Peter Pearson

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWZZ-62N
• Initiatory (LDS): 29 May 1901

Notes:

Obituary: "Millard County Progress" Published 10/28/1938
LAST RITES CO N DUCTED FOR PETER W. PEARSON. Funeral services were condu c ted in the Meadow Ward Sunday, Oct. 23, at one p.m. for Peter W. Pearso n , long time resident of Meadow, who died at the home of his daughter, M rs . Annie Larson, in Salt Lake City, October 19th of causes incident t o age . Mr. Pearson was born in Sweden 90 years ago last August 28th. A b irthda y party was held for him on the ninetieth birthday, at which tim e he wa s enjoying fairly good health. Mr. Pearson was married in Swede n and al l but his two youngest children were born there. He and his fami ly were c onverted to the gospel by Brother John A. Beckstrand. His wif e preceded h im in death by about six years, since which time he has spen t most of th e time in Salt Lake with his three daughters who live in Sal t Lake.

He is survived by the following children: Mrs. Sigurd Bird, Hatton, Uta h ; Emil Pearson, Delta; Mrs. Hilma Stewart, Hinckley, Peter W. Pearson , Me adow; Mrs. Annie Larson, Mrs. Carrie Christensen, Mrs. Emma Stewart , Sal t Lake City and Mr. A.E. Pearson, Midvale. Bishop Milton Beckstran d condu cted the services at which Edwin Stott offered the opening prayer , John A . Beckstrand, J.J. Bennett and a Mr. Paxton were the speakers. M usical nu mbers were furnished by the Meadow Ward and by visiting relativ es. Charle s Swallow pronounced the benediction and the grave was dedicat ed by Howar d Bushnell. Six grandsons, from different families acted as p all bearers . A large and beautiful floral offering testified to the este em in whic h Mr. Pearson and his family were held in the various communit ies in whic h they lived.

Peter married Karin Erickson in 1872 in Österåker, Vingåkers, Södermanlands, Konungariket Sverige. Karin was born on 9 Dec 1851 in Österåker, Vingåkers, Södermanlands, Konungariket Sverige; was christened on 2 Dec 1851 in Österåker, Vingåkers, Södermanlands, Konungariket Sverige; died on 26 Oct 1931 in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States; was buried on 28 Oct 1931 in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWC4-3T4
• Initiatory (LDS): 16 Feb 1945, SLAKE

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWV5-TSH
• Initiatory (LDS): 30 May 1901, SLAKE

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWZ3-JDH
• Initiatory (LDS): 29 May 1901, SLAKE

Peter married Minnie Margaret Bennett on 29 May 1901 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. Minnie (daughter of Hiram Bell Bennett and Ellen Greenhalgh) was born on 15 Apr 1880 in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 29 Jul 1961 in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States; was buried in Aug 1961 in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWC2-7NS
• Initiatory (LDS): 28 Jun 1900, SLAKE

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWZZ-RN3
• Initiatory (LDS): 3 Apr 1902, SLAKE

Notes:

Meadow Ward records, baptism 29 Sep 1890 by Pearson. Confirmation 29 S e p 1890 by L.A. Larson. Removed to Hinckley Apr 11, 1912.

Hilma married Nephi Richard Stewart on 3 Apr 1902 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. Nephi (son of James Murdoch Stewart and Mary Jennett Duncan) was born on 6 Feb 1877 in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 8 Jul 1959 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): MANTI
• FamilySearch ID: KWCY-5NY

Karl married Lula Jane Bushnell on 13 May 1908 in Fillmore, Millard, Utah, United States. Lula (daughter of Howard Brockbank Bushnell and Mary Elizabeth Labrum) was born on 21 Jan 1889 in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States; was christened on 10 Apr 1888 in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 23 Jan 1971 in Delta, Millard, Utah, United States; was buried on 27 Jan 1971 in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWV5-TS4
• Initiatory (LDS): 3 Jul 1959, SLAKE

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWZY-FSC
• Initiatory (LDS): 25 Mar 1938, SLAKE

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): Not Needed
• FamilySearch ID: KWV5-T91

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): Not Needed
• FamilySearch ID: KWV5-R1S

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWCF-R4Z
• Initiatory (LDS): 21 Jun 1922, SLAKE

Albin married Naomi Duncan on 19 Oct 1920 in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States. Naomi (daughter of James Duncan, Jr and Anna Judith Beckstrand) was born on 5 Jan 1901 in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 15 Jun 1978 in Midvale, Salt Lake, Utah, United States; was buried in Midvale, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWJD-SKM
• Initiatory (LDS): 18 May 1956

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWCD-QYB
• Initiatory (LDS): 1 Jun 1927, SLAKE

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWC1-C4H
• Initiatory (LDS): 16 May 2006, JRIVE

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWC2-WYZ
• Initiatory (LDS): 11 Nov 1964, MANTI

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWZ3-JD7
• Initiatory (LDS): 3 Nov 2000, OGDEN

