Matt's wonderful Grandpa on his mom's side Calvin Fife passed away in December. Her was buried at the Veteran's cemetery then they did his memorial a few week's later after Christmas and his son's got back from their trip to Galapagos Islands.
He was a very friendly helpful person. Everyone was his friend, I loved that about him. He loved to build things in his wood shop after he retired. Everyone that knew him has a wooden reindeer and homemade wooden toy cars. He helped Matt and I refinish a table and chairs while we were dating and make a whiteboard after we got married. He makes everyone feel welcome. He was a WWII vet, built pools in Phoenix, worked as the City of Phoenix building commissioner. He was a dad to 7 kids and grandpa and great grandpa to many. We love the Fife grandparents so much- we are glad Miles has Fife for his middle name.
During the funeral I carried Miles up to the stage to sing "I am a Child of God" with the other grandkids. He wasn't happy for me to do that but he did it.
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| Back row L to R: Richard Fife, Jerry Fife, Ruth Fife, Calvin Fife, Roger Fife and in front their mom Valeta McCaslin Fife holding the flag she received to recognize her husband as a veteran |
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| Everyone who can to the burial- it was very cold and windy. Back row: Calvin Fife (the third), Betty Fife, Erica Holladay, Lark Fife, Alicia Jarman, Richard Fife, Elizabeth Fife, Jerry Fife, Calvin Fife, Roger Fife, Chis Tolman, Cynthia Tolman and baby?, Darrell Whitmer, Matt Whitmer, Evan Whitmer, Loni Fife, Steven Fife, Diana Fife Front row: not sure maybe care worker? Oliver Whitmer, Katherine Lee, Valeta Fife, Abigail Whitmer, Audrey Davis, Madilyn Davis, Charlotte Whitmer, another care worker?, Miles Fife Whitmer |
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| Grandma Fife always did a cousin Christmas party and lots of pool parties so these cousins are pretty close even though many live far away! Back Row L to R: Scott Hellewell, Theo Fife, Jennifer Wechel?, Elizabeth Fife, Darrell Whitmer, Erica Holladay, Steven Fife, Alicia Jarman, David Horan, Jonathan Horan Front Row L to R: Cynthia Tolman, Valerie, Melanie Wadsworth, Katherine Lee, Audrey Lee |
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| All the remaining kids and mom: Calvin Fife, Roger Fife, Richard Fife, Jerry Fife. Front: Beverly Hellewell, Valeta Fife, Ruth Whitmer (Marjorie Horan passed away a few years ago) |
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| From left to right: Florence Fife Draper, Helen Joe Stoddard, Valeta Fife, and Irene Fife. |
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| Hellewell Family with Grandma Fife: Back Kevin Hellewell, Brigham and ?, Scott, Front: Nadine Hellewell, Beverly Hellewell, Valeta Fife, and Rebekah Hellewell |
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| Back Row: (Matt was in Peru) Abigail Whitmer, Erin Whitmer holding Miles Whitmer with a broken leg, Darrell Whitmer, Evan Whitmer, Ruth Whitmer, Audrey Davis holding Derek Whitmer, Brian Lee holding Brandon Lee, Front Row R to L: Charlotte Whitmer, Kayla Lee, Oliver Whitmer, Valeta Fife, Kiera Lee, Katherine Lee |
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| Richard Fife's Family: Whelchel?, Theo Fife, Richard Fife, Lark Fife, Front Row: Jenifer Whelchel and kids, Valeta Fife, Valerie Fife? |
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| Horan Family: Jonathan Horan, Don Horan, David Horan, Front row: Carlee Horan and Valeta Horan |
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| Jerry Fife and Valeta Fife |
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| Miles climbed all over Uncle Darrell during the lunch with his cast and all! Good thing Darrell is such a good sport. |
Here is the official obituary:
Obituary for Calvin Barnard Fife
Calvin Barnard Fife (age 93) passed away December 3, 2017 in Chandler Arizona surrounded by his family. He was born on August 22, 1924 to Randolph Wilson Fife (1892-1943) and Mabel Victoria Erickson Fife (1897-1992) in Garden Grove, Orange County, California.
