FUNERAL HONORS STELLA C. HARDY VALLEY PIONEER

Funeral services for Mrs. Stella Smith Colton Hardy, 82, of Vernal, one of Ashley's pioneers, were held Monday at 11 a.m. in Vernal 1st Ward Chapel.

Mrs. Hardy died Friday at 6:30 a.m. at her home following a long illness.

She was born June 6, 1880 in Provo, a daughter of Byron O. and Sarah Smith Colton. She was married to Charles A. Hardy, January 30, 1900 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Mr. and Mrs. Hardy were the owners and operators of the Rest Haven Motel in Vernal for many years.

At the age of four, Mrs. Hardy and her parents moved from Provo to Vernal. She could remember very well coming over the trail through Provo Canyon, Strawberry Valley and Deep Creek.

Upon her arrival in Vernal her father bought the home of Joseph Hardy in Mill Ward, now known as Maeser. The first school she attended was in Old Ashley.

After her marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hardy lived in Mill Ward on Mr. Hardy's father's farm.

Mrs. Hardy was a member of Daughters of Utah Pioneers and served as registrar for 13 years as well as in many other offices. She also was secretary, treasurer and counselor for the Relief Society, Sunday School and YMMIA for many years. She has served for 25 years as a Relief Society teacher.

Mrs. Hardy is survived by her husband and 11 of her 12 children. They are Norwood Hardy, Mrs. Thomas (Edna) McKeachnie and Mrs. Hiram A. (Sarah) Richardson, all of Vernal; Elsworth C. Hardy, Price; Paul D. Hardy, Lapoint; Elmo Hardy and Mrs. Ezra (Beulah) Stewart, Jensen; Blaine C. Hardy, Wapato, Washington; Lawrence A. Hardy, Salt Lake City; Harold Hardy, Layton and Mrs. Israel (Arline) Heaton, Provo.

Also surviving are 37 grandchildren, 46 greatgrandchildren and one great-great-grandchild and a brother, B. O. Colton of Roosevelt.

Funeral services were conducted by Bishop Thomas F. Howells of Vernal 1st Ward. Joseph C. Price offered the prayer at the mortuary, Mrs. Mable Stagg played prelude and postlude music in the chapel. Keith Adams and Mrs. Danna Dee Smith sang "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" accompanied by Mrs. Eloise Adams. Martin W. Curtis offered the invocation.

Karl B. Preece spoke first followed by Mrs. Dorothy Luck singing "The King of Glory" accompanied by Mrs. Margaret Caldwell on the violin and Mrs. Eva Hatch on the piano.

Archie Johnson followed by a sextette singing "Going Home". Singers were LuRae Caldwell, Mrs. Kathleen Wankler, Mrs. Fay Howells, Mrs. Idonna Call and Mrs. Eva Hatch, accompanied by Mrs. Stagg. Harmon S. Sowards offered the benediction.

Pallbearers were Colton McKeachnie, Lyle McKeachnie, Howard Richardson, Marvin Richardson, Kenneth Hardy and Gerald Hardy. Honorary pallbearers were members of Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

Burial was in Vernal Memorial Park Cemetery with the grave dedicated by B. O. Colton, the last living member of the immediate family.

-Vernal Express, May 9, 1963, transcribed by Rhonda Holton

Stella Smith Colton is the daughter of Sarah Maria Smith and Byron Oliver Colton.

She married Charles Allen Hardy.

Children not listed below: Norwood Hardy