June 3, 1936-Jan. 26, 2023

I did a thing … on Jan. 26, 2023, I decided there was this one time I was going to do something I have never done. I died.

On June 3, 1936, I was born in Rawlins, Wyoming, to my parents Earnest George Charter and Dorothea Laurine Vonberg. I was the second son born to this couple. I have two brothers and two sisters who have proceeded me in death: Earnest Darrell and Dennis Stephen, Trulla Laurine (Lolly) and Genevieve Zoe (Jenny) and a half-brother Claude Charter.

I’m survived by my son Sam and daughter Connie, my half-sisters Merle Jackson, Diane Menesini and half-brother Jargon Bennett. Not quite sure where the other half of them is. And a stepbrother Melvin Fisher. As well as a slew of grandchildren and a few great-grandchildren.

My parents divorced when I was young, so I have lived in Wyoming, Nevada and Oregon during my growing up years. I have an amazing stepmother Bertha Bliss who I have adored. She nursed me back to health after I had contracted rheumatic fever. I grew up during World War II and had a pretty hard life.

In my early 20s I served in the Army in Germany from 1957-59. It is here that I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And then four more years in the Army National Guard in Wyoming. I got married … a few times, owned and operated my own service stations in Wyoming. Moved to Washington, Utah, and worked some more and have enjoyed it ever since. It’s not like Stillwater, Nevada, but nothing else is.  

I am survived by my family who love me. I have been blessed with some pretty amazing grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They are all pretty cute, so I’ll keep them all. They have taken good care of me, so I was able to stay in my home. 

I have been able to see a lot of things, do a lot of things, make up a few things — Dementia will do that. Don’t forget to have plenty of clocks so you never run out of time. But it happens. Collect all the rocks you can because each one has a face. 

I don’t want a fancy funeral or a lot of people fussing over me, so my wishes are to be rolled up in a blanket and buried. They won’t let me, so I have to be buried in a casket. Love your family. They are all you get to have after you are gone. Be kind to each other. Remember to be thankful in your prayers. Laugh a lot. Rocks are our friends. Don’t feel bad that I am gone. I can do things that I have never done. And I can remember who all of my family are. 

I’ll be buried in the Washington City Cemetery on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Graveside services only.   

God be with you till we meet again. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Doyle’s online guest book.