Elva Caldwell Searle

Elva Caldwell Searle, age 89, passed away January 19, 2015 at the Uintah Care Center. She was born July 1, 1925 in Maeser Ward. Her father and mother were Lamond Caldwell and Eleanor Viola Allen Caldwell. She was the oldest of seven children. She went to grade school in Maeser through the 8th grade. She attended Uintah High School where she graduated in May of 1943. She also graduated from Seminary. She went to work at Ashley Valley Market after graduation. In March of 1944, Milton Harold Searle came home on leave from the U.S. Navy. They went together on one date to the Prom at Alterra High School. They became engaged and were married May 12, 1944. Milton was in the Navy. His next station was the University of Redlands in Redlands, California. He was the Medical Office for men who were in Officers Training. In October he received his orders to go to Norfolk, Virginia. Elva came home to Vernal as she was expecting their first child, Max Eugene. After Milton was discharged from the Navy in July of 1945, he came home to Vernal where he went into business with his brother Carl at Searle Electric Co. They bought a little house in Ashley Ward, had two more children, Diana and Todd. They sold that home and moved back into town. In the spring of 1950 they bought the home in Maeser having 3 more children, Flynn, Emily and Ellen. They lived the rest of their married life in that home. They were married 62 years at Milt's passing. Elva worked in Primary, being a Den mother in Cub Scouts, Relief Society President as well as being a co-teacher with Milt in Sunday school. She was the book keeper for Milt's Merchandise Mart for many years. In 1960 they took their family to the Salt Lake Temple where their family was sealed. Elva was active in the church. Elva and Milt served a Service Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1976. They served the Indian people in the Arizona Holbrook Mission. They came home in April of 1978. They arranged for a foster daughter, Zillah Ann Curley to come on the placement program. She came in fifth grade and graduated from Uintah High School. In February on 1992, Milt and Elva became ordinance workers in the Provo temple. They worked 2 days a week for 5 years. When the temple was finished in Vernal, they moved to be ordinance workers until about 5 months before Milton died. Elva is survived by her children: Max Eugene,(Lavon) , Diana Searle Leha, Todd Milton (Johnnie), Flynn Caldwell (Dawn), Emily (Kim), Ellen (Terry), 26 grandchildren, 71 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. Brothers and sisters, Markel Allen Caldwell, (Nadine), Sister-in-law, Jackie Caldwell, Donald Bird Caldwell(Bernice), MontaRae Caldwell Showalter, Arlo K. Caldwell (Wilma) and Christine Caldwell Smallwood, (Jerry.) Elva is preceded in death by her parents, husband, one grandson, one great grandson and brother, Raymond Lamond Caldwell. Funeral Services will be Monday, January 26, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rockpoint Chapel (2575 North 1500 West) Friends and family may call at Blackburn Vernal Mortuary Sunday evening from 6-8 p.m. and at the Chapel one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in the Maeser Fairview Cemetery; services are under the direction of Blackburn Vernal Mortuary. www.blackburnvernalmorutary.com