I thought it would be appropriate to commemorate the 100th birthday of my Grandpa, Wilburn Norwood Jonas. He went by Norwood his whole life, or Nor to those closest.
Grandpa was born 15 May 1924 in Lewiston, Cache, Utah to Lillian Coley and Joseph Nelson Jonas. The fourth child of eight to his parents. He married Colleen Mary Andra 27 September 1946 in Elko, Elko, Nevada. Three children were born to him and Colleen; Douglas in 1952, Sandra in 1954, and Jackie in 1960. He died 14 March 1975 in Burley, Cassia, Idaho and was buried 19 March 1975 in Richmond, Cache, Utah.
I was trying to think of a way to commemorate Grandpa. As linked above, I have written of him before. This week, I went through an old book I have that belong to Norwood’s dad, Joseph. Inside were some newspaper clippings and notes. One linked to Grandpa. I share it to show that research is ongoing and can be found anywhere! Just takes a little luck, heaven’s guidance, and you will stumble on them. I will wrote more on the book and other clippings inside later.
Park School was in Richmond. It was only razed in the past few years. Grandpa went to North Cache High School, although he did not graduate. This clipping also has Irwin written in to it. Which tells me he was missed or it is the wrong Jonas boy that was listed. Although, I do have a class picture of Irwin and Norwood together, so I am not clear if that tips it one way or the other.
“Name Graduates of Park School
“The Richmond Park School commencement exercises will be held in the Benson Stake tabernacle Thursday, at 8 p. m.
“The program follows: Processional; Invocation, Bishop J. M. Godfrey; salutation, Garr Christensen; music, school orchestra; talks, Norma Kaye Funk, Margaret Merrill; music, class; class history, Joyce Larson; presentation of class gift, Oral L. Ballam Jr.; awarding of prizes and the presentation of the class. Principal G. G. Merrill; awarding of certificates, Levi H. Allen; class song, class; adjournment to the community building for dancing; benediction, S. W. Allen.
“The list of graduates are: Ivan Anderson, Oral Ballam, LaMarr Carlson, Archie Carver, Garr Christensen, Don Hansen, Warren Hamp, [Irwin written in, referring to Irwin Jonas], Norwood Jonas, Robert Johnson, Glenn Mortensen, Junior Peterborg, Darrell Smith, Gail Spackman, Alvin Spackman, Allen Spackman, James Scott, Boyd Tripp, Olive Biggs, Dorma Anderson, Joy Erickson, Norma Kaye Funk, Bernice Frandsen, Ruth Hutchison, Nadine Johnson, Eva Kershaw, Virginia Kirstofferson, Elaine Lewis, Anna May Lawrence, Joyce Larson, Margaret Merrill, Dorothy Nielsen, Beth Rich, Afton Sorensen, Lyle Wilding.
Here is the class picture with many of these same names. It also includes Irwin and Norwood. I have written about it previously.
My grandfather, Wilburn Norwood Jonas, had an older brother named Joseph Herbert Jonas (1917-1993). I don’t have any memories of Uncle Joe, except his funeral, although I remember hearing stories about him. Uncle Joe married Hilma Grace Erickson (1918-2000). I also do not remember Aunt Hilma. Again, I heard the stories, and also about nearly all their children.
Joe and Hilma Jonas younger
Joe and Hilma had 7 children, Joseph Leland (1937-alive), Hilma Maxine (1938-2002), Earl Reed (1944-1988), Nancy Lee (1946-alive), Evelyn (1948-2017), Ellen Lynn (1951-alive), and Helen (1956-alive). I mentioned above that I remember his funeral. I remember it being at Myers Mortuary on Washington Avenue, almost North Ogden, Utah. I remember the line for the viewing, my mother’s shoes and jeans, and sitting in the outskirts of the chapel to the northeast. There, for the first time in my life, I was haunted by the strains of O My Father. First time I ever heard the song and it penetrated my soul. So much that I wanted to learn it more. My Grandmother, Colleen, a short time afterward showed me it in her old Richmond, Utah hymnal. I taught myself how to play it and the words to the song.
Joe & Hilma Jonas older
As those who know me know, I do a little family history. I had reached out and got to know Joseph Leland Jonas’ daughter Debra. I had e-mailed some of Lee’s other children. But I had never met any of them that I recalled. Lee lived in Yakima, Washington. I had taken a job in 2008 working in the northwest for Inland Environmental. I was going to be in the Yakima area working and so I made a few phone calls. Lee suggested I call his daughter, Stacey, who lived in Moxee not far from them. I called her up to visit with her and told her I was going to be in the area. She not only insisted that I visit, but also that I stay at her house.
I got to know this second cousin of mine on that occasion. We chatted, talked about family history, she took me to visit her parents, I met her family, and had a great experience getting to know each other. It wasn’t planned, but she had quite a few questions about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the course of the night, we covered nearly every single topic in all the six missionary discussions. I gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon and some other pamphlets.
The next morning we talked some and we separated our ways. I went on with work and eventually to law school. She had some marital issues and normal life. Then I found out she was attending law school in Mesa, Arizona. We stayed more in touch. Then one day, we were talking on the phone and she dropped a bombshell for me. She asked me to baptize her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I told her I would be thrilled and honored to do it.
Stacey Jonas and Paul Ross, Mesa, Arizona
These are pictures from the day she was baptized. We orchestrated it so I could fly down and attend the baptism and confirmation over the course of the weekend of June 25-27, 2016, in her home of Mesa. Once again, she insisted I could stay with her rather than finding a place to stay.
Stacey Jonas, Paul Ross at her baptism in 2016
It was a great weekend. She also let me steal her car and I made a trip over to the Mesa Arizona Temple. I made sure to snap a picture while I was there. Unfortunately you see some of the reflection of the console in the window of Stacey’s car, fun little Jaguar!
Mesa Arizona Temple, 25 June 2016
Stacey later attended the Gilbert Arizona Temple to receive her endowments! Not surprised that she did it, but surprised that I could say I helped her in some small part along the way.
Stacey Jonas and her friend Melanie Walker attending the temple
It is remarkable the bond and friendship I have built with Stacey since we first met, that I recall, in 2008. She has visited us here in Idaho since, some day we will have to make it back her direction to visit again. I am grateful that I could help her in her spiritual growth and striving since we first met as well. In some ways I felt bad we stayed up late that night conversing. I don’t know how much actually links to that night, but I feel a deep sense of appreciation for Stacey and the kinship that we feel, both since we are related, and also spiritually.
I am also aware that I am posting this on 6 September 2020. The 104th anniversary of Lillian Coley and Joseph Nelson Jonas. A date that has held happiness and sorrow for the Jonas family. I can only imagine they are pleased that their Great Grandchildren are associating and helping each other improve.
Back(l-r): Ira Hillyard, Unknown, Bob Johnson, Junior Petterborg, Irwin Jonas, Unknown, Unknown. 2nd from Back: Unknown, Ruth Rich, Kaye Funk, Anna Lawrence, Joyce Larsen, Ruth Hutchinson, Nadine Johnson, Darrel Smith. Middle Row: Unknown, Unknown, Eva Kershaw, Lyle Wilding, Unknown, Afton Sorensen, Dorothy Nielson, Unknown, Norwood Jonas. 2nd from Front: Alvin Spackman, Bernice Frandsen, Unknown, Glacus Merrill, Joy Erickson, Unknown, Allen Spackman. Front: Garr Christensen, Oral Ballam Jr, LaMar Carlson, Unknown, Gail Spackman, Ivan Anderson, Warren Hamp.
This is Glacus Merrill’s class from what I believe is 1936. He taught class at Park School in Richmond, Cache, Utah. Several individuals have assisted me to name the individuals I have so far. There are too many unknowns that I hope to clarify in the future. If anyone can help, I would certainly appreciate it. My Grandfather, Norwood, and his brother, Irwin, are both in the photo. Irwin died in World War II, and I assume some of the rest did as well.
I have listed all the individuals below with some limited information I could find on them. At the very bottom is Glacus’ obituary.
Ira William Hillyard (1924-2009)
Unknown
Robert “Bob” Jay Johnson (1924-2009)
Junior “Pete” Lee Petterborg (1923-1990)
Irwin John Jonas (1921-1944)
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Ruth Rich
Norma Kaye Funk (1924-2002)
Anna May Lawrence (1924-1988)
Joyce Larsen (1924-1968)
Ruth Hutchinson (1924-2002)
Nadine Johnson (1924-2005)
Darrel Wilmot Smith (1924-2008)
Unknown
Unknown
Eva Kershaw
Lyle Wilding (1924-2002)
Unknown
Mary Afton Sorensen (1923-2008)
Dorothy Nielson (1924-2019)
Unknown
Wilburn Norwood Jonas (1924-1975)
Alvin Chester Spackman (1923-1994)
Bernice Frandsen (1924-2002)
Unknown
Glacus Godfrey Merrill (1905-2002)
Joy Erickson (1924-2010)
Unknown
Allen Elijah Spackman (1923-1997)
Garr Dee Christensen (1923-2002)
Oral Lamb Ballam (1925-2016)
Victor LaMar Carlson (1923-2008)
Unknown
Harold Gail Spackman (1924-1991)
Ivan Carl Anderson (1923-2017)
Warren Thomas Hamp (1924-2009)
Here is a copy of the obituary I found for Glacus. Wow, I wish my school teachers had been this amazing.
LOGAN – Glacus G. Merrill, 96, died of causes incident to age in Logan, Utah on Saturday, February 9, 2002. He was born May 27, 1905 in Richmond, Utah to Hyrum Willard and Bessie Cluff Merrill. He is a grandson of Marriner W. Merrill, a pioneer prominent in the settling of Cache Valley, an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the first president of the Logan LDS Temple. He married Constance B. Bernhisel in 1925, and they were later divorced. He married Marie B. Bailey, March 24, 1945 in Washington D.C. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple.
While attending school, he participated in track and football at North Cache and Brigham Young College, where he graduated in 1925. Glacus graduated from Utah State University in 1935 and also attended the University of Utah and Chico State College in California. He is a graduate of the REI Radio Engineering School in Sarasota, Florida. He was the principal of the Richmond Park School for 11 years and served in the U.S. Navy for four years during World War II. He served an LDS mission to California from 1954-1955. While living in the East, he served as President of the West Virginia Farm Bureau and the State Black Angus Association. He is an honorary Kentucky Colonel. He also served as President and District Governor of Lions Clubs in Utah and West Virginia, and was a member of the Lions Club for 42 years. Glacus was Vice President of the West Virginia Broadcasters Association, and is a member of the USU Old Main Society. He established a Scholarship Fund in the Communications Department at USU. The Montpelier, Idaho Jaycees presented him with their outstanding Citizen’s Award. He was also a member of the Montpelier Rotary Club, Utah Farm Bureau, VFW and American Legion. He is a member of the “Around the World Club” having traveled around the world with his son, Gregory. He and his wife, Marie traveled extensively. Merrill was a popular Rodeo announcer in his early days. He authored the book “Up From the Hills” which was finished in 1988 and is available in area libraries.
Honored by the Utah Broadcasters as a pioneer in Radio Broadcasting, Merrill started his broadcasting career in 1938 as part owner and Program Director at KVNU Radio in Logan. After serving four years in the Navy, he built his first radio station Clarksburg, West Virginia. He owned and operated 11 other stations in West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Idaho and Utah, including stations in Montpelier, Idaho and Logan, Utah. He was well known for his frank and outspoken editorials, news and comments on KBLW in Logan. He has given over 7,000 newscasts and editorials always ending them with the saying, “Have Good Day Neighbor.” In 56 years of radio broadcasting, he trained several young broadcasters who are now making good.
As a hobby, wherever he lived, he operated a cattle ranch and farm. He served in many civic and church activities including counselor in the LDS Stake MIA, counselor in the East Central Stake Mission Presidency, 5 years as a Branch President and 11 years as District President in West Virginia. He also served as Deputy Scout Commissioner in Idaho and for 12 years taught the High Priest Class in the Logan 3rd Ward and served for several years as the High Priest Group Leader. He was an avid supporter of many missionaries in the area.
His wife, Marie preceded him in death on April 22, 1993, as well as six brothers and one sister. He is survived by his two daughters, Darla D. (Mrs. Dennis Clark) of Logan; Madge (Mrs. Melvin Meyer) of Smithfield; one son, G. Gregory (Joan) Merrill of Logan; nine grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon on Thursday, February 14, 2002, at the Logan 3rd Ward Chapel, 250 North 400 West, with Bishop Grant Carling conducting. Friends and family may call Wednesday evening, February 13th, at the Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 Norther, Logan from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday at the church from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Richmond City Cemetery.
Sagacity 