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Show —N -N E W S Spanish Fork A6 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2007 Covering what matters most Obituary Erma Powell McKell Erma Powell McKell passed away of age-related causes on Oct. I, at her home in Spanish Fork. She was 87 years old. Erma was born in Payson, on Nov. 2, 1919, to Albert Harris and Dora Daniels Powell. During her years in school, she was the editor of the school yearbdok and, along with her sister, Edith, competed in doubles tennis tournaments. After high school graduation, Erma attended LDS Business School and Brigham Young University. After a four-and-ahalf-year courtship, Erma married her sweetheart, Mark Allen McKell, in the Salt Lake Temple on Jan. 9, 1941. They spent almost 67 years together in a marriage of devotion and love for each other. They have resided in the same home in Spanish Fork for 60 years and raised their three children there. Erma was a caring mother who put her children's needs first. She loved her 12 grandchildren dearly and spent many hours reading to them, playing board games and cooking their favorite foods. Erma always made everyone — children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and friends — feel welcome in her home. She was a peacemaker and never spoke unkind words to anyone. '• Erma worked at the Nebo School District Office and was the personal secretary to : Superintendent Russell N;. Stansfield. Before her marriage, she worked as a secretary at the Utah State Legislature. She was very aqcomplished in her work. ; Erma and her siblings refrained close throughout their lives. One of the events she looked forward to each year was the annual Powell family campout at the KOA campground in Nephi. The Powell grandchildren and great-grandchildren have many precious memories from these campouts. Service in the LDS Church was important to Erma. She served as the ward librarian, in the ward choir, and with the Young Women's program. She was also very supportive of her husband Mark as he served in leadership positions within the church. Erma was a wonderful example to her posterity of living the teachings of the church. Erma is survived by her loving husband, Mark, and her three children: Marilyn (Paul) Moore, Kent (Barbara) McKell and Allen (Wendy) McKell. She is also survivedby 12grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren with four more on the way. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Lois Wilson and Edith Whitney; and her brothers, Lynn Powell and Jack Powell. The family would like to thank Dr. E. William LeRoy for outstanding medical care and concern for our mother. They would also like to thank Marlene Oaks and Krissie Davis from A+ Hospice for their compassionate and professional service. Funeral services will be held on Oct. 6, at the Spanish Fork First Ward Chapel, 310 East Center St., Spanish Fork, at 12:30 p.m. Friends and family may call . on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Walker Mortuary, 187 South Main St., Spanish Fork, and at the church prior to the service from 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Interment will be in the Spanish Fork Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www. walkerfamilymortuary.com Courtesy photo SMILE: Dr. J. Flint Tomlinson and his wife, Crystal, are pictured here with their three children, from left to right, Asher, Camden and Irylan. Tomlinson recently joined Dr. Aaron Cloward's dental practice. Tomlinson joins dental practice Dr. J. Flint Tomlinson has recently been welcomed into the dental practice of Dr. Aaron D. Cloward at 83 West 900 North in Spanish Fork. Dr. Tomlinson spent his early years growing up in the Pleasant Grove and Lindon area, where he graduated from Pleasant Grove High School. Shortly after high school graduation, he served a two-year mission to Detroit, Mich, for his church. Upon returning home from his mission, Flint attended Brigham Young University. At that time he was introduced to Crystal, whom he took immediate interest in, and later married. With Crystal by his side, Flint graduated from BYU with a bachelor's degree in Zoology, and set out to attend the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. While in dental school, Flint served on many planning committees, including the admissions committee for the DMD program. He also helped plan, organize and participated in a pro-bono clinic for the U of L Dental School to help less fortunate patients receive dental services, As a sophomore in dental school, Flint planned and coordinated a week-long dental service mission trip to Gales Pointe, Belize. There he and a team of seven other students supervised by a faculty dentist, provided dental services for small, underserved communities in Belize, and offered dental and