The Preston Citizen

Jenell Rawlings, 74, passed away January 22, 2023, at the Beehive House in Syracuse, Utah. She was born Sept 24, 1948, in Preston, Idaho to loving parents Blaine and Marcella Gamble. She was raised in the amazing farming and agricultural community of Preston, ID and is survived by three sons Troy (Lisa) Rawlings; Chad (Amber) Rawlings, and Kitt (Susan) Rawlings, her brothers Douglas Gamble of Preston, Idaho and Keving Gamble of Preston, Idaho. 14 grandchildren and 1 great-grand child. She was preceded in death by her husband Steve Rawlings just 16 months ago, as well as her brother Bruce Gamble. Jenell was an outstanding and devoted mother and servant to all. She knew the importance of...

Edna Sue Wagner 69, of Preston, passed away Friday, January 20, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family. At her request, no services will be conducted. A complete obituary will be posted on the funeral home website, as soon as it is available. Please share a favorite memory of Edna or offer condolences to the family by leaving a tribute at www.franklincountyfuneral.com

Evelyn Jenkins Drury Raymond returned to her Father in Heaven on January 17, 2023. She was born July 10, 1924, in Preston, Idaho, the first child of Charles and Eva Jenkins. Nine years later, her younger sister and best friend, Naomi, joined the Jenkins family. She enjoyed her childhood in Preston. Evelyn was married and sealed in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple to her high school sweetheart, Darrell Drury, on June 2, 1943. They welcomed four children into the world including Susan Darlene (Frank Priestley), Steven Darrell (Diane Herd), Sharon Dee (Mark Bergquist), and Darrell Llewellyn (Tammy Moosman). Darrell passed away before their youngest child was born. Evelyn had to go to work and was a...

Sharon Elaine Naylor passed away peacefully January 15, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born on September 3, 1946, in Los Angeles, California to Robert and Ola Smelts. She married Bruce Naylor, the love of her life twice. The first time in Elko, Nevada on May 21, 1963. The second time was for time and all eternity on January 8, 1980, in the Logan temple. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings throughout her life. She loved and served many, and in turn was loved and served by many good neighbors and friends Sharon had many talents. She loved to work hard and play just as hard. She was an amazing seamstress, crafter,...

On January 15, 2023, at the age of 80, Jerry C Whitehead, our wonderful, extremely loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away. Jerry was born June 29, 1942 at his parents' home in Franklin, Idaho to John Hoyet and Eva Chatterton Whitehead. He lived his entire life in Franklin. He attended the Franklin Elementary school and graduated from Preston High School in 1960. He joined the National Guard his senior year of high school and after graduation he headed off for basic training in Fort Ord, California and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He served 8 years in the National Guard. Soon after basic training he was called to serve in the Alaska-Canada mission for the Church of...

Sharon Elaine Smelts Naylor, 76, passed away Jan. 15, 2023 at the Franklin County Medical Center in Preston, Idaho. Services will be held on Monday, January 23, 2023, at 11 a.m. in the Preston First Ward Chapel, 213 S. 200 E., Preston. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at Webb Funeral Home, 1005 S. 800 E., Preston, and Monday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 12:00 pm at the Franklin Idaho Stake Center, 106 E. Main Street Franklin, Idaho. Viewings will be held Friday from 6-8 pm at Webb Funeral Home, 1005 S. 800 E. Preston, Idaho and again prior to the funeral from 10:30-11:30 am at the church. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com

Wayne Fifield Marler, age 77, passed away peacefully in his home in Franklin, Idaho on January 11, 2023 after courageously fighting and patiently enduring the effects of cancer. His example during this time, left a legacy worthy of emulation for his family. He was privileged to be surrounded by his dear wife, his 6 children, several grandchildren and other relatives as he passed. Wayne was born on September 9, 1945 in Lewiston, Utah, the son of Blanche Fifield and Mckay Pleasant Marler. He was married to Melaine Martin in the Logan Temple on December 15, 1967. Wayne was loving, selfless, and resolutely devoted to his family - he was "all in" as a father. As a trademark...

Georgena Bird Taggart, 71, passed away at her home in Preston, Idaho on January 10, 2023. She was born to Eldon and Beverly Poulsen Bird on December 11, 1951 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She married Randy Taggart on March 2, 1970 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were blessed with a son Tracy and a daughter Kaycee. Georgena loved fishing, watching birds, camping and spending time with her family. She was an excellent cook and she absolutely loved her animals. She loved her family and she was excited to welcome her first great grandchild in the coming months. She is survived by her husband, Randy Taggart, her children, Tracy (Jenn) Taggart, Mesquite, Nevada; Kaycee (Vern) Hunt, Logan, Utah and her...

David Sharp Auger, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend passed away on January 7, 2023, at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho. He was born on May 31, 1936, in Cub River, Idaho to Verl J. and Alice Sharp Auger. He was the oldest child in the family. David grew up working on the family farm until he graduated from Preston High School in 1954. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the army. He was stationed at Fort Mead. While stationed there a friend of his introduced him to Margaret Umbel and she became the love of his life. She became his wife on November 15, 1955. After his time in the service ended they moved back to...

Barbara Lutz - Ann (Harris) Lutz, 84, of Perry, passed away January 7, 2023. webbmortuary.com.

