The Payson Chronicle Newspaper
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Monday, October 19, 2026
Milt’s Polar Queen
MILT’S POLAR QUEEN DRIVE-IN
Brick By Brick, Burgers & Fries
Milton Jarvis and workers are shown at work on the Polar Queen building located at 745 Highway 198 in Payson in the late-1950s. Jarvis was a carpenter and brick and block mason by trade who dreamed of running a diner. He made his dream come true by building Milt’s Polar Queen brick by brick, burgers and fries.
A grand opening celebration held on June 18, 1958 had people lined up in cars and trucks at the drive-thru window and all down the street for the burgers, fish sandwiches, fries, and ice cream the Payson restaurant perfected.
Image shows the old Turf Cafe with its multiple businesses, which included a Polar Queen drive-in. Milton Jarvis built Milt’s Polar Queen next to the Turf and opened his business in 1958.
The Real Story Of Payson’s Polar Queen
By Ron Jarvis
There have been many versions of the history of the Polar Queen in Payson. They have been written by historians and citizens in the area. I am the grandson of the man who built and ran the Polar Queen that still stands today in 2026. According to facts, personal pictures, deeds, and city and county recorded records I decided, in honor of him, I would write the actual history of Milt’s Polar Queen, basing it all on my grandfather Edgar Milton Jarvis. A written history of Milt’s Polar Queen — a factual story.
In 1946 Jess and Wanda Bachman built the Turf club with a bar, a service station, cafe, and Polar Queen drive-in. They ran it all successfully for many years.
In 1957, Jess and Wanda Bachman, owners of the Turf building that included a service station, cafe, bar and the first Polar Queen, wanted to move to Nevada. They sold their home at 745 South 100 West, Payson, and vacant property behind the home facing Hwy 91 on the west to Charles and True Dixon on June 27, 1957.
Edgar Milton Jarvis and wife Trilma and son Jack bought the Polar Queen franchise rights and a one-year lease of the building the Polar Queen shared with the Turf Cafe from the Bachmans in February 1957. Jess and Wanda took the time to help Milt and Jack get acquainted with the business and staff of the Polar Queen.
In no time Milt was successfully building a thriving business. Cars packed the drive-up window and business was quickly growing, but the one-year lease on the building was up. To Milt’s surprise, instead of renewing the lease on the building, he was given 30 days to move out. It appeared they planned on taking over the business that Milt had worked so hard to build over that year’s time. So Milt scrambled to find a new place to move the Polar Queen business.
Luckily he found that Charles and True Dixon had property just a few hundred feet north of the Turf Cafe that they had bought from Jess and Wanda Bachman just a year before. On April 10, 1958 Milton and Trilma, along with Jack and Lazawn, bought the property from the Dixons, they drew up the plans and began to build a new Polar Queen building.
Milton was a brick and block mason, as well as a carpenter. He built many houses in the county. He hired professionals from each trade to help get the business open as soon as possible.
After nearly three months, the building was ready and the grand opening was set for June 18, 1958. Cars were packed at the drive-up window, all around the building and down the street. Milt’s Polar Queen, as it was called, was a huge success.
Milt and Trilma kept the Polar Queen open 7 days a week from 7 AM to 10 PM. They worked long, hard hours and the business thrived. After 6 years of hard work and getting older they retired in 1963. Son Jack and Lazawn Jarvis took over the business and continued to make the same delicious food, only adding a few new items. They kept the business open the same hours as Milt. Lazawn managed the business and the whole family worked hard cleaning and prepping food and waiting on customers to keep it all going. Lazawn even offered breakfast that the locals enjoyed.
Milt’s Polar Queen, as it was known to everyone in the area, was for years the most popular and business food drive-in in the Payson area. For over 12 years it was the place to go to.
It was sold in 1970 to Gene and Colleen Thomas, who eventually remodeled it to make it what it is today (2026).
All the dates and information here was found in personal, recorded city and county deeds.
Friday, October 16, 2026
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Mourning the Passing of Our Friend
Sharlotte Kaye Taylor Richmond
July 18, 1973 - October 8, 2026
Some people walk into a room and quietly blend in. And then there was Sharlotte — who brought the happiness, the laughter, and the party wherever she went.
