Belva Jones

Belva Wentz Jones passed away on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 in Orem, Utah.

I was born October 17, 1929 on Provo Bench (now called Orem).  My parents are Charles Mastin Wentz and Belva Hills Wentz.  They had nine children.  My two brothers and six sisters are still my best friends.

I went to school in Salt Lake City, Provo and Orem; and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1947.  I also attended Elder Quest classes through Utah Valley University.  I have always enjoyed learning and continued my education throughout my life.

We lived mostly in Orem and Provo while I was growing up.  We did live in Mapleton for a few years while my father was the mayor there.

I met my husband, Jack Jones, when he came to take my older sister to a dance.  We went to the same high school and his sister was in my classes.  After I graduated and Jack returned from two years in the Merchant Marine; we were married August, 1948 in the Logan Temple.  We have five wonderful children; Allan, Debra, Karen, Lynn and Diane.

We owned a service station and car repair business for 30 years in Edgemont.  After we sold the business we bought into a fishing lodge in Alaska.  I like to fish, hunt, camp, travel, read and go to plays.  I have enjoyed all these activities with my husband and our children and grandchildren.  I was on the State Girl Scout Council for six years and served as a troop leader for my girls.  I worked at Kiddieville, a children's boutique , and then at ZCMI for 20 years as an area manager selling china, crystal and silver; retiring in 1992.

I love classic movies, and my favorite movie is Doctor Zhivago.  I like to read, and especially enjoy history, Church history and most of Hemingway's books.  I like light classical music.  I love to travel, and my most memorable trips have been to Washington D.C., the Alaskan Bush, Lake Powell, Nauvoo and Winter Quarters.

The two most influential people in my life were my parents.  The person I most would like to meet is Joseph Smith, because I think he had a big influence on the way my parents raised me and my brothers and sisters.

What I would do if I had a whole day to myself is read a good book, eat some chocolate, talk to my children and my husband; and then thank my Heavenly Father for a beautiful life.

I am survived by my four children; Debra (Brad) Grieve, Lynn Floyd (Carl Bowns), Karen (Mark) Larsen, Diane (Rob) Dean; a daughter-in-law, Sherri Jones;  my siblings, Charlene, Ann, Wells, Donna, Ruth, Marie; 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren with two on the way.  I was preceded in death by my parents, my husband Jack, our son Allan, my siblings Myrtle and Charles; and one grandson, Michael Sean.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sunset Heights 8th Ward Chapel at 500 South 600 West, Orem, Utah.  There will be a viewing at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State St., Orem, Utah on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral services.  Burial will be at the East Lawn Cemetery, 4800 North 650 East, Provo (Edgemont), Utah.

My family and I wish to express thanks and gratitude to all those who have asked about me, visited me and expressed their concern for me.  We also wish to thank the staff of Summerfield Manor and Envision Home Health and Hospice (especially to Nate) for their care, love and respect.