M.A. Coombs Building

Can you help us identify this photograph? It’s from a box of old pictures that had belonged to a longtime Payson family and is now in our care. While the surname is familiar, the business is not and there are too few identifiers otherwise for us to determine where and when it operated. In fact, we’re not even sure that it was located in Payson.

All the same, we would love to know its story. Please share if you know anything about it!

#paysonpeople #utahhistory #thepaysonchronicle

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 also be found in The Payson Chronicle.

Claude Alvin Rowley

MARCH 7, 1936 ~ FEBRUARY 23, 2019 (AGE 82)

Claude Alvin Rowley left his earthly home on February 23, 2019 to join his beloved sweetheart, Karen, who left us a short 23 days earlier. He was born on March 7, 1936 in Orem, Utah to M. Alvin and Myrtle Bigelow Rowley. Claude and Karen were married on August 14, 1958 in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity.

Claude and Karen dearly loved and enjoyed their posterity which included their eight children:  Chad (Lisa) Rowley, Raymond (Linda) Rowley, Dale (Debra) Rowley, Douglas (Brooke) Rowley, Sherilee (Scott) Olson, Kenneth (Angela) Rowley, Joyce (Dwight) Davis, Curtis (Elizabeth) Rowley, 49 grandchildren, and 58 great-grandchildren.

Claude’s vocations in life started with his service in the United States Army followed by 15 years as a teacher at Santaquin Elementary School.  He was a gifted teacher.  He strengthened, encouraged, and instructed those he was called upon to teach whether it was in school, church, seminary, prison, or the cherry plant, but more importantly at home with his children and grandchildren.  He lifted and inspired all those he taught.

With the purchase of land in Santaquin in 1957, Claude embraced his passion for farming.  His family and orchards grew and blossomed together, from multiple orchards in southern Utah County to orchards in southwest Idaho.  Farming allowed him to teach his family the art of hard work and the importance of working together. 

Claude was a leader in the tart cherry industry.  He assisted in the original development of sales and marketing of dried tart cherries.  His leadership helped guide the national tart cherry industry for over 30 years.   He served on several agricultural industry boards including Cherry Central based in Michigan and Intermountain Farmers Association based in Utah.   In 1995, he was honored as National Cherry Man of the Year.  His professional career took him to many boardrooms and cherry processing facilities.  However, his passion was walking or riding a four-wheeler in a cherry orchard.  He had a talent for growing cherries. 

Claude cherished his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in numerous callings.  He enjoyed serving multiple missions with his sweetheart including Girls’ Camp Facility missionaries and on the Hurricane Welfare Farm. Claude and Karen enjoyed their time together serving in the Provo Temple baptistry. He was always faithful and willing to serve in whatever capacity he was asked.  

Claude always spoke directly and was never afraid to state his point of view. However, underneath he had a kind heart and genuine concern for others.  He taught his posterity how to cut hair allowing them to learn on him where mistakes were not so noticeable. He loved sports, participating in football, softball, and skiing in his younger years.  He was an avid fan of his children, grandchildren, BYU, and the Dodgers.  He and Karen were always keen for a card game and spent many fun-filled hours playing with children, grandchildren, and friends made during their missionary years in Hurricane.  Claude and Karen loved gathering their family, spending time together, cherry season, family traditions, and working together. Family was important and sharing time together was something they made a tradition and priority.  The importance of serving others was constantly taught and more importantly exemplified.

He was preceded in death by his sweetheart of 60 years, Karen Terry Rowley; his parents, M. Alvin and Myrtle Bigelow Rowley; a sister, Ann Davis; a grandson, Christopher Rowley; and a great-grandson, David Rowley.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 1, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Santaquin North Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 545 North 200 East.  A viewing will be held Thursday, February 28 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the North Stake Center and again on Friday, March 1 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM prior to funeral services.  Interment will follow at the Santaquin City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Aid Fund.

Payson Lions Club Members Fete Valentine’s Day In Sock Hop Era Style

PICTURED: Highway 6 perform Rock-Ola hits for Payson Lions Club members, young and old.

Valentine’s Day was made sweeter for the Payson Lions Club this year, in that the date, February 14,
fell on their usual Thursday meeting night.  As is customary for the local service club, a party was
penciled in at the top of the club’s agenda. With little spared on decorations and favors for members
and their guests, a hot meal and good music were shared on the night that Cupid takes aim.

Find the rest of this story in this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.

Lovers of good music LOVE MUSICOPHILIA.