Wilford married Rosa Robison on 25 Jul 1934. Rosa (daughter of Henry Robison and Agnes Bushnell) was born on 19 Oct 1916 in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 25 Sep 1951 in Yucaipa, San Bernardino, California, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWCQ-GMC
• Census: 1920, Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States
• Census: 1940, Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States
• Initiatory (LDS): 2 Sep 1982, JRIVE

Notes:

Obituary:
Pearson Bushnel l, beloved mother and grandmother was born September 1 6 , 1915 in a log cabin in Meadow, Utah to Peter Wilford Pearson and Minn i e Margaret Bennett. She married Leland J. Bushnell July 25, 1936. He pa ss ed away in 1981. Margaret lived most of her life in Salt Lake City whe r e she had many friends, but spent the past three and a half years in Or eg on with her daughter. Her son, Bryce W. Bushnell, preceded her in deat h b y five days, but she is survived by her daughter, Jennie Goodrich, so n-in -law, Marshal l Good rich and daughter-in-law, Catherine Bushnell a s wel l as three grandsons and five granddaughters and their families: An drew a nd Edward Bushnell, Ben, Anne and Emily Goodrich and her husband , Thoma s Gehrsitz, Amanda Groves and her husband Alan, Beth O'Brien an d her husb and Michael and Amy Holland and her husband Matt. Margaret wa s a member o f The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A gravesi de service wi ll be held Saturday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gard ens, 1950 Eas t 10600 South in Sandy.

Margaret married Leland J Bushnell on 25 Jul 1936 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. Leland (son of John Dame Bushnell and Jane Ipson Riley) was born on 7 Aug 1914 in Milford, Beaver, Utah, United States; died on 1 Aug 1981. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWCG-BB4
• Initiatory (LDS): 3 Jun 1949, MANTI

Gladys married Byron B Carter on 4 Nov 1920 in Fillmore, Millard, Utah, United States. Byron (son of William Jefferson Carter and Nancy Margaret Gilbert) was born on 21 Sep 1902 in Joseph, Sevier, Utah, United States; died on 5 Jun 1953 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States; was buried on 9 Jun 1953 in Hinckley City Cemetery, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWC5-K38
• Initiatory (LDS): 13 Jan 1926, SLAKE

Golda married Arthur Loren Talbot on 13 Jan 1926 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. Arthur (son of Arthur James Talbot and Clara Elizabeth Theobald) was born on 24 Apr 1899 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 14 Nov 1961 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States; was buried on 17 Nov 1961 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Golda married Lloyd Marvin Christensen on 5 Sep 1974 in Ely, White Pine, Nevada, United States. Lloyd (son of Joseph Martin Christensen and Tillie Surilla Curtis) was born on 17 Oct 1904 in Aurora, Sevier, Utah, United States; was christened on 13 Nov 1904 in Aurora, Sevier, Utah, United States; died on 27 Aug 1980 in Tooele, Tooele, Utah, United States; was buried in Tooele, Tooele, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWCB-YDT
• Initiatory (LDS): 14 Feb 1959, SGEOR

Eric married Lorraine McCullough on 10 Apr 1939 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. Lorraine (daughter of Horace Samuel McCullough and Elizabeth Cunningham) was born on 3 Jun 1915 in American Fork, Utah, Utah, United States; died on 30 Mar 2000 in American Fork, Utah, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWZ9-4G7
• Initiatory (LDS): 11 Apr 1959, SGEOR

Oleta married Jack Raymond Larsen on 5 May 1932. Jack (son of Augustus Martin Larsen and Evelyn Bywater) was born on 6 Aug 1912 in Richfield, Sevier, Utah, United States; died on 1 Oct 1967; was buried in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Oleta married Peter Randle Swensen on 31 Jul 1956 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States. Peter (son of Peter Swensen and Sylvania Lowry) was born on 24 Aug 1895 in Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, United States; died on 4 May 1982 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States; was buried on 7 May 1982 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): Not Needed
• FamilySearch ID: K2HN-W1T

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWZM-VVF
• Initiatory (LDS): 11 Oct 1940, MANTI

Peter married Hazel Sampson on 11 Oct 1940 in Manti, Sanpete, Utah, United States. Hazel (daughter of Alonzo Sampson and Mary Alice Allred) was born on 2 Aug 1922 in McCornick, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 29 May 1998 in Las Vegas, Clark, Nevada, United States; was buried on 2 Jun 1998 in Woodlawn Cemetery, Las Vegas, Clark, Nevada, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): COMPLETED
• FamilySearch ID: KWD3-2PS

Max married Florence Abbott on 23 Jul 1940 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States. Florence (daughter of Edward Lawrence Abbott and Josephine Bennett) was born on 8 Jul 1921 in Sutherland, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 3 Apr 2010 in Taylorsville, Salt Lake, Utah, United States; was buried on 7 Apr 2010 in West Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, Terreton, Jefferson, Idaho, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): COMPLETED
• FamilySearch ID: KW82-72Y

Family/Spouse: Alice Lavonne Ashby. Alice (daughter of Clifford Dewey Ashby and Alice Lucille Shields) was born on 3 Jul 1929 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 29 Oct 2017. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KW88-WDC
• Initiatory (LDS): 22 Aug 1950, SGEOR

Notes:

Obituary:
St. George, Utah - Gale Duane "Breeze" Stewart, age 82, passed away Thur s day, January 11, 2007, at his home. He was born April 1, 1924, in Hinck le y, Utah, to Nephi Richard and Hilma Pearson Stewart. He married Elden e Ha ll in 1950 in the St. George Temple.

