Joseph Leland Behunin, 92, died peacefully, May 31, 1993, of natural causes.
He was born May 20, 1901 in Ferron, Utah, to Joseph Henry and Mary Zwahlen Behunin. He graduated from Emery Stake Academy. Attended Brigham Young University and was a graduate of the Davey Institute of Tree Surgery.He worked for U.S. Fuel at its Hiawatha, Utah mine. Was a farmer and for over three decades was a respected Salt Lake Valley tree specialist and landscape contractor, a profession he pursued until he was past 70.
He married Nellie LaVon Wright, June 23, 1933 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were the parents of six children. She died July 6, 1943. He married Melissa Ann Glade, April 5, 1944. They were the parents of two children. She died March 28, 1988.
An active Latter-day Saint, he filled a mission to the British Isles and held numerous church positions throughout his life. He served for many years as a Seventy leader and was particularly devoted to missionary work. After retirement, he and Melissa served as missionaries in the Florida-Alabama mission.
He is survived by four daughters, Mary (Mrs. Rodney F. Goold); Margaret (Mrs. Bruce Edward Jones); Ann (Mrs. James Philip Denninghoff); Kathryn (Mrs. Dick Royce Van Tassell); a daughter-in-law, Nancy Maughn Behunin (Mrs. Keith Lawrence Christensen); two sons, Roy Alan and Benjamin Behunin and their spouses; eight sisters; 42 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Two sons, James Lee and Joseph Wright Behunin, preceded her in death.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the General Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Funeral services 10:30 a.m. Thurs. June 3, 1993 at the Capitol Hill Ward, Fourth North and Columbus Streets, Salt Lake City. Friends may call at McDougal Funeral Home, 4370 South Redwood Road, Weds., June 2, 1993 from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the Capitol Hill Ward from 9 to 10 a.m. Thurs. Interment: Ferron, Utah Cemetery.
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