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

Forthcoming funeral services are planned for the following friends from our community. Complete versions of these obituaries may be found in The Payson Chronicle and on our website at paysonchronicle.com.

Earl Hazen “Smiley” Ford

Earl Hazen Ford, known to many as “Smiley,” passed away on November 6, 2016, at the age of 85, from causes incident to age.

He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, October 4, 1931, to Hans Otto Ford and Laura Sophia Hazen.

As a young boy, Earl enjoyed  riding horses.  In his later years, one of his hobbies was riding his 4 wheeler with his wife, Carleen.

Smiley lived in Utah most of his life.  He lived in Salt Lake City, Payson, Goshen, and Helper, and a short time in Arizona.

Earl married Ruth Park on September 24, 1951.  Together they had four children.  Later divorced. He married Nona Jean Jacobson on December 11, 1979.  Later divorced.  His third and final marriage was to Carleen C. Colledge on July 8, 1997.

“Smiley” was a hard rock miner by trace, working in the Burgin and Trixie mines in Eureka, Utah.  He enjoyed mining and was a hard worker.  He became a huge rock hound and enjoyed traveling to see rock formations.

Earl had a passion for gardening and loved to show off his crops.  He enjoyed sharing with neighbors and friends.  He was an avid College football fan and was a life-long UTE fan.  He also followed the Utah Jazz very closely.

Everyone who knew Earl was fully aware of his convictions on politics and religion.  He loved debating anyone who would sit down and listen.

Earl is survived by his wife, Carleen; sister, Claire Malmstrom, Lehi; daughter, Elaine (Bruce) Jones, West Valley City; sons, Howard (Brenda) Ford, Draper; Brent (Vickie) Ford, Payson; Karl (Kari) Ford, Orem; step-daughters, Jeanni (Jason) Callaway, Santaquin; Amanda (Pete) Kirkendall; step-son Jared (Alesha) Colledge; 17 grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Laura June Ford; half brothers, Russell V. Ford and Jack Ford; 1 grandson, Heber Eric Jones; step-son Zebulon Colledge; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Memorial service, Tuesday, November 15, 2016, 3:00 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home, 233 East Main, Price.  Family will receive friends one hour prior to services.  Arrangements are entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price.  Friends are welcome daily and may share memories of Earl online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.