Death info on William Lewis

William Harrison Lewis was a half brother to Birda.

He came through Siney Lewis Sr. and his second wife, Elizabeth Blair.

Unfortunately, no known photo of William exists.

:(

According to this document the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 9 Dec 1879- Holladay, Salt Lake, Utah*

DEATH: 3/4 May 1896- Vernal, Uintah, Utah*

He was 16 years old when he died.

Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1896, May 7, p.4

Newspaper notice transcribed:

"... A young man in Fourth Ward by the name of Lewis 16 years old, died Sunday of typhoid pneumonia..."

The reason I can tie this notice to "Willie" Lewis is due to the following written history that indicates his existence, as well of that of his sister, Lottie:

From the written document, "Memories of my Father, Siney Lewis Sr." written by his daughter, Mary Hatch on 18 Jun 1958, and found in the personal documents of Glen Hatch, there is this indication:

"(p.1)... Shortly after we moved to Midway, Betty died and left two children.  Four other children had died before and Lottie and William were the children she left.  Father brought little Willie to Mother where he lived until his death at 16 years old...

(p.2)... During our first year in Vernal, we lost our dear brother, Willie, at 16 years old.  (He was Betty's son.)  He was never well and strong.  He had what they called inflammatory rheumatism- a very painful thing, and he suffered constantly.  It was then that Father, in his sorrow, wondered if we had done the right thing in moving to Vernal..."

Another document written by Mary Hatch, "My Life" (written 25 Dec 1956) found in the personal albums of Glen Hatch, recalled this detail as well (p.12):

"...The next fall, after we moved to Vernal, we lost Willie at the age of 16.  He never was a healthy child.  I can still see his round, pale face.  I wasn’t old enough to think much about his sickness, but I remember a strange incident at the time of his death.  It was thought that he had passed away.  Father and several others were by his bed when, all of a sudden, he raised up.  He said, “He had been on the other side, that he had seen his mother and Jesus and that he was going to them, that he wasn’t permitted to stay here any longer.”  He said many strange things, then passed away.  As he lay there so still and white, I’d slip around to the back of the sofa that he was on and peek over and watch and think- why did they put money on his eyes, why couldn’t he breathe, etc.  A new experience had come into my life.  I wasn’t too sad.  It isn’t meant that children grieve too much..."

Headstone:

SOURCE: billiongraves.com

Death certificates are not available in Utah until 1904, so unfortunately there is no further paper trail I can find on Willie to this point.  Dang.

*These dates are derived not only from indications in the newspaper, but from the information provided through billiongraves.com (see link in the source info below the headstone image) and family group records.  The only discrepancy is that the newspaper would date his death as May 3, while the billiongraves records and family records state it was May 4.  Birth location was derived from information provided on a family group record, though I haven't been able to find evidence of this elsewhere.  A possible source would be through: LDS Midway Ward #6408, p.62, line 1546.  I will have to confirm this at a later date...

Family Summary- Nelson Merkley Jr & Keturah Thurman Peterson

The following is a brief summary for the family union of:

Nelson Merkley Jr.

and

Keturah Thurman Peterson

Nelson Merkley Jr.
b. 24 Mar 1857- Carson Valley, Nevada, to Nelson Merkley Sr and Sarah Jane Sanders Merkley
d. 18 Apr 1924- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

Keturah "Kate" Thurman Peterson
b. 8 Oct 1867- Hart Co, Kentucky, to Mary Elizabeth Thurman (and adopted by Peter Peterson)*
d. 2 May 1950- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Nelson Merkley Jr. married "Kate" Peterson on 9 Jun 1884 in Vernal, Uintah, Utah (later solemnized in the Logan temple in Logan, Cache, Utah in 1889)*


Born to this union were the following:

Ellis Merkley
b. 2 May 1885- Vernal, Uintah, Utah
m. 17 Jun 1908- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah to Jean Eleanor Gerber
d. 22 Mar 1976- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Ezra Thurman Merkley
b. 23 Sept 1887- Vernal, Uintah, Utah
m. 15 Nov 1913- Vernal, Uintah, Utah to Alice Hacking
d. 18 Jan 1919- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

Helen Merkley
b. 9 Apr 1890- Vernal, Uintah, Utah
m. 29 Jun 1910- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah to Byron Owen Colton
d. 22 Oct 1961- Roosevelt, Duchesne, Utah

Milton Merkley
b. 30 Apr 1893- ASSUMED Vernal, Uintah, Utah*
d. 9 May 1893- ASSUMED Vernal, Uintah, Utah*