Breeze was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict in the Arm y . After completing his service to his county, he returned to St. Georg e a nd worked at the post office until his retirement in 1984.

Breeze had many church callings and served two full-time missions with h i s wife. He and Eldene also spent many years working in the temple, incl ud ing 16 years as ordinance workers. He enjoyed participating in sports , co aching and watching his children and grandchildren play.

Breeze is survived by his wife, Eldene; children, Chuck (Cindy) Stewar t o f Santa Clara, Stan (Kathryn) Stewart of Cedar City, Shelley Stewar t of S alt Lake City, and Lisa (Joe) Manumaleuna of St. George; 23 grandc hildren ; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his par ents; br others, Eric, Eldon, Pete, Max, and Merrill; sisters Gladys, Gol da, and L eta; and a great-granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 15, 2007, 11:00 a.m. , a t t h e St. George 5th & 6th Ward Chapel, 85 South 400 East, St. Geor ge , UT. Visitations will be Sunday, January 14, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Spi lsb ury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, and again on Monday , 9 : 30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services at the St. George City Cemetery.

Gale married Eldene Hall in 1950 in St. George, Washington, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): COMPLETED
• FamilySearch ID: KWZK-FQB

Van married Norma Jean Chesley on 13 Dec 1930 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. Norma was born on 23 Oct 1909 in Richfield, Sevier, Utah, United States; died on 14 Sep 1992; was buried on 14 Sep 1992 in Delta, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWCY-5NP
• Initiatory (LDS): 30 Aug 1963, LOGAN

Anona married Francis B Chesley on 22 Apr 1930 in Beaver, Beaver, Utah, United States. Francis was born on 19 Apr 1908 in Richfield, Sevier, Utah, United States; died on 29 Nov 1990 in Delta, Millard, Utah, United States; was buried on 4 Dec 1990 in Delta, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWCB-6DB
• Initiatory (LDS): 25 Nov 1931, SLAKE

Karl married Ila Bennett on 25 Nov 1931 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. Ila (daughter of Albert Eli Bennett and Ruth Ellen Stewart) was born on 3 Apr 1912 in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States; was christened on 16 Jun 1912; died on 25 Jun 2006. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): COMPLETED
• FamilySearch ID: KWZ3-2VT

Daryl married Ivy Roberts on 21 Aug 1939 in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States. Ivy was born on 12 Feb 1918 in Sutherland, Millard, Utah, United States; was christened on 5 May 1918 in Sutherland, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 18 Feb 1992. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: L2CS-GWR
• Initiatory (LDS): 9 May 2017, PROVO

Notes:

LuJuana grew up in Meadow, Utah and moved to Delta when she was in 1st g r ade. She graduated from Delta High School in 1948. As a young woman sh e e njoyed going to dances and participating in theater.

She met her future husband, Joel, an art student, when they were both at t ending BYU. They were married in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 26, 1950 a n d began a life together filled with many good times and memories.

LuJuana received her Bachelor’s and Master’s from Western Illinois Unive r sity and went on to become the Director of Foreign Student Admission s a t WIU. She loved meeting and hosting students from all over the world . He r job took her to many countries, including Korea, China, Indonesia , Mala ysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Turkey, and Germany. She had a special fo ndnes s for Mexico and traveled there several times outside of work.

LuJuana and Joel lived in seven states and one province: Utah, Californi a , Texas, Idaho, Ohio, Illinois, New Mexico and British Columbia. Afte r al l the traveling and moving she did in her life, she said she wante d to b e buried in Meadow because it would feel like “going home at last” .

She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother and a great friend to a l l who knew her. She loved birdwatching, her pets, cross-stitch, playin g g ames, doing puzzles, history, discussing politics and current events , rea ding, traveling and visiting with friends and family. She had a gre at sen se of humor, loved to tell stories, and was always ready for a bi t of fun .

