Jennie L Hullinger- Mother of the Year

Jennie L Hullinger was Birda's younger sister.

Jennie Lewis Hullinger
From the personal albums of Charmain Runyon
Cropped from a larger image

The following article details how Jennie won the distinction of "Uintah Basin Mother of the Year" in 1972.  It gives a brief overview of her life and details the events of her receiving her award.

Newspaper article:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1972, Apr 20, p.1

As it's rather lengthy I won't transcribe it at this time, but by clicking on the newspaper image or downloading it, it is still easy enough to read.

Jennie holding daughter
From the personal albums of Charmain Runyon

Young Birda in photos

The following are a handful of photos of Birda Lewis Merkley when she was still pretty young.

Photos are all from the personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak.

Birda Lewis

Birda and brother-in-law, Harold Hullinger

Birda Lewis Merkley, 1921-22

Photos of some of Birda's siblings when in youth

The following are photos of some of Birda's siblings in their younger days.

"Some Lewis siblings- Mary, Charlie, Georgia, Frank"
From the personal albums of Bryce Merkley

"Charlie Lewis standing, unknown seated"
From the personal albums of Patty Stewart

"Green River Swimming-
Likely Jennie far left, Asher next to her, Charlie standing,
Mary with arm around husband Charles Hatch,
children and other man far left unknown"
From the personal albums of Glen Hatch

"Birda, Frank and wife Frances, little Virginia with the doll"
From the personal albums of Tamera Lund

"Frank Lewis in his store, maybe 1930s"
From personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak

"Siney Lewis Jr working in confectionery shop, maybe 1918"
From the personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak

Birda and Jennie

Birda was the 2nd to youngest in her family, with Jennie being the youngest.  As the tail end of a long line of kids, these two got along famously, and were very dear to each other.

"Jennie and Birda Lewis"
From personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak

"Birda Lewis, Jennie Lewis, George Fisher, and unknown-
on way to Dinosaur National Monument, 1916"
From personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak

"Jennie and Birda with branches, Feb 1968"
From personal albums of Bryce Merkley

Death info on Jennie Hullinger

Jennie Lewis Hullinger was Birda's younger sister.

Photo from the personal history blog of Charmain Runyon
http://haroldandjenniehullinger.blogspot.com
Accessed Feb 2013

According to these documents the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 6 Dec 1900- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

DEATH: 3 Jun 1995- Orem, Utah, Utah

She was 94 years old when she died.

Obituary:

SOURCE: Deseret News 1995, Jun 5, p.B4

Obituary transcribed:

Jennie Lewis Hullinger

VERNAL- Jennie Lewis Hullinger, 94, died June 3, 1995, at the home of a daughter in Orem. 

Born December 6, 1900, in Vernal to Siney and Elizabeth Coleman Lewis Sr.  Married Harold Everett Hullinger June 6, 1924, in Salt Lake City.  He died February 14, 1971.

Uintah Basin Mother of the Year in 1972.  Member DUP.  Active member of the LDS Church.

She is survived by sons and daughter, E. Paul, Smithfield; Richard L., Laguna Niguel, Calif.; Don R., Taylorsville; Floyd E. and Venetta H. Probst, both Orem; 35 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren.

Jennie was preceded in death by a son, Harold Hugo, and 11 older brothers and sisters.

Funeral services Wednesday, 12 noon, Vernal 4th LDS Ward Chapel, 235 East 600 South.  Friends may call at the Hullinger Jolley Funeral Home Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday at the church from 11-11:45 a.m.  Burial, Vernal Memorial Park.

Local obit:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1995, Jun 7, p?

Local obit transcribed:
Hullinger dies June 2 in Orem
Jennie Lewis Hullinger, age 94, of Vernal, died June 2, 1995 at the home of a daughter in Orem.  She was born Dec. 6, 1900 in Vernal, to Siney Lewis, Sr. and Elizabeth Coleman Lewis.  She married Harold Everett Hullinger on June 6, 1924 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  He died Feb 4, 1971.
Jennie attended BYU; taught elementary school in Vernal for a year.  She was a member of the DUP and past member of the Current Topics Club and the Women's Faculty League.  She was an active member of the LDS Church and served in many positions.  She was the Uintah Basin Mother of the Year in 1972.
She is survived by sons and daughter: E. Paul Hullinger, Smithfield, Richard L. Hullinger, Laguna Niguel, Calif., Don R. Hullinger, Taylorsville, Floyd E. Hullinger, Orem, and Venetta H. Probst, Orem.  She is also survived by 35 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren.
Jennie was the youngest of 12 children and has been preceded in death by all her brothers and sisters and a son, Harold Hugo Hullinger.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 1995 at 12 noon in the Vernal, Utah Ashley Stake Center.
Interment will be in the Vernal Memorial Park under the direction of the Hullinger-Jolley Funeral Home.
*Spelling corrected wherein I was aware.  Note also that her husband's death date differs in both obituaries.

