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Jon Arlin Ashment, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2019 at the age of 77.  He was born March 29, 1941 in Spearfish, South Dakota.  He was the first of four children born to Arvil and Linda Ashment.

Jon previously married Joan Elizabeth Mortensen on 19 February 1964 – 1974 in Salt Lake City.  They have 3 children.

As a child he grew up in Laramie, Wyoming.  Graduated from University High in 1959.

He joined the United States Army National Guard in 1959 and received Basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and was part of the 1022^nd as a member of the Honor Guard at Fort Lewis, Washington during the Berlin Crisis.  The Honor Guard was an integral part of several parades in which the 1022^nd Engineer Battalion participated.

During the reign of “Century21” in Seattle, Washington, Ashment participated with the Honor Guard in the impressive ceremony that helped to get “Wyoming Day” started.

He was a successful businessman with Gulf Oil Corp. in Las Vegas and Phoenix.  General manager of Yellow and Checker Cab Companies in Las Vegas, he helped to convert gas to propane in cabs.

He then moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he met his wife of the last 25 years, sealed together in the Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She had 6 children.  They moved to Mesa, Arizona 12 years ago.

He is survived by his wife: Patricia Ashment; Sons: Ronald G. Miller (Maureen) of Parker, Idaho; Paul L. Miller (Kim) of Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Darren I Miller (Lori) of Portland, Oregon; Ricky Ashment of Las Vegas, Nevada; Jimmy Ashment (Celeste) of Farr West, Utah; Daughters: Julie Ashment Knoll (Jeff) of West Point, Nebraska; Shiela DeRize (Bruce) of Victor, Idaho; Nancy Pivik (Carl) of Ucon, Idaho; Corrine Creviston (Tim) of Scottsdale, Arizona;  Two Brothers: Arvil Ashment (Bev) of Basin, Wyoming, Ed Ashment (Nancy) of Basin, Wyoming; Sister: Dee Applegate (Lynn) of Orem Utah;  26 Grandchildren, 10 Great Grandchildren, 1 on the way; 2 dogs that think they are our grandchildren also.

Services will be held on February 28^th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2835 E. Des Moines, Mesa, Arizona 85213.  Viewing from 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Service at 11:00 AM, Military Honors to follow.

Graveside Service to be held at the Teton-Newdale Cemetery, West 3^rd South, Sugar City, Idaho at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, March 6^th.   Family and Friends luncheon will be from 1:00 – 4:00 PM, March 6^th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, West Main Street, Parker, Idaho 83445.

Beverly Kay Thornton, 72, of Mesa, Arizona; passed away on February 21, 2019.  She was born February 28, 1946 in Omaha, Nebraska.  A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 7:00 PM, Tuesday, February 26^th at Bunker’s University Chapel, 2529 E. University Drive in Mesa.  Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, February 27^th at South East Bible Church, 710 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert, Arizona.

Glendon R Blau, son of Herman and Teresa Mae Richardson Blau, returned to his heavenly home on February 21, 2019, to be reunited with his sweetheart, Twila Ray Rogers, after nearly 4 and ½ years. Their son, Larry, preceded him in death and was also waiting to greet him in heaven. Glendon is survived by their children, Debra Blau, Brenda (Eddie) Nevitt, Marsha (Bret) Niedens, Kerwin (Heidi-Ann Maas) Blau, and Darel Blau; 15 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He is deeply loved and will be missed by many.

Glendon grew up and went to school in Mesa, AZ, and worked with his dad and brothers serving the community with their H Blau and Sons Plumbing company. He was brilliant at figuring out ways to fix things. He later worked at Desert Samaritan Hospital as their mechanical foreman, where they would say, “If Glendon Blau can’t fix it…..throw it away!”

Glendon served honorably in the Argentine Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held various church callings throughout his life, and loved to be a temple worker, first in the Mesa Temple and later at the Gilbert Temple. He loved the gospel, his family, and the Savior. He truly followed the Savior’s counsel to “Love one another.”

Glendon learned early in life on the farm to be a hard worker, and that work ethic continued throughout his life. He enjoyed working in his garden, mainly growing vegetables to give to friends and neighbors. He was a lifelong scouter and encouraged many young men to earn the rank of Eagle. Music was an especially important part of Glendon’s life. He learned to play the trumpet, guitar, and harmonica, and loved singing around the piano with his family or in the church choir. He was a loving, kind man whose constant advice to all was “Keep a smile on your face and a song in your heart.” He will always be in our hearts!

Services will be held in the Chandler East Stake Center, located on Greenfield Road about 2 and ½ miles south of the Gilbert Temple (21320 South Greenfield Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85298). There will be a viewing on Friday, March 1, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. There will be a second viewing at 9:00am on Saturday, March 2, 2019, followed by the funeral service at 10:00am. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Dolpha Coleman, 84, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2019 in Mesa, Arizona. Dolpha loved her children and grandchildren and was an avid supporter of their endeavors. A talented musician and performer, she enjoyed organizing and participating in musical and dramatic productions. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved the Savior. Some of her favorite activities were singing, shopping, gardening, and playing games with family and friends.

