Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Services

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.  All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

ROSE MARTINEZ BARAJAS

Rose Martinez Barajas was welcomed into God’s loving arms on July 27, 2017, at almost 96 years of age, surrounded by family and friends, in her Phoenix, Arizona home.

Rose was born in La Posta, Colorado on October 9, 1921, lived in Durango Colorado many years, and became a resident of Payson, Utah for almost 50 years. She moved to Phoenix in 2013 and lived with, and was cared for, by her precious daughter Sharon Aldecoa until her passing.

The love of her life was her family which, after having 13 children, was very large, diverse, and genuinely filled her with great joy. She especially looked forward to her birthday party every year, which ended up being more of a huge family reunion where she was showered with much love and gave much love in return. 

She was a wonderful Mother, Grandma Rose to many, and was appropriately honored in years past by her local Parish, St. Andres Catholic Church in Payson, as Woman of the Year for her dedicated service to the church and her community.

Rose was preceded in death by 2 brothers, 2 sons and 5 grandchildren.

She is survived by 7 sons, 4 daughters, and hundreds of grandchildren, great- grandchildren, great-great- grandchildren, and remarkably, great-great-great-grandchildren! 

Viewing and Rosary will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Sunday August 6 at Walker Mortuary 587 S 100 W Payson, Utah 84651

Celebration of Life/Mass will take place Monday August 7^th at 10:00 am at San Andres Catholic Church 315 E 100 N Payson, Utah.

Interment at Payson Cemetery followed by reception at the church.

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Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Services

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.  All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

Garth Argyle Hill

Garth Argyle Hill, 84, Salem, Utah, our family’s patriarch, passed away Friday, July 28, 2017, at Central Utah Veteran’s Home in Payson.  He was born April 4, 1933 in Payson, Utah, to F. LeRoy Hill and Alene Argyle Hill. His siblings are Dennis, Theron, Lee, Ferrell, Merlene, and Duane.

Garth served his county in the U.S., Army from March 1955-February 1957. His specialty was as a Forward Observer in the Artillery. His service took him to Ft. Ord, California; Ft. Sill, Oklahoma; Wertheim and Karlsruhe military bases in Germany. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Specialist 3^rd Class.

He married his sweetheart of 64 years, Harriet LaVae Blanchard, on October 18, 1953. They have six children: Ronald, Roxann, David, Lynette, Gordon, and Justin. They also have 20 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

Garth graduated from Payson High School, attended Brigham Young University where he earned a BS degree. He also obtained a MS degree from San Jose State University, and a PhD from Colorado State University.  His life-long profession was in education 1959-1972 at Olympus High School as a metal shop teacher. From 1973-1998, he was a professor at Brigham Young University, as well as a department chairman.

Garth is a member of the LDS Church. He served, twice, as a bishop: in the Butler 5^th Ward in Salt Lake City, UT; and Salem 2^nd Ward in Salem, UT.  He also served in the Salem Stake Presidency, and was the Salem Stake Patriarch. He and Harriet served twice as Senior Couple missionaries: at the LDS Missionary Department, Church HQ, Salt Lake City; and in the Toronto Canada Mission, Napanee Branch. He also was involved with the Boy Scouts of America, as a Scout himself, a Scout Master, and served on the district committee. He was a LDS Encampment coordinator, and a recipient of the Silver Beaver.

In addition to his church callings, Garth was a Salem City Councilman, Garth built a home overlooking Salem Pond, for his beloved family in 1973 and there helped his dear wife raise their six children.   His other hobbies and interests were hunting deer, pheasant, and buffalo; and fishing with his kids, his dad, and brothers at Fish Lake and the Uintahs. He enjoyed horseback riding the trails of Payson Canyon as well as the Uintahs. He raised and trained numerous colts to safely navigate mountain riding trails. He liked taking care of his home, yard, horses and pastures.  He loved traveling, enjoying his trips to Alaska and Hawaii.  In addition he traveled to the UK and other European countries; Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

His family is proud of his reputation as a hard worker, good neighbor, effective teacher, and as a leader and servant of the Lord.

