New music resounded Jan. 18, 1929, within the Joseph P. and Mary Theodosia Mecham Lewis family in Douglas – the voice of daughter Ethel. She was the ninth of 12 children to perform with the Lewis symphony.

In her teens, Ethel met her older sister Anne's brother-in-law, Elvin M. Lunt. They corresponded throughout his military service in the U.S. Navy (World War II) and a mission to Denmark for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She chanted, "He writes the most beautiful letters!"

Their marriage was solemnized Oct. 6, 1949, in the Mesa Arizona Temple.

Their children, Ethelyn Lunt, Karen (Karl) Johnson, Elvin Mark Lunt, Margaret Elizabeth (Keith) Hansen, Joseph Brent (Julie) Lunt and Gail Denise (J.R.) Thompson, auditioned and were joyfully accepted as a sometimes cacophony directed toward harmony in Duncan.

As choir director or soloist, Ethel shared her talents. She served in the community, including the Women's Club, voting-poll clerk, census taker for the U.S. Agricultural Department, county fair judge (clothing, quilts and handwork).

With her husband, she filled two full-time missions (to Mexico and the Dominican Republic) and several stake missions for the LDS Church. She served in various callings on LDS ward and stake levels, most frequently in Young Women's and Relief Society; directed the pilot program for extraction of Ellis Island records; and fostered Indian Placement Program students as well as maintaining an open door for cousins.

She once said she had lived approximately one and one-half years of her married life with only her biological children. And, of course, she always sang: Bakersfield, Calif., High School trio; duets with Dad; the Ladies Ensemble; the touring Emma Smith Opera.

On Dec. 30, 2008, Ethel auditioned for the Christmas cantata in the eternal realms, where she sings with her parents; six brothers; two sisters; her husband's parents; their five sons and their wives; and other dear friends.

She is survived by her husband; six children; 23 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Martha (Sterling) Newton and Marge (Ray) Harris; and a brother, Charles (Eileen) Lewis; as well as sisters-in-law Barbara (Olas) Lunt, Erma (Irl) Lunt, Beryl (Lucian) Lewis, Adele (James) Lewis, Peggy (Walt) Lewis; plus many nieces and nephews.

Although muted, our musician mother's voice resonates eternally. Her greatest wish, the most commonly repeated refrain, was: "Love each other better." Because she loved education, donations to the LDS Church's Perpetual Education Fund in Ethel's memory would be appropriate.

Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, in the Duncan LDS Stake Center. Ethel was laid to rest in the Virden Cemetery.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Caldwell Funeral Chapel.

Obit: Eastern Arizona Courier, Safford, Arizona.
Posted: Sunday, January 11, 2009.