Brent Hughes

 

Brent Nelson Hughes passed away at his home in South Ogden, Utah, on May 31, 2026, due to incidence of age and multiple health problems, with his faithful dog Marley by his side.

Brent was born November 28, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, to Glen Hughes and Afton Hayes Hughes. He graduated from Bountiful High in 1965 and later graduated with a BS from the University of Utah. Prior to graduating, Brent proudly served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sydney, Australia.

Brent married Joyce Eaquinta in 1968, they later divorced. Brent and Joyce are the parents of four children: Stephanie, Steven, Douglas and Jacquelyn.  Brent married Merilee Stewart in 1990 with whom he spent his final 36 years. He was a supportive stepfather to Merilee’s daughter, Jennifer.

Brent is a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spent many years serving in the scouting program. Most of Brent’s professional life was spent working for the State of Utah with the Office of Recovery Services (ORS) from where he retired after 30 years of service. At ORS, Brent made many friends with whom he maintained contact following his retirement. In retirement he filled his days supporting grandkids, reading, and following his favorite sports teams, the Utes and Cougars, attending many games with his family.

As a voracious reader, Brent leaves behind a collection of over 2,000 books (meticulously catalogued), the majority of which were related to military history and specifically World War II. His knowledge of military and LDS Church history is legendary among his family and friends.

Brent loved animals, and along with Merilee, rescued many animals over the years providing them with a loving and comfortable home. Brent had a special bond with his little Dash. He and Merilee also provided Christmas for many families over the years, annually supporting Angel Tree and Sub-For-Santa.

Brent is preceded in death by his parents, former wife Joyce Hughes, and a sister-in-law Sue Hughes. He is survived by brother Michael Hughes, wife Merilee, children Stephanie (Clark) Livsey, Steven Hughes, Douglas Hughes, and Jackie (Nairn) Higginson; step-daughter Jennifer Iles; grandchildren Brooks Livsey, Spencer Livsey, Rhett (Joella) Hughes, Mailee Hughes, Olivia Hughes, Sage Carrington and Carson Carrington; great-grandchild Ryker; step-daughter Jennifer’s children Alex Iles, Burton Iles, and Ronin Iles.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 9:30-10:30 AM at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah, followed by a graveside service at Bountiful City Cemetery, 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, Utah, at 11:00 AM.

Mike Edgar

                                                            

 

Michael Don Edgar

October 7, 1946 — May 15, 2026

Michael Don Edgar was born October 7, 1946, in Manhattan, New York. When he was a toddler, he and his mother (Miriam Edgar) relocated to Utah to live with family. They lived in Salt Lake City until Mike was in junior high, then settled in the Bountiful area.

After graduating from Bountiful High School, he enlisted in the Navy and served four years, which included three tours of active duty in Vietnam. Mike met the love of his life in the summer of 1974 (Jinnie Tuttle), and they married in December of that year. They lived in West Bountiful and raised their two children there where they had many great memories.

Mike worked as a purchasing manager in the steel industry for 18 years, then in the ski lift industry. He was a hard worker and made lifelong friends everywhere he worked. Mike enjoyed waterfowl hunting which later turned into wildlife photography. He loved baseball, playing every day in his younger years, then following his favorite teams throughout his life. He loved riding his dirt bike and later ATV’s. He spent many Saturdays in the desert riding with his son Kelly and going on camping trips and day trips with the family where they rode many miles together. Later he loved going to desert races which Kelly and his grandson Kole competed in.

He was an avid reader, he loved studying the history of WWII and reading detective novels. He loved poking around in the desert looking for rocks, which started in his early years as his mom would take him to the middle of nowhere to find treasures like geodes and topaz, and any other types of gems they could find.

His greatest joy was when he became a grandpa. He loved going to volleyball games and tournaments for his granddaughters and to the dirt bike races at the track and in the desert.  His grandkids were the light of his life. He made sure they would have a decent car when they started driving, giving them one of his own cars, which was a good excuse to go buy another one! He loved cars, especially his ‘71 Chevy Nova and his Chevy pick-up.

The hardest thing in his life was helping in the care of his daughter Bobbie, when she suffered a 3-year battle with breast cancer. He was by her side every day, taking her to treatments and doctor appointments, and spending days in the hospital with her. They were best friends and formed an unbreakable bond. When she died, a piece of him died too. As his health declined, he looked forward to the happy reunion they would have.

Mike is survived by his wife, Jinnie, son Kelly (Jennifer), children Taylor (Charles) Francey, Matthew and Kole, and great-grandson Matthew III. Son-in-law Robert Bennett, children Autumn, Brooke and Bailey. Preceded in death by mother, Miriam Edgar, and daughter, Barbara “Bobbie” Bennett.

