John Ballard Hafen
Dec 10, 1921 - Sep 22, 2013
Santa Clara, UT-- John Ballard Hafen, 92, greeted his wife on her birthday September 22, 2013. Dad was born December 10, 1921 to John Hafen and Ida F. Gubler. He married Grace Arvena Graf on May 1, 1943.
Dad attended grade school in Santa Clara, just across the street from the home where he was born, and Dixie High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Air force, before Pearl Harbor, in 1941. After primary and secondary flight training, he graduated from Dixie College in Science with his private pilot's license. Dad went to California to become a flight instructor. Out of 30 pilots training, he was one of 5 recommended for reconnaissance training. He had orders to fly to England and the war ended. His military experience included ball turret gunner on a B17. After smaller guys complained of being claustrophobic he volunteered.
As a young pilot he took Myrla, Geraldine (sisters) and Arvena for their first airplane ride, they were all scared to death of heights. It became a fun, frequently repeated family story. While flying over the red mountain (his assigned area for acrobatics) the engine killed and he had to make the decision of landing in a field in Ivins or make it back to the airport. The fields had too many fences and he just barely made it back to the airport. The flight instructor was upset and said "Hafen you have 20 more minutes." After seeing that all the exhaust stacks on the cylinders had fallen off, he apologized and said he was lucky to have made it back.
After marrying mother, he was discharged from the service to help his father with the farm and cattle operation. Also at this time dad started working as a brick mason. Dad worked on all the early hotels in Las Vegas; a hot, dusty, and windy job. He was foreman for a crew of 20 bricklayers and later formed his own business, Hafen Masonry. This resulted in many homes and buildings being built in Washington County.
The standard for honesty and integrity was set very high by dad. In his almost 50 years as justice of the peace for Santa Clara he was known for his fairness and impartiality. Court was held in the dining room of the family home before the first City Offices were built.
Dad is part of a never to be repeated generation, close to the earth; their God and old fashion values seldom seen in the world today. Old shoes, worn Levis, and old dusty pickup trucks will do just fine, even though there is plenty of money for everything to be new. Dad was a very generous man, a real asset to his community, his church and above all a loved husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his son, Steven (Kathy) of St. George; grandchildren, Nenett Franz, Keri Jo Taylor, Steven Bret Hafen, Tyler Jon Hafen and Jason Hafen and great-grandchildren, J.C. and Cassi Franz, Bouldon Taylor, and Paige, Camren and Lilly Hafen all of Maryland; and a sister Geraldine Sterling of Leeds, UT. He is preceded in death by his wife, Grace Arvena and granddaughter, Cristi Hafen.
Funeral services will be Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the Santa Clara 1st Ward Chapel, 3040 W. Santa Clara Dr., Santa Clara, UT. There will be a viewing Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George and also Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the chapel. Interment will take place in the Santa Clara Cemetery.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign his guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.
Ballard Hafen
Funeral Services: Thursday, Sept. 26, at 11:00 a.m. at the Santa Clara LDS Chapel, Santa Clara, UT.
1st Visitation: Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff, St. George, UT.
2nd Visitation: Thursday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the chapel.
Interment: Santa Clara City Cemetery
Dec 10, 1921 - Sep 22, 2013
Santa Clara, UT-- John Ballard Hafen, 92, greeted his wife on her birthday September 22, 2013. Dad was born December 10, 1921 to John Hafen and Ida F. Gubler. He married Grace Arvena Graf on May 1, 1943.
Dad attended grade school in Santa Clara, just across the street from the home where he was born, and Dixie High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Air force, before Pearl Harbor, in 1941. After primary and secondary flight training, he graduated from Dixie College in Science with his private pilot's license. Dad went to California to become a flight instructor. Out of 30 pilots training, he was one of 5 recommended for reconnaissance training. He had orders to fly to England and the war ended. His military experience included ball turret gunner on a B17. After smaller guys complained of being claustrophobic he volunteered.
As a young pilot he took Myrla, Geraldine (sisters) and Arvena for their first airplane ride, they were all scared to death of heights. It became a fun, frequently repeated family story. While flying over the red mountain (his assigned area for acrobatics) the engine killed and he had to make the decision of landing in a field in Ivins or make it back to the airport. The fields had too many fences and he just barely made it back to the airport. The flight instructor was upset and said "Hafen you have 20 more minutes." After seeing that all the exhaust stacks on the cylinders had fallen off, he apologized and said he was lucky to have made it back.