Herbert Samuel Rallison returned to the presence of his Heavenly Father on January 5, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with diabetes, cancer, and dementia. He was able to pass away in his own home due to the devoted care of his eternal companion and loving wife of 63 years, Pat. Sam was born on October 31st, 1939, to Herbert Rallison and Mary Mansfield. He was the middle of three boys. He spent his childhood either at his home in Whitney or at the Burnham hotel in Preston, where his mom worked. He attended Whitney Elementary and graduated from Preston High in 1959. During the fall of his senior year, he went on a blind date with a cute little gal from Dingle,...

Michelle Marie Greene was born on April 23rd, 1969, to Thomas M. McDonald and Ann Taylor in Boulder, Colorado. She died on December 31st, 2022, at McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah, following a medical emergency. Most of Michelle's childhood was spent in Worland and Casper, Wyoming, where she graduated from Natrona County High School in 1987. She met Joe in 1991, in Rock Springs, Wyoming and they were married shortly thereafter on February 8th, 1992, in Jackson Hole. In 1995 they relocated to Riverton, Utah and on July 31st, 1999, were sealed in the Jordan River Utah Temple. Looking for a "quiet place" for their granddaughter to grow up and for them to retire, the Greene's settled in...

On Friday, December 30, 2022, Della Joy Ward, loving wife and mother of ten children passed away at the age of 86. Della was born in Cardston, Alberta, Canada on July 31, 1936 to Nephi and Jessie Atwood. She always referred to her childhood as a happy one. Growing up on the Happy Valley Ranch in Wardner, Alberta, Canada was a beautiful time in her life. Della met her future husband, Joe Ward while he was serving as a missionary in the Western Canada mission. Joe and Della were married in the Cardston, Alberta, Canada temple on January 21, 1957. Della's greatest love was her family and especially her children. She cherished every minute spent with family. Della's love for the gospel of...

Preston, Idaho - Richard Merlin Hunt, 96, graduated to heaven on December 27, surrounded by loved ones in Preston, Idaho. Richard was born on March 27, 1926 in Montwell, Utah. He was the eleventh of twelve children born to Edward Moroni Hunt and Candace Jeanette Brown. As a young child, Richard's family moved frequently and he attended schools all over Utah. In March of 1944, age 17, Richard left school and voluntarily enlisted in the Navy. He was first sent to San Diego for boot camp, then to St. Louis where he trained as an electrician. Later, on assignment aboard the USS Venango, Richard's life was spared when, for reasons he did not understand at the time, one afternoon he decided to...

Stephen Ariel Meek, 82, passed away on December 27, 2022, at the Heritage Home Assisted Living Facility in Preston, ID. Stephen was born in Preston, ID, on September 13, 1940, to Ariel W. Meek and Barbara Swenson Meek. He grew up on the Meek Ranch in Riverdale, Idaho. He attended elementary school at Riverdale School and then graduated from Preston High School. He enjoyed playing sports which included excelling in football, baseball, and swimming. Following high school, he served in the National Guard and served a mission to the Northwestern States Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Later, he attended Utah State University and graduated with his Bachelor of...

Mary Morris, 81, passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2022, in Logan, UT due to medical complications. A visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 am, Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the Newton 2nd ward LDS Chapel located at 12 South 100 West Newton, UT. Funeral Services will follow at 11:00 am also at the Newton Church. The interment will be in the Newton Cemetery. For those not able to attend in person, there will be a streaming video of the service. Please follow the link to view the services https://youtu.be/HKGt2GvEbPw A full obituary is available at www.franklincountyfuneral.com

Larin H. Bodily passed away on Tuesday, December 20th 2022 at the age of 85. He was born at home in Fairview, Idaho on November 20th 1937 to Robert Griffeth and Berdean Wilkinson Hampton. After attending school in Fairview, he served in the US Army through the Anchorage, Alaska and Seattle, Washington Army bases. After returning from service, he went to work on the Beckstead farm where he met his sweetheart, DiAnn Beckstead. They married on June 16th 1961 in Preston, Idaho. They remained in Preston where they raised their 3 children; Coleen, Larin Clay, and Curtis Orlando. Larin had many talents and was very skilled with his hands. There wasn't much he couldn't create or fix. He loved...

Edwin Woody Johnson, 43 of Preston, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family. There will be a viewing held at the Franklin County Funeral Home in Preston at 6 pm Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Burial will follow in Lukachukai, AZ. A full obituary is available at www.franklincountyfuneral.com Please consider making a donation to assist the family with the expenses associated with returning Edwin to his native home burial ground. You can do so by using the Tribute Fund tab on his obituary page.

Gene Leray Porter Jr went back to his heavenly home on December 16, 2022 with his wife Barbara by his side after a long battle with Leukemia (AML). He was such a strong man and held onto life with a vengeance fighting to remain with her until that choice was taken out of his hands. Gene came into this life on November 19, 1951, born to Gene L Porter Sr and Nancy A Gamblin, in the small town of Picabo Idaho. He was given the nickname of "Poncho" when he was born because his dad said he had a big ponch and he went by that name for many years. He spent most of his time living in the treasure valley when he was younger attending schools in Twin Falls and Meridian. They lived on small dairy...

Theda Jean Johnson, age 82, passed away on December 16, 2022 in Preston Idaho. Theda was born on August 29, 1940 in Preston, Idaho to Ruby Irene Jacobsen and James Harold Anderson. Theda was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother; she loved cooking, sewing, reading, and playing golf with her husband Dennis. Theda always made sure her family was taken care of, and she could always make you laugh even when things were not going well. Theda is survived by 2 children, Mitchell (Angel) of Wyarno, Wyoming; Janis Johnson of Smithfield, Utah; and 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Theda is preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Johnson, a son, Brian Conal Johnson, her parents Ruby Irene...