Elden Stembridge

Elden F. Stembridge, a kind, gentle man, passed away on April 22, 2017, at home with his loving wife, Nita, and family by his side.

Born September 14, 1927 at home in Oakley, Utah the oldest son of Arthur Gordon and Evalyn Franson Stembridge. His family moved to Peoa when he was 5, where he lived until his death.  He loved living in Peoa. He was in the last draft of World War II.  After returning from military service in the Army he attended Utah State University.  He met Juanita “Nita” Lee Brown at a dance in Coalville where he fell in love.  They were married on September 19, 1949 for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.  Elden was well known for his precision and skill operating heavy equipment and was a member of the Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3. To help support his family he also raised mink and farmed, where his children learned the value of hard work and a job well done. He loved farming, dancing, his family and most of all, his sweetheart Nita. Elden and Nita loved traveling and seeing new places. They were blessed with eight wonderful children. They have 31 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren who he loved and they loved him. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings, including Bishop of the Peoa Ward. Elden served two missions with his sweetheart, The San Diego Mission (Mormon Battalion) and Salt Lake City Inner City Mission.

He is survived by his loving wife, who will miss him dearly, his children; Debra Graybill, Gregg (Denise), Peggy (Rob) Hartman, Kate (Brian) Andreason, Carol (Sheldon) Wilde, Jill Jones, Bart (Martha) and Kurt (Richele), his brothers Vern and Wendell and sister Ione Reese. Preceded in death by his parents, brother Melvin, grandson Mason Stembridge, sons-in-law Marty Graybill, Dave Jones, Gus Houston and Wendell (Shorty) Woolstenhulme.

During his time of illness many family members and friends worked to ensure that Elden could stay comfortably in his home. Nita wishes to express her heart felt gratitude and appreciation to everyone that helped, with a special thanks to their special neighbor, Cindy Schumann.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Peoa LDS Ward Chapel, 1224 W State Rd 32, Oakley, Utah. A viewing for friends and family will be Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Wanship Cemetery under the direction of Crandall Funeral Home, Kamas.