October 10, 1925 — February 2, 2017

Ira Edward Whitlock, 91, passed away on Feb. 2, 2017, at his home in St. George, Utah. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary Alyce “Ricki” Whitlock; his brothers, Jerry Whitlock and Gene Whitlock; his sister, Virginia Kimzey; his children, Jeanne Gunter, Joyce Fields, Reed Whitlock, and Jamie Whitlock; 17 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

Ira was born in Worland, Wyoming, on Oct. 10, 1925, to Andrew Whitlock and Ludina Anderson Whitlock. As a child growing up in the depression, Ira sold newspapers and sang in bars for spare change which instilled in him the work ethic he was known for throughout his life. In school, he excelled in athletics and academics, especially mathematics. He graduated high school in 1943 with numerous awards and honors. After graduation, he attended one semester at the University of Wyoming then enlisted in the Army Air Corp as a bombardier. During his training in El Paso, Texas, a young, hot Mexican tamale caught his eye. He and Ricki married June 6, 1946, in Worland, Wyoming.

Although he started his career in banking, he was quickly drawn to politics and moved to Washington, D.C., and worked for the Senate Parliamentarian. Then in 1950 he joined the staff of Sen. Lester Hunt (D) of Wyoming as a legislative assistant. After the Senator’s death in 1954, Ira and his family moved back to Worland where he returned to banking. But politics grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and pulled him back to Washington, D.C. in 1959 to work for Sen. Gale McGee (D) of Wyoming as a legislative assistant. Throughout his career in politics, Ira raised his family in Alexandria as he served as the Congressional Liaison Officer for the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service, from which he retired in 1989.

After retirement, Ira and Ricki served an LDS mission to Tonga 1989-1990. After their mission, they swore off humidity forever and moved to St. George, Utah, where they have lived for the past 26 years. During his time in St. George, Ira was an active member of the community and the Democratic Party, wrote for the St. George Spectrum, and taught American government at the Institute for Continued Learning at Dixie State University for 18 years. Over his life, he served as a bishop, high councilor, temple worker in the Washington D.C. and St. George LDS temples, as well as many other auxiliary and leadership roles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ira was extremely good at counting ribs, collecting spare change, a clear holdover from this bar-singing days, and comparing the price of gas, toilet paper, and Pepsi across the country. He enjoyed a good melody, a good hamburger and a good laugh. He loved traveling and the open road and, with Ricki, visited more than 30 countries over the course of their life together. He could not dance, garden, or fix anything, and he was the only man in St. George whose printer never worked. His Esperanto name is “Man with Ten Thumbs.” His personal heroes were Sen. Lester Hunt, Lou Gehrig, David O. McKay and John F. Kennedy. He will be remembered for his love of baseball, the Washington Redskins, westerns, the beach, and pie, both hot and cold. His family was his greatest legacy. So, Dad, we say to you, “hasta la cha-cha” and “cuanto mon gusta.”

Funeral services

• There will be a viewing Monday, Feb. 6, from 5-7 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff, St. George, Utah.
• Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 11 a.m. at the LDS Chapel on 550 E. 700 South in St. George.
• Burial will follow at the Tonaquint Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Institute for Continued Learning at Dixie State University.

The Whitlock family would also like to express gratitude to Ashley Yardley and Nichole Lamb of Dixie Hospice for their compassionate care.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign his guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

October 29, 1963 — February 2, 2017

Tony Lowell Frei passed away on Feb. 2, 2017. He was born on Oct. 29, 1963, in St. George, Utah, to Lowell Howard and Ginger Nichols Frei. Tony married Rebecca Dunton on March 10, 1990, in St. George Utah. Tony and Rebecca had one daughter. They later divorced but remained good friends. 

Tony spent a lot of his time on Kolob Mountain with his grandparents, Howard and Ora Nell Frei. He loved to fish, arrowhead hunt and spend time with his daughter, Rachel. Tony loved music and attended several concerts when he was younger. Tony was a collector. He had collections of arrowheads, sports cards, figurines and coins that he kept close. It was the small things in life that Tony cherished the most. A little went a long way with him. Tony loved his family. He expressed gratitude for his family and the people that came into his life that he later considered family. Tony was thrilled when he became a grandfather and loved spending time with his granddaughter, Rylee. She held a special place in his heart. 

Tony is survived by his daughter, Rachel Frei of St. George, Utah; granddaughter, Rylee Frei of Escalante, Utah; father, Lowell Frei of St. George, Utah; mother, Ginger Frei of St. George Utah; step-mother, Julie Frei of St. George, Utah. He is also survived by sisters; Shannon Frei Lowe (Jason) of Salt Lake City, Utah, Lindsey Frei Hunter (Greg), Sydnee Frei and brother, Mitch Frei (Kristen) all of St. George, Utah. 

Tony was proceeded in death by his grandparents, Howard and Ora Nell Frei; aunt, India Frei; and cousin, Lonnie Frei.

Funeral services

• Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 11 a.m. at the Spilsbury Mortuary Chapel, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 
• There will be a viewing held prior to services from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.   

Tony’s family would express a special thank you to Dennis Shunn for opening his home and showing love and concern for Tony these past several months.    

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, (435) 673-2454.  Family and friends are invited to sign Tony’s guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

November 5, 1960 — February 4, 2017

Michael David Tousa, passed away Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, at his home in St. George, after a 16-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born in Dallas, Texas, to Jerry and Mary Lynn Stucki Tousa.

Mike was born and raised in Dallas, where he attended Burnett Elementary School, Cary Middle School and Thomas Jefferson High School. He loved playing sports with his brothers, neighbors and schoolmates. Aside from the many athletic teams he played for, some of his favorite games took place right in the front yard, back yard and driveway of his home where he grew up.