LuJuana married Joseph Loraine Smith on 26 Aug 1950 in Las Vegas, Clark, Nevada, United States. Joseph (son of William Lavern Smith and Jenniev Jorgensen) was born on 10 Sep 1929 in Draper, Salt Lake, Utah, United States; died on 17 Aug 2017 in Socorro, Socorro, New Mexico, United States; was buried in Meadow, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWCY-TFL
• Initiatory (LDS): 14 Jan 2023, BOUNT

Evan married Maxine Lois Johnson on 20 Mar 1948. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWCF-R4Q
• Initiatory (LDS): 24 Apr 2014, OAKLA

Notes:

World War II
Finally, in February 1943, Merrill was called into service after les s t h a n a year at University of Idaho. He entered the U.S. Air Corps a s a c ad e t and was dispatched for a brief training in Eastern Oregon Co llege , n o w Oregon State University. There the cadets studied navigatio n, phy sic s a nd most of the subjects Merrill had already been studyin g for yea rs a nywa ys. “It was just a breeze for me,” he maintained.
Flight school appears to have been a real transformative period for Me r r i ll when he seized his own testimony: “Everyone has just one ai m – t o g e t somewhere, but very few of us know where … Please send th e Book o f Mo rm on. Somehow I feel more alone now than ever. I’d like t o stud y a whil e an d find out just a lot of things I should have know n long be fore now. I’v e got to keep up with my religion. I have to kno w it befor e I can l ive it.”
After 6 weeks of accelerated pilot training in Oregon, Merrill was tra n s f erred to Santa Ana, California, where he Completed his basic milita r y t ra ining. One day in April, Merrill’s unit was out marching in th e su mme r he at, “it was hotter than day-blazes anyway,” he remarks. Th e uni t mar che d 20 miles a day and the heat weighed down on the soldier s. Tha t day, th e commander said they were headed 25 miles in one march , 12.5 m ile s out a nd then back again. The sun was already high and hot .
The excruciating march wore on the men until they passed an orange gro v e . Merrill could smell the sweet, ripe oranges under the cool branc h e s o f the grove just a few steps off their marching path. He and a f e w ot he r men ducked quickly out of the line and hid beneath the trees . O nce t hei r unit was out of sight, the men began gathering and peelin g th e oran ge s for breakfast. For lunch, they had oranges. For an after noo n snack, the y had more oranges. By the time the unit returned, Merri ll a nd hi s friend s jumped back into the ranks, sticky and fragrant wit h ora nges. They walk ed back the remaining few miles and counted it a wo nderfu l da y. “That’s w here I learned to love oranges … they were jus t as swee t a s anything yo u could find, they were just lovely.”
After Santa Ana, Merrill was transferred to Thunderbird Airfield in Ph o e n ix, Arizona, where he learned to fly on the Boeing model-75 Stearm a n bi pl ane, a common training aircraft for new pilots, later called t h e “PT (pri mary trainer)-17”. The 9-ft high, 24’ x 32’ open cockpit air cr aft ha d sea ts for a student and instructor. It had a cruising spee d o f 96 mile s pe r hour and could reach over 12,000 feet. With perpetua ll y sunny day s in P hoenix, Merrill quickly learned to love flying. “Fl yin g is just li ke driv ing a car,” he wrote home in a letter to his mot her.
Merrill wrote often to his mother and worried about her now that h e w a s a way from home. Lila was the only Child left with her and Merril l wr ot e ba ck flowering praise to his mother: “I’ll be good if it kill s me , Mom, jus t to be worthy of you and your sweet, unfailing love tha t make s yo u the b est.” As fortune would have it, some local missionari es happ ene d upon Mer rill one day and passed him some Church magazine s and book s. “ Thank God, ” Merrill mused. “They were worth ten days fur lough!”
After 4 months in Phoenix, Merrill was relocated to Pecos, Texas wh e r e h e continued training on a Vultee BT-13, with only one set of wing s . W hil e a novel solution for training purposes, the BT-13 was “a pret t y nas ty a irplane”, by Merrill’s opinion. The manufacturer, Vultee, bu il t th e plane s with no retractable landing gear and an awkward streaml ine , mak ing th e plane shake violently at stalling speeds or during adv entu rous m aneuver s. It was quickly nicknamed the “Vultee Vibrator”. “W e los t 3 o r 4 guys b ecause it was hard to handle,” Merrill reports. Fr om Dec embe r 1941 to th e end of the war in August 1945, the United Stat es Arm y Ai r Forces lost 1 5,000 pilots and personnel in training alone.
While training casualties were not uncommon, a trainee was more lik e l y t o be “washed out” from poor performance. However, in the case o f Me rr ill’ s training group, even solid piloting couldn’t escape Lieute nan t Yor k’s c allousness.
Flight instructor Lieutenant York stood somewhere below 5 foot 9, “a l i t t le guy” and was “proud of his record of washing students out.” Yor k c on si dered himself an expert pilot and placed unreasonable expectati on s o n hi s students. In the morning he’d call his five students to att ent io n and s hout orders to them rapidly. Throughout the day, he’d neve r me nti on anoth er word about their orders. By day’s end, if the studen ts ha dn’ t performe d exactly as prescribed in the morning, they were fl unke d outr ight. Afte r just 40 hours of training, Merrill’s 5-man tea m was r educe d to just 2 f rom York’s flunking them out. Finally, ther e was jus t Merri ll and one Cad et Evans left. (Unfortunately for York , Merrill wa s 6’1” a nd Evans was ev en taller.) “We were as mad at hi m as anything, ” Merril l said.