Sarah Merkley
b. 20 Apr 1894- ASSUMED Vernal, Uintah, Utah*
d. 30 Apr 1894- ASSUMED Vernal, Uintah, Utah*

Mary Elizabeth Merkley
b. 25 Aug 1896- Vernal, Uintah, Utah
m. 6 Sept 1917- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah to Isabrand Sander Jr.
d. 24 Oct 1974- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Asher Merkley
b. 19 Jul 1899- Vernal, Uintah, Utah
m. 2 Aug 1920- Vernal, Uintah, Utah to Birda Lewis
d. 14 Feb 1974- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

Margaret Jane Merkley
b. 14 Apr 1902- Vernal, Uintah, Utah
m. 28 Apr 1927- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah to Rulon Kershaw Hansen
d. 13 Mar 1989- Monroeville City, Allegheny, Pennsylvania (buried in SLC, UT)

Kate Merkley
b. 27 Nov 1907- Vernal, Uintah, Utah
d. 27 Nov 1907- Vernal, Uintah, Utah (stillborn)

Nelson Merkley Jr and Kate P Merkley family
Asher, Margret, Ezra, Mary, Nelson Jr, Kate, Ellis, Helen
From the personal albums of Lois Chatfield

Confirming documents for dates and places on all of these family members can be found within the posts on this blog.

*Visual copies of documentation for these life events have not yet been found.  Dates are based on family histories, newspaper clippings (such as obituaries), and database searches on familysearch.org that all seem to agree on or refer to the same dates and locations.

Asher's seldom-mentioned siblings

Asher's parents, Nelson Merkley Jr and Keturah Peterson Merkley, were the parents to a total of nine children, only six of whom lived to adulthood.  Family records indicate names and dates of these additional children who did not live much more than a week, but other than family recollection there are not many legal records acknowledging their existence.

The following are the names and dates as recorded in a family group sheet done by their surviving sibling, Mary Elizabeth Merkley Sanders, a copy of which was found in the personal albums of Doug Merkley (and scanned therefrom):

Milton Merkley (male)

BIRTH: 30 Apr 1893- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

DEATH: 9 May 1893- ASSUMED Vernal, Uintah, Utah

Sarah Merkley (female)

BIRTH: 30 Apr 1894- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

DEATH: 30 Apr 1894- ASSUMED Vernal, Uintah, Utah

Kate Merkley (female)

BIRTH: 27 Nov 1906- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

DEATH: 27 Nov 1906- ASSUMED Vernal, Uintah, Utah

BUT, there are some questions here.

This family record also shows Milton and Sarah as being born on the SAME EXACT DAY one year apart.  The odds of that are highly unlikely, so are they ballpark dates?  Typos?  Death certificates weren't too common in Utah until around 1904, so this leaves us with a bit of a mystery...

An additional family record found in the personal albums of Sarah Nielsen (a descendant of Helen Merkley Colton- another surviving sibling of those in question) had these dates recorded in a written history on the life of Keturah P Merkley:

"... After Helen, born to them was Milton, 30 Apr 1893.  He died on 9 May 1893, two weeks later.  The next year, 20 April 1894, was born Sarah.  She died 30 Apr 1894, ten days later... Kate was born 29 Nov 1907 and died 27 Nov 1909..."

See how the dates from both records don't quite match?  Some coincide, others seem a bit off.  Typos would be my guess, but it's enough to throw research off if you're drawing from only ONE source, instead of multiples to cross reference everything.

The only information we have for sure for any of these children is found in the following death certificate of "Stillborn Merkley", which corresponds close enough with the information provided for Kate Merkley.

"Stillborn Merkley" i.e. Kate Merkley death certificate:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

In a most helpful manner, it indicates that the following is the most legitimate information for Kate is as follows:

 Kate Merkley

BIRTH: 27 Nov 1907- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

DEATH: 27 Nov, 1907- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

Another helpful clue in at least acknowledging the existence of Milton and Sarah can be found in the 1900 U.S. Census that lists Nelson and Keturah's family in the Vernal area.  Upon close inspection, questionnaire column #11 indicates the number of the mother's children as "7" and in column #12 the number of children living is indicated as "5".  Thus before 1900, two additional children were present but did not live very long.  They're not indicated by NAME, but it's close enough to me to make an educated conclusion that these represent Milton and Sarah.