Once he graduated from high school, he moved to St. George, Utah, where he attended Dixie College, while living with his maternal grandparents. He loved them and loved lending a hand to help with chores around their house. It wasn’t uncommon for him to see someone in need and offer to give a helping hand. 

After graduation from Dixie College, he finished his Bachelor Degree in Education at Southern Utah State College in Cedar City. Shortly after graduation he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he found employment in the golf industry. He met his wife, Fran Tegano, which led to the next chapter in his life, his daughter, Tierra Marie Tousa. She became the love of his life. He became very protective of his beautiful daughter. She is and will always be daddy’s little girl.

Shortly after Tierra was born, he focused on his golf career. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge of golf with anyone interested. Golf was his hobby and he built a career around something he loved. He met a lot of interesting people through this line of work and enjoyed getting to work with and spend time with some high-profile people and golfers.

He is survived by his daughter, Tierra Marie Tousa, in Las Vegas, Nevada; his parents, Jerry and Mary Lynn Tousa, in St. George, Utah; his sister and brother-in-law, Cheryl and James Hastings and children, in Dallas, Texas; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Jeffrey and Lisa Tousa and children, in Charlotte, North Carolina; Frank and Julie Tousa and children, in Las Vegas, Nevada; and Scott and Amanda Tousa and children, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Merrill and Maggie Stucki, his paternal grandparents, Frank and Mary Lee Tousa, and a niece, Zoe Hastings.

Funeral services

• Funeral services will be Saturday, Feb. 11, at the St. George East LDS Stake Center, 453 S. 300 East, St. George, Utah.
• The viewing will be from 9-10:30 a.m., with the service starting at 11 a.m.
• Interment will take place at the Tonaquint Cemetery.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Michael’s guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

November 23, 1924 — February 11, 2017

LaVerne Elbert Evans, 92, passed away Feb. 11, 2017, peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones. He was the widower of Mildred Jean Evans (Denton). They were married Jan. 31, 1947. They were sealed in the St George LDS Temple in 1954.

Born in Anaconda, Montana, on Nov. 23, 1924, he was the son of Ivan Alphonso Evans and May Barrett. He was raised in South Gate, California. He was employed at Lever Brothers Company, as an oil refiner, for 35 years.

Verne was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved serving in the temple, working with the youth and being a home teacher. He was an avid reader of the scriptures and the writings of the prophets. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hiking and biking. He took his sons with him everywhere he went, along with anybody else who wanted to tag along. He was the rock of our family. He will be remembered for his wisdom and endless patience, he was a quiet man, but when he spoke, we all listened. He will also be remembered for his witty sense of humor and funny stories, his love and devotion to his family, and his dedication to the church.

He is survived by his children: Connie Putnam of St George, Utah; Edward Paul (Kelly) Evans of Dolores, Colorado; David (Julie) Evans of Syracuse, Utah; and Mark Evans of Salt Lake City, Utah; 16 grandchildren who adore him and 49 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Beverly Lucille Mazzanti of Jackson, California, and Genevieve Berry of Spanish Fork, Utah.

Funeral services

• Funeral services will be held on Friday, Feb. 17, at 11 a.m. in the Sunset LDS Stake Center, 82 N. Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah. Friends may call prior to services from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Stake Center.
• Interment will be Saturday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, 2328 N. Sierra Hwy, Newhall, California.

Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, St George, Utah. (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign his guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

March 24, 1961 — February 15, 2017

Jonathan David Kotarski, passed away suddenly Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017. He was born on March 24, 1961, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, to Gene Wallace Kotarski and Winnifred Ann Slizewski. His family moved to St. George, Utah, when he was a year old.

He married his high school sweetheart, Sherrie Carter on May 17, 1978. Together they lived, laughed, and loved and created many memories with their three children. They enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping and just visiting together. Jon was passionate about his work in the construction industry. He loved spending every day “playing with the big boy toys in the big sandbox.” He was grateful for his employment with Desert Hills Construction. He loved the guys he worked with and said that “It was never a chore to go to work.”

He was always willing to help anyone who needed assistance. Whether it be a late-night jumpstart, fixing a leak, building a deck, or creating a shed from scratch, he was the man to call. He would regularly drop everything to help out a friend or stranger in need. He was full of light and laughter and brought joy to all those around him. This trait drew him to join the local Elks lodge where he served in many different positions including Exalted Ruler, which allowed him the opportunity to work with many great charities.

He is survived by his wife, Sherrie Carter Kotarski, his children, Cindy (Kevin) Romney, Jimmy Kotarski, Shelby (John) Davidson, and his two grandchildren Savannah and Wyatt Romney; sisters, Sue (Mike) Gallagher, Debi (Jerry) Wheeler, and Dawn (Terry) Byers; brother, Jeff (Trish) Kotarski; and many nieces, nephews, and adopted children. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Winnie.

Funeral services

• A viewing will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 6-8 p.m. in the Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah.
• A final viewing will be held Sunday, Feb. 19 at 9 a.m. with funeral services to follow at 10 a.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, St. George (435) 673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign his online guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com .

November 27, 1961 — February 14, 2017

One of God’s choicest spirits was called home Feb. 14, 2017, while timber sledding in the Flat Top area near Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Jesse B. Christensen entered this world Nov. 27, 1961, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Evonne Busselberg Sharpe and Barrie Dee Christensen.

Jesse spent his youth in the Denver area, Las Vegas and St. George, Utah. Jesse attended Dixie High School in St. George, Utah, and graduated from Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Following his graduation, Jesse served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Africa. It was while serving his mission that he first realized his musical talent as he preached the gospel by song on the streets of South Africa. Jesse was currently serving as a first counselor in the bishopric in the Steamboat Springs LDS ward.

Jesse married his soulmate, Leslie Hunt, on April 21, 1998, and they were sealed for eternity on May 10, 2014. Written on the wall of their home is the quote “Every once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale,” and what a fairytale their love is. Leslie and Jesse have a rare, unique kind of love that is unmatchable. 

