BROADBENT, Jesse Mons

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 03/17/2015 Jesse Mons Broadbent died Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, in St. Johns while the sun was shining and his bees were buzzing in the soft spring breeze. He went to be with his beloved sweetheart, Helen Farr Broadbent, and his Savior, Jesus Christ whom he cherished. Helen and Jess were married Feb. 21, 1945, in the Mesa Temple. Jesse was born Oct. 29, 1924, to Hyrum and Lorana Smith Broadbent in Snowflake. Jesse was raised in Snowflake and was taught beekeeping by his grandmother, Emma L. Smith, which led him to raise bees all of his life. He joined the Army Air Force in 1943 and became a navigation instructor for bomber navigators during World War II. After the war, he graduated magna cum laude from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif., with a degree in engineering. Jesse was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of his life. He served as an Elder’s Quorum President, served on three different High Councils and was a bishop twice. He also served as the stake patriarch, temple worker and temple sealer. He and Helen served three full-time missions for the church. He worked for several companies as an engineer and retired as the Apache County engineer in St. Johns. Jesse was predeceased by his wife, parents, daughter Elizabeth, granddaughter Cecilee Goddard, brothers Hyrum Smith Broadbent and Francis Everett Broadbent and brothers-in-law William Petusky and Keith Dexter. He is survived by seven children, Eric (Charlotte) Mons of St. Johns, Ann Broadbent Goddard of St. George, Utah, Steven (Kathy) Farr of Washington, Mo., David (Janet) Hyrum of Hurricane, Utah, Dee (Merrilee) Richard of Richmond, Utah, Marilyn (Randy) Oveson of Draper, Utah, Louise (Patrick) Baca of Stevenson Ranch, Calif.; 31 grandchildren; 62 great grandchildren; and sisters, Karna Petusky and Emma Dexter. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at the St. Johns Downtown Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow the services at the St. Johns Westside Cemetery. The family would like to express appreciation to all of their friends and family for their many expressions of condolence. If you would like to leave an online condolence for Jesse’s family, visit www.burnhammortuary.com.