Born on July 18, 1973, to Roger and Barbara Allan Taylor, Sharlotte was a bright, happy spirit with a heart full of love and a personality that was impossible to forget. She had a way of making people smile, often when they needed it most. Whether she was sharing a happy thought, offering an affirmation, or simply being her wonderfully funny self, She had a gift for reminding people that a little kindness and a little laughter could go a long way.
If a favorite song came on, there was a good chance she would be belting out the lyrics before anyone else could get a word in. She didn’t need a stage, a microphone, or a special occasion. Life itself was reason enough to sing! And if there was a party, you could count on her to be the happy one in the room, spreading joy and making memories along the way.
Above all else, Sharlotte loved her family. Her three sons, Eric, Kayden, and Malakai, were the center of her world and her greatest loves. She was also a proud grandmother to Jurnee and Odyssee, who held a special place in her heart. Her love extended to her beloved dog and to the many people whose lives she touched simply by being herself.
She is survived by her three sons, Eric, Kayden, and Malakai; her grandchildren, Jurnee and Odyssee; her father, Roger, and his wife, Sheila; her brother, Wayne; her sisters, Stephanie and Cindy; and many other family members and loved ones who will forever cherish her memory. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Barbara Allan Taylor.
Sharlotte believed in sharing happiness. She passed along positive thoughts and affirmations to people she met, leaving little reminders of encouragement and hope wherever she went. She may not have realized just how much those small moments meant, but the smiles she created and the kindness she shared became part of her lasting legacy.
Sadly, her life was cut far too short. Following a recent diagnosis of dementia, her heart gave out on October 8, 2026, leaving her family and loved ones with an immeasurable sense of loss. It is heartbreaking to say goodbye to someone who still had so much life, laughter, and love left to give.
But if she could leave us with one final reminder, perhaps it would be to keep smiling, keep singing, share a happy thought with someone who needs it, and never miss an opportunity to make another person laugh.
The world is a little quieter without her voice singing, and gatherings will never quite be the same without her happy presence. Yet the love she gave, the laughter she inspired, and the memories she created will live on in her sons, her grandchildren, her family, and everyone fortunate enough to have known her.
Rest easy, Sweetheart. May the music always play, may the laughter never end, and may your beautiful, happy spirit live on in all of us who loved you.
You were taken far too soon, but you will never be forgotten.
Family and friends are invited to gather to honor her life, share memories, and celebrate the love and happiness she brought into the world.
Memorial Service:
Friday, October 23, 2026
6:00-8:00 pm
Walker Funeral Home
587 South 100 West
Payson, Utah 84651
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Monday, October 12, 2026
Mourning the Passing of Our Friend
Nedra Houser Duncan
December 5, 1943 – October 7, 2026
Nedra Houser Duncan peacefully returned to her Heavenly Father on October 7, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Nedra was born on December 5, 1943, to William R. Houser and Devon Peart in Payson, Utah. She was raised in Payson, where she attended school and graduated from Payson high school with the class of ‘62. She also attended Rick’s College in Idaho.
She met the love of her life, Kerry Duncan, through their shared love of music and her love of dancing. They married on June 13, 1965, in Elko, Nevada. Together, they raised three children—Bill, Alecia, and Tyler—in Spanish Fork, Utah.
Nedra loved driving school bus for Nebo School District, where she made a lasting impression on the many children who rode her routes. She retired after more than 30 years of service. She loved all the children on her routes and also served as a state trainer for a time. She attended the CHIPS program in California and received many accolades for her work.
Nedra enjoyed the time she spent with her friends in their reserved booths at Trails End Cafe and One Man Band. Nedra loved her friends and kept in touch with all of them throughout the years.
Nedra’s greatest blessings were her seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She loved every opportunity she had to talk about them and was proud of each of them.
Nedra is survived by her husband, Kerry Duncan; her brother, Jack Houser (Tam); her sons, Bill Duncan (Cindy) and Tyler Duncan (Korie); seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Alecia Smith; her parents; and her brother, Lee Houser.
Her seven grandchildren are Cody Duncan (Aubrey); Houser Duncan (Macie); Makayla Smith; Ali Duncan; Koby Duncan (Emily); Jarren Smith (Maddison); and Shaelynn Sterner (Jack).
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Wolf Hollow Second Ward Chapel, 870 East Canyon Road, Spanish Fork, Utah.