Jesse is a musician, an artist, an adventurer and larger than life. Jesse leant his style and originality to everything he touched, whether he was gold leafing a temple somewhere in the world, customizing a family’s home or, together with his son Colter, bringing smiles to many with his music.

Jesse is a man who knew how to love his family, his crew, his friends and life to the fullest. He spread laughter, joy and goodness daily. Jesse lived every day in gratitude and never carried the burden of bitterness.

Jesse has a loving relationship with his Savior and is well acquainted with Him. He lived the Savior’s admonition to serve and love one another in everything he did. Jesse’s son Brady with special needs helped him learn to walk in the Savior’s way more perfectly.

Families are forever and so are friendships. If you had the privilege of crossing paths with Jesse, count yourself blessed for he saw greatness in everyone. Jesse is truly one of a kind and will be missed and forever loved by all who knew him.

Heaven just received the most amazing singing cowboy; his life flows on in endless song.

Jesse is survived by his wife, Leslie; six children: Brady Christensen, Erin Best (Kyle), Michael Mangold, Joshua Mangold, Mailis Mangold and Colter Christensen; three adopted sons: Stanley, Thomas and Bowen Johnson; three grandchildren: Kolten Best, KyLee Best and Mason Mangold.

He is also survived by his parents; stepfather Jack Sharpe; stepmother Anna Madsen; brothers: Kelly Christensen (Shelli), Chad Christensen (Sheena) and Ryan Stephens (Anji); sisters: Marsie Christensen, DeeAnna Christensen, Dawn Christensen, Leslie Christensen Bosch (Steve Foster), Stephanie Stephens, Aimee Stephens Bonham (Jason) and Lori Stephens Bolerjack (Brian); former wife and Brady and Erin’s mother, Lindy Luben Bradbury; Leslie’s parents, Kathryn Hunt and Darwin Hunt; Hunt family brothers- and sisters-in-law; many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends; his Infinity Finishes paint crew and the Schaefer catalog family.

Jesse was preceded in death by his grandparents, Fred and Else Tegtmeier Busselberg and Wells Morris and Etha Bleak Christensen; stepgrandfather Edwin Bohi; brother-in-law LeRoy Taylor; and sister-in-law Ruth Murdock Hunt.

Funeral services

All are invited to celebrate Jesse’s magnificent life. 

• His funeral services will be held Monday, Feb. 20, at 11 a.m. in the Steamboat Springs LDS Ward Building, 1155 Central Park Drive. 
• There will be a viewing preceding the funeral from 9:30-10:45 a.m. and a viewing the evening before at the same location from 5-7 p.m.
•  A visitation on Friday, Feb. 24, from 1-2:30 p.m. will be held in the Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff, St. George, Utah.
• Graveside service and interment at 3 p.m. in the Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 S. Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.

The family wishes to thank all who were involved in Jesse’s rescue efforts and recovery, including Routt and Garfield County Search and Rescue. 

Happy Trails, Cowboy!

Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, Saint George, UT. (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign his guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

January 19, 1919 — February 17, 2017

Clarence “Click” Emil Petersen, age 98, passed away peacefully on Feb. 17, 2017, in Ivins, Utah. He was born on Jan. 19, 1919 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Mads Emil and Gladys Croxford Petersen. He married Donna Howick on July 2, 1940, in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Click loved his family, hunting, fishing and golfing. He left a legacy to his children of integrity and hard work. He served in the US Army during WWII. Click and his brother, Don, owned and operated Western Auto Wrecking. After 38 years, he retired and sold the business to his son, Gary, so he could visit his Bayhorse Ranch in Challis, Idaho and golf in St. George, Utah. Click eventually moved to Mesquite, Nevada before moving into the Ivins Veterans Home, where he passed away.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Petersen, Mesquite, Nevada; children, Gary Lynn (Linda Flowers) Petersen, Ivins, Utah; daughter, Linda Lee Erickson, Mesquite, Nevada; 19 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Frank (Janice) Petersen, Salt Lake City, Utah. 

The family would like to thank the staff of the Ivins Veterans Home for their care and tender ministering to Click.

Funeral services

• Graveside services will be held Friday, Feb. 24, at 3 p.m. in the Ivins City Cemetery, Ivins, Utah.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign his guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

January 12, 1934 — February 27, 2017

Dian Douglas Gregory died Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, from the effects of a cerebral hemorrhage. She spent her final hours surrounded by loving family members and friends. Born Jan. 12, 1934, in Long Beach, California, to Helen Miles, St. George native, and Roscoe Douglas, of Payson, Utah.

Dian was blessed with natural grace and beauty, and her vibrant personality lit up every room she entered. Her grandchildren referred to her as “Funny” and every child was convinced of being grandma’s favorite.

Raised in a family that prized and collected antiques, Dian’s home was a showplace for historic paintings, flow blue china, early American furniture and exotic Oriental rugs. She had a penchant for decorating, but we never got too accustomed to the look — on the next visit, everything would be in a different place.

This stylish and sometimes silly woman has left us with a wealth of laughs and anecdotes to remember her by — her legacy lives on.

Dian is survived by her husband, Jack; sons, Douglas (Cheryl), Robert (Diana), John (Maria), and daughter Jacqueline (Todd) Wheeler; brother, Robert Douglas; sister, Janifer (Tom) Callahan; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a vast extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and life-long friends. Preceded in death by parents and brother, Bill.

The family would like to thank the attentive staff at Dixie Regional Medical Center, and the gentle support of Spilsbury Mortuary.

Funeral services

• Funeral services will be held Friday, March 3, at 2 p.m. in the St. George Main Street Chapel, 166 S. Main, St. George, UT.
• There will be a viewing Thursday, March 2, from 5-7 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff, and prior to services Friday from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Chapel.
• Interment will take place in the Tonaquint Cemetery.