Garth is survived by his wife, his six children and their spouses; all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; also survived by all of his siblings. He is predeceased by his parents and a grandson TJ.

Funeral services will be Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Salem 2^nd Ward Chapel, 60 South Main Street, Salem, Utah. Visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday evening, August 2, 2017, from 6-8 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork; and at the church Thursday morning, 9:30-10:45 a.m.prior to services.

Interment at the Salem City Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkerobits.com

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Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Services

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.  All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

Sarah Jean Taylor Johns

Our sweet wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Sarah Jean Taylor Johns, passed away on July 26, 2017. She had a wonderful life full of family and friends and doing things she loved, and a challenging life of illness and struggle with pain. But she was always ready with a smile whenever anyone, especially her grandchildren, were around.

She leaves behind many who love her and will miss her joyfulness and excitement. She was a beautiful person with a huge heart, compassionate and caring. She could talk your ear off and usually did, but was always ready to listen when someone needed a shoulder and a hug. She genuinely cared about people, whether they were family, friends, neighbors, or strangers, and was always filled with joy if she could do anything that made someone happy.

Sarah was born on June 28, 1947 to Glen and Maxine Taylor. She lived most of her life in Payson, Utah. She always enjoyed the area and the people she grew up around. She loved the Richardsons who lived down the block from her. They were there for her at times when she really needed it, and she considered them a second family. She spent the rest of her life living on that block, and anyone who lived in her neighborhood knew that they were lucky to have Sarah as a neighbor.

Sarah met Brent Johns in 1963 when they were sophomores in high school, beginning their 54 years together. Though she was ready to marry him when they first met, they had the good decency to graduate high school and were married a year later. A year after that they were sealed in the Salt Lake City LDS temple. They had four children, Reid, Jeremy, Melanie and Christopher. Sarah loved her children and later on adored her grandchildren. She blessed the lives of 12 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and 2 Great Danes, whom she lovingly treated like people.

Our mother loved music of all kinds and as kids we were lucky to be raised amongst it. She loved to sing, play the piano and flute, and encouraged any and all musical talents in her kids and grandkids. She loved to sing and did so any chance she got whether it was in the choir at church, karaoke night or just around the house. And although she didnʼt always hit the intended note, she never held back her passion for it.

Sarah loved to be creative. One of her favorite creative outlets was knitting. Sarahʼs knitting bag functioned much the way people today use cell phones; never leaving the house without it and using it at every possible opportunity. Each of her children and grandchildren at some time in their lives wore something that she carefully and lovingly made for them.

Anyone who spent any time around Sarah knew that she loved to play games. And no one knew that better than her grandchildren. Many a grandkid has been roped into a marathon of Sequence, Phase 10, or a myriad of other card and board games, each game almost always ending with, “Do you want to play one more time?” But it was all about spending time with them. She adored them and never wanted them to leave. Her family truly brought her joy and if she could have had them around her at every moment, she would have done it.

We know that she has touched many peopleʼs lives and we love hearing stories about their experiences with her. As her family, weʼre grateful for the love she gave, the talents she shared, and her love of life that we got to experience with her.

A viewing will be held on July 30th from 6 pm to 8 pm at Walker Mortuary in Payson, Utah. A memorial service will be on July 31st at 11 am at the Payson Mountain View 7th Ward building at 1023 Arrowhead Trail Rd, Payson, Utah 84651.

PICTURES TELL THE PAYSON STORY ~ PAYSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Crouch's OK Service

Pictured above is the original OK Service station on 100 North and 200 East that later became Royce’s Service and Motel.  Today the site is occupied by Payson Auto Care.