Dolpha was preceded in death by her husband Ed, four sisters, and one brother. She is survived by one brother, Anthony Farr; seven children, Ed (Merla) Coleman, Toni (Randy) Pearson, Sydney (Brett) Applegate, Daren (Colleen) Coleman, Kelland Coleman, Kristen (Dave) Perez, and Candace (Thomas Jacob) Coleman; 26 grandchildren; and 41 great-grandchildren, which number is subject to change any day.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Grandview 2^nd Ward, 925 North Harris Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85203, with a visitation beginning two hours prior to the service at 9:00am.

Born on April 22, 1932 in Tucson, AZ, Eleanor Pyper Clark was a proud, 4^th generation Arizona native who loved her family and community. A direct descendant of George W. Sirrine, one of the “Founding Fathers of Mesa,” whose statute proudly stands in Pioneer Park, Mesa, Eleanor was an accomplished, classically trained pianist, and beauty queen, winning several pageants during her college years, as well as winning the talent portion and title of 1^st runner up for the Ms. Senior Arizona contest in her later years. Eleanor was able to take her stunning beauty, her never-ending love for knowledge and reading, her proficiency as a concert pianist, her love for and service to the community through culture and music, and her extraordinary patriotism, and find the time to raise 7 children, who will miss her energetic spirit that she shared throughout her life. In addition to her 7 children, Eleanor is survived by 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Eleanor Pyper Clark passed away peacefully on February 18, 2019, in Mesa, AZ.

Verla Bingham Hickman passed away on February 18, 2019, in Mesa, AZ.  Though we sorrow to be away from her for a season, we celebrate her life and her joyful reunion with her husband Winston, all her siblings, and her parents.

Verla Bingham Hickman was born on June 21, 1922—“the first day of summer, and the longest day of the year,” as she would later say—in Ogden, Utah, to her parents Norman Fife Bingham and Ellen Garner Bingham.  The youngest of six children, Verla lived briefly in Perry, UT, and View, ID, but spent most of her childhood and teenage years in Ogden, UT, where she thrived.  During her time at Weber State College in 1942, she went on a first date on Valentine’s Day with Winston Hickman (“Bud,” as friends and family called him), a young man she had known casually at Ogden High.  Soon she was wearing Winston’s Excelsior pin and never dated anyone else.  They married on May 8, 1943, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and then were sealed in the Logan Utah Temple on July 7, 1944.

Verla and Winston moved frequently during their first years of marriage while he served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, with stops in Chickasha, OK; Coffeyville, KS; Pueblo, CO; and Frederick, OK.  After Winston returned from the war, he and Verla moved to Salt Lake City, UT, so that Winston could complete his degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Utah. They then spent three years in Borger, TX, while Winston worked for Phillips Petroleum, but for most of their married years they lived in Idaho Falls, ID, where Bud worked at the National Reactor Testing Station and Verla focused on raising their children Larry, Craig, Deborah, and Mark.  At the end of her life, Verla would call “being a mother and raising four wonderful children” her “greatest accomplishment,” something evidenced by the countless hours she spent making their three different homes in Idaho Falls cozy and comfortable and filling her children’s and husband’s lives with happiness.  Verla also dedicated herself to fulfilling a variety of callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to serving in different capacities in the community.

Verla and Bud served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ to northern California, after which they relocated to Utah and spent much of their retirement in Springville, UT, and then in South Jordan, UT.  After Bud’s passing, Verla followed her beloved daughter Debbie to Arizona where Debbie lovingly cared for her during the final few years of her life.

Wherever she lived, Verla made friends, from her time playing kick-the-can as a child in Ogden to her years as a student body officer and pep club member at Ogden High and finally to the various different places she and Bud lived over their 72 years of marriage.  Even in Verla’s last years at the assisted living center where she and Bud lived, it was difficult to walk quickly with her down the facility’s hallways because of all of the people who would stop and want to visit with her.  Verla filled others with light and quickly expressed her love for her family and friends, often accompanied with hugs, tears, and usually a sweet treat or two.  In this manner, Verla exemplified one of her favorite scriptures: “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men” (2 Nephi 31: 20).

Verla is survived by her four children, Larry, Craig, Deborah, and Mark, and thirteen grandchildren and many more great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Winston, the “star of her life.”  She will be buried next to Winston in the Ogden City Cemetery in Ogden, UT.

Funeral services will be held at the LDS Lorin Farr 6^th Ward Building, 770 15^th St., in Ogden on Saturday, February 23, at 1 p.m with a viewing at noon.

