Don E. Chappell

Loa, Utah - Our beloved and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Don Elwood Chappell, age 72, of Loa, passed away August 14, 2015 in Provo with his loving wife of 53 years by his side. He led his family with quiet dignity and was an example of strength and dedication to all who knew him. Don was born December 7, 1942, in Lyman, Utah to Alton Hiett and Relia Mikkelsen Chappell. He grew up in Bicknell helping on the family farm and attending school. His activity in sports, music, and church programs made him a leader and a great friend. He worked and played hard and always had a funny story about herding cows or attending parties. When finished with chores, he could be found fishing, hunting, or building something out of scraps of wood, a carpentry skill he inherited from his father. Don graduated from Wayne High School in 1961 and soon after married his high school sweetheart, Marsha Lynn Taylor, on July 27, 1962 in the Manti LDS Temple. Together they raised four children in a happy home. When he wasn’t working, his time was spent fixing things around the house that “somehow” got broken, building indestructible shelves and garden planters, and beautifying the yard, all the while teaching his children, by example, the satisfaction of hard work. The family loved camping, fishing and taking road trips together. He briefly attended the University of Utah and worked tirelessly to support his growing family before beginning his career as a truck driver. His first job was for CH Dredge, hauling onions and potatoes to various western states. Afterward, he worked for Consolidated Freightways, which took his family from Utah to Cheyenne, Wyoming and Las Vegas, Nevada. He retired after 35+ years of service to the company and winning many driving awards. He was most proud of his “Million Miler” award, earned by driving over four million safe and accident-free miles, an admirable feat considering the harsh winters across Wyoming, Montana, Utah and Colorado. He enjoyed his work, although he lamented being away from his family. The solitude and wide open spaces of driving were a source of comfort and satisfaction. Though his schedule didn’t often allow him to attend church, he traveled with his scriptures. He served where he could with the Boy Scouts on projects and helping those in need. After retiring, Don and Marsha Lynn returned to Loa and Wayne County and spent their days enjoying their lovely home. Anxious to stay busy, his love of the outdoors led him to work for the Forest Service during the summers of 2008 - 2012. He took pride in digging ditches, building signs, repairing trails, and even cleaning restrooms all over Boulder Mountain, Thousand Lake Mountain, and Fish Lake so that others could enjoy visits to the mountains. He was thrilled to be back to his roots and his home. Don is survived by his beloved wife Marsha Lynn of Loa; children: Gerilyn (Thatcher) Cardon, Logandale, Nevada; Terilyn (Kent) Clay, Charlotte, North Carolina; Darrell (LaRinda) Chappell, Vacaville, California; and Jennifer (Matthew) Orton, Renton, Washington; brother Val Gene (Sharla) Chappell, Richfield; Ardis (Norman) Christensen, Escalante; Catherine (Dwight) Mielke, Loa; Rodney Ellett, Bicknell; Roma Taylor, Orem; Maurine (Bob) Winters, Zillah, WA; Janet (Doug) Morrell, Central Valley. He leaves behind 11 grandchildren he loved deeply. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, J.A. Ellett; brothers Keith, George and Nathan Chappell; Gary and Lane Ellett; two grandsons, Eli Parker Cardon and Jaxon Thaine Chappell. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Augusts 22, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. in the Loa LDS Stake Center, where friends may call for viewing Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Saturday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Loa Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.