medical care for almost 300 patients. Dr. Tomlinson and Crystal have three beautiful children: Camden (age 6), Irylan (age 3) and Asher (9 months). When not spending time with his family, Dr. Tomlinson enjoys dentistry, golf and snowmobiling. The Tomlinson Family currently makes their home in Lindon. Dr. Tomlinson is currently accepting new patients. He is providing comprehensive dental care for all ages, and is available for dental emergencies. "During the floods of '83, we helped out our neighbors," Conner said. "To be there when the community really needed me — that's given me the most joy." For the service minded, the Utah National Guard even offers a "split-option" enlistment program, enabling those who desire to serve an LDS mission and in the military to do both. By law, military service is an eight-year obligation to qualify for incentives, Conner said. But, with what is called the "six by two" option, the soldier is allowed two years of inactive status. "If a young man or woman decides to serve a mission, they are placed in the 'ING' or Inactive Guard during their two years," Conner said. "After they pome back, they resume training with their unit." One quarter of Conner's recruits last year were area high school students. But the Guard is not only for young students. Men and women; ages 17 to 42 may join. SFC Cory Walker enlisted "when Desert Storm hit." "I've just always wanted to be a member of the military," said the Readiness NCO for the 1457th Charlie Company in Spanish Fork. When asked what he would say to someone interested in serving in the Guard, Walker didn't hesitate. "I'd tell them, absolutely, join," said Walker, a Salem resident and father of five. "Right now, the money, the benefits, the career — they're all good." "Since 9/11, things have changed," he said. "It's no longer a 'if but a 'when' you'll be deployed. Anything could happen." But deployment, according to Walker, is not a bad thing. "The benefits outweigh the sacrifice. And most people forget that our principle job is to take care of the state," he said. "We are in a constant state of readiness, not only to go to war, but to assist whoever has need." According to Walker, soldiers from local units went to the storm ravaged Gulf States after Hurricane Katrina to help. National Guard troops were called on to help manage the Salt Lake Olympics in 2002. "Everybody has [deployment] concerns," Conner said. "This is the best trained, best equipped army in the world. That training and equipment help take care of us." In addition, the camaraderie gained through service makes for lasting friendships and irreplaceable experience. "The unique thing about the Guard," he said, "is that during a deployment, the whole unit goes, not just in onesies and twosies. You go together." It is a great opportunity, Conner said, for those interested. From the training to education benefits, the Guard should be an option. For more information about the Utah National Guard, contact SFC Conner at (801) 602-8022. Local recruiter: From GUARD • A l them to experience what I've experienced, plus the military is a good tool for some kids financially, in their education, job training and career path." From field artillery to military intelligence, from engineers to special forces, the Guard has something for everyone, Conner said. The Spanish Fork Arts Council Presents The 3rd Annual Food! Fun! / Parks go to \titow.spari\sN$0.Q and Recreation / Arts Council Tom advertising Spanish Fork units include the 116th Horizontal Engineer Company, 1457th Combat Engineer Charlie Company and the currently deployed 145th Field Artillery Charlie Battery. Another local unit, the 624th Vertical, is based in Springville. Reasons for enlistment vary, depending upon the individual, he said. Some join for the education benefits, others for the bonus money. "There's quite a mix," he said. One of the reasons Conner enlisted as a young high school student was for job training. Today, there are myriad incentives to join the National Guard. According to Conner, the Guard offers enlistment bonuses, based on what job the soldier has. With certain jobs or Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) in high demand, the bonus can often times be substantial. Education is another incentive. In addition to the traditional GI Bill, which helps pay for school, the Utah National Guard offers state and federal tuition assistance, student loan repayment programs and other aid. Often overlooked among the more "flashy" incentives is service — service to country and to community. According to Conner, members of the Utah National Guard deploy not only to serve in faraway places like Iraq, but more often are called upon to assist at home during times of' crisis — or even to just help out in the community. N E W S ip Always local Fork |