Robert “Bull” C. Richards jogged his way to heaven on February 18, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Diane Fox Richards, and his three amazing children and two “so-so” children, Raquel Richards, Shalauna (Brady) Barker, Micah (Denise) Richards, Brigham (Shalyse) Richards, and Kinsale (Jordan) Barker. He was Papa Bull to eight grandchildren that absolutely adored him. He is also survived by his siblings, Grant (Christie) Richards, Nancy (Steve) Holdaway, Mary Louise (Lonny) Arnell, and David (Kristine) Richards. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Lucile Richards, and his sister, Heidi Tripp.

“Bull” was raised on a dairy farm. With his father, he traveled to county fairs to show his All-American Dairy Cow, Trixie. He had fond memories of growing up and working on the farm.

Robert always excelled academically. He graduated from BYU and then received his M.D. degree from The University of Utah Medical School. He also earned an MBA degree from George Washington University.

Robert was loved for his generosity and kindness. He loved people and always wanted to help anyone in need. He enjoyed interacting with people and truly loved his patients.

We loved his fun, larger than life personality. His enthusiasm was contagious, especially his love of sports. He loved to play and watch a variety of sports. He was a devoted fan to his favorite teams. We all remember his love for Larry Bird and the Celtics.

Papa Bull was truly the world’s best grandpa. All of his grandchildren loved him beyond measure. He was available to them 24/7. They loved playing games with him and his competitiveness did not diminish when playing with them. They will never forget papa candy, hearts, blokus, and Brick Oven. He was so proud of all of his grandchildren.

Robert was a wonderful husband and father. He supported us in everything we did. He was always there for us. He would “patiently” help us with our math homework, was at every ball game and performance, and even coached all of our teams. He made life such a fun adventure for us. We love him and will miss him dearly. According to Robert’s wishes there will be no funeral service. A small family graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please attend a Utah Jazz game, but cheer loudly for the Celtics!

Jess Bernard Park Jr.,86, of Mesa, Az. passed away on February 17, 2019.  He was born October 16, 1932, in Albany, California to Jesse Bernard and Constance McAlaster Park.  He was the second of four children.  His family moved to Phoenix, Arizona when he was only a few months old.  Jess worked in sheet metal with his father and also became an accomplished boxer before joining the Navy in 1952.  He served for four years during the Korean War and traveled around the world by water.  When he returned home, he married his eternal sweetheart, Sharon Aston, on December 2, 1957.  They had one daughter, Diana Lynn.  Jess continued working in the sheet metal field until he lost the sight in his right eye due to an accident on the job.  After that, he went back to school and became a Real Estate Broker.  Jess enjoyed serving in leadership positions in the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He was in two bishoprics and served twice on the High Council.  But one of his very favorite callings was that of Scoutmaster.  Jess and Sharon also served a mission for the church in Leeds, England.  They also enjoyed working in the Mesa, Arizona Temple.  Jess loved gardening, hunting, fly fishing, leatherwork, making hatbands out of rattlesnake skins, and adventures with his grandchildren.  He was an expert on reptiles, desert plants, and wildlife.  He is survived by his wife Sharon Aston Park, daughter, Diana Lynn Sherwood (Ted), 6 grandchildren and 61/2 great-grandchildren.  Services will be Saturday, February 23, 2019, at the Granite Reef ward building, 1430 N. Recker Rd., Mesa, Arizona, 85205.  There will be a viewing at 9:00, followed by services at 10:00.  Interment will take place at the Mesa Cemetery following the services.

Gary A. Enger, 88, of Watertown, SD, passed away surrounded by family on February 16, 2019 in Mesa, AZ. Services will be held at a later date in Watertown, SD.

Gerald “Gary” Alvin Enger was born February 6, 1931 to Alvin P. and Gladys A. (Rikke) Enger at Granite Falls, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls, Minnesota. After high school, Gary continued his education by attending St. Cloud Tech School in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

He served in the United States Navy from 1948 till 1950 when he was honorably discharged. Gary married Mattie Sietsema on July 16, 1949 in Kingsland, Georgia. The couple moved to Watertown, South Dakota in 1958. Gary was employed as a bricklayer by Schull Construction, Gray Construction, then formed Kraft and Enger Masonry. For the remainder of his working career, Gary was self-employed as a mason contractor. When the couple retired they purchased a winter residence in Arizona while continuing to spend summers traveling in their RV with their Winnebago Club, the Ringneck Winnies.

Gary enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, playing cards, gardening and traveling with Mattie.

He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, American Legion, Bricklayers Local #5 and the Winnebago Club. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Floyd, and a brother, Alden.

Gary is survived by his wife, Mattie of Watertown; his children, Sheila (Jim) Coleman of Mesa, AZ, Diane (Orville) Creighton of Grand Junction, CO, Vicki (Kevin) Neuheisel of Brandon, SD, Daniel (Julie) Enger of Bremerton, WA and Mary (Curt) Heimark of Tea, SD. He is survived by his sister, Mavis (Archie) Larson of Waconia, MN; 14 grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 202 2nd St SE, Watertown, SD 57201 or Bethlehem Lutheran, 2745 N 32nd St, Mesa, AZ 85213.