Arletta Thornley

Arletta Checketts Thornley left this mortal world on Friday, April 6, 2012 and was welcomed into the loving arms of her eternal companion George Russell Thornley. Arletta came to earth on May 4, 1926, the 15th of 16 children born to Ida May Stevens and Charles Checketts. She was raised in Bear River City, Utah where she and her siblings were taught to work hard and serve as faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Along with her formal education in Bear River City and Box Elder High School, she was taught to play the piano, a talent that she used to bless many lives. She continued her education at Utah State Agricultural College in Logan, Utah where she worked at the dairy. While there, a special young man came through the door of her office one day and caught her eye. George courted her by taking her to concerts, ballets, dramas, and sporting events. They eventually married in the Logan LDS Temple on April 2, 1948. She always referred to him as her best friend. Together they farmed and raised their family in Thatcher, Utah. Arletta taught school there for several years. She was always busy and willing to serve in any position she was called to in the church. She served in multiple teaching positions, and as Relief Society President, but will be best remembered as a pianist, organist, and the accompanist for the double trio. Arletta loved and was proud of each of her six children. Her heart was broken when their first son Russell Alma died shortly after birth, but she was blessed with two daughters and three more sons; Idalyn, Rebecca, Alan George, Todd Charles, and Jon Stuart. Their greatest joys were traveling, camping together in Greys River, Wyoming, and any gathering that brought everyone together. Their family grew to include their children’s spouses; Darrell Larkin, Charles (Chuck) Stella, Janice Thornley, Rosa Thornley, and Kristie Thornley, twenty grandchildren, and twenty-six great-grandchildren. The family will greet visitors at viewing on Tuesday, April 10 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Rogers and Taylor Mortuary at 111 N 100 E in Tremonton , and Wednesday, April 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Thatcher-Penrose LDS meeting house, 11475 W 10400 N in Thatcher UT. Funeral services will follow the viewing on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Internment at the Valley View Bothwell Cemetery.