\

Photo from the personal history blog of Charmain Runyon
http://haroldandjenniehullinger.blogspot.com
Accessed Feb 2013

As Jennie died within the last 50 years, her death certificate will not become publicly available until sometime around the year 2044.  When it is available, I will post it here.

Jennie Lewis & Harold Hullinger

Jennie Lewis was Birda's younger sister.

She married Harold Everett Hullinger (of Vernal, UT) on 6 June 1924 in the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Thus, she became Jennie Lewis Hullinger.

Photo from the personal family history blog of Charmain Runyon
concerning Harold and Jennie Hullinger, obtained Feb 2013
Photo cropped from original image by me

Bridal shower notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1924, Jun 6, p.8

Bridal shower notice transcribed:

MISS JENNIE LEWIS HONORED AT SHOWER

Miss Hazel Williams and Miss Elda Bingham entertained a number of guests at the W.A. Bingham home in honor of Miss Jennie Lewis on Monday evening.  Miss Lewis was the recipient of a large number of gifts.  Miss Lewis will be married this week to Harold Hullinger in the Salt Lake temple.

*Spelling corrected wherein I was aware.

Marriage notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1924, Jun 6, p.8

Marriage notice transcribed:
WILL WED IN TEMPLE
Tuesday, June 3, Harold Everett Hullinger, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Hullinger, and Miss Jennie Lewis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Siney Lewis, Sr., received a marriage license and left Wednesday for Salt Lake City where they will be wedded in the Salt Lake temple.
*Spelling corrected wherein I was aware.

Wedding license application:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

Marriage license:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

Death info on Harold Hullinger

Harold Everett Hullinger was Birda's brother-in-law.

He married Birda's younger sister, Jennie.

From the personal albums of Doug Merkley
Photo cropped from a larger image

According to these documents the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 11 Dec 1899- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

DEATH: 14 Feb 1971- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

He was 71 years old when he died.

Obituary:

SOURCE: SL Tribune 1971, Feb 16, p.19

Obituary transcribed:
Harold E. Hullinger
VERNAL- Harold Everett Hullinger, 71, died Feb. 14 in a Salt Lake hospital of complications following surgery.  Born Dec 11, 1899, Vernal, to Winfield S. and Emma Lybbert Hullinger Jr.  Married Jennie Lewis, June 6, 1924, Salt Lake LDS Temple.  Former president Utah Teachers Assn.  Graduate Utah State University.  Charter member senior citizens organization, Vernal.  School teacher Uintah District.  Survivors; widow; sons, daughter.  Hugo, Don, both Salt Lake City; Paul, Smithfield; Dick, Portland, Ore.; Floyd, Provo; Mrs. Glen (Venetta) Probst, Lansing, Mich.; 24 grandchildren; brothers, sisters.  Jesse, Rigby, Idaho; Mrs. Mary Norton, Owen, both Salt Lake City; Hallis, Roosevelt, Duchesne County; Jake, Provo; Mrs. Norma McLean, Vernal.  Funeral Tuesday 1 p.m., Vernal Fourth LDS Ward Chapel.  Friends call Vernal Mortuary, Tuesday prior to services.  Burial Vernal Memorial Park.

Death notice:

NO SOURCE (likely SL Trib or Deseret News?)
Found in the personal albums of Bryce Merkley

Death notice transcribed:

Educator, Churchman Dies At 71

VERNAL- Harold Everett Hullinger, Vernal, 71, educator and Church worker died Sunday in a Salt Lake hospital following surgery.

He was former bishop of the Vernal Second and Fourth wards and a high councilman for 22 years in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He taught school in the Uintah School District for many years and was a former president of the Utah Teachers Association.  He was a graduate of Utah State University and a charter member of the senior citizens organization in Vernal.

He was born Dec. 11, 1899, in Vernal, a son of Winfield S. and Emma Lybbert Hullinger Jr.  He married Jennie Lewis June 6, 1924, in the Salt Lake Temple.

He is survived by his widow of Vernal; five sons and a daughter, Hugo, Don, both Salt Lake City; Paul, Smithfield, Cache County, Dick, Portland, Ore.; Floyd, Provo; Mrs. Glen (Venetta) Probst, Lansing, Mich.; 24 grandchildren; brothers, sisters, Jesse, Rigby, Idaho; Mrs. Mary Norton, Owen, both Salt Lake City; Hallis, Roosevelt, Duchesne County; Jake, Provo; Mrs. Norma McLean, Vernal.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the Vernal Fourth Ward chapel.  Friends may call at the Vernal Mortuary tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday before services.  Burial will be in the Vernal Memorial Park.

From personal albums of Bryce Merkley

Because Harold died in the last 50 years, his death certificate will not become publicly available until around the year 2021.  When it is available I will post it here.