A viewing will be held Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the church, as well as Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., prior to the funeral service.
Interment will take place at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.
For more information see: www.LegacyFunerals.com
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Coming Up in THE PAYSON CHRONICLE
Coming up in
MEMORIAL
“The Midnight Sun”
The cast of the season’s play at Tintic High piled into autos eastbound, headed for the paved highway to Arrowhead Resort near Payson. They’d take the Arrowhead plunge in the cleansing waters at a celebratory swimming party before more significant leaps arrived. Eureka’s thespians would soon accept their diploma from Mr. Charles W. Bechtol in the school auditorium, the Tintic High School band playing Yoder’s “The Midnight Sun” and Dr. T. Earl Pardoe, founder of the Speech Department at Brigham Young University, rending his thoughts on “The Place of Youth in America.” The May 26, 1939 commencement ceremony was said to be the largest in history at Tintic High. A fine orchestra was lined up for a community dance to honor the graduates before they leapt into a world cast in shadow.
#memorialpark #memorial #paysonchronicle #arrowhead #tintichighschool
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Monday, October 5, 2026
Mourning the Passing of Our Friend
Betty Cones
Betty Cones was born in Elmira, New York on September 17, 1932, to Margaret Elizabeth Mengee and Bernice (Bert) Bryan Kresge. She passed away on September 29, 2026 at the age of 94.
Betty was about 9 years old when her family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She met Ronald Cecil Cones of Price, Utah while he was serving at Samson Air Force Base, at the Grand swimming pool in Elmira. Betty worked as a lifeguard there. He walked her home from work, they got engaged a week later, and married in the Manti Temple a few months later. Just before the marriage, her parents were sealed, then the children were sealed to the parents with Ron standing in for Betty's brother who died at birth.
Ron and Betty raised seven children in Glendale, Arizona, were Ron was a Physical Education teacher. When the youngest children were all in school, Betty worked in the elementary school cafeteria. She was called "Sister Cones" by all the children there.
When Ron retired, Betty could not take the heat of the Arizona weather anymore, so they found a nice home in Eureka, Utah. It has become a refuge for their seven children in times of difficulty. Betty taught her children to love one another and have fun with each other. Every ear the family gets together for a whole week for the Cones family reunion. People are amazed that 70 people get along together and have fun with each other.
Betty has been active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all her life. She served in many callings. Some of them being a Primary teacher, Relief Society President, organist, roadshow writer and director. She and Ron served in the Provo Temple and served a temple mission in Washington DC.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister Phyllis Rice; brothers Charles Bruce, Phillip and Robert Kresge; husband Ronald Cones; son-in-law David Sears; grandchildren Amber Cones and Riley Cones. She is survived by her seven children Marla Coons, Garth (Donna) Cones, Joy Sears, LeAnn (Duane) Pressler, Annette (Kim) Cheney, Grant (Laura) Cones, Bryan (Tracy) Cones, and 110 grandchildren and great-grandchildren with triplets on the way.
Funeral Services will be Saturday October 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Eureka LDS Church building, 70 East Main Street Eureka, Utah. A viewing will be Saturday from 9:30 - 10:45 at the church prior to services. Interment, Eureka City Cemetery.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Coming Up
Coming Up In The Payson Chronicle
PICTURED: Portrait of Milton and Trilma Jarvis, along with home movie stills recording the grand opening of Milt’s Polar Queen on June 18, 1958.
Summer of ‘58 — Cars lined up all down the block to get to Milt’s Polar Queen for the drive-in restaurant’s grand opening. Deluxe hamburgers, malts and shakes were on sale for 19 cents a piece. Fifteen-cent ice cream sundaes cost a dime on opening day.
A brick and block mason by trade, Milton Jarvis and local carpenters constructed the drive-in restaurant’s building that still stands, with some modifications, at 745 Highway 198 in Payson.
“Milt’s Polar Queen, as it was known to everyone in the area, was for years the most popular and busiest food drive-in in the Payson area for over 12 years,” Ron Jarvis said. “It was the place to go.”
His grandfather Milt ran Polar Queen with his wife Trilma Jarvis and family. Ron’s parents Jack and Lazawn Jarvis took over the business when it came time for the elder Jarvises to retire.
More to come in The Payson Chronicle weekly newspaper.
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