We love you Dian!

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign her online guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

August 18, 1926 — February 25, 2017

James Warren Taylor, 90 years old, passed away of natural causes Feb. 25, 2017, at the Coral Canyon Beehive House. He was born Aug. 18, 1926, in Laketown, Utah, to Alley Vernon Johnson and Joseph Warren Taylor. He married Maxine Dabling Aug. 27, 1947, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

His early years were spent helping his father on the farm and enjoying the hills and Bear Lake near Laketown. He was called to duty in the Army Air Corp in 1944 where he trained as a B-29 turret gunner. After the war, he married his sweetheart, Maxine (Mickey). He graduated Weber College 1948, Utah State 1950 and received his commission as a 2nd lieutenant in the USAF in June 1950. Received his USAF flying wings in June of 1951.

James was in the Air Force for 27 years and a veteran of three wars, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Serving various tours of duty including working on his master’s degree at Texas A&M and then onto the Pentagon and State Department in Washington D.C. Overseas assignments included Clark AFB, Philippines, Tachikawa, Japan.

In 1967 pilots were needed in Vietnam and at 41 years of age with a wife and 3 children, James went from a desk job to the jungles of southeast Asia. He was assigned to fly C-123 agent orange missions with the “Ranch Hands” at Bien Hoa AFB in Vietnam.

He retired as a Lt. Colonel from the Air Force in 1969 and shortly after moved to Monument, Colorado, for 3 years then on to Eden, Utah, where he and his wife lived for 30 years while serving multiple missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one in Salt Lake at the LDS College, the other in Toronto, Canada.  After tiring of the cold and snow, James and his wife moved to Sky Mountain in Hurricane, Utah, in 2000 to enjoy sunshine, golf and great people. 

He is survived by his wife, Maxine of Hurricane, daughter Terresia Lyn Taylor of Hurricane, Utah, son Kevin Johnson Taylor (DeeAnn) of Hurricane, Utah, Jeffery James Taylor (Pamela) of Las Vegas, Nevada, sister, Elaine Hatch of Randolf, Utah, brother, Robert Marion Taylor (Ladell) of Surfside Beach, South Carolina, and many grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Jay, Vernon, Lawrence, Wallace; sister, Jean, and twin infant brothers, Elliott and Ellsworth. 

Funeral services

• Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 4, at 11 a.m. at the Hurricane LDS 11^th Ward Chapel, 452 N. 2600 West, Hurricane, UT.
• There will be a viewing Saturday prior to services from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Chapel.
• Interment will take place in the Hurricane City Cemetery.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign his online guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

April 29, 1936 — February 27, 2017

Myrle Thacker Jensen age 80, passed away on Feb. 27, 2017. She was born on April 29, 1936, in Roosevelt, Utah, to Claude Thacker and Hilda Grace Fullmer Thacker.

Myrle was an energetic compassionate loving person and always willing to give of her time. Myrle loved to be in the mountains and loved the majestic beauty of the Wasatch, Uinta, and Teton mountains. Myrle lived and grew up in Kamas, Utah, and graduated and attended South Summit High School and graduated in 1954. She was very active in high school events, particularly chorus. Myrle has a beautiful soprano voice and sang with two close friends who performed at many events, church meetings, marriages and funerals. 

Myrle’s great passion was learning new things and becoming a school teacher. She started at BYU with very little means and a scholarship from the Future Homemakers of America. To get by, she worked two jobs at 14 hours a day in the summers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, while continuing her musical interests. She graduated in 1958 with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and minor in Human Development and Family Relations.

Myrle met Carl Jensen of Ely, Nevada, at BYU and after Carl finished serving his country in the Army, they were married on Nov. 27, 1957, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Myrle was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in several positions in the Relief Society organization.

Myrle traveled and lived with her husband during the great migration of engineers that triumphed over the Cold War. They lived in Arizona, Illinois, Texas, Wyoming and she taught school in the states of Utah, Colorado and California. She also worked as an executive administrator for an energy logistics and distribution company and an administrative assistant for Farmers Home Administration. During this time, she became a strong advocate and proponent of equal pay for women and took the organizational lead of the formation of a new branch of the AFL-CIO in Utah. She was also a passionate conservative. 

She loved her family dearly and supported their endeavors and was proud of their accomplishments.

She is survived by her husband, Carl; son, Derrick of St. George; and daughters, Christine Milligan (Michael) Havre, Montana, Lynn Shrum (Glenn) St. George, Utah, and Jennifer Chapdelaine (Jim) of Apple Valley, California; grandchildren, Sarah, Deirdre, James, Loren and Abby and four great-grandchildren; her sister, Mary Lou Spaulding, and brothers; Chad, Dallas and Nile Thacker, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, sisters Claudia, Joyce, Ann, Fay and Linda and brother Don.

Funeral services

• A viewing will be held on Friday, March 3, from 5-7 p.m.
• Funeral services on Saturday, March 4 at 11 a.m. both held at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff, St. George, Utah.
• Graveside dedication at Tonaquint Cemetery immediately following.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Myrle’s online guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

February 7, 1939 — February 28, 2017

Frank “Clair” Langston, 78, beloved husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, great-great grandpa and ever loving friend passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, in St. George, Utah. Clair lived a great and full life. He was born Feb. 7, 1939, in Hurricane, Utah, to Francis Ivan and Maud Langston. Clair was the fourth of six children, his siblings being Elaine, Nedra, Lynn, Keith, and Jean.

Clair spent his youth roaming the countryside of Hurricane, Utah. He worked alongside his father, Ivan, farming, peddling fruit from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Salt Lake, Utah, and then worked and owned the slaughter house with his family. Clair attended all his schooling in Hurricane and graduated high school in 1957.

