UTTERBACK, Myrl (1920-2006)

UTTERBACK, RICKABAUGH, RICHARDSON, CURTIS, THOMAS, MANN, HOFMOCKEL, HOCKABOUT

Posted By: Elaine Harrington (email)
Date: 11/22/2006 at 23:37:39

OPINION-TRIBUNE
DATED NOVEMBER 22, 2006

Myrl Utterback, 86, Tabor
following a brief illness. A "Celebration of Life" service was held Nov. 20, 2006, at the Crawford-Marshall Funeral Chapel in Tabor. Rev. Tom Clark and Rev. L. Dean Surface officiated. Interment was in the Tabor Cemetery.

She was born Feb. 13, 1920 in Pacific Junction to David A. Richardson, Sr. and Cecil (Rickabaugh) Richardson. She graduated from Bartlett High School in 1937. She and her sister, Lois, were part of a semi-professional softball league. She was the pitcher and her sister was the catcher for a championship team that played in the Chicago White Sox Stadium. On Dec. 4, 1937, she married Richard E. Utterback in Glenwood. They had three children, Larry, Barbara and Nancy. Their life together was spent in farming and they lived on a farm north of Tabor until 1982. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 1997. She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Tabor.

Being a farmer's wife and taking care of her family was of much importance to her. During her life she worked at Hofmockel's Grocery Store in Tabor and was the librarian at the Tabor Library for many years. She mastered the art of cake decorating and provided wedding and birthday cakes for many of the Tabor area residents. During her life, she held offices in Fairview Club, Order of Eastern Star, Tabor Women's Club and Congregational Women's Fellowship. She was involved in 4-H clubs, Rainbow for Girls and Girl Scouts when her children were members. Her greatest joy in life was her family. She spent many hours playing games with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary of family and friends. She enjoyed cooking and hosted many family get-togethers. Christmas was her favorite holiday and preparing cookies and candies was done with pleasure and to perfection. A quote found among her possessions read, "We are the creator of our joys and happiness, so put a smile on your face and let's all be happy!" It is the way she lived her life and would want those left behind to live.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; brothers, Gerald and David Richardson, Jr.; and sister, Violet Curtis. She is survived by her children, Larry and wife Penny Utterback of Bladenboro, N.C.; Barbara and husband Larry Thomas of Memphis, Tenn. and Tabor; Nancy and husband Clifford Mann of Corning; 13 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; sister Lois Hockabout; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Memorials suggested to Tabor First Congregational United Church of Christ or the Tabor Public Library.