During night flying, Merrill took Lieutenant York up in his two-seat e r t r aining plane. In order for the gasoline to mix with the oxygen co rr ectl y, a heater was toggled by the pilot to evaporate off the damp Te xa s ai r. The instructor has no control over the plane directly; he coul d o nl y sh out at the trainee-pilot in front of him. Merrill took the op port uni ty t o let off the heater and sputter his engine wildly, pretend ing t ha t he ju st couldn’t hear York’s shouting from behind. Right on c ue, th e “ Vultee V ibrator” would slow to near-stalling speed and begi n shaking . Th e sputter ing engine, the shaking chassis and the Texas da rkness com bine d to creat e a desperate situation. With plane crashes an d casualtie s onc e every oth er week, this was sure to send panic up Lie utenant York ’s spi ne. Merril l and Evans, however, learned to cheat th e stall and re cover t he aircraft, but not before Lieutenant York had sa id his prayers . This w as Merrill’ s small way at getting back at him fo r flunking hi s teammates.
When it came time for Merrill and Evans’ 40-hour flight test, the tw o t r a inees knew they were in for trouble. “Me and this guy Evans decid ed t ha t, well, we just didn’t give a hoot about him at all and we’d jus t sh o w hi m the best we had. And if that wasn’t good enough then toug h luck . W e wer e determined we weren’t gonna get washed out.” The two c adets f le w master fully, even for the scrutinizing eye of Lieutenant Yo rk. “I r eme mber we g ave him a really good show.” Afterwards, a humble d Lieutena nt Y ork admitt ed to his trainees that he was quite impressed . “It was o nly b ecause we c hanged our minds about him and quit pussy-f ootin’ aroun d an d do the bes t we could.”
After a year of training, Merrill was commissioned as 2nd Lieutena n t o n M arch 12th, his airman career was off to a great start.
The new Lieutenant wrote back to his mother after promotion: “Love l i f e a nd God and all the things that make life worth living. Happines s do es n’ t come from anything worldly. There have to be higher goals t o be h app y. The Book of Mormon is really the truth – I feel it and kno w it.”
Whispering in the back of Merrill’s mind was his relationship with Isa b e l le, who remained in Boise. Many of the airmen around him were marri e d a n d some of that was because soldiers were aware that fatal comba t ap proa ch ed in their near future. The marriage rate among young men j umpe d 20 % jus t before the War. Seeing the married servicemen around hi m an d know ing th at he would be deployed soon made marriage prospects w ith I sabell e weig h on Merrill’s mind.
Isabelle was not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -d a y S a ints, and Merrill was certainly aware of this. The Stroud family , l ik e mo st Idahoans, harbored a modest amount of suspicion about thos e Mo rmo ns. “ In regards to Isabelle, I’ve been living my religion as be st a s I k now ho w, so things don’t worry me much,” Merrill wrote to hi s moth er. Ge nerally, marrying outside the faith, while not prohibited , isn’t i deal i n the Mo rmon faith. “I think I’ll know what to do whe n the time c omes. I ’m tryin g to find out what is right.”
Immediately after graduation from flight school, on March 13th, 1944 , M e r rill took 3 days leave and traveled back to Boise. Before arrivin g , h e ca lled Isabelle on the telephone to tell her the news about hi s pr omot ion a nd that he’d be arriving on leave. Isabelle met him whe n he ar rive d in Bo ise, remembering that “it took him about five minute s to say —”
“We’re going to get married,” Merrill said.
“We can’t!” Isabelle replied. “You only have three days!”
Isabelle remembers that, “We always knew we would get married, so th e a n s wer was ‘Yes!’” With only three days to spare, Merrill and Isabel le r us he d to get their blood tests done. The shipping from hospital t o la b wa s to o slow, so they toted their own vials to the laboratory t o sav e time. “W e were so excited and happy!” Isabelle said.
On the 16th of March 1944, 22-year-old Merrill and Isabelle were mar r i e d in his mother’s tiny house by Bishop Willis S. Petersen. Some o f bo t h f amilies were in attendance. Many visitors, excited to hear o f Merri ll ’s r eturn, came by the Boise Hotel that evening to give thei r congrat ula tions. One of these was Lee Knockleby of Lee’s Candy.
The next day, Mr. and Mrs. Merrill Eldon Barnes flew off to Rowell , N e w M exico. They arrived at the Zuni Motel to meet the other traine e cou pl es, who were too excited to sleep. The new pilots and their wive s stay e d u p playing cards together late into the night. Then they bega n thei r t rain ing as pilots of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress – “the l arges t an d bes t bomber the U.S. had in World War 2”.
The B-17 bomber was a four engine bomber that weighed 10 times what Me r r i ll’s BT trainers had weighed. Nearly three BT13s could fit end to e n d a n d they wouldn’t match the wingspan of the B-17. The B-17 could f l y thr e e times as far and 100mph faster than Merrill’s trainers. Despi t e bein g e quipped with armaments for 6 separate gunners and 10 crew me mb ers tot al, the B-17 was renowned for stability in flight and for an u nca nny abi lit y to sustain heavy damage yet remain navigable. Indeed, t he B -17 wa s th e most important strategic air weapon of World War II.
Merrill quickly finished his training in New Mexico and then was trans f e r red to Avon Park, Florida, where he would soon be assigned a perman e n t fl ight crew. But the fledgling cadet approached the commander an d re qu este d permission to select some Latter-day Saints for his crew m ember s a nd wa s granted permission to look around. Sure enough, Merril l foun d a M ormo n to man each and every position of his 10-man B-17 wit h the e xcepti on o f the radioman who was a good-natured Catholic. (Th e tenth me mber o f th e crew was transient.) The 9 LDS crew members beca me close fr iends a nd th eir association strengthened ties to their fait h.
The crew of Merrill’s B-17 #44-6546 was as follows:

