard. He later was appointed manager of the store.

In August 1957, his daughter, Cynthia Ann, married Ted Peacock, and then two and a half years later, he became a grandfather, a role he dearly loved. His daughter, Elaine, married Rex Sweat in 1966, Lila Lee married Howard Nichols and Judd married Susan Clark. Both of these marriages were in 1970.

From 1959 to 1964, Clifton built homes in the Orem-Provo area as well as in Lander, Wyo. In 1964, he was called by his church to serve a church-building mission in Salt Lake City. He served for two years in the Butler area, while building two big chapels. After his release from this assignment, he continued to work on church buildings for a private contractor in Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah. In Idaho and Arizona, he did additions on a hospital, schools and churches and built several churches.

In 1970, Clifton moved to Arizona to work. While working on a remodeling project at a church in San Manuel, he met Claudia Pittman. Clifton and Claudia married in September 1971 and were sealed in the Mesa temple in 1987.

In 1973, Clifton, Claudia and her two children, Shauna and Bruce, (whom he adopted and raised) moved to Elfrida, where he ran his farm, raised a family and lived until the day he died.

In 1974, Clifton and Claudia had a child together, Nathan, followed by another child, Calvin Leon, in 1975, who lived just 21 hours before passing away.

Clifton committed more than 30 years of service to the students and staff at Valley Union High School, serving in various capacities on the school board. He was also vital in bringing health care to Elfrida, working closely with longtime friend Ginger Ryan. The Chiricahua Community Health Center is now named in his honor, the Cliff Whetten Clinic.

Clifton was also an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many different capacities. He was also a member of the Sulphur Springs Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Elfrida Fire Department, the Elfrida Citizens Alliance and the local Lions Club.

Clifton is survived by his wife of 41 years, Claudia; seven children, Lila Lee (Howard) Nichols, Cynthia Ann (Ted) Peacock, Elaine (Gene) Ellis, Judd (Susan) Whetten, Shauna (Gerry) Hustin, Bruce Whetten and Nathan (Katrina) Whetten; 18 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Gene (Dee Anne) Whetten; and sister-in-law, Mary Lou (Clair) Whetten.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marzelle Brown; brothers, Merrill and Clair Whetten; sons, Clifton Leon Whetten Jr. and Calvin Leon Whetten; and grandsons, Kyle Leon Vance and Jake Tyler Whetten.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 6, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Elfrida. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a public service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at the Elfrida Cemetery.