The family would like to thank the University of Utah staff, and Huntsman Hospital Comfort Care, and hospice teams for their amazing help in treating Mike, and the respect and dignity in which they cared for him.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, May 22, 2026, at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, where a viewing will be held from 9:00 - 9:45 AM prior to services.  Interment - Bountiful City Cemetery.

Nellie Edwards

 
Alice Ekker

Well Ma, you left the party way too soon. On September 12, 2025, the old girl crossed over. Alice Janell Edwards was born April 30, 1947, in Meadow, Utah, to Gerald and Luella Edwards. Growing up with her siblings Larry, Mont, Deaner, and Jery Lou, there was no shortage of family, fun, and friends — raising hell and havoc at every turn, testing the boundaries of small‑town religion and the patience of her folks. Mom enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, and spending time with her family and friends.

In January 1965 she was bestowed the title of Ma when she got her beautiful, bouncy baby boy, Shawn Patrick O’Brien. Living in Salt Lake City and working at Beneficial Life as a single mom, she wasn’t sure what was in her future. Then she met Alfred Glen Ekker, the man from the other side of the mountain. I don’t think she really knew what she was getting herself into with this one. Cowboy, small town, sheep/cattle herder with the flair and sass to match Mom’s. They hit it off and got married December 15th, 1973, in Elko, Nevada. Dad says they were drunk as skunks. With this union, Mom gained a lifelong husband and two girls, LaVern Steinbaugh and Natalie Haas. Dad gained a life partner and a son, Shawn. Four years into their new life together they had a deer‑hunting accident, and in July of ’77 they were graced with Jamie Thompson, the youngest of the four kids. They officially had his, hers, and ours. For the next 50+ years Mom’s life would be filled with very eventful controlled chaos. It was not an uncommon thing to see her scowl at old Alfie, grit her teeth, and say, “Damn you, Alfred!”

In June of ’84 they moved to Blackfoot and bought five acres northwest of town. That spring the electric man planted a power pole in what I think is the center of the property. The water man dropped the well, set the head, and first hydrant as close to the driveway as possible with no chance of it ever being hit. (Dad, I think, has three, and we don’t talk about all the times Mom hit it.) No sewer or house, but they had a travel trailer — a 36‑footer they lived in for 95 days over the summer. All the kids thought this was awesome; we were camping for summer break. While Dad felt this was an OK life, the day he came home from work and Mom was in the ditch shaving her legs on the culvert and all us kids were running around like a bunch of naked hillbillies, he decided to get her a house. The arduous task of getting a house and sewer was now the top priority. One eventful day Dad, Oop, and John decided it was the perfect day to dig the hole for the sewer tank. Three men hopped in the truck with two kids excited to ride in the “big semi‑truck” that was towing the backhoe they had just stolen from the Cat dealer. Yep, you read that right. Ninety‑eight beer cans later they had a hole big enough to house a hotel‑sized sewer tank. This is where one of the “Damn you, Alfred!” moments was heard loud and clear.

Mom finally got her a house, and over several years the adventures came in waves. Mom gained eight grandkids (Gabe, Alex, Brandi, Courtney, Danae, Cody, William, and Stormy Jo) and eleven great‑grandkids (Deagan, Ryker, Makaila, Kiara, Rayna, Elle, Kensley, Parker, Mason, Kelsey, and Shawn). The family grew in leaps and bounds — Mom loved it. Birthdays, sports events, graduations, weddings, and many more momentous occasions. Mom loved family, friends, food, and fun. Her family was everything to her. She was the bubble gum and kite string that held this soapbox car together. She put the boss in Mob Boss. You could always find her with a smile on her face. Sunday Super Bowl games turned into all‑night Yahtzee matches. Home repairs came with the use of chainsaws — that’s another eventful moment. Weekend goose‑cooking marathons. Weekend wood‑cutting parties. Late‑night runs to the grocery store to buy a case of toilet paper to T‑P the neighbors’ houses. All‑day four‑wheeler rides that took the better part of Saturday. Get‑togethers in our house were always around the dinner table or centered in the kitchen area. The best conversations and education you can have are when you are at the dinner table tossing rolls to each other. (Damn you, Alfred.) We love and miss you so much, Mom, Ma, Mother, Granny, Grandma, Grand Mummy, Dear, and Nellie. Dinners won’t be the same without you telling us how to put away your food in your fridge or what butter container the leftovers are in. At this time, we do not have a service planned. We will have a Spring Fling this coming spring for everyone to swing by, visit, and bring a goodie to enjoy in honor of our special lady.

Hawker Funeral Home has had the honor of caring for the Ekker family during this time.

Copyright © 2026 by the family of Alice Ekker