1. Lt. Merrill E. Barnes – Pilot from Boise, Idaho.
2. Lt. Lawrence A. Ward – Copilot from Blackfoot, Idaho.
3. F/O Robert E. Edelen – Navigator from Denver, Colorado.
4. F/O Lowell D. Pearson – Bombardier from Midvale, Utah.
5. Sgt. Ralph A. Hixon – Ball Turret Gunner (asst. radio operator) f r o m P rovo, Utah.
6. Cpl. Deveroux W. Bowman – Left Waist Gunner (armorer) from Kanab, U t a h.
7. Cpl. Dale H. Harper – Top turret Gunner (engineer) from Los Angele s , C alifornia.
8. Cpl. Gael W. Elmer – Tail Gunner (asst. armorer) from Milford, Utah.
9. Cpl. Robert H. Tucker – Right Waist Gunner (radio operator) from Sy r a c use, New York, the lone catholic.

Merrill’s crew became friends instantly and their comfort with each o t h e r made for fine flying. Their handle on the plane and the bombing m ec ha ni sms grew more and more accurate and other crews began to notice . Th e M orm on boys were bull’s eye bombers.
Training was desperately rigorous. Night flying was an essential ski l l f o r which they had to train at ungodly hours. The fatigue grew so b a d th a t during one test flight, nine out of ten crew members fell asle e p whi l e the bomber was in flight! Merrill, his co-pilot and all the g un ners f el l fast asleep. – the radioman and bombardier too. “We were a l l passe d out,” Merrill wrote. Fortunately, the navigator stayed awake . B ob Edel en ha d been reclaimed from the Pacific and had experience a s a n enginee r an d a navigator over the Pacific Ocean. He happened to b e “s hootin g a star ” that night and pinning the plane trajectory accord ing t o the c onstellat ions. When the plane began falling out of course , Edele n caugh t the stray ing and radioed to the pilots. Eventually, Ed elen wok e up th e crew, the y turned around and reached their airstrip s afely. Th ey (ver y literally) thanked their stars.16
On another occasion, Merrill got the best of Edelen by flying straig h t o v er the city of Miami. The navigator’s dials tracked radio signal s a nd M ia mi was one place where radio signals came from all direction s an d thre w E delen’s dials into fits. Merrill coyly asked his navigato r fo r thei r coor dinates. While Edelend scrambled for an answer, Merril l an d Lieute nant Wa rd chuckled to themselves in the cockpit. “We alway s ha d a lot o f fun.”
The Mormon boys excelled at their craft. Out of the 56 different crew s , t hey lead the squadron in their flight record. On their last bombi n g m issi on, just to settle it that they were the best, the crew determ in ed t hat t hey would actually drop a practice shell from 20,000 feet o nt o a ra ft i n the middle of a lake. “He figured that no one else woul d be lieve i t,” M errill remembered. Sure enough, they planted a shell o n tha t tiny r aft fr om 20,000 feet. “That’s pinpointing,” Merrill bragg ed.
They had so proven their superiority that they kicked off their la s t f e w shells into nowhere for celebration. They could afford losing t h e poi nt s because they were already so far ahead. There was no disputi n g it; t he y were the best in the squadron. The commander – perhaps una wa re of th e r eligious prohibitions of this uniquely religious unit – a war ded the c re w with a 3-day vacation in Havana, Cuba.
“Boy, I’ll tell you,” Merrill remarked of the occasion. “Seeing Cu b a w a s eye-opening itself. It’s like Tijuana, Mexico. We stayed in wh a t the y c alled the National Motel down there, which is supposed t o b e a big re sort, but it was really a kind of mess compared to North A meri can hotels.”