After marrying mother, he was discharged from the service to help his father with the farm and cattle operation. Also at this time dad started working as a brick mason. Dad worked on all the early hotels in Las Vegas; a hot, dusty, and windy job. He was foreman for a crew of 20 bricklayers and later formed his own business, Hafen Masonry. This resulted in many homes and buildings being built in Washington County.
The standard for honesty and integrity was set very high by dad. In his almost 50 years as justice of the peace for Santa Clara he was known for his fairness and impartiality. Court was held in the dining room of the family home before the first City Offices were built.
Dad is part of a never to be repeated generation, close to the earth; their God and old fashion values seldom seen in the world today. Old shoes, worn Levis, and old dusty pickup trucks will do just fine, even though there is plenty of money for everything to be new. Dad was a very generous man, a real asset to his community, his church and above all a loved husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his son, Steven (Kathy) of St. George; grandchildren, Nenett Franz, Keri Jo Taylor, Steven Bret Hafen, Tyler Jon Hafen and Jason Hafen and great-grandchildren, J.C. and Cassi Franz, Bouldon Taylor, and Paige, Camren and Lilly Hafen all of Maryland; and a sister Geraldine Sterling of Leeds, UT. He is preceded in death by his wife, Grace Arvena and granddaughter, Cristi Hafen.
Funeral services will be Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the Santa Clara 1st Ward Chapel, 3040 W. Santa Clara Dr., Santa Clara, UT. There will be a viewing Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George and also Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the chapel. Interment will take place in the Santa Clara Cemetery.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign his guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.
Ballard Hafen
Funeral Services: Thursday, Sept. 26, at 11:00 a.m. at the Santa Clara LDS Chapel, Santa Clara, UT.
1st Visitation: Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff, St. George, UT.
2nd Visitation: Thursday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the chapel.
Interment: Santa Clara City Cemetery
John Ballard Hafen
Dec 10, 1921 - Sep 22, 2013
Santa Clara, UT-- John Ballard Hafen, 92, greeted his wife on her birthday September 22, 2013. Dad was born December 10, 1921 to John Hafen and Ida F. Gubler. He married Grace Arvena Graf on May 1, 1943.
Dad attended grade school in Santa Clara, just across the street from the home where he was born, and Dixie High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Air force, before Pearl Harbor, in 1941. After primary and secondary flight training, he graduated from Dixie College in Science with his private pilot's license. Dad went to California to become a flight instructor. Out of 30 pilots training, he was one of 5 recommended for reconnaissance training. He had orders to fly to England and the war ended. His military experience included ball turret gunner on a B17. After smaller guys complained of being claustrophobic he volunteered.
As a young pilot he took Myrla, Geraldine (sisters) and Arvena for their first airplane ride, they were all scared to death of heights. It became a fun, frequently repeated family story. While flying over the red mountain (his assigned area for acrobatics) the engine killed and he had to make the decision of landing in a field in Ivins or make it back to the airport. The fields had too many fences and he just barely made it back to the airport. The flight instructor was upset and said "Hafen you have 20 more minutes." After seeing that all the exhaust stacks on the cylinders had fallen off, he apologized and said he was lucky to have made it back.
After marrying mother, he was discharged from the service to help his father with the farm and cattle operation. Also at this time dad started working as a brick mason. Dad worked on all the early hotels in Las Vegas; a hot, dusty, and windy job. He was foreman for a crew of 20 bricklayers and later formed his own business, Hafen Masonry. This resulted in many homes and buildings being built in Washington County.
The standard for honesty and integrity was set very high by dad. In his almost 50 years as justice of the peace for Santa Clara he was known for his fairness and impartiality. Court was held in the dining room of the family home before the first City Offices were built.