1900 Census:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

And following up with that, we have the 1910 U.S. census that follows the same pattern.  Column #10 indicates that the number of children born was 9, and Column #11 indicates that the number now living is 6.  They are all thus accounted for, at least in number.

1910 Census:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

David Mooseman and the Merkley family

While doing some Merkley research, I came across these two photos:

David Mooseman photo (front and back)
Front label: "Cheese to Mrs. Merkley"
Back transcribed: "David Mooseman, Announced over Radio,
Argomist, War with Isabrand, Marrie(d) F C Powell,
Work at Pentagon, Graduated AC Logan"
Found in the personal albums of Sarah Nielsen

"David Moseman- not a brother but raised by Merkleys"
From the personal albums of Sarah Nielsen

I then came across the 1920 census that mentioned him too!  Now I was getting curious...

SOURCE: familysearch.org
Page cropped and highlighted by me

Listed with the Nelson Jr and Keturah Merkley family is a "David E Moseman".  A hired man, aged 24 (so about the same age as Asher's sister, Mary, and about 3-4 years older than Asher), from Utah, engaged in farm labor.  He doesn't show up on any other census related to the Merkleys.  Hmm...

So I started some more investigating based on the scrawled out pencil notes from the back of the first photo, and found out the following clues on him.

WWI military card:

SOURCE: ancestry.com
(More particular source info on bottom of image)

WWI registration card:

SOURCE: ancestry.com
(More particular source info on bottom of image)

These two cards have his name spelled out as "David D Moosman" and indicate that he was born in Escalante, UT, that he served abroad in WWI when he was 22 years old (but towards the end of the war), was unmarried, and that he was self-employed in farming in Uintah County.  They also give more particulars about his wartime experience, but don't mention much about his service with Isabrand (... Isabrand being the future husband to Asher's sister, Mary.)


Local newspaper article:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1920, May 21, p.1

The second paragraph mentions David Moseman's name as one involved in the newly organized Dairy Association for the Ashley Valley.

Marriage record information:

SOURCE: ancestry.com/ Western State Marriage Record Index

I'm terribly lazy and just took a screenshot of the information instead of scouting out an actual copy of the document.  But all the pertinent information is here: He's a "Jr", he married an "Efcy Irene Powell" in Logan, UT on 1 Jun 1923.

College Yearbook:

SOURCE: "Buzzer" USU yearbook, 1925, p 43
Utah State Archives, SLC, UT
Senior page with photos and listed names

Closeup:

SOURCE: "Buzzer" USU yearbook, 1925, p 43
Utah State Archives, SLC, UT
David Mooseman photo closeup

He did in fact go to Agricultural College in Logan (now known as Utah State University), as can be seen in the following photos.  This page tells us he was a senior at USU in 1925, from Vernal, Utah.  Emphasizing in "Dairying" and a member of Phi Kappa Phi.

Phi Kappa Phi page:

SOURCE: "Buzzer" USU yearbook, 1925, p?
Utah State Archives, SLC, UT

This is the Phi Kappa Phi page, with David Mooseman on the top center.

Sorry the quality is so bad- the Archives department wouldn't let me scan anything- only fuzzy photos.  :(

Photo closeup:

SOURCE: "Buzzer" USU yearbook, 1925, p?
Utah State Archives, SLC, UT

Apparently sometime after graduating, David and his wife moved to Northern California, as he is listed in various phone directories:

SOURCE: ancestry.com
(More particular source info on bottom of image)
This is just one of many.  More listings can be found at ancestry.com

1930 Census:

SOURCE: ancestry.com
(More particular source info on bottom of image)

This census informs us that David and Efcy have a growing family with them, that they're renting, we know Efcy's parents are English, and we have more info on his job description at the time.

1940 Census:

SOURCE: ancestry.com
(More particular source info on bottom of image)

The 1940 census shows that he's stabilized a bit more with his job, owns a house, and now has 3 children in the family.  The ages of the kids indicate that they moved to CA when kid #2 was a toddler.

Although they lived in California, they still made it a priority to get back home to Utah to visit friends and family:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1940, Aug 1, p.4

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1945, July 5, p.1

1945 is the last I can find record of him, so all the "announced over radio" and "worked at the Pentagon" business I couldn't find much on.

The Social Security Death index indicates that David died on 27 Jun 1982 in California, likely around the Berkeley, Alameda area.  I don't have anything tangible to back that up with other than that, but if I come across something in the future, I'll post it there. OR, if anyone out there has more to add to this story I'm happy to update as the information comes.  :)

Death info on Lottie Harper

Lottie Blair Lewis Hodson Harper was a half-sister to Birda.