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 also be found in The Payson Chronicle.

Former Payson Councilman

Van Canann

Van Canann, 77 of Payson, died February 9, 2019 after a lingering illness.

“Hello, My Friend” was Van’s phone greeting to everyone for over 40 years.

Van was born October 28, 1941 in Santa Monica, California, as the eldest child of Howard Van Pelt and Gae Sorensen Canann.  His full name is Howard Van Pelt Canann II.  He spent the first 10 years of his life in Long Beach, California and then they moved to the San Francisco area.

Van graduated from San Rafael High School and went on to college at Brigham Young University.  He served a mission after his first year of college in the Spanish America Mission, serving mostly in Texas.

He met Georgia Ann Olsen at the BYU Campus Movies where both were working.  They married in May 1962 in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Van was an avid scouter from cub scout age and received Eagle rank.  All six of his sons also achieved the rank of Eagle.  He served as scout master, cub leader, and committee chairman.  He also was the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award.

Van received his BS degree and teaching certificate in 1964 from BYU and became an LDS Seminary teacher in Pocatello and Blackfoot, Idaho.  He really liked the teaching environment in Seminary.

On a summer job as a policeman in Idaho, he found a new interest.  He proceeded from this small summer experience and found a special program in Detroit, Michigan, for training police administrators.  He was hired in 1969 and advanced through numerous experiences including: patrolman in Detroit, undercover work, plain clothes investigations, Sergeant, detective and Wayne County Task Force. 

From this experience, he was hired by the state of Illinois as a special agent in the Illinois Bureau of Investigations.  He was asked when he was going to do drug buying undercover, “if you don’t smoke, drink or even curse, how can you buy drugs undercover?”  However, he was able to make the largest heroin purchase (bust) up to that date.

He also was a police chief in central Illinois and was successful in moving drug selling and use out of the county and solving many older crimes.

During the time Van was working as an agent, the family lived in Illinois and loved the experience of homesteading with small farm animals and rural living.  

In 1981, the family moved to Oklahoma City where Van was a manager of a plastics fabrication company.  He eventually opened his own alarm business there.  In 1994, Van’s family moved to Payson to care for his in-laws, George and Reba Olsen.

Van served on the Payson City Council from 1996-1999 and loved working with the city employees and council members.

He also opened his own business, Counter Strike Investigations as a licensed Private Investigator until his retirement in 2013.

Van was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints holding positions in a stake presidency, serving as bishop three times, high council, scoutmaster, teacher and more.

He is survived by his wife Georgia, his six sons, Scott, Austin, TX; Brian (Julie) Vienna, VA;  Keven (Lisa) Pensacola, FL; Roger (Josepha) Vancouver, Canada; Michael (Brandi) Cincinnati, OH; David (Erica) Bountiful, UT.  He is also survived by two sisters, Ann Canann of Oakland, CA and Carmen Rangel (Chale) of Austin, TX and 21 grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parent and one sister, Linda Canann.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 16 at 11:00 a.m. at the Payson 11th Ward LDS Chapel, 902 W. 400 N. in Payson with a viewing Friday, February 15, 2019 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm and prior to the funeral service from 9:30 am until 10:45 am at the same location.

To express condolences, visit LegacyFunerals.com.

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 also be found in The Payson Chronicle.

Community Leader Helen Scott dies at 88

Helen Marie Taylor [Box] Scott peacefully passed away on February 8, 2019 in her home in Payson, surrounded by her family.

She was born June 16, 1930 and raised by her grandparents, John Henry and Ada Box in Payson. After graduating from Payson High in 1948, she worked at Payson Junior High and traveled extensively with her girlfriends. She married Maynard Scott May 22, 1959 in the Salt Lake Temple.