Crouch’s OK Service has been a member of the Payson business community for more than seventy-four years. Roy and Leona Crouch initially established their business in about 1943. Their station and repair business was located on the southeast corner of 100 North and 200 East where we find Payson Auto Care today. 

Look for this story in next week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.

Tarzan Exhibit at Peteetneet

Be sure to not miss the Tarzan Exhibit at the Peteetneet Museum and Cultural Arts Center in Payson.  It runs through September.  And be sure to catch our interview with collector and artist David Ullery in next week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.

#ThrowbackThursday: Upgrading Santaquin Arena

#ThrowbackThursday #tbt: From the photo archives at The Payson Chronicle: Seen with today's eyes, this image is a depiction of past efforts that lead to years of enjoyment among citizens in a community.

The black and white picture, though unmarked with a date, was likely published in the local newspaper in the early to mid-1980s.  A caption handwritten in ink on the backside reads: Santaquin City Councilman Marilyn Clayson and Santaquin Riding Club President Farrel Craig show plans for upgrading the Santaquin Arena.  Newly purchased holding pens and bucking chutes have been put in place by the club.  Lights and landscaping (lawn on the surrounding slope) are to come.  Craig is looking forward to a full scale rodeo in Santaquin next year, but a little buckaroo rodeo this Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. will break in the new chutes.

The Santaquin Rodeo Arena will experience a “full scale rodeo” next weekend, August 4 and 5, as it has in the years that have passed since its upgrading, during the annual Orchard Days Celebration.

The arena is located at 175 South 400 West, just south of the baseball diamonds at Santaquin Elementary School. The rodeo starts at 6 PM each night.

Pictures Tell The Payson Story: Palace Drug Store

In this week's edition
of The Payson Chronicle.

Lions Club’s ROARlicious Scones and Beignets Generate Funds for Local Causes

Steve Southwick (pictured above) and fellow Payson Lions Club members sold hot scones, beignets, and ice cold drinks beneath the shade of a bold blue tarp in front of Tabitha’s Way during yesterday’s Fiesta Days Parade along Spanish Fork Main Street.  Proceeds from the club’s fundraisers go towards humanitarian and local charitable causes.

This was the first year the Payson Lions Club sold scones and beignets at the Fiesta Days Parade.  For the past several years, they have been sold prior to and throughout the Payson Onion Days Parade and are a hit among those who have tried them.

Be sure to look for Mr Southwick and the Payson Lions Club at this year’s Onion Days procession down Payson Main Street.  Just follow your nose to the smell of the delightful fried breads served to taste with honey butter, powdered sugar, or without.  They are ROARlicious!

Meet the Payson City Mayoral and Council Candidates Before Voting in the Primary Election

The Payson & Santaquin Area Chamber of Commerce will host the first of an anticipated three meet-the-candidate events next Thursday evening, according to Shelly Thompson, Chamber Executive Director. The upcoming August 3 "Meet the Candidates" event precedes the primary election required this year in Payson. See flier distributed by Payson City and posted below for more details.

Candidates included on the ballot in the Payson City primary election are:

PAYSON CITY MAYOR (vote for one)

Mike Hardy

Richard D. Moore

Bill Wright

PAYSON CITY COUNCIL (vote for up to two)

Scott Pinkham

Scott Phillips

Taresa Hiatt

Larry Skinner

Brett Christensen

Randy Memmott

Thomas Guy Larson

According to Ms Thompson, voters are invited to meet the remaining candidates in Payson following the primary election, as well as those who are running for office in Santaquin City, at two separate events slated to occur prior to the November elections. More to come on these events.

Award and Big Plans Presented at Santaquin City Council Meeting

The Miss Santaquin Royalty presented the grand prize plaque they received at the recent Springville Art City Days Parade to Santaquin City leaders last night, then shared details on the big plans they have lined up for the future.  Story coming up in next week’s edition of The Payson Chronicle.