They shared the same father (Siney Lewis Sr) but Lottie came through a second wife, Elizabeth Blair.

From personal albums of Dallas Workman

According to these documents the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 28 Dec 1877- Holladay, Salt Lake, Utah

DEATH: 24 Sept 1907- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

She was 30 years old when she died after childbirth.

*Exact birth date and place is derived from family records and a 1900 census. I have not yet confirmed with the original source material, but plan to soon.

 Local death notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1907, Oct 4, p.1

Local death notice transcribed:

Siney Lewis and wife have gone to Salt Lake on a sad mission.  Their daughter, Mrs. Harper died in that city September 27th leaving two children, one of which is a young baby.  They will bring the children home with them.

*Punctuation added where I saw fit.  Date of death mentioned does not correspond with death certificate.

 Death Certificate:

SOURCE: Utah State Archives

Record of Death listing:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

Funeral notice:

SOURCE: Deseret News 1907, Sept 26, p.10, col 1

Funeral notice transcribed:

Funeral of Mrs. Harper- Mrs. Lottie E. Harper, wife of Joseph P. Harper, late of Vernal, Utah, was buried this afternoon from the undertaking parlor of E.W. Hall.  Mrs. Harper died Tuesday at the Keogh-Hammond hospital.  Beside the husband, a son five years old and a babe of three days, survive her.  Mrs. Harper was about 40 years of age.

*Middle initial and her age do not echo other documents- an assumed set of typos?

Death info on Alfred Watkins

Alfred Watkins was Birda's brother-in-law.  He was the first husband to Birda's older sister, Lenora (or Nonie).

To my great dismay, there are no photos to be found of Alfred.

According to these documents, the following dates apply:

BIRTH: abt. 1864?

DEATH: 17-19 Nov 1896- Midway, Wasatch, Utah

He was about 31 years old when he died.*

Marriage license from the year before in 1895 states he was 31 years old.  

Birth year was estimated from information found on marriage license as well.

Death notice:

SOURCE: Deseret News 1896, Nov 16, p.5

Death notice transcribed:

DIED IN THE MOUNTAINS

A Young Hunter of Midway Frozen to Death.

A report was brought to town late last evening that Alfred Watkins, a son of Bishop Watkins of Midway, had been found dead on Mahogany ridge, about four miles north of Midway, supposed to have been frozen to death some time between Tuesday and the time his body was discovered.

A Wave man set out to hunt up further particulars, but did not meet with the desired success, and owning to the closeness to press day we can only give this meager report of the sad affair.

Last Tuesday Alfred Watkins left his home and young wife and babe in Midway to go out gunning in the hills just north of the town, saying he would return that evening.  Upon his failing to appear late at night, his wife became alarmed and notified other members of the family.  Thinking the missing man would surely return by morning, no attempt to search for him was made that night, but early Wednesday morning a searching party was formed and diligently searched the hills and canyons the entire day without success.  The search was continued until late in the afternoon of yesterday, when the lifeless body of the object of their anxiety was found on what is called Mahogany ridge, between the old Warm Land resort and Snake Creek, north of Midway, as stated above.  From what we could learn the body appeared to have been frozen, as there were no signs of having met with an accident or of having been foully dealt with.

The body was brought to town and the news broken to the distracted wife of about eighteen months, who is left with the child.

The deceased was about 30 years old, and one of Midway's honorable young men.  The affair has cast a gloom over the entire community.-- Wasatch Wave, Nov. 13th

*I can find no mention of Alfred's death within the Wasatch Wave, the county where the event occurred.

 Local death notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1896, Nov 19, p.1

Local death notice transcribed:

Alfred Watkins, formerly of this county, was found dead near Midway last Thursday and it is thought that he froze to death as he started out hunting on Tuesday.  He has been living in Midway about a year and has brother living here, and about two years ago married Miss Lewis whose parents live in Millward.

*Marriage record is dated 1895, so this notice's marriage guess is off by a bit.

Because the state of Utah did not produce death certificates until after 1900, there is no death certificate available for Alfred.  I am hoping to find living descendants that may have more information.

The only photo I have on this sad tale is that of the wife and child he left behind.

"Daughter Hazel with mother, Lenora L Watkins (Evans)"
From the personal albums of Phil Foster

The widowed Nonie went on to remarry Mr. Edward W. Evans in 1904, so her story picks up from there...

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.

