Funeral Held For Jos. L. Braithwaite
(From The Ephraim Enterprise)
Funeral services were held in the South Ward chapel Monday afternoon for Joseph L. Braithwaite who died at Ogden June 1, his 78th birthday anniversary, of causes incident to age. He suffered a partial stroke 7 months ago and never fully recovered.
Mr. Braithwaite was born at Manti, June 1, 1872, a son of George and Sara Johnston Braithwaite. He spent his early life in Manti and on June 22, 1898, married Caroline Willardsen of Ephraim in the Manti temple. She died in Ephraim, May 15, 1934. He engaged in farming and stock raising in Ephraim and in later years had spent much time with sons and daughters in other parts of Utah and in Idaho. He also served as a fieldman for the Ephraim Sanitory Canning Company, predecessor to the Hunt Foods plant at Ephraim. He was a high priest in the Ephraim South Ward at time of death.
Survivors include four sons and daughters, Verlan J. Braithwaite, Escalante; Mrs. William (Elva) Siler, Hayden Lake, Idaho; G. Earl Braithwaite and Mrs. Daryl (Edna) Smith, Ogden; ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and the following brothers and sisters: Charles and Ernest Braithwaite, Manti; Mrs. John DeYoung Jr., Ogden; Mrs. Alfred Farnsworth, Jerome, Idaho.
The funeral was conducted by Bishop Verland M. Beck and the music was directed by Mrs. Elda Mortenson with Mrs. Thelmas Sudweeks as accompanist. Prayers were by Wm. G. Barton and James L. Willardsen. Special music included a vocal solo, "Prayer Perfect,' by Melba K. Armstrong accompanied by Phyllis R. Armstrong; a violin solo by Mrs. Pearl W. Mansfield accompanied by Mrs. Kathryn P. Welling, and a vocal solo, "Face to Face," by Maurice Nielson, accompanied by Eldon Frost.
P.D. Jensen, former South ward bishop, was the first speaker, a request by Mr. Braithwaite before his death. He had also been a speaker at Mrs. Braithwaite's funeral 16 years ago, he said. Mr Jensen pointed out how bother Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite had been born of pioneer parents and had been wonderful parents, making a lovely home in which they reared a family to honor their names. He told how Edna, while organist for the South Ward Sunday School, had never missed a Sunday but was always in her place. He said Mr. Braithwaite's life had been such that the Master would term him a profitable servant, always will to do just a little more than required of him.
T. L. Thomson, also a former South Ward bishop, said twice before he had spoken at funerals for this family. He said a bright spot in his life had been his associations with Mr. Braithwaite in the elders quorum when Mr. Braithwaite was the president. He had been a kind friend and neighbor. Mr. Thomson also told of having been associated with the Braithwaite children at school and said the corner stone for eternal success is a successful home and family.
Mr. Thomson read a poem which had been written by Edna on Father's Day, 1941, as a tribute to her father and said Mr. Braithwaite merited every word of it. He referred to Mr. Braithwaite's priesthood and said it is a gift which goes with him into eternity.
Mr. Braithwaite had a firm belief in the mission of Jesus Christ, the speaker said, and had evidenced it by his faithful tithe paying and his living in accordance with the laws of the Master.
In his closing remarks Bishop Beck said it had been a pleasure to have known Mr. Braithwaite and to have him as a fellow member of the ward temple club.
Burial was in the Park cemetery where the grave was dedicated by Charles Braithwaite of Manti.

Manti Messenger newspaper, Manti, Utah Friday, June 9, 1950