Aged Pioneer Mother Passes Away Tuesday. Mrs. Sarah Coltharp, Early Pioneer and Wife of Valley's Most Prominent Merchant, Dies Tuesday.

The death of Sarah Jane Merkley Coltharp, one of the earlier pioneers of the Ashley Valley and widow of the late William P. Coltharp, occurred on Tuesday at 9 a.m., at a local hospital, where she was taken on Monday for treatment for tumor.

The deceased was born August 24,1861 at Salt Lake City, the daughter of Nelson and Sarah Jane Sanders Merkley. She came to the Ashley Valley in 1881, two years after her brothers and one year previous to her parents.

On February 26, 1884 she married Mr. Coltharp at Vernal. They moved to Rangely, Colorado, shortly afterward, where Mr. Coltharp engaged in the mercantile business. He later became one of the leading merchants.

Their home in Vernal was one of the most pretentious of the early day residences. Mr. Coltharp died in January 1905.

For the last few years Mrs. Coltharp has been a semi-invalid, getting around on crutches because of an attack of rhematism, which left her a cripple.

The deceased is survived by one son, William Horace Coltharp, well-known stockman of Vernal; and one daugher, Mrs. Ella Preas, also of Vernal but visiting in California at the time of the death. Four brothers and one sister also survive. George D. Merkley and William Merkley, both of Vernal; Christopher E. Merkley, Duchesne; Henry Merkley of Jensen and Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, Wellington, Utah.

At the request of the deceased, funeral services were held in the Coltharp home, with Reverend W. T. Howes, rector of the Episcopal Church at Randlett, officiating.

Music was furnished by a special ladies quartet, consisting of Mrs. Leo C. Thorpe, Mrs. J. M. Francke and Mrs. Mae Jorgensen. The first number was "Jesus Lover of My Soul," with solo part by Mrs. Jorgensen. At the request of the deceased, Mrs. Jorgensen sang "Face to Face," a number she sang twenty years ago at the funeral of Mrs. Coltharpe's son, Hugh. The closing number was "Abide With Me." Mrs. B. H. Stringham was accompanist.

Interment was in the Vernal Memorial Park under the direction of the Swain Funeral Home.

-Vernal Express, March 18, 1937, transcribed by Rhonda Holton