Obituaries

Dominick Divino

MAGNA — Dominick Divino, 85, died Dec. 5, 2010 after a long decline with Alzheimer’s disease.

Divino was born in Garfield, Utah on Feb. 20, 1925, and grew up in Centerville. He served in the Army in Germany and was awarded the Purple Heart. He married Angie Alberico in 1946, and they raised their family in Magna. He worked as a track foreman for Kennecott Copper until his retirement.

He was known for his quick, sincere smile and loving willingness to help others. It seems that everyone in Magna knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife Angie Divino; daughter Cindy (Dan) Divino; son Ron (Kelli) Divino; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and sister Mary Affleck.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal was in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Sister Mary Rose Cunningham

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Holy Cross Sister Mary Rose (Mary Catherine) Cunningham, 90, died Dec. 3, 2010.

Sr. Mary Rose was born May 20, 1920, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Matthew J. Cunningham and Ann O’Gorman Cunningham. Before entering the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1942, Sister was a social worker. After she entered the congregation, she was sent out on mission to teach at Sacred Heart Academy in Ogden from 1943-1945. She taught at Saint Mary of the Wasatch in Salt Lake City from 1960-1963 and Judge Memorial Catholic High School in Salt Lake City from 1985-1987.

Sr. Mary Rose retired in 2006, to return to Saint Mary’s Convent in Notre Dame, and was active in the ministry of prayer until her death.

She is survived by her niece Virginia Cunningham; two nephews Timothy and Thomas Cunningham; and many friends.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary’s in Notre Dame, Ind.

Jerry John Brandon

KAYSVILLE - Jerry John Brandon, 75, died Dec. 10, 2010, following a valiant battle with kidney failure.

Brandon was born on Feb. 23, 1935, to Harold and Selma Brandon in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. He was known to his family as a "gentle giant." On Feb. 20, 1956, he married Venena Janet Daniels Wells in New Westminster, B.C., Canada.

He served in the Marines as a corporal and was stationed on the USS Yorktown. After 39 years of service, he retired from Hill Air Force Base and worked 15 years on the grounds at Oakridge Country Club.

Some of his hobbies were golfing, hunting, camping, woodwork, dancing and bowling. He was also involved in the Knights of Columbus and he was a lector for his parish.

He is survived by his wife, Venena of Kaysville; four sons Jerrywayne (Christine) Brandon, South Weber, Harold (Pam) Brandon, Ogden, Dennis (Kim) Brandon, Roy and David (Nicole) Brandon, Clinton; daughter Tracey (Chris) Patrick, Arkansas; two sisters Veone Tomlinson and Lula Christiansen; several nieces and nephews; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A celebration of his life was held at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary. Cremation was under the direction of Lindquist Mortuary.

George W. Roper

SALT LAKE CITY — George W. Roper, 92, died from natural causes Dec. 1, 2010.

Roper was born Feb. 11, 1918, in Salt Lake City to Alice Curley Roper and William C. Roper. He had a hard-working, adventurous spirit, with a lifelong passion for cars and airplanes. He began working at a young age, and had his first car at 15 years old. He bought his first airplane at age 19, and a second one at age 21. He was drafted a year prior to World War II and became a tech sergeant in the Army Air Corps serving several years. He worked as a mechanic for Willy Intermountain Jeep for nine years, Hayes Bros. Buick for 30 years as a service manager, Carlson Cadillac for 12 years as a chauffeur and retired at age 82. He lived a long and independent life and will be missed.

He is survived by his six children Cathie (Pete) Mildrum, Steve Roper, Mary (Perry) Clausen, Anna (Mick) Florin, Peggy Clark (Jim) Holmes, Chris (Jim) Bernini; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church. Committal was in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Vivian Rae Garcia

MIDVALE — Vivian Rae Garcia, 56, died Dec. 3, 2010.

Garcia was born Dec. 18, 1954, to Raymond and Virginia Garcia in Salt Lake City. She graduated from South High School and was a member of the social arts and Spanish clubs. She taught kindergarten for more than 30 years at the Neighborhood House and made a difference in each of the children’s lives. She retired six years ago due to an illness.

She married Marcelo G. Garcia on Dec. 24, 2004, and adopted his two sons, giving her the children she always wanted. After the death of her brother, Michael, she opened her arms and home to her niece Michael Sophia, who loved her aunt.

She is survived by her husband Marcelo; children Marcelo Jr. and Antonio; sisters Anna (Lance) Reyes and Delores (Juan) Domingues; nieces and nephews and 14 great-nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. Committal was in Redwood Memorial Cemetery.

Chet Leonard

SALT LAKE CITY — Chet Leonard, 83, died Dec. 4, 2010.

Leonard was born March 13, 1927, in Parsons, Kan., to Lawrence Siverd Leonard and Virginia Mae Louderback Leonard. He served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, he graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. This began a long and distinguished career in the design and construction of complex projects. He was a nationally recognized and respected expert in construction management and claims analysis. He was a lifelong member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and his work has touched millions of people’s lives.

He married LaVerne Mary Serbousek on April 6, 1951, in Yuma, Ariz., and they were looking forward to celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.

He is survived by his wife, LaVern Mary; sons Geoff (Kris) and John (Delene); grandchildren Megan, Katie, Michael, Kevin, Rachel and Sean.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Interment was in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery.