CYRIL BRUCE RUSSELL

  

Cyril Bruce Russell

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Cyril Bruce Russell passed away on June 14, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. He lived a life defined by hard work, quiet service, steadfast faith, and deep devotion to those he loved.

Bruce was born on July 16, 1942, in Hurricane, Utah, and was the youngest of nine children. He spent his childhood in Mills, Utah, where he developed a strong work ethic and a love for agriculture while helping on the family farm. He often shared stories of growing up without indoor plumbing, riding his beloved horse Sweetie Pie, and embracing the simple joys and responsibilities of rural life. Those early experiences shaped the values of perseverance, humility, and service that guided him throughout his life.

He was the first in his family to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served in London, England and loved to tell the story of coming home on the famed QE2 ocean liner.

He married his beloved sweetheart, Karen Christensen, on September 11, 1964, and together they built a loving family while pursuing opportunities that took them across the western United States and even to Samoa, where Bruce taught school and formed lifelong friendships.

He was profoundly affected by the devastating loss of Karen, who passed away from breast cancer at the age of 46. Following her passing, he stepped up to the challenge of the responsibility of raising 7 children with grace and love.

Later in life, he married Dona Elizabeth Brady on September 5, 2004, excited to start another chapter.

Bruce found joy in spending time with family and serving others. He dedicated his career to teaching math, science, and agriculture, inspiring countless students through both the classroom and the Future Farmers of America program. After retiring, he continued to devote his time to the farm and his faith, serving in the Manti Temple and later, alongside Dona, faithfully fulfilling a mission in Des Moines, Iowa, beginning in 2016.

Bruce will be remembered for his strength, unwavering faith, generous heart, and the lasting influence he had on generations of family and friends. His example of kindness, dedication, and quiet discipleship leaves a legacy that will continue to bless those who knew and loved him.

Bruce was preceded in death by his first wife, Karen Christensen; his parents, Ellis and Estella Russell; his siblings Loral, Lucille, Collins, Zona, Dale, Linda, and Annita; and his stepson, John Brady.

He is survived by his wife, Dona Russell; his children: Nola (David) Graham, Chalyece (Randy) Shelley, Shana (Tony) Blackham, Casey (Connie) Russell, Chantel (Michael) Stauffer, Randon (Jessica) Russell, and Niesha (Zack) Peterson; his stepchildren: Donald (Erin) Brady, and Lily, Galen and Katie Brady; his 24 grandchildren; his 16 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Rayola (Lanis) Alligood.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS meetinghouse located at 49 South State Street, Mt. Pleasant, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will take place following the service at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

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DIXON JOHN FARLEY

 

 

Dixon John Farley

April 23, 2010 — May 5, 2026

Mount Pleasant

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Dixon John (DJ) Farley, of Mount Pleasant, Utah passed away in his family’s arms on May 5, 2026 at Primary Children’s Hospital. He was born April 23, 2010 in Nephi, Utah. Dixon suffered from a severe genetic form of epilepsy starting when he was 4 years old. Dixon always wanted to be a superhero and with the gift of his organs being donated to and gratefully received by others, his life will go on. We hope they are ready to be superheroes too, because Dixon has always been a superhero. From the time he was a toddler, he could pick out people who needed his superhero hugs. He would insist that complete strangers would let him hug them, and you could just watch the stress and worry and anxiety leave their bodies. He gave us that gift up to his final breath. THAT, is a true superhero!

Most people didn’t understand the depth of Dixon’s intelligence and personality. He was a prankster and loved jokes, but he was also a very deep thinker. He didn't just blindly believe what he saw or read — he questioned everything with adults whom he trusted and then formed his own belief system and understanding of life and beyond. Even though Dixon was often bullied, ignored or just misunderstood, he never held a grudge against anyone. He was a living example of turning the other cheek. He enjoyed hanging out with his cousin, Payton Johansen; they were like brothers. He adored his cousin John Wayne Oldroyd and looked forward to spending time with him during school holidays. Dixon was comfortable at home, but he liked spending time camping with his family, hiking and going fast with his dad in the side-by-side and riding and grooming horses with his mom. Being a typical little brother, he delighted in pushing his sister Dannie’s buttons but he knew that she would always have his back. He always had a project to keep the adults in his life busy creating and building things with him. Dixon’s honorary Uncle Colter and Auntie Teasha spent much quality time with him hanging out doing everything from playing video games to ghost hunting in the cemetery after dark.

Dixon’s epilepsy made him think more deeply and respond more slowly than many of his peers. Luckily, his first teacher was “Miss Debbie” at Head Start, who was patient and caring and taught him in a way which he understood and she wasn’t afraid of hugging him. Tara Syme was the only one of Dixon’s teachers in middle school who allowed him to learn at his own pace and she taught him to love history. Dixon finally came into his own in high school. Cami Christensen and her SPED team finally gave Dixon an educational home with expectations, boundaries and the opportunity to learn at the highest level he was capable of. He felt secure in this environment — he made friends, he participated in sports, he was invited to the Preference Dance and was great friends with Boston Toomey, who always treated him as just one of the guys.

Dixon is survived by and will always be cherished by his family: his mother, Sydnie Farley; his father, Seth Farley; his sister, Dannie Farley; and his grandparents, Danny and Marles Oldroyd and Dixon and Beverly Farley. Dixon is also survived by his uncles, Justin Farley and his wife Stacy, Weston Farley and his wife Savannah, and John Oldroyd and his wife Jo; as well as his aunties, Amanda Alejandro and her husband Vic, Donnell Johansen and her husband Ben, and Megan Jessop and her husband Samuel, and a wealth of cousins. During his time in the ICU, Dixon was surrounded by his grandparents and his many aunts, uncles, and cousins from both sides of the family. This outpouring of love, support, and kindness is an ongoing gift to the family.

Memorial Services were held on Saturday, June 6th at 1:00 pm at the Wasatch Academy Music Conservatory (formerly the First Presbyterian Church), which is located at 92 South 100 West in Mount Pleasant, Utah.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please donate to:

Donor Connect at (801) 521.1755 Info@donorconnect.life OR

The Epilepsy Foundation of Utah (801) 332-1000

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

 

 

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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.

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.