Clair married Ada Marie Garner on Aug. 2, 1957, in Hurricane, Utah. They moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Clair started working for Southwest Gas. He worked there for 33 years. From this union, Clair and Ada had four children: Tina, Dallan, Terrance, and Shawna. Later Clair and Ada were divorced.

Clair met and then married Sheila Langston on Feb. 25, 1989, in Las Vegas, Nevada. With this union, Sheila brought three more children, Kristen, Stephen, and Shayne; and Brandy their dog. For 17 years, Clair was never seen without his puppy, Brandy, who we are sure was waiting for him in Heaven.

Clair loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, 4-wheeling and especially camping with his family. He spent a lot of time exploring the Southwest with his wife Sheila. Clair used to be an avid bowler. His biggest pride and joy was his family. Clair spent many hours teaching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren about rocks and finding the best ones to polish.  He was a prankster and had the best sense of humor. His favorite names were Garber Slack and Leonard Fogglergreen. His favorite sayings were “I’ll decide!” “Talk at you later!” and “I’ll reform your raftergaft!”    

He is survived by his wife Sheila of Leeds, Utah; children Tina (Dee) Johnson, Dallan (Kim) Langston, Terrance (Brenda) Langston, Shawna (Jim) Fesler, Kristen (Eddie Ray) Tung Loong, Steven (Kevin) Finch, and Shayne (Kimberly) Finch. He has 19 grandkids, 47 great-grandkids, and 2 great-great-grandkids.

Funeral services and family requests

• There will be a Celebration of Clair’s life Saturday, March 11, at Leeds Park in Utah from 1-4 p.m.  
• Please write your favorite memory or story about Clair that you would like to share with his family and leave with his family, along with any pictures.    
• In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Operation Smile: www.operationsmile.org.

Arrangements have been made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Clair’s online guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

February 2, 1941 — February 24, 2017

Lora Lee Smith was born Feb. 2, 1941, in Los Angeles, California, to Charles and Bernice Hill. She took her last breaths in this world on Feb. 24, 2017, in Miami, Florida, following a boating accident in the Florida Keys. It was fitting that Lora spent her final days in a place of such beauty and sunshine. The impression she left on most everyone she met was that she was a vibrant, beautiful woman.

Most of her youth was spent in Southern California, where she developed her love of the ocean and beaches. Lora attended high school at El Segundo High School and graduated in 1959. She did some professional modeling while in high school and was a beauty from the beginning. Just a few short months after graduation from high school she married K.L. Smith, in Inglewood on Sept. 12, 1959. Soon after, they started their own family. Steve was their first born in 1961, followed by Ron in 1963, Susan in 1967, and Darrell in 1972. Lora was a very busy mom. The family moved to John Day, Oregon, in 1969, and then to Hermiston, Oregon. They settled there on a couple of acres where the kids enjoyed room to roam and a little taste of country life.

From 1976-1985, Lora went to work in the Hermiston School District as an office aide. She was a bright spot in the day of any student having to be sent to the office. She met them all with her quick wit, brilliant green eyes, glowing smile, and loving attitude. Students left her presence feeling reassured and better about themselves. She was a definite blessing to them.

In 1985, she moved to Yakima, Washington. Here she decided to follow a dream and went to beauty school. She graduated in 1987 and later achieved her master esthetician license. This was a very proud moment for her. Settling into a new area, still with kids to raise, finishing school was no easy task. But Lora was determined to accomplish a goal once she set it. It is a trait that she has passed on to her children and grandchildren. She happily worked in a salon in Yakima until they moved again to St. George, Utah in 1990. Here, she owned and operated a salon of her own. She spent many years as a representative of skin care and cosmetic companies in addition to taking care of clients at local spas. She had a gift of putting people at ease that was a bonus in her field.

After 42 years, Lora and K.L. parted but she stayed in the St George area. She continued to work and spent as much time as she could pursuing her love of travel. Many trips were made with friends that left Lora with incredible and lasting memories. She spent as much time as she could with her children and grandchildren always sharing her adventures with them. She was a very proud mother and grandmother. While she always had advice and encouraging words to share with them, more often than not, time with her was spent laughing. Lora truly enjoyed life and appreciated the beauty in it. She thought each and every one of her grandchildren to be the best there was.

Lora was a member of the Elks Lodge. She also loved animals. By volunteering at the Ivins Animal Shelter and by pet sitting, she was able to continue to travel often while still getting her pet “fixes” in. She was always one who loved to learn and continued to take classes at Dixie State University just to study new things. Lora had a passion for painting and always liked an artistic challenge. She also loved to dance especially to country western music. She showed off her moves at her 75th birthday party in all her glory surrounded by friends and family. Lora exuded joy on such occasions and her adoration of life was contagious. She truly seemed ageless in such moments. Her smile, laughter, determination and spunk will be missed by the many who loved her.

Lora is survived by her children Steven Smith, his wife Caroline and their children Ryan, Katie, and Nolan, son Ron, his wife Beth and children Nikki [with great-granddaughters Brooklyn and Maisy], Ashley [great-grandson Hunter], and Travis, daughter Susan Leuthauser , her husband Tom, and daughters Sabrina, Rachel and Kayla, and son Darrell, his wife RaeDawn, and sons Wyatt and Riley, and by her brothers Don Hill of St George and Ken Hill of Eugene, Oregon. She was preceded in death by her parents Charles Franklin Hill and Anna Bernice Bagby.

Funeral services

• A celebration of Lora’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 13, at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St George, Utah.
• Private family interment will be held in May in Ogden, Utah.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673- 2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Lora’s online guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

April 23, 1926 — March 3, 2017

Frances Peterson Anderson, 90 years of age, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 3, 2017, in St. George, Utah. She leaves behind her three children Lorna (John) Killebrew, Darrel (Marsha) Anderson, and Denise (Douglas) Laub, 15 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Francis was born on April 23, 1926, one of 10 children and the youngest surviving daughter of John Peterson and Katie Funk. She spent her early years on her family farm in Sterling, Utah, until she met the love of her life, Lorin James Anderson, and they eloped to Nevada on Nov. 26, 1942. They were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple on Oct. 2, 1951.