How Ellen works into this story

A bit of explanation on how Leila Ellen Merkley -- runs into this immediate family circle:

Ellen's mother was Rachel Merkley Murray- she was a sister to Nelson Merkley Jr.

"Rachel Merkley Murray, circa 1902 with hat"
From the personal albums of Ellen Fletcher

According to what I've been told (and PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong), Ellen was apparently the tail end of a bunch of kids for Rachel and her husband, and unfortunately Rachel died soon after giving birth to little Ellen around 1917.  Ellen's father was overwhelmed and asked Nelson and Keturah if they wouldn't mind taking her on as their charge.  So even though Nelson and Keturah's youngest child (Margret) was in her teens at the time, Ellen Merkley was welcomed into the family and raised as their own, even though her own father and siblings lived elsewhere in the same town.
For these reasons, confusion crops up when family group sheets are organized as Ellen grew up as part of Nelson and Keturah's family, but she was technically their niece as far as tracing lines goes.

"Mother's Day 1918, Mary M Sander and little Ellen Merkley"
From personal albums of Ellen Fletcher

"Mary Sander and Ellen Merkley- Mother's Day 1918, Vernal"
From personal albums of Ellen Fletcher

"Ellen Merkley 2 years old, 1919 Vernal on the farm"
From personal albums of Ellen Fletcher

"Ellen Merkley, age 4"
From personal albums of Sarah Nielsen

"About 1921- Margret Merkley, Grandfather Nelson Merkley Jr, Ellen Murray Merkley"
From personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak

"Ellen and Keturah, Farmington NM, circa 1932"
From personal albums of Ellen Fletcher

So even though Ellen was a cousin to Asher, she related better to the children of all her cousins, and was considered the eldest of the granddaughters.

"1929 at Grandma (Keturah) Merkley's home- Grandma Keturah, Ellen Murray holding baby Carolyn Sander, Margret Merkley holding baby Kathleen Merkley, ?, Kathryn Sander, Virginia Merkley, Geraldine Merkley, ? Elizabeth, June Sander."
From personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak

Ellen in the 1940's
From the personal albums of Ellen Fletcher

Because Ellen is still living, I'll hold off on posting any other information on her for now.  But just for a clarification measure on how she ties in to the family, there you have it.

Death info on Jean Merkley

Jean Eleanor Gerber Merkley was Asher's sister-in-law.  

She married Asher's older brother, Ellis.

Photo from personal albums of Delores Horton

According to these documents the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 17 Apr 1885- Midway, Wasatch, Utah

DEATH: 26 Dec 1972- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

She was 87 years old when she died.

Obituary:

SOURCE: SL Tribune 1972, Dec 27, p.8B

Obituary transcribed:

Jean E. Merkley

Jean Eleanor Gerber Merkley, 87, 1924- 10th East, died Dec. 26 of natural causes at home.  Born April 17, 1885, Midway, Wasatch County, to Moroni and Emily Jane Jacob Gerber.  Married to Ellis Merkley June 17, 1908, Salt Lake LDS Temple.  Former Uintah LDS Stake MIA president, Vernal.  Former school teacher; welfare social worker.  Survivors: husband; sons, daughters, Aird G., Dr. Harold E., both Salt Lake City; Thurman G., Portland, Ore.; Mrs. Eugene T. (Margret) Condie, Fremont, Calif.; Dr. Ralph G., Saratoga, Calif.; Mrs. Harlan W. (Geraldine) Clark, Johannesburg, South Africa; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brothers, sisters, Irvin, Mrs. Frank W. (Helen) Jones, both Lehi; E. Lyman, Salt Lake City; Hugh, Spanish Fork; John W., Las Vegas; Mrs. E. Ray (Stella) Gardiner, Mrs. Bert (Fern) Swain, both American Fork; Mrs. Florence Richardson, Orem.  Funeral Friday noon, 255- 2nd East, where friends call Thursday 6-8 p.m. Friday one hour prior to services.  Burial Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Funeral Program:

From the personal albums of Bryce Merkley and Delores Horton

From personal albums of Delores Horton
"Ellis and Jean on 'Perfect Day'"

 Written history:

Written by Jean's granddaughter, Delores Horton, 1996

Written history transcribed:

Grandmother's Perfect Day, Christmas 1972

written by Delores Merkley Horton, June 1996

Three times on this Christmas Day of 1972 Grandmother (Jean Merkley) said, "This has been a perfect day".  First she said it about noon after she had received calls from all of her children who lived out-of-state.  After Christmas dinner at my Uncle Harold's where she was with all her family in Salt Lake, and the last time she told my Grandfather it had been a "perfect day" was when he was helping her get ready for bed.  She died in her sleep very peacefully early the next morning- next to Grandfather.  She was eighty-seven and she and Grandfather had been married 63 1/2 years.