Lowell married LaRue Hanseen on 2 Sep 1946 in Midvale, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. LaRue (daughter of Vincent Adolph Hanseen and Lillian Thompson) was born on 2 Dec 1922 in Scipio, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 25 Apr 2009; was buried in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): Not Needed
• FamilySearch ID: L2F3-K8N

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWCC-GZ1
• Initiatory (LDS): 11 Oct 2014, MTIMP

Family/Spouse: Catherine. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Marshall Goodrich. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWZ3-Q22
• Initiatory (LDS): 27 Jan 1962, MANTI

Beatrice married Chester Nelson Sly on 1 May 1940 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States, and was divorced. Chester (son of Dale Sly and Hilma Johanna Rosenberg) was born on 1 Jan 1920 in Beaver, Beaver, Utah, United States; was christened in Jul 1920 in Manderfield, Beaver, Utah, United States; died on 6 Jul 1958 in Boise, Ada, Idaho, United States; was buried on 7 Jul 1958 in Mountain View Cemetery, Beaver, Beaver, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Beatrice married Ellis Reginald Stevens on 9 May 1953 in Ely, White Pine, Nevada, United States. Ellis (son of David Johnson Stevens and Mary Amy Johnson) was born on 30 Dec 1917 in Colonia Juárez, Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, México; died on 11 Nov 1985 in Provo, Utah, Utah, United States; was buried on 15 Nov 1985 in Elysian Burial Gardens, Millcreek, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KPWT-WP3
• Initiatory (LDS): 15 Jul 2011, ARIZO

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): JRIVE
• FamilySearch ID: KWCP-C1H

Rex married Roberta Anderson on 17 Jun 1946. Roberta (daughter of Soren August Anderson and Margaret Mathie) was born on 31 Oct 1921 in Huntington, Emery, Utah, United States; died on 12 Oct 2002; was buried in Grantsville, Tooele, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWZM-PJS

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): MANTI
• FamilySearch ID: KWJV-7KZ

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: LFHY-91R
• Initiatory (LDS): 8 Sep 1950, MANTI

Peggy married Grant Allen Crane on 8 Sep 1950 in Manti, Sanpete, Utah, United States. Grant (son of Harry Abner Crane and Maggie Amelia Mortensen) was born on 17 Jan 1928 in Levan, Juab, Utah, United States; died on 28 Sep 2017; was buried in Delta, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): READY
• FamilySearch ID: KWC1-M1R

Family/Spouse: Alonzo Lee Holt. Alonzo (son of Owen Riley Holt and Eva Johannah Nielsen) was born on 4 May 1928 in Milford, Beaver, Utah, United States; died on 19 Jun 1982; was buried in Hematite, Jefferson, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWDN-8H1
• Initiatory (LDS): 28 Sep 2007, SGEOR

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWCD-4L4
• Initiatory (LDS): 1 Jun 1944, MANTI

Carol married Howard Glen Hunsaker on 3 Apr 2006 in Fillmore, Millard, Utah, United States. Howard (son of Francis Hunsaker and Emma Camp) was born on 19 Mar 1933 in Delta, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 30 Nov 2015 in St. George, Washington, Utah, United States; was buried in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Carol married Eugene Harrison Bishop on 1 Jun 1944 in Manti, Sanpete, Utah, United States. Eugene (son of Don Alma Bishop and Nora Harriet Slaughter) was born on 9 Dec 1917 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 11 Jun 2003 in Delta, Millard, Utah, United States; was buried on 14 Jun 2003 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWZW-D64
• Initiatory (LDS): 17 Dec 1948, MANTI

Cleone married Melva Arlene Hurst on 17 Nov 1951 in Manti, Sanpete, Utah, United States. Melva (daughter of Morgan Wilson Hurst and Blanche Spilsbury) was born on 10 Sep 1929 in Colonia Dublán, Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, México; died on 8 Sep 2001 in Provo, Utah, Utah, United States; was buried on 12 Sep 2001 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWZ2-V8S
• Initiatory (LDS): 12 Sep 1950, MANTI

Ila married Sherman Dale Little on 12 Sep 1950 in Manti, Sanpete, Utah, United States. Sherman (son of Sherman Little and Irene Emily Lewis) was born on 17 Apr 1929 in Delta, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 5 Oct 2017 in Greeley, Weld, Colorado, United States; was buried on 17 Oct 2017 in Delta, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWCV-HKN
• Initiatory (LDS): 13 Jan 1990, SLAKE

Anna married Eddie Melvin Lee on 22 May 1950 in White Pine, Nevada, United States. Eddie (son of Melvin Brigham Lee and Mary Armileen Jacobs) was born on 28 Jul 1930 in Torrey, Wayne, Utah, United States; died on 12 Feb 1992 in Ben Hill, Fulton, Georgia, United States; was buried in Fillmore, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna married Jerold Albert Clayton on 21 Jun 1969 in Elko, Elko, Nevada, United States. Jerold (son of Leo Albert Clayton and Adelaide Hinman) was born on 18 Sep 1925 in Burley, Cassia, Idaho, United States; died on 24 Nov 2010 in Tabiona, Duchesne, Utah, United States; was buried on 27 Nov 2010 in Tabiona, Duchesne, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWZ9-1GL
• Initiatory (LDS): 22 Jun 1956, MANTI