Together they raised their children while living in many places including, Aurora, Utah; Sterling, Utah; Idaho, Salt Lake City, Utah; Henderson, Nevada; Big Lake, Canada; Washington, Utah; Veyo, Utah; Ephraim, Utah; and most recently Ivins, Utah. Frances and Lorin were seldom apart until he passed away on Aug. 25, 2009.

Some of her fondest memories included the time that she spent as a post mistress in rural Canada while she and her family worked to make a living on their ranch. She joined in the tractor work, the cattle drives, and even took in two student boarders to help make ends meet. She was a well-dressed lady who was not afraid to pull trailers and get her hands dirty working.

Frances was a skilled and precise seamstress who made dolls, crocheted afghans and quilted blankets for her children and grandchildren. She showed her love for them in all that she did, and she was particularly concerned with making sure her visiting friends and family were well fed. She always had a stash of treats to share.

Frances especially loved road trips and camping. During their retirement years, she and Lorin owned camp trailers that they would take and stay in during the summer. Her grandchildren particularly loved fishing and playing late night card games with her at Panguitch Lake.

Our cherished mother and grandmother has left us with a legacy of love, and she will be deeply missed.

Funeral services

• A graveside service was held in her honor on Tuesday, March 7, at 12 p.m. in Sterling, Utah.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Frances’ online guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

September 19, 1933 — March 7, 2017

On March 7, 2017, at age 83, Veldon Eugene Lefler returned home to his Heavenly Father and reunited with his beautiful eternal companion Carline (Marsing) Lefler, to whom he was married for 62 years.

Veldon was born in Charleston, Utah, to Curtis and Edith Amber (North) Lefler on Sept. 19, 1933. He married his sweetheart, Carline, on March 5, 1953, in Duchesne, Utah. On Jan. 30, 1962, their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.

Shortly after their marriage, Veldon and Carline moved to Laredo, Texas, where Veldon was stationed with the United States Air Force. Veldon enlisted with the Air Force in Aug. 1951 and served in the Korean War until 1955. He was a member of the fire and aircraft rescue team, where his job was to secure F86 fighter planes and rescue the pilots from crashes. For his efforts, Veldon earned a Korean SV Medal, National Defense Ribbon, UN SV Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal.

Veldon worked hard to support his family. He was employed with Dick Morrison Tire Company in Salt Lake City, Utah, for many years and later moved to the Uintah Basin and worked in law enforcement with Duchesne City and later Duchesne County, where he retired in 1994. After retirement, he moved to Washington, Utah. Veldon and Carline served LDS missions as directors of the extraction program in a mission area comprising the St. George Temple Visitors Center and Southern Utah historical sites. They also served in the LDS Bishop’s Storehouse for 13 years.

Veldon loved spending time outdoors with his family, especially hunting, camping and fishing. He also loved working with his hands, sculpting Anasazi pots and rock ruins, carving wooden walking sticks and Air Force planes, making dream catchers and quilting by hand.

Veldon is survived by his three children: Sharlene Imes, St. George, Utah; Ronald C. Lefler (Jaynee) Mt. Home, Utah; and Karen Doty (Chip), St. George, Utah. He had 10 grandchildren: Tonya (Allred) Stewart, Arthur Allred, April (Altenhoff) Taylor, Erica (Altenhoff) Bown, Jason Lefler, Autumn (Lefler) Winn, Rashelle (Doty) Muntifering, Stefanie (Doty) Plothow, and Christopher Doty. He also had 26 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

Veldon is preceded in death by his parents, Curtis Lefler and Edith Amber North; wife, Carline Marsing; brothers, Tharol Lefler and Donnen Lefler; and grandson, Mike Allred.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at the Southern Utah Veterans Home for their care and compassion for Veldon.

Funeral services

• Funeral services will be held at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 11.
• There will be a viewing Saturday prior to services from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
• Interment service will take place immediately following at Washington City Cemetery.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign his guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

October 25, 1954 — March 8, 2017

Jennie Lynn Christiansen Stilson passed away peacefully at her home on March 8, 2017, with her family and loved ones surrounding her after a brief struggle with cancer. She was born on Oct. 25, 1954, in Mayfield, Utah, to Harold McNeil and Ruth Beck Christiansen. 

In her early years, she enjoyed spending time doing anything with family and friends. She loved outdoor activities and sporting events and anything else that her children were involved in. Jennie loved learning and graduated from Snow College. She shared this love of learning with her children and those around her. She was a voracious reader and even spent time as a school librarian. Jennie was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many church callings and capacities over the years and enjoyed sharing her testimony with those around her. Her greatest calling and joy in life was motherhood.

She married Blaine Stilson on June 30, 1973, in the Manti Utah LDS Temple where they were sealed for time and eternity. Jennie is survived by her husband, Blaine; her four children: Jason and Mindy Stilson of St. George; Brandon and Shanna Stilson of Santaquin; Chelsie and Sean Wasden of Nampa, Idaho; and Shan and Haleigh Stilson of St. George; her mother, Ruth Beck Christiansen of Mayfield, Utah; and 19 grandchildren. She is also survived by her two brothers and sister; Karl Christiansen, Randy Christiansen and Lana Hogan. She is preceded in death by her father, Harold Christiansen, and brothers, Mark and Howard Christiansen. 

Funeral services

• Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 11, at 1 p.m. at the LDS Morningside Stake Center, 879 S. River Road in St. George, Utah.  
• A viewing will be held on Friday, March 10, at Spilsbury Mortuary from 5-7 p.m. and again on Saturday, March 11, proceeding the funeral at the LDS Morningside Stake Center from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
• Interment will be at the St. George Cemetery under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary. 

