Dewayne Schmutz

Our Dad, DeWayne Schmutz, passed away Saturday, January 23, 2016, in St. George, UT, at the age of 93. Dad was born January 15, 1923, in St. George, UT, to Marcelle Ervin and Annie Elizabeth Blake Schmutz, the 5th of 6 children. He married our Mom, Shirley Harper Schmutz, on June 1, 1942, in the Logan Temple, Logan, UT.

Dad attended and graduated from primary and secondary schools and Dixie College in St. George. He also ranched with his father and brothers at the family homestead in Tuweap Valley on the Arizona Strip. In 1943, Dad was inducted into the US Army Air Corps and served as a ball turret gunner instructor on a B17, training hundreds soldiers who went abroad to fight during War II. Dad was a general contractor for over 40 years and built houses in Boise, ID, and Salt Lake City, UT. During the folks married life they lived in St. George, UT; Boise, ID; Salt Lake City, UT; San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico; a cabin in the Manti Lasalle Mountains above Fairview, UT; Camp Verde, AZ; and retired to St. George, UT, in 2001. They traveled throughout most of the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska; Canada; Mexico; Bolivia, SA; Africa; and India. During his construction career, Dad also built hotels at Denali National Park and Point Barrow, Alaska. The folks celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at the home of one of their daughters with 5 generations in attendance. On June 1, 2015, they marked 73 years of marriage before Mom passed away August 19, 2015. Dad is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served many capacities, including counselor to two Bishops in Salt Lake City. They also served two church missions: the first to Ghana, Africa; and the second to Madras, India.

Dad is survived by daughter Sue Anne Meeks, daughter and son-in-law Gail and John Ovard, and son and daughter-in-law Brian and Linda Bruce Schmutz; 9 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Elmer Cox; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his eternal companion and wife Shirley, infant son Marc, parents, brothers and sisters, son-in-law Kent Meeks, and 2 great-grandchildren. Our family deeply appreciates and thanks the nurses and staff of IHC Wound Clinic, Red Cliffs Rehab Center, and Intermountain Hospice for their care and support; many of whom have become close friends of our family.

Visitation will be held Saturday, January 30 from 10:00 to 10:45 am at the Cotton Acres LDS Chapel, 2583 E. 350 N. St. George, UT, with memorial services following at 11:00 am. Interment will take place at the St. George City Cemetery with military honors following services. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in DeWayne’s name to Red Cliffs Heath and Rehabilitation, 1745 E. 280 N., St. George, UT, 84790; IHC Foundation for Homecare & Hospice, 2250 S 1300 W, Salt Lake City UT, 84119, or at www.foundationforhomecare.org; or a charity of your choice. Arrangements under the direction of McMillan Mortuary, www.mcmillanmortuary.com.