News Coverage Throughout South Utah County

In This Week's Edition

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Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Services

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.  All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

Farrel Craig

A great man, Farrel Dee Craig,  79, died July 16, 2017 at home in Santaquin Utah.  He passed from a three month illness that affected his lungs.  He was born March 15, 1938 in Santaquin, Utah to Orran and Zetha Craig.  He married Barbara Jean Johnson on January 21, 1959 in Spanish Fork, Utah.  They were later sealed in the Provo Temple on December 11, 1977.  Farrel met his sweetheart, Barbara, when he was 19 years old and Barbara was 16 years old.  They dated for a couple of years before marrying.  During this time, Farrel had a great love of cars and took pride in them.   After getting married, he traded his 59 Ford Fairlane convertible in for a second hand car, used furniture, and said he was a family man now.  Farrel and Barbara lived on the lot where Farrel grew up and built the home they have lived in for 54 years.

Farrel has always been a very hard worker.  He taught his family and many others the value of hard work.  He truly appreciated those that shared his same values.  He would say to those he worked with, “show me don’t tell me.”  He was a jack of all trades. He went to trade school for four years and became a licensed journeyman in sheet metal.  He had many jobs throughout the years.  He worked in the mines, laid tile, worked at Geneva Steel, but came back to working in heating and air conditioning.  He also had a great love of horses.  He purchased his first horse when he was 24 years old. He raised and trained many horses and was known for having some of the best horses around. He loved to team rope.  He won many saddles and belt buckles while team roping.  He was still roping up until three months ago. He passed on his love of horses to many family members. Farrel was instrumental in bringing the city and Buck-a-roo rodeo back to Santaquin for its city celebration.  

Farrel was also a strong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He spent a lot of his time doing service for others.  He was always out pushing snow on his tractor for those who needed it.  He and Barbara spent seven and a half years serving at the Provo temple in the baptistry. They also worked as coordinators for stake baptisms for three years.  He loved spending time with his family and always took good care of his sweetheart.  He especially loved spending time with his grandkids and great grandkids.  He loved to tease them and joke with them.  He will be greatly missed.

Farrel is survived by his wife Barbara Jean Craig, Chad (Kim) Craig of West Mountain, Shelly Craig of Payson, Neil ( JoEll) Craig of Santaquin, Clay (Angie) Craig of Santaquin; nineteen grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; two sisters Neola (Dale) Baum of Spanish Fork, Delores (Roger) Knotts of Elk Ridge; many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents Orran and Zetha Craig, brother Neil Craig, and sister LaNaea Peay.  

 A viewing will be held Wednesday, July 19, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Brown Mortuary 66 S. 300 E Santaquin.  Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 11:00 am with a viewing before from 9:45-10:45 am at the Downtown Church, 90 S. 200 E. Santaquin.  Interment, Santaquin Cemetery.  Share condolences at www.brownfamilymortuary.com.

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Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Services

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.  All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

Michael John McLatchy

Michael John McLatchy, a beloved son of God, left this earth on 7 10, 2017 where he was joyously reunited with his wife and son. Michael was a mathematician and he chose to pass away on a date that is the same both forwards and backwards. The family wishes to thank the ambulance crew and the staff at Mountain View Hospital for their loving care while attending our husband and father. Michael was 76.

He is preceded in death by his wife Rebecca Ann Richins McLatchy, his son John Adam McLatchy, his parents Frank Blue and Charlotte Taffee McLatchy, and two sisters Kathleen (Milton) Backman, and Shawna (Vern) Addix.

Michael is survived by his wife Willa Dene Burgess McLatchy of Payson, his children Sarah (Richard) Miller of Santaquin, Andy (Lizzie) McLatchy of Texas, Joe (Kristi) McLatchy of Texas, Rachel (Matt) Arndt of Arizona, his 14 grandchildren, and two sisters Linda (Hank) Vail, and Malon (Myron) Richardson.