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Jennie’s online guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

December 23, 1921 — February 19, 2017

Cleone Beatty Ripley, 95, passed away in Cedar City, Utah, on Feb. 19, 2017, after suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease for nearly 20 years. Cleone was born Dec. 23, 1921, in Toquerville, Utah, to Reid Smith and Leona Naegle Beatty.

Being a bright student, she moved to Santa Monica to attend business school after graduating from Hurricane High School. She worked as a bookkeeper for the Harry L. Nurse Audit Company and later for the gas company. Mr. Nurse treated her like a daughter, and she often spoke of him with great affection. She kept the books for many prominent people in the movies. 

Cleone met Ashmun James Ripley, a recent WWII Army Air Corps vet, in Santa Monica at the famous Llo-Da-Mar bowling alley on Wilshire Boulevard where they both regularly ate and bowled. He always greeted her with “Hi, Red.”  She thought he was too fresh and way too young for her. His happy-go-lucky persistence paid off, and they married on July 2, 1949, in Tijuana, Mexico. Their marriage was later solemnized in the St. George Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Ripley’s lived in Santa Monica, California, where Jim owned a shirt laundry. After selling the laundry, they purchased a trailer and traveled around the country for five months. They lived in Calexico and Blythe, California, where Jim was in the Border Patrol and later settled in Chula Vista, California, where they raised their daughter and Jim worked as a U.S. Customs officer. They retired to southern Utah in 1978.

Cleone is survived by a daughter, Christina Brown; son-in-law Vik Brown; two grandchildren, Nikole Stark (Tony) and Cameron Brown (Chelsea); three great-granddaughters, Sophie Stark, Audrey Stark and Emerson Brown; and a sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Ken Englehart.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and two brothers, Dell R. Beatty and James T. Beatty.

Cleone was smart, kind, responsible and a wonderful mother. She has been missed by us all for many years.

Funeral services

Interment will be in the Toquerville City Cemetery, Toquerville, Utah.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign her guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

January 21, 1952 — March 10, 2017

On March 10, 2017, our sweet little angel “Teeny” went home to be with her Mama and Daddy.

She came into this life weighing in at around 3 lbs. She was born to Arnold and Amy Leah Matthews Brinkerhoff, Jan. 21, 1952, in Cedar City, Utah. She passed onto the other side of the veil to be with her parents and sisters, Elaine, Geraldine and Helen. She is survived by one brother Raymond D. (Lenny) Brinkerhoff, Evelyn Sturtz, Mary Ann (Lamar) Bringhurst and Verla Venuti.

She was a delight to everyone she met. Always with a smile and a hug and playing her guitar. Her passion was her family and her Magna Doodle and music. She always wanted to dance with everyone and learned to walk by dancing.

Thanks to her brother and sister Raymond and Lenny who took care of her for 19 years and for the visits she loved to have with her family and nieces and nephews. From her, they learned to be kind and accepting of those with disabilities. Thanks to her friends she made at the Hurricane Rehab Center for their kindness in taking care of her needs. They always mentioned how much they loved her.

Funeral services

• Funeral services will be held at the Virgin Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, Virgin, Utah, March 18, at 11 a.m. prompt.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah. (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to offer their condolences at www.spilsburymortuary.com. 

October 21, 1934 — March 13, 2017

Maria Salomé Castañon, 82, passed away on March 13, 2017. She was born on Oct. 21, 1934, in Sombrerete, Zacatecas Mexico to Santos and Elvira (Rios) Garcia. She married José Salomé Castañon in Zacatecas in 1954.

Unconditional love comes to mind when you think of Salomé, she was a beloved a wife, devoted mother and doting grandmother. Salomé was raised in the town of Sobrerete, Mexico, with her siblings who enjoyed a simple life. Salomé and José were married in 1954. They had their eldest son before moving to Ciudad Juárez where the rest of the children were born and raised before coming to the United States.

Salomé was a stay-at-home mom who cared for all of her children and some of her grandchildren. She was loved by many friends as well.

She is survived by her husband José Castañon who resides in St. George; children Santos and Angelina Garcia, Milton-Freewater, Oregon; Sofia Mellish-Legg and Bill Legg, Caldwell, Idaho; Patricia Niva-Ringle and Steve Ringle, Northport, Washington; José and Mary Castañon, Rosalia, Washington; and Hilda and Fernando Morales, St. George, Utah; also by 19 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; brother Mario Garcia, Cd. Juarez, Mexico. She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings Maria, Juan, Gil and Dolores; grandson James Nieva.

The family would like to thank her primary doctors; Dr. Carlos Mercado, Dr. Joseph Te and Dr. Michael Codiga for the care and dedication they gave her and the home health team at Canyon Home & Hospice.

To the support of family and friends who visited with her during her illness will be forever appreciated.

Funeral services

• A Rosary will be held Thursday, March 16, from 6-8 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff, St. George, Utah.
• A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, March 17, at 3 p.m. at the St. George Catholic Church, 259 W. 200 N., St. George, Utah.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign her online guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

March 12, 2017 — March 12, 2017

Leo Cosmo Smith returned home to his Heavenly Father’s arms on Sunday, March 12, 2017, where we are certain his great grandpa and great-great grandma were waiting, even fighting to have the first hugs and kisses.

Leo is the descendant of Vikings and kings. His future was sure to have found him as a slayer of dragons, savior of fair maidens in peril. He would have captured control of galaxies and have unlocked the power of the universe. He would have play crashed his hot wheel cars, run home covered in dirt, jumped in rain puddles, had awesome fights between his toy dinosaurs and army men, a champion block builder, a professional bicycle stuntman, and avid daredevil.

He would have graduated as valedictorian of his high school and magna cum laude from college, where he would have gone on to receive his M.D., Ph.D., or Juris Doctorate.

He would have married the most beautiful girl from his childhood neighborhood and who also had the biggest heart. They would have had a gaggle of beautiful children.

