Von Atwood

St. George, UT – Von Reed Atwood, age 88, of Santa Clara, UT passed peacefully from this mortal existence on February 11, 2020 after a courageous battle with several illnesses.  His body could no longer measure up to his fighting spirit.  He was born on March 16, 1931 in Elmo, Emery County, Utah to Soren Edward Atwood and Rachel Pearl Cramer.  He married Juanita Joy Winder on April 10, 1954 in Elmo, Utah.  Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 15, 1960.

Von was a hard worker from his youth, doing whatever he could to support and provide for his family.  He worked as a maintenance man, school custodian, gardener, mill worker, and, in his youth, helping on his father’s farm in Emery County.   Most of his adult life was spent in the Taylorsville-Bennion area and in Moab, UT.  Von and Juanita moved from Moab to the St. George area (Washington City) in 2000 once their children were raised.

He loved outdoor activities and the family has many fond memories of fishing trips to Deer Creek and Scofield Reservoirs and deer hunting outings on the La Sal Mountains near Moab.  After his children were grown, he was able to enjoy travelling around the country with his beloved companion.  In his history he makes special note of the Church History sites, especially the Sacred Grove near Palmyra, NY.

Von was fiercely loyal to God, Country and Family.  He would never pass up a chance to bear his testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he taught his family to have a profound love and respect for sacred things.  He served his country during the Korean War, spending over a year and a half in Liverpool, England.  He rose to the rank of Sergeant in the US Air Force.  He fought valiantly to stay alive as long as he could to ease the burdens of his sweetheart, Juanita.

Von was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, son Clay Reed (Jo Ellen Harris) Atwood, sons-in-law Roland Phillips and Steven Spring, granddaughter Izora "Zoey" Kay Wallberg, grandson Shawn Spring, and grandson-in-law Michael Joseph Everett.

He is survived by his beloved companion Juanita Joy Winder and nine of his ten children, including:  Jeff Von Atwood (Barbara), Kathyrn Sue Spring, Janice Pearl Wagoner (Kim), Diane Joy Niepraschk (Frank), Lynn Edward Atwood (Deanne), Karen Roxie Phillips (Roy), Troy Wallace Atwood (Pam), Colleen Marie McGann (Matt) and Kayla Mae Jaburek (David).

Their posterity includes grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.  It has become a challenge to find a venue large enough to accommodate the family for Reunions.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 2:00 pm at the Santa Clara Cemetery, 3780 Windmill Dr., Santa Clara, Utah 84765.

The family expresses gratitude to the medical personnel and caretakers that have taken care of our Husband/Father/Grandfather.  Given his feisty nature, he probably gave many of you a hard time.