She was a magnificent person.  I absolutely loved her!!  She always made me feel like a person of great worth.  She was a builder and booster of the highest order.  I KNEW without a doubt I was her favorite (later I realized we all felt that way) but I did have the claim of being her oldest granddaughter!  One of her friends said to me once, "Be great, just like your grandmother".  I hope I am half as good.  She was a wonderful person.

I went to see her just before Christmas because we went to Beaver for the holiday.  I baked some bread to take to her and while I was there she gave me the brass candy dish that she ALWAYS had candy in when we came to see her.  I was so thrilled to have it.  I cherish it and think of her when I see it.

A couple of weeks after she passed away we had a birthday dinner for all the January birthdays (Mother, Margaret, David and me) and Grandfather came.  It was the first occasion we had to be together since the funeral and it was a tender time for all of us.  Grandfather gave the b lessing and I realized how different his voice was- just sad and sorrowing.  In the blessing he asked the Lord to keep us "in the hollow of His hand".  I was so touched, we all were.  I loved him so and it was sad to see him without Grandmother.

* Punctuation and spelling adjusted wherein I saw fit.

Photo from personal albums of Delores Horton

Because Jean passed away in the last 50 years, her death certificate will not be made publicly available until sometime around the year 2022.  When it is, I will post it here.

Death info on John W Weist

John William Weist was Birda's brother-in-law.

He was the 3rd husband to Birda's sister, Annie.

Photo found at findagrave.com

According to these documents the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 4 Aug 1880- Randolph, Rich, Utah

DEATH: 16 Aug 1969- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

He was 89 years old when he died.

Obituary:

SOURCE: SL Tribune 1969, Aug 17, p.C6

Obituary transcribed:
John W. Weist
VERNAL- John William Weist, 89, died of natural causes Aug. 16 in a Vernal rest home.  Born Aug. 4, 1880, Randolph, Rich County, to Carl and Ernestina Blumell Weist.  Married Myrtle Wamsley.  She died.  Married Annie Lewis Carroll.  She died Nov. 5, 1964.  Farmer, stockman.  Survivors: sons, daughter, Harry H., Pe Ell, Wash.; Henry J., Lebanon, Wash.; Eugene, Mrs. Ann King, both Vernal; 10 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren.  Funeral Tuesday 11 a.m., Vernal Mortuary, where friends call Monday 7-9 p.m., Tuesday prior to services.  Burial Maeser Cemetery, Vernal.

Death notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1969, Aug 21, p.7

Death notice transcribed:

John Wm. Weist Funeral Services

Funeral services Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Vernal Mortuary were held for John William Weist, 89, of Vernal, who died of natural causes Saturday in a Vernal rest home.

Mr. Weist was born August 4, 1880 in Randolph, Rich County, to Carl and Ernestina Blumell Weist.  He married Myrtle Wamsley.  She died in 1916.  He married Annie Lewis Carroll.  She died November 5, 1964.

He was a farmer and stockman during his life.

Survivors include his sons, daughter, Harry H., Pe Ell, Washington; Henry J., Lebanon, Washington; Eugene, Ann King, both Vernal, 11 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren.

The funeral services were conducted by Bishop Bryce Caldwell.  Bishop Harvey McKee gave the opening prayer.  Chellus Caldwell sang, "Silver Haired Daddy of Mine" and "Old Rugged Cross".  Harold Hullinger was the speaker.

Arza Adams gave the benediction.  Eva Hatch played prelude and postlude music.

Bishop Caldwell dedicated the grave.  Pallbearers were Floyd, Lynne and Kirby King, Marion and Ron Weist and Pat Sullivan.  Burial was in the Maeser Cemetery.

Attending from out of town were Floyd King, Casper, Wyoming, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Weist, Pe Ell, Washington; Mr. and Mrs. Axle Birch, Springville; Mr. and Mrs. Velda Carroll, Idaho and Marion Weist, Salt Lake City.

*Spelling and punctuation adjusted wherein I was aware.

Photo from the personal albums of Patty Stewart.
Cropped from a larger photo.

Because John died in the last 50 years his death certificate will not become publicly available until around the year 2019.  When it is available I will post it here.