Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah

01/14/2026

Employee Snapshot - Meet Preston Burke, Licensed Funeral Director

Preston was born in Salt Lake City, UT and was raised in Idaho Falls, ID. He graduated from Hillcrest High School and served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chicago, IL. As his mission coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic, Preston was quarantined in his apartment for the first nine months. His mission was dubbed a “Facebook mission,” and he had a lot of success working with people via social media.

Preston served his funeral apprenticeship at Wood Funeral Home in Idaho Falls. His older sister had passed away at birth, and he notes that he has always felt a special connection to her. This experience led him to develop an interest in funeral service, and when he was introduced to the good people at Wood Funeral Home, he knew that he had found his career path.

Preston completed his general education requirements at BYU Idaho and then attended the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. He graduated with his Associate Degree of Mortuary Science in 2025 and completed the requirements to become a licensed funeral director.

In July 2022, Preston married Emery Howard. Emery had served a mission in Idaho Falls, and they were introduced by Preston’s cousin. They have two children, Aspyn and Channing.

Preston enjoys outdoor activities, especially skiing and hiking. He also likes playing soccer on adult recreational teams.

Preston and Emery decided that they would like to live in Utah, and they chose St. George as the place to begin his career. We’re so glad they did! We are thankful to have Preston on our staff. As a licensed funeral director, he makes a wonderful contribution to our team.

https://www.serenitystg.com/about-us/our-staff

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01/13/2026

J. Lloyd Wilson, 90 years old, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026, doing what he loved--working in his yard in St. George, UT.

Lloyd was born July 27, 1935, to Lilith Porter and Jesse Stephen Wilson in a homestead cabin at the mouth of Wilson Canyon in Garfield County. The third of 13...

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01/13/2026

Blanca Elena Borrego passed away on January 11, 2026 in St George Utah. She was born on August 18, 1944 in Tamaulipas Mexico to Maria Elena Duarte and Salvador Borrego. She married Roque Laborin Quiroz in 1966 in the Los Angeles California Temple.

Mom was raised in a town called Gomez Palacio...

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01/13/2026

Grief experts may advise a person experiencing a loss to introduce small changes into their life.

Minor, yet significant changes in daily routines can initiate a willingness to behave or think differently, and sometimes that willingness to change helps the person adjust to the reality of their loss.

Possible changes may include:

* Listening to new types of music

* Reading new authors

* Watching different television shows (especially uplifting and feel-good movies)

* Giving up the evening news

* Participating in a new club or group

* Starting an exercise program, or changing up your current routine

* Changing what you eat (for the better - including lots of nutritious choices)

* Waking up and/or going to bed at a different time

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those experiencing a loss. Visit our website for more insights on grief and healing.

https://www.serenitystg.com/grief-and-healing/

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01/12/2026

Vaun Bethers, 76, of St. George, UT, left this world on Friday, January 9, 2026, after a short, but valiant fight against infection that had afflicted his body.

Born January 30, 1949, in Heber City, UT, he was the sixth child of Dean and Arthella Bethers. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout and...

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01/12/2026

Dr. Jolene “Jo” Nebeker was born on September 26, 1937, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Frank Clifford Nebeker and Loraine Walker. She passed away at home, surrounded by family, on Monday, December 29, 2025, in Ivins, Utah.

Jo grew up with her siblings Patricia “Pat” Kitchen, William “Bill” Frank...

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01/09/2026

"You’ve Just Walked on Ahead of Me"
-by Joyce Grenfell

I try and cope the best I can
But I'm missing you so much
If I could only see you
And once more feel your touch.

Yes, you've just walked on ahead of me
Don't worry I'll be fine
But now and then I swear I feel
Your hand slip into mine.
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01/08/2026

Eric Paul Stout, age 71, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025, in St. George, Utah. He was born on July 8, 1954, in Denver, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lavina, and his beloved wife, Charlotte.

Eric is survived by his loving family. He leaves behind his daughters,...

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01/07/2026

A new year has just begun, and perhaps you have made the resolution to put your affairs in order. As part of that process, we recommend pre-planning your final arrangements.

Planning ahead allows you to place your wishes in writing and ease the burden on those you love. It is important to remember that you are not just planning for yourself - you are making arrangements and decisions that will greatly affect your family and friends.

We’re here to help you select the options that are right for you and your loved ones. To begin the pre-planning process today, contact us at (435) 986-2085.

https://www.serenitystg.com/plan-ahead/

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01/06/2026

"Taps" is played at military funerals to honor the memory of service members and to signify the end of their earthly duty. It's a solemn bugle call, deeply rooted in military tradition, that expresses gratitude and respect for the deceased.

The 24-note melody first came about during the American Civil War. In 1862, General Daniel Butterfield wanted a new call to signal “lights out.” Working with his brigade’s bugler, Oliver W. Norton, the call was revised into the more melodic and haunting sequence known today.

The call quickly spread throughout the Union and Confederate Armies. It was first played at a military funeral when it was ordered to be used instead of the traditional three-volley rifle salute to avoid alerting enemy pickets. Although its original name was “Extinguish Lights,” the call was renamed to “Taps” in 1891 and soon became a formal part of American military funerals.

Today, its slow, mournful notes remain one of the most iconic and moving pieces of American military tradition.

Source: Jari Villanueva, Taps Historian
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01/06/2026

Leslie Robert Stimpson, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and lifelong servant to his community and his faith, passed away peacefully at his daughter's home surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Les was born on December 17, 1944, in Rupert, Idaho. After spending...

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01/05/2026

With deep love and profound sorrow, we announce the passing of Redell Scott Huldt, who left this world on December 31, 2025, at the age of 26. Redell was born on January 6, 1999, and spent his childhood and youth in Fredonia, Arizona; Kennewick, Washington; Cedar City, Utah; and St. George; Utah...

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