Viola Gunn Capener (Birth – January 11, 1904)

Vila Gunn Capener, age 73, of Malad City, died Dec. 1, 1977 in a Salt Lake City Hospital of a short illness.

She was born Jan. 11, 1904 at Salt Lake City to John F. and Mary Ann Jackson Gunn.

She was married to Llewellyn (Lew) Capener June 11, 1925 in the Salt Lake Temple, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Mr. Capener died Sept. 16, 1964. She attended Granite High School in Salt Lake City.

Being an active member of the LDS Church, she served as a stake drama director, primary secretary, visiting teacher, and stake board member of the Special Interest Group.

She had resided in Utah, Idaho, Kansas, Wyoming, Washington and moved to Malad in 1955; she and her husband opened the Malad Drive In August 1, 1955.

She was a member of the Ladies Literary Club and Oneida County War Mothers.

Surviving are three sons and two daughters; Richard L., Salt Lake City; Gene H., Malad City; Jay H., Parma; Mrs. John (Helen) Batis, Tremonton, Utah; Mrs. J. Reed (Pat) Dowdle, Boise, 31 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

One brother and four sisters; Clifford Gunn, Mrs. Earl (Zelma) Mallory, Mrs. Frank (Alice) Devey, Mrs. Val (Rhoda) Stay, all of Salt Lake City, Utah; Mrs. Hosea (Daisy) Hantz, Fayettsville, Arkansas.

Funeral Service

Funeral service was held December 5 at the Malad Fourth Ward Chapel with Bishop Darrel Swartz officiating.

Family prayer at Benson Funeral Home was offered by J. Reed Dowdle.

At the Chapel, the invocation was given by Lee Dowdle. The congregation joined in singing “I Stand All Amazed”, Dana S. Benson gave the obituary tribute and Tricia Gaye Dowdle rendered a violin solo.

J. Reed Dowdle was speaker with Bishop Swartz giving remarks. Grandchildren of Mrs. Capener then sang “Love At Home.”Susan B. Grover offered the benediction.

Interment was at the Farmington, Utah Cemetery where John Batis gave the dedicatory prayer. Honorary pallbearers were Kurt Dowdle, David R. Dowdle and Jared Dowdle.Pallbearers were Lee R. Dowdle, Larry A. Dowdle, J. Steven Batis, Bart J. Dowdle, Mark A. Dowdle, Daniel L. Capener, Brad J. Capener and Michael R. Capener.

Flowers were cared for under the direction of the Fourth Ward Relief Society, Ladies Literary Club and War Mothers.