Friday, January 30, 2026

KEITH ALONZO LEAVITT ~~~ True Gentleman

 

 

Keith Alonzo Leavitt

August 31, 1934 — January 28, 2026

Ephraim

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Keith Alonzo Leavitt, age 91, passed away peacefully at home. He was a kind and gentle man who devoted his life to his family, his faith, and quiet service to others.

Keith was born on August 31,1934, in St. George, Utah, to Laurel Leavitt and Melvina Durrant. He was the third of seven children. He spent his early years in Bunkerville, Nevada, and at the age of nine moved with his family to Homedale, Idaho. Those formative years shaped his lifelong love of farming, the outdoors, and hard work. He especially treasured time spent farming and hunting alongside his father and brothers.

An accomplished and enthusiastic athlete, Keith lettered in four sports during high school. His strong work ethic and love of people later led him to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern States from 1954 to 1956, where he also had the memorable opportunity to participate in the Hill Cumorah Pageant.

In 1957, Keith was drafted into the United States Army and served honorably until 1959, including two years stationed in Dachau, Germany.

Keith married Linda Swensen in 1960. They were blessed with eight children. Keith earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and taught school for several years in Idaho. In 1971, Keith and Linda moved from Idaho to Provo, Utah, where Keith worked for eight years at Jones’ Paint and Glass. However, Keith was a farmer at heart. They dreamed of having a farm, so in 1979, they moved to Missouri. After two years, they returned to Idaho to help run his father’s apple farm. In 1988, they moved to Mt. Pleasant, Utah, where Keith taught school again, this time as a Special Education teacher.

At their home in Mt. Pleasant, Keith planted a fruit tree orchard and tended a large garden. Growing, tilling, and tending the earth was the labor of his life. He loved sharing garden produce with family and friends. Many boxes of apples, squash, tomatoes, and garlic were personally delivered around the neighborhood each summer. Keith and Linda loved Mt. Pleasant and the friends they made there. It was where they spent some of the happiest and most fulfilling years of their lives.

Keith and Linda shared a deep commitment to service. For 20 years, they served together as Humanitarian Service Missionaries, giving generously of their time and talents. They also loved serving in the temple. Keith was a devoted and supportive husband, always encouraging Linda in her many projects and callings.

Above all else, Keith loved his family. He delighted in time spent with his children, grandchildren, and extended family. Cousin parties and family reunions were among his most treasured memories and he took great joy in watching his family grow.

Keith will be remembered for his gentle spirit, quiet strength, and unwavering love for the gospel of Jesus Christ. His legacy of faith, service, and family devotion will continue to bless generations.

He is survived by his brother, Leon Leavitt, his 8 children and their spouses, 29 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 450 N 200 W E, Ephraim, UT. Family and friends are invited to attend. Interment in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery with Military Honors.

To Watch Service Live, Click Here. The Live Zoom Link will Activate at 12:45 a.m. MST prior to services

Friday, January 9, 2026

William Clark Shelley

 

 

William Clark Shelley Profile Photo
1940William2025

William Clark Shelley

July 23, 1940 — December 25, 2025

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William Clark Shelley, or Clark was born July 23, 1940 to Elmer J. and Rega Clark Shelley in Mountainville, Utah. He was the second of ten children. The first of three boys and brother to seven sisters. Clark spent his early years working the farm with dad. When he turned nineteen he joined the United States military serving in the Army as Marksman. His hard work and service earned him two Good Conduct Medals as a Sharpshooter as well as from the National Defense Service. He was honorably discharged in April 1967.

Clark earned an associate degree from Snow College and began work in Salt Lake as a RV mechanic repair technician. He later married Vivian Kathleen Bawden in the Manti Utah Temple and became a step-father to her two children Bryan and Maria.

After retirement Clark moved back to live in the home he grew up in and became dedicated to family history work. He provided thousands of names to family members and the Church for Temple work. He also taught community members around him how to research their own family history and prepare names for the Temple.

Clark has always had a gentle and generous heart. In addition to family history, in the last years of his life Clark developed a love of sewing. His first attempts were rough but before long he was

quickly completing hundreds of chair cushions, eyeglass cases, and quilts. His creations were quietly and lovingly donated to those in need.

Clark loved his family. He would write in his journal about the gratitude and joy he felt spending time with them. While he and Kathy were not blessed with additional children, we are grateful for the promises of continued and eternal families in the eternities. He passed away quietly in his home December 25, 2025.

He is survived by his siblings: Veone Ontiveros (Limhi), Linda Davis, Patricia Bills (David, Susan Allred (Phillip), Douglas Shelley (Julie, Leslie Arnoldson, and Sara Johansen and stepson Bryan Christensen.

He was preceded in death by his wife Kathy and step daughter Maria Christensen. As well as parents Elmer and Rega, brother Darrell, sister Colleen Robinson and brother-in-laws, John Davis, Gary Arnoldson and Tommy Johansen.

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Sarah Rene Johansen

 

 

Sara Rene Johansen

August 23, 1956 — December 31, 2025

Chester Tooele

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Sara Renee Johansen (Shelley) was born August 23, 1956 to Elmer J. and Rega Clark Shelley in Mount Pleasant, Utah. She was the seventh of ten children; sister to three boys and six girls.

Sara grew up in Mountainville Utah where she enjoyed the family farm. She graduated high school and met John Christensen where she later gave birth to her son Brad. She later Married Kenneth (Ken) Mitchell and birthed two additional children Rebekah and Erin. In 1991, she Married Tommy (Tom) Johansen and gained two additional step daughters Jackie and Michelle.

Early in her marriage, Tommy had a heart attack while on a family camping trip. It was later discovered he had health problems resulting from his service in Vietnam. She then became a full time Mother and caretaker. Tommy passed away in 2013.

Sara met Lance Moore in 2016 and they quickly became inseparable. While not married it was clear they loved and took care of one another.

Sara loved being a full-time homemaker as she had a passion for sewing, baking and candy making. She crafted blankets, quilts, teddy bears, clothing, and more for family, friends, and strangers that stopped by. She always had a fresh loaf of bread, or a plate of cookies to share. A home-made dinner was always prepared for her family like clockwork- always by five and never after six.

Sara loved all music genres and singing. Family drives were often slow and singing to music was encouraged. She would call and sing to her children on their Birthday’s almost every year. She loved her children and family.

Sara had a funny way of ending a phone call. It was never a goodbye, only talk to you later, love you; that would carry on for another three or more rounds. Sara loved others easily and had a heart for everyone who crossed her path.

She is survived by her siblings: Veone Ontiveros (Limhi), Linda Davis, Patricia Bills (David), Susan Allred (Phillip), Douglas Shelley (Julie), and Leslie Arnoldson, and children Rebekah Adams (Scott), Erin Bodily (John), and step daughter Michelle Johansen and partner Lance Moore.

She was preceded in death by her husband Tommy, Ex-husband Kenneth Mitchell, son Brad Christensen, and step daughter Jackalyn Johansen. As well as parents Elmer and Rega, brother’s Darrell and William (Clark), sister Colleen Robinson and brother-in-law’s, John Davis, and Gary Arnoldson.