Great Grandpa Joe

Joseph Benjamin Elfors, beloved father, husband, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away Jan. 24. He was born June 9, 1916, in Grantsville to Maryann Pearson and John Joseph Elfors. He graduated from Grantsville High School and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps, building dams and roads in the Cedar City area. Joe married Vera Sagers on Sept. 23, 1938, in the Salt Lake Temple. She preceded him in death March 15, 2006. He worked eight years for American Smelting & Refining, then joined the Tooele County School District as chief custodian of the Grantsville schools, retiring after 35 years of service. He was a founding member of the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department, joining in 1945, and has been an active member since then. He served as assistant fire chief and fire chief. He was a Grantsville City councilman for 12 years; an organizer and official of the Grantsville Gun Club; chairman of the Old Folks Sociable committee in 1956, and many more. He was recognized for his service to the community with awards from the city, state and FFA. He and Vera won many awards for their beautiful lawns and gardens. A devoted member of the LDS Church, he served in many callings including bishop, high councilman, sunday school president and group leader. He and Vera served as ordinance workers at the Jordan River Temple for eight years. Joe is survived by his children; Byron (Joyce) Elfors, Karen Kleinlein, Raymond (Norma) Elfors, Ilene (Russ) Wood; 15 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. in the Grantsville 4th Ward Chapel, 428 S. Hale Street, Grantsville. There will be a viewing the evening before from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tate Mortuary, 110 S. Main Street, Tooele, and at the church prior to the services from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The family suggests that instead of flowers, please make a contribution to the Grantsville City Volunteer Fire departmentElfors