Elsie married Howard Glen Hunsaker on 22 Jun 1956 in Manti, Sanpete, Utah, United States. Howard (son of Francis Hunsaker and Emma Camp) was born on 19 Mar 1933 in Delta, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 30 Nov 2015 in St. George, Washington, Utah, United States; was buried in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KW8Q-4X4
• Initiatory (LDS): 14 May 2024, MIDAH

Clara married James Morris Payne on 8 Nov 1958 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States. James (son of James Morris Payne and Erma May Utley) was born on 14 Apr 1940 in Flowell, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 5 Feb 2005; was buried in Fillmore, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): PROVO
• FamilySearch ID: KWJ4-G8C

Jerolene married Ree Hutchings Brinkerhoff on 2 Apr 1952 in Elko, Elko, Nevada, United States. Ree (son of Wendell David Brinkerhoff and Stella Ethel Hutchings) was born on 6 Mar 1931 in Flowell, Millard, Utah, United States; died on 31 Dec 2001 in Moapa, Clark, Nevada, United States; was buried on 4 Jan 2002 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: LC7F-YVH
• Initiatory (LDS): 23 Nov 2016, RENO

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWC5-LH5
• Initiatory (LDS): 5 Aug 2010, SEATT

Notes:

Obituary:
Ruth Ann Corry 4/13/1939 ~ 8/5/2009 Ruth Ann Larsen Corry, 70, passed aw a y Wednesday, August 5, 2009 from cholangiocarcinoma at her home in Delt a . Born April 13, 1939 in Beaver to Jack Raymond and Oleta Stewart Larse n . Ruth attended Hinckley and Delta High Schools. Married Carl J. Corr y o n September 1, 1959 in Hinckley. They made their home in Delta. Rut h wa s a member of the LDS Church. Served many years as primary teacher a nd i n the scouting program. Good with youth and also volunteered with Am erica n Legion Jr. Auxiliary and was a "mom" at Girl's State. Loved peopl e an d enjoyed company of all those she came into contact with. A hard wo rker , besides raising her family, worked in many different fields: cashi er, s eamstress, security guard and her most favorite, telephone operato r for C ontinental Phone. "Keeper of the holidays" and loved celebratin g each one , her flower garden was exceptional and people drove by just t o catch a g limpse. Wonderful seamstress, gardener, and cook. Whatever sh e set her mi nd to achieve, she did well. Very creative; made many beauti ful outfits f or her daughters. Sacrifices of her time and talents are re vered by her l oving daughters and husband. Her father honored her by nam ing "Ruth Stree t" in Carson City, Nevada after her. Member of the Americ an Legion Auxili ary for 50+ years and instilled patriotism in all her ch ildren. Survive d by husband: Carl J. Corry; daughters: Carllee (Scott) G raham, Spokane ; Camille, Spokane; Shauna, Moscow, ID; three grandchildre n, one great-gr andchild, brothers: Don, Richard, James; nephew: Guy an d wife LaNita Brin kerhoff; numerous other nieces and nephews. Preceded i n death by daughter : Leta Helene Corry; sister: Jeroline Brinkerhoff; an d parents. Family es pecially thanks those at Intermountain Homecare Hosp ice and staff at Cent ral Utah Clinic for their loving care and dedicate d service. Memorial ser vice: Wednesday, August 12, 11 a.m., Delta 1st Wa rd Chapel, 222 W. 200 N . Burial Delta City Cemetery.

Published in Salt Lake Tribune on Aug. 9, 2009

Ruth married Carl J Corry on 1 Sep 1959 in Hinckley, Millard, Utah, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: LF12-W6Q
• Initiatory (LDS): 20 Sep 1968, SGEOR

Family/Spouse: Cindy. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Kathryn. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Joe Manumaleuna. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KW8H-KLP
• Initiatory (LDS): 9 Mar 1954, SLAKE

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KW8L-Z3Y

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): PROVO
• FamilySearch ID: KWHD-NND

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): OGDEN
• FamilySearch ID: KWJX-T28

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): JRIVE
• FamilySearch ID: KWZR-N41

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): READY
• FamilySearch ID: KWHT-1YW

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWCS-JVS
• Initiatory (LDS): 29 Apr 1977, MANTI

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): In Progress
• FamilySearch ID: KWH5-Q2L

Family/Spouse: Loren Edward Jackson. Loren (son of Oliver Edward Jackson and Beatrice Allegra Updike) was born on 17 Apr 1935 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, United States; died on 14 Jan 1991 in Howard, Texas, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWC5-K36

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWZW-D6F
• Initiatory (LDS): 20 Sep 2018, PROCC

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): Not Needed
• FamilySearch ID: KWVZ-VN2

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWZ2-V86
• Initiatory (LDS): 29 Oct 2011, DENVE

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: LVFL-ZDB
• Initiatory (LDS): 26 Jul 2022, CEDAR

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWC9-KG6
• Initiatory (LDS): 12 Feb 2016, OQUIR

Family/Spouse: Scott Graham. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Initiatory (LDS): Not Needed
• FamilySearch ID: KW8L-Z3B