Michael earned his Duty to God award, was an Eagle Scout and he attended BSA National Jamboree at Valley Forge (1957). 1 son and 4 grandsons have to date earned their own Eagle Awards. Michael served an LDS mission in Brazil (1961-1963). He married Rebecca in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple on June 16, 1966. He earned degrees from University of Utah and Utah State University, finishing with his PhD in Civil Engineering, Hydrology Specialty. He was a member of 3 fraternities: Delta Phi Kappa (MIT), Phi Kappa Phi (U of U), and Epsilon Chi (Engineering). After the death of his “querida” (darling) Rebecca, Michael married “his beautiful woman,” Willa on April 27, 2013 in the Logan LDS Temple.     

   

In Michael’s professional life he worked for the Department of Energy, American Electric Power, and was twice a professor (California State University, Chico and Tarleton State University). His favorite was being a professor. He loved his students and they him.

Michael was a dedicated servant of the Lord serving in many capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Branch President, Blazer and Cub Scout Leaders, Young Men’s President, and Primary Teacher, among many others.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2017, 11 am at the Spring Creek Ward, 1080 South 930 West, Payson, Utah. Viewings will be held Friday, July 21, 2017, 6-8 pm at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, and Saturday, July 22, 2017, 9:45-10:45 am at the Spring Creek Ward. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkerobits.com

#TBT: Santaquin Celebrations Past

With Orchard Days mere weeks away, we return once again to scenes from Santaquin celebrations past.   These black and white photographs were taken some time in the mid-1980s, back when the annual summer fest was known as Cherry Days.  The images have been stored in The Payson Chronicle’s files ever since their publication in the local newspaper decades ago.

Pictured, along with some of the original newspaper captions, are (beginning with the top row, left-right, then bottom row, left-right):

Some of the miniature parade award winners at Santaquin’s Cherry Days last week: Travis Martinez and Cam Steel on bikes, Christina Cruz, Melanie Ogden, and Joseph Cruz with wagon.

Miss Santaquin Royalty

Santaquin City Council in the Santaquin City Parade: Art Adcock, Mayor Sandra Peterson, Clara Goudy, Grant Pay, and Dan Olson.

The Coombs boys won the award as most creative in the miniature parade, then appeared in the Santaquin Cherry Days Mammoth Parade Saturday.

The Huff Family is Putting Words into Action

A family putting words into action with the Payson Lions Club (starting from left): Jennifer, Rylan, Rhett and Trevyn Huff (front). Coming up in next week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.

In This Week's Edition of The Payson Chronicle

Find this, and more, in the July 12 edition of The Payson Chronicle.

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Services

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.  All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

Peggy Sue Case Ellsworth

Peggy Sue Ellsworth Case was a gentle, loving, and whimsical soul who was much more likely to love people than judge them. She was a talented graphic arts designer pursuing a degree. She was born in Payson, Utah on July 28, 1960 to Richard and JoAnn Hales Ellsworth.

She is survived by her father and siblings: Pam (Mark) Wilson, Christine (Alan) Riley, Dan (Becky) Ellsworth, David (Renae) Ellsworth, Craig (Andrea) Ellsworth, and Sam (Shannon) Ellsworth.

Peggy disappeared 29 years ago. Her family has mourned unyieldingly since she has been gone, especially her parents who wondered every day what had become of their sweet baby girl. Most of us have, at one time or another, had our hearts stop as we spotted someone who reminded us of Peggy. Our heartfelt thanks to a good man who followed a spiritual prompting to look and to the Spanish Fork police department - especially Detective Karl Johnston, for his unrelenting search and enduring kindness and respect shown our family.

Peggy's family will hold a private graveside service to celebrate her life and lay her to rest next to our dear Mom.

We would love to hear your memories of Peggy and invite you to share them with us at www.brownfamilymortuary.com.   

When the next unknown person is found, we will all be so grateful to no longer wonder if it is our sweet sister, but our hearts will ache for all families who suffer with not knowing.