He would have been a benefactor to many charities and would have raised awareness for causes and helped to feed the homeless and would have done everything he could to help our veterans.

Leo, your time was brief, but your Heavenly Father sent you here to receive a physical body and return. He needed you as a soldier in Heaven, where we know that you will be the bravest of all.

He is survived by his beautiful and stunning mommy, Savannah Madge Smith, and dashingly handsome daddy, James Smith; his grandparents, Rick and Lorina (Smith) Potter of Salt Lake, and Hugh “Jim” and Melody (Wright) Smith of Salt Lake, great grandparents, Pamella (Knight) Smith of Roswell, GA, Faye (Baldwin) and her husband Robert Lafferty of Johnson City, New York, “Nancy” Cirilia Peña, and Kent and Selma Wright; great-great grandpa Milo Knight, aunts and uncles, Malcolm, Richie, Sawyer, and Leia Potter of Salt Lake and Alex Smith, and Sara (Smith) and her husband Zach Davenport, great aunts and uncle, Briana Popham and her husband, Petty Officer 1st Class, Jonathan Popham of the Coast Guard in Elizabeth, North Carolina, Aubrey (Smith) and her husband Michael Forest of Marietta, Georgia, Alisha (Smith) and her husband Jay McArthur of Roswell, Georgia, Travis and Chelsea Smith of Denver, Colorado.

He is preceded in death by his great grandpa, Allen Lee Smith, his great grandpa, Richard Malcolm Potter, and great-great-grandma, Madge (Zuffelt) Knight.

Funeral services

A graveside service will be held Thursday, March 16, at 2 p.m. at the St. George City Cemetery in downtown St. George.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Leo’s honor to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.

Arrangements have been made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Leo’s online guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

October 12, 1925 — March 8, 2017

Renée Bilsborough-Abbott passed away peacefully at her home on March 8, 2017. She was born on Oct. 12, 1925, in Logan, Utah, to Rulon Pugmire Keetch and Carol Archibald Wyatt Keetch. Her family moved to Bakersfield, California, where she spent her growing up years. She had three younger sisters: Marlene, Rula and Sheryl. Her father was a school principal in the Bakersfield Union School District.

Renée enjoyed life and made the very most of every moment. She enjoyed traveling and toured throughout the world until her health would no longer permit. She made friends everywhere she went and truly valued these friendships. Renée was also a wonderful artist. Her favorite medium was oil paints, but she was also very talented with watercolors and pastels. She primarily painted scenes from photos she would take on her travels—with her favorites being farm scenes and mountain scenes found in the western United States.

Renée graduated from Bakersfield Junior College and then the University of Utah with honors. She began her career as a fourth-grade teacher but then switched to kindergarten – where she stayed for over 30 years. She loved teaching kindergarten and stayed in touch with many of her students throughout her lifetime.

A favorite memory of her students is when learning the letter “C” in the alphabet, Renée would walk the class outside to her parking space and say “C stands for Corvette.” She drove a red 1964 Corvette Stingray. She was known all around town as the kindergarten teacher who drove the red Corvette. She worked with the children every year to build dinosaurs out of a refrigerator and washing machine boxes. The kids would cover the boxes in papier-mâché, then paint them a color that was voted on by the class. They were large enough for a few kindergartners to sit inside together, and they were colorful. If nothing else in their grade-school time, this was remembered most among the students. Renée never forgot a name of a student or how special they were to her.

Renée married Edward Bilsborough on June 14, 1950, in the Salt Lake Temple. Ed was also from Bakersfield, but they never actually met until on a blind date while Ed was home for a short leave while serving in the Navy during World War II. Their children Craig, Brett and Shauna were born in three different states as Ed was transferred with his construction work. In June 1956, they settled in Novato, California, in Marin County, where they thought they might be for only a short time. They ended up staying a lifetime and their fourth child, Lisa, was born eight years later. They loved Novato and loved raising their children there.

Ed passed away in 1985. Renée continued to teach until 1989 when she married Lloyd M. Abbott. They enjoyed traveling together and served an LDS mission in the England London Mission. This was a wonderful experience for them. Renée always had a dream to serve a mission with her husband. Lloyd passed away in 1998.

In September 2004, Renée moved to St. George, Utah, to be near her daughter, Lisa, and her family. This was a special move for her as Lisa had a young family and Renée now had a purpose in helping to care for the grandchildren. She had such fun helping with the grandchildren – and the grandchildren had fun spending time with her. They all grew very close.

For many years, Renée enjoyed spending summers at her family cottage, known as “Keetch Kottage” in St. Charles, Idaho, at Bear Lake. This was one of the true joys of her life as this was where she spent her summers growing up. She enjoyed her many family traditions and loved and respected her ancestors. She welcomed friends and family to stay at her “Bunk House” and enjoyed sharing her many memories of that area.

Renée was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many church callings and capacities over the years and enjoyed sharing her testimony with those around her. 

Renée leaves behind four children: Craig and Linda Bilsborough of Chico, California; Brett and Cindy Bilsborough of Walnut Creek, California; Shauna and Jeff Devenport of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Lisa and Ron Bushnell of St. George, Utah; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her two sisters, Rula Bartholomew of Marysville, Washington, and Sheryl Ostrander of Bakersfield, California. 

Additionally, Renée leaves behind 6 “bonus” children and spouses from her marriage to Lloyd, as well as many “bonus” grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services

• Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 18, at 12 p.m. at the Mulberry LDS Chapel, 3381 Mulberry Drive in St. George, Utah.
• A viewing will be held preceding the funeral from 10-11:30 a.m. 
• Interment will be at the St. Charles, Idaho, cemetery at Bear Lake.

The family wishes to give special thanks to the staff of Rocky Mountain Hospice for their kind attentive care.

Arrangements have been made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Renée’s guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com.