She raised a daughter and son, Elena and Craig. To say that she became involved in supporting their school and extracurricular activities would be massive understatement. These activities were merely touchstones to what became a lifetime of civic organizing, fundraising, historic restoration, public relations and event planning. In particular, her service as President of the Payson Scottish Festival and director of activities for Peteetneet Academy was instrumental to their preservation and success.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and enjoyed her various callings in the Cub Scouts, primary, Sunday school and Relief Society. 
Helen’s greatest joy was spending time with her extended family and many friends. She was a great listener and conversationalist and went to great lengths to include as many people as possible into whatever she was involved in at the moment. She was funny; if she pulled your leg, you should know you were in good company and consider yourself lucky. She enjoyed music, theater and travel. She enjoyed gardening and making her surroundings sparklingly clean and tidy. She had a sweet tooth and getting between her and her hot lava cake would not be recommended.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Maynard Perry Scott and two children, Elena Bowyer [Rick] of Washington, Ut and Craig Maynard Scott [Sandy] of Portland, Or. She is survived by her sister, Vicky England [Mick] of El Cajon, Ca and many special nieces and nephews including her “U-turn twin” Colleen Martinson of Payson. She loved her two grandchildren, Rick Bowyer (Marcie) of S. Jordan, Ut and Brandon [Bernadette] Bowyer of Las Vegas, Nv, and her three great-grandchildren, Derian, Brynn and Avery.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ada and Henry Box, and mother Mae Box Garn. She was also preceded in death by her siblings Allean, Lucille, Florence, Le Roy, Donna, Maxine and Zelda.

A viewing will be held in her honor on Friday, February 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson Ut and at the church Saturday 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 16 at 11:00 a.m. at the 1st Ward LDS Chapel, 225 South 400 East, Payson Ut.

Burial will be in the Payson City Cemetery.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkerobits.com.

Glen Wood Is A Good Citizen

Glen Wood, owner of NAPA Auto Parts in Payson (pictured seated, center, surrounded by his family), will be presented the Central Bank Good Citizen Award on February 27 at the Payson Central Bank branch at 1 PM.  Read more about Mr Wood and his contributions to the community in the upcoming edition of The Payson Chronicle.

Birthday Announcements Are Icing On Cake

thepaysonchronicle@msn.com

Miss Payson Pageant Information Meeting Coming Up

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 also be found in The Payson Chronicle.

Karen T. Rowley

The Heavenly choirs have anxiously awaited this day when our angel mother went to accompany them. Karen Terry Rowley, age 80, slipped through the veil January 31, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. Karen was born December 21, 1938 in Orem, Utah, to Elvis Bird and Laura Lund Terry. She married her Eternal Sweetheart of 60 years, Claude Alvin Rowley, in the Salt Lake Temple on August 14, 1958.

Claude and Karen raised eight children: Chad (Lisa) Rowley, Raymond (Linda) Rowley, Dale (Debra) Rowley, Douglas (Brooke) Rowley, Sherilee (Scott) Olson, Kenneth (Angela) Rowley, Joyce (Dwight) Davis, and Curtis (Elizabeth) Rowley.

The joy of her life was her family, including 49 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren. Everyone knew grandma loved them and each felt they were her favorite.  From the oldest to the youngest everyone knew where her cookie drawer was and visited it often. She loved it when the grandchildren came running in for a kiss and a cookie.

Karen loved music and learned to play the piano and organ at a very young age. Her talents were called upon many times throughout her life as she willingly accompanied various choirs and vocalists. She especially loved accompanying her father while he sang. She accompanied the Santaquin Community Choir for many years. With her patient tutelage, many of her children and grandchildren learned how to play the organ.

Karen graduated from Orem High School in 1957 where she was class Valedictorian as well as a member of the Tigerettes. In her teenage years she loved playing softball, which was detrimental to her piano playing.  If she ever jammed her finger she would never tell anyone, especially her father.

Her love of family and desire to bind them in unity led her to create many family traditions including Valentine lunches, Easter egg hunts, Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas Eve programs, and New Year’s Eve parties. She loved to play games with her family.  Everyone was invited to share in her bounty. She was known for her cherry jam and fruit pies.

Karen knew the value of work and was especially talented in bookkeeping. She worked in this capacity at Cherry Hill Farms for 60 years, Mountainland Apples for 20 years, and Summit Creek Irrigation Company for 43 years. Oftentimes, you could find her on the farm during cherry season driving the forklift and enjoying the time spent alongside her children and grandchildren.

Karen was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She loved her Savior Jesus Christ and patterned her life after Him.  She not only served her family but blessed everyone around her with her kindness.  She also served diligently in church callings in the Relief Society, Primary, Young Women, Provo Temple baptistry, and Payson Temple as an organist. She loved her time as a missionary as well. Claude and Karen served two missions together: Girls’ Camp facility missionaries for southern Utah and missionaries at the Hurricane Welfare Farm. Her current and favorite calling was Primary pianist. She lovingly supported her husband through the years in his many church callings.

