Grace Bunnell Wilkinson

Grace Bunnell Wilkinson, 94, died on March 19, 2008, in Orem. She was a proud descendant of early converts to the LDS Church, who followed Joseph Smith from New York, to Ohio, to Missouri and Illinois, and Brigham Young to Utah. Prior to her passing, she was the oldest living descendant of her grandparents, Stephen and Mary Elizabeth Gammon Bunnell, who built the pioneer home which still stands on the UVSC campus. She was born on April 17, 1913, in her grandparents' home, the second of eight children born to Thomas Joel and Zelda Holdaway Bunnell. In her later years, Grace helped restore the "Bunnell Pioneer Home." At Lincoln High School, Grace excelled as a class officer, newspaper editor, and orator. She married Joseph "Viv" Wilkinson on November 21, 1935, and they resided on a portion of his grandmother's pioneer farm on Provo Bench (Orem). Both Grace and her husband were delivered by his grandmother, Mary Ellen Bircumshaw Wilkinson, a pioneer midwife who, as a child, had sailed from England and walked across the plains to Utah. Grace and "Viv" moved their young family to Grass Valley, California, prior to WW 11, and returned to Orem after the outbreak of the War. "Viv" worked at the newly-constructed Geneva Steel Plant, and also developed a thriving fruit farm. Grace was a widow for 40 years following Viv's death in 1968. She kept up with news and politics, and loved stirring music, roses and sunsets. Her parents; husband; brothers, Dean, Jesse and Neal Bunnell, and two grandchildren, Kurt and Jodi Butler, preceded her in death. She is survived by four daughters, Janet (Lavar) Butler, Dixie (Bob) Durfey, Rosemary (Arvil) Parcell, and Patricia (Dean) Benson;18 grandchildren, 69 great-grandchildren; 21 great-great grandchildren, and siblings, Eva Taylor, Margie Burningham, Helen Weeks, and Dell Bunnell. A viewing will be held on Monday, March 24, at 9:30 a.m. at the LDS chapel at 1800 S. 400 W., Orem, followed by funeral services at 11 a.m. at the chapel. Burial in Orem City Cemetery will follow. Online condolences may be submitted to www.serenicare.com