Dad is part of a never to be repeated generation, close to the earth; their God and old fashion values seldom seen in the world today. Old shoes, worn Levis, and old dusty pickup trucks will do just fine, even though there is plenty of money for everything to be new. Dad was a very generous man, a real asset to his community, his church and above all a loved husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his son, Steven (Kathy) of St. George; grandchildren, Nenett Franz, Keri Jo Taylor, Steven Bret Hafen, Tyler Jon Hafen and Jason Hafen and great-grandchildren, J.C. and Cassi Franz, Bouldon Taylor, and Paige, Camren and Lilly Hafen all of Maryland; and a sister Geraldine Sterling of Leeds, UT. He is preceded in death by his wife, Grace Arvena and granddaughter, Cristi Hafen.
Funeral services will be Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the Santa Clara 1st Ward Chapel, 3040 W. Santa Clara Dr., Santa Clara, UT. There will be a viewing Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George and also Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the chapel. Interment will take place in the Santa Clara Cemetery.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign his guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.
Ballard Hafen
Funeral Services: Thursday, Sept. 26, at 11:00 a.m. at the Santa Clara LDS Chapel, Santa Clara, UT.
1st Visitation: Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff, St. George, UT.
2nd Visitation: Thursday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the chapel.
Interment: Santa Clara City Cemetery
Dec 10, 1921 - Sep 22, 2013
Santa Clara, UT-- John Ballard Hafen, 92, greeted his wife on her birthday September 22, 2013. Dad was born December 10, 1921 to John Hafen and Ida F. Gubler. He married Grace Arvena Graf on May 1, 1943.
Dad attended grade school in Santa Clara, just across the street from the home where he was born, and Dixie High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Air force, before Pearl Harbor, in 1941. After primary and secondary flight training, he graduated from Dixie College in Science with his private pilot's license. Dad went to California to become a flight instructor. Out of 30 pilots training, he was one of 5 recommended for reconnaissance training. He had orders to fly to England and the war ended. His military experience included ball turret gunner on a B17. After smaller guys complained of being claustrophobic he volunteered.
As a young pilot he took Myrla, Geraldine (sisters) and Arvena for their first airplane ride, they were all scared to death of heights. It became a fun, frequently repeated family story. While flying over the red mountain (his assigned area for acrobatics) the engine killed and he had to make the decision of landing in a field in Ivins or make it back to the airport. The fields had too many fences and he just barely made it back to the airport. The flight instructor was upset and said "Hafen you have 20 more minutes." After seeing that all the exhaust stacks on the cylinders had fallen off, he apologized and said he was lucky to have made it back.
After marrying mother, he was discharged from the service to help his father with the farm and cattle operation. Also at this time dad started working as a brick mason. Dad worked on all the early hotels in Las Vegas; a hot, dusty, and windy job. He was foreman for a crew of 20 bricklayers and later formed his own business, Hafen Masonry. This resulted in many homes and buildings being built in Washington County.
The standard for honesty and integrity was set very high by dad. In his almost 50 years as justice of the peace for Santa Clara he was known for his fairness and impartiality. Court was held in the dining room of the family home before the first City Offices were built.
Dad is part of a never to be repeated generation, close to the earth; their God and old fashion values seldom seen in the world today. Old shoes, worn Levis, and old dusty pickup trucks will do just fine, even though there is plenty of money for everything to be new. Dad was a very generous man, a real asset to his community, his church and above all a loved husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his son, Steven (Kathy) of St. George; grandchildren, Nenett Franz, Keri Jo Taylor, Steven Bret Hafen, Tyler Jon Hafen and Jason Hafen and great-grandchildren, J.C. and Cassi Franz, Bouldon Taylor, and Paige, Camren and Lilly Hafen all of Maryland; and a sister Geraldine Sterling of Leeds, UT. He is preceded in death by his wife, Grace Arvena and granddaughter, Cristi Hafen.
Funeral services will be Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the Santa Clara 1st Ward Chapel, 3040 W. Santa Clara Dr., Santa Clara, UT. There will be a viewing Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George and also Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the chapel. Interment will take place in the Santa Clara Cemetery.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign his guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.
Ballard Hafen
Funeral Services: Thursday, Sept. 26, at 11:00 a.m. at the Santa Clara LDS Chapel, Santa Clara, UT.
1st Visitation: Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff, St. George, UT.
2nd Visitation: Thursday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the chapel.
Interment: Santa Clara City Cemetery
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