She was preceded in death by her parents Elvis and Laura Terry; her sister, Sheree Balser; a grandson, Christopher Rowley; and a great-grandson, David Rowley.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 8, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Santaquin North Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 545 North 200 East. A viewing will be held Thursday, February 7th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Stake Center and again on Friday, February 8th from 9:30 to 10:30 AM prior to funeral services. Interment will follow at the Santaquin City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Aid Fund In Memoriam/Honoring the Living. Share condolences at www.brownfamilymortuary.com.

Treat Yourself

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 also be found in The Payson Chronicle.

Dena Raven

Dena Susan Brereton Raven, 49, left her earthly life on January 28, 2019 in Provo, Utah. She was born October 21, 1969 in Payson to John Austin Brereton and Susan Jayne McKeand. Her dad said “It was the first time he had gotten his “Dear” on the opening day of the deer hunt. She married Ronald Leon Raven, the love of her life, on February 14, 2001 at a Utah Jazz game during half time. 

Dena loved the Orem Owlz and raising race horses with Ron. She worked various jobs but raising her children always came first. She pursued her dream of opening her own hair salon Rustic Styles in 2017 where she cut hair and groomed spirits. She touched many lives, supporting people, businesses, and dreams in the town she loved. 

She is survived by her husband Ron Raven of Payson; children Jake Raven-Jackie Watson of Wyoming, Natasha Broadhead-Cameron Cillis of Vineyard, Nicole (Scott) Stevens of Santaquin, Dakota (Chana) Brereton of Vineyard; her mother Jayne Jacobson of Santaquin; 8 grandchildren; a sister Saralyn (Justin) Smith and family; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her only brother John David Brereton, parents John (Ilene) Brereton, grandparents Thomas & Avanelle McKeand, Clifton and Elaine Brereton. 

Funeral services were held Saturday, February 2nd at 11:00 am at the Maple Dell Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 482 West 1400 South, Payson, Utah. Interment, Santaquin City Cemetery. Share condolences at www.brownfamilymortuary.com.

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 also be found in The Payson Chronicle.

Harold Derrell Smith 

Harold Derrell Smith, of Payson, Utah, passed away at the age of 77 on January29, 2019 at the Mountain View Hospital in Payson, Utah from pneumonia and complications of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Hal was born on May 12, 1941 in Salt Lake City, Utah. His parents are Harold Oscar Smith and Clare Lorraine Wiseman. Hal attended Salt Lake City schools and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Utah in 1963. He went on to complete a Masters’ Degree in Electrical Engineering at UCLA in 1972. He served his country in the Coast Guard from 1960-1968. Hal married Linda Lewis in June 1962. After a divorce, he married Jonelle Baxter on January 30, 1971. They shared a wonderful life together for over forty years, building loving relationships with their four sons and their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. After she passed away, Hal married Maudie Jean Wells on June 15, 2013. He and Maudie have enjoyed traveling, serving in the San Diego Temple, and spending time with family. Hal lived in California, Virginia, and Utah.

Hal worked for the United States Government for over forty years, working his way up to Senior Supervisor in charge of Naval Research and Development. He earned many awards, including the prestigious John A. Dahlgren Award.

Hal was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held many church positions, including teacher, bishop, and template ordinance worker. He and Jonelle served in the San Diego Temple for many years, culminating in filling a mission for the Church in Palmyra, New York. Hal enjoyed reading, camping, fishing, hunting, and golfing. He also loved to study and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hal enjoyed working on his family history, traveling, and playing games with his family.

Survivors include his spouse, Maudie Smith of Payson, Utah; three siblings: Joyce Smith of West Jordan, Lorrie (Michael) Hall of Centerville, and Jackie (Jerry) Sosnowski of Murray; and ten children Greg (Mary) Hopkins of San Diego, CA; Ronald (Jodene) Smith of West Jordan; Jeffrey (Michelle) Smith of Salt Lake City; Brad (Tamela) Hopkins of Puyallup, Washington; Marcie Hill of Spanish Fork; Emily (Thomas) Kelley of DuPont, Washington; Tiffanie (Cory) Allred of Altamont; Katie Peterson of Spanish Fork; Holly (David) Taylor of Lakeland, Florida; and Adam (Kendra) Hill of Springville. Hal is also survived by 35 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.  

Hal is preceded in death by his wife Jonelle, his parents, one daughter, and two grandsons.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 11:00am at 75 South 600 East in Payson. There will be a viewing prior to the funeral at 9:30am at the same location. Burial will be in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.

The family of Harold Derrell Smith thanks iCare Home Health and Hospice, and Legacy Funerals & Cremations for their excellent, caring services.

To send flowers to the family of Harold Derrell Smith, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.