The following obituaries appeared in the January 31, 2018 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
Earl Peavler left this mortal existence to be with his beloved eternal companion, LuAnn, on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. Earl taught us a constant sermon by example of what it means to love and cherish a companion in marriage and to devote one’s best effort to his children. That example of love and loyalty has inspired many. Earl was born August 23, 1929, in Crane, Oregon to Elijah and Ritta D Hoover Peavler. Earl described his family as “gypsies,” as they traveled all around Idaho, Oregon, and Colorado following the harvest. He graduated from Star Valley High School in 1947. On September 9, 1949, Earl married LuAnn Clark in the Salt Lake Temple. They were seldom separated until LuAnn passed away on June 5, 2010. To this union, seven children were born. Earl started in the construction business in 1949 as a timber faller. He worked at all phases of logging and sawmilling for 13 years. In 1970 Earl established Peavler Enterprises, an excavating and construction business, which is still in operation today by his sons, known as Peavler’s Mountain Star. Earl became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 18, where he held many prominent positions, which included Bishop of the Afton 3rd Ward. He had a deep love for his Savior and the people he served. Earl also served as scout master, a job that he loved, working with the youth. Every day of Earl’s life was glorious to him. He embraced a life that was always full speed ahead. He immersed himself so completely in everything he did that he forgot until very late in life that it was necessary to slow down. He lived his life to the fullest- a life of devotion to God, family, and country. Earl Peavler was preceded in death by his wife, LuAnn Clark Peavler, an infant son and daughter, Cliff and Peggy, two sisters, Wilma and Barbara, and his parents. He is survived by his children, Clay Peavler, Deb Erickson (Chad), Rick “Emer” Peavler, Wade Peavler (Teresa), and Tom Peavler, 16 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Mariam Ruth Meister Baker passed away on January 23, 2018 after a long and fruitful life. She was born in her grandparents’ log cabin on Kimball Creek near DeBeque, Colorado on April 22, 1927 to Conrad and Alethea (Betty) Robertson Meister. She and her sisters rode horses to their one-room school of six students. After her parents lost the farm during the Depression, they lived in DeBeque, Clifton, and Fruita, Colorado until the outbreak of World War II when they moved to Ogden, Utah. At the age of 16, Mariam was hired by Hill Air Force Base as an aircraft engine mechanic during the summers. She also played on their softball team. She is represented in the B-24 exhibit at Hill Air Force Base as one of the women who helped in the war effort. She married Tech Sgt. Wayne Baker on October 4, 1945 in Ogden. They lived in California; Great Falls, Montana; and then Roy, Utah. They moved to Carbon County, Utah in 1956 where they built several businesses together including Mountain States Machinery & Supply, and Plateau Mining. Upon selling the businesses, they moved to Wayne’s birthplace of Star Valley, Wyoming and founded Freedom Arms. Mariam owned her own plane and was a pilot with 300 hours flight time. She was a quiet and private woman who loved her family and the outdoors. Mariam and Wayne were a team who loved each other dearly. Wayne often declares that she made all the difference in his life and he would have been nothing without her. They were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1977. Mariam had a very strong code of conduct. She never criticized, gossiped, nagged, yelled, or complained. She raised eight children born in 13 years without raising her voice. Her children learned by example how to work and behave appropriately. She had a quiet sense of power that her children never questioned. Mariam is survived by Wayne, her husband of 73 years, and children Connie (Don) McCourt, Christine (Russell) Wilshaw, Claudia (Ron) Hartley, Bob (Patrice) Baker, Susan (Mike) Hepworth, Don (Claudia) Baker, and Bonnie (Corey) Pantuso along with 40 grandchildren, 124 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son Alan, granddaughter Candice, parents, and her sisters Alice (Lynn) Smith and Audrey (Frank) Stones.
Myrna Lenora Whiting Collotzi, age 77, passed away in Salt Lake City, on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, joining her husband Albert William Collotzi and her son, Jared. She passed peacefully from complications due to age and with family by her side. Myrna was born Dec. 13, 1940 in Provo, to Paul Daniel and Frances Harriet Mecham Whiting. She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held several callings in her lifetime. She and Albert were married on June 8, 1959 in the Salt Lake City Temple. He died Dec. 27, 1997. Family has always been everything to Myrna and she would do anything for them, even working at the credit union to put her husband through college. She lived in many places throughout her life including Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Alaska and Idaho, but she especially loved being in the mountains. Toward the end of her life, she owned a home in the mountains of her favorite place in the world, Star Valley. She enjoyed cooking and baking and at one point owned a restaurant in Idaho. She loved quilting and anything crafty making lots of treasures for family and friends. She especially enjoyed being outdoors camping, fishing, gardening and hiking with her family. Her family and friends will miss her with all their hearts.Myrna is survived by her siblings, Von, Pauline, Beverly, JoAnn and Blaine; her children, Steve, Troy, Necia, Kristi, Jason, Lyle and Kevin; twenty-four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Neola LDS Chapel. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial in the Neola Cemetery