Calvin worked hard all his life. As a young man he delivered papers for the Gridley Daily Globe. His father was a plasterer and he learned this skill plus other building skills from him. Due to his father’s bad heart, Calvin worked alongside his father as he worked. After graduating from Gridley High School, he worked at Camp Beale. He took a class in aircraft construction at the junior College in Marysville and then worked as a shipwright in Oakland.
Calvin was drafted into World War II on April 1, 1943. After completing basic training in the Army Air Corps, he was sent to an aircraft engine school in Los Angeles and overseas training in North Carolina. Just as he was about to go overseas, his father passed away. After a quick trip home, he traveled to England where he served at the Burtonwood Air Depot. He repaired airplane engines. After doing that for 7 months, he had the opportunity to serve as the orderly for General Berman. He was discharged from the army March 21, 1946.
After leaving the army, Calvin worked as a plasterer until he was called to serve in the Western Canadian Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in October of 1946. He served in the cities of Moose Jaw, St. Brieux, and North Battleford in Saskatchewan and at Peace River in Alberta. He had many opportunities to give service and planted the seeds of the love of Christ in many hearts. He was released on October 25th, 1948.
While serving his mission he started writing to Valeta McCaslin. Through their letters their love grew. After being released from his mission, Calvin decided to visit Valeta. They decided to get married. They found that if they got married before the end of the year, she could come into the United States as a war bride. She canceled her teaching contract at Christmas time and they were married on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1948, in her parents John and Lucile McCaslin’s home. Calvin and his mother drove to Canada from California through bad snow storms and blizzards for the wedding. Then the three of them (Calvin, Valeta, and his mother Mabel) returned to California afterwards again facing bad roads and snowy conditions. They stopped in Idaho Falls, Idaho where their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on December 29, 1948.
Calvin and Valeta lived in Gridley, California where he worked construction. Four of their children were born there. (Ruth, twins Richard and Roger, and Calvin) After a short move to Canada, the family moved to Arizona. Calvin worked on building houses with his brother. His second set of twins, daughters Marjorie and Beverly, were born while they lived in Tucson. Calvin started building swimming pools. He moved to Phoenix and started Patio Pools and Wall Company. It was in Phoenix, where his youngest son Jerry was born. Calvin applied for a job with the City of Phoenix, and became a building inspector. Later he became the Chief Building Inspector for the City of Phoenix. He was able to put a lot of knowledge to work for him. He worked there for 26 years before retiring.
Calvin was a friend to all, always helping and serving those around him. He loved sharing the gospel with others. He assisted many people in building projects. The leaders at church asked him to build a house for Ida Redbird on the reservation, which he did. He helped each of his sons with their houses. He built furniture and other things. After his retirement he made hundreds of toy cars and reindeer that he gave to friends and relatives.
Calvin was preceded in death by his father and mother, his sisters Gwendolyn Bushman and Mabel McDowell, and his brother Randolph Fife, his daughter Marjorie Horan, a grandson Richard Fife and a granddaughter Becky Fife. He is survived by his wife Valeta, his sisters Helen Josephine Stoddard and Florence Draper, his brother James Fife (Irene), his daughters Ruth Whitmer (Evan Whitmer) and Beverly Hellewell (Kevin Hellewell) and his sons Richard Fife (Lark), Roger Fife, Calvin Fife (Betty) and Jerry Fife and son-in-law Don Horan. He had 28 grandchildren and 64 great grandchildren.
Calvin was buried at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix on December 7, 2017 with military rites. Bishop Doug Galbraith conducted the service. The opening prayer was given by daughter Ruth Whitmer and thoughts about their dad were shared by sons Calvin M. Fife and Roger Fife. The dedicatory prayer was offered by his son Richard Fife. The pall bearers were Richard Fife (son), Calvin M. Fife (son), Jerry D. Fife (son), Evan Whitmer (son-in-law), and grandsons Scott Hellewell and Calvin T. Fife.
A memorial service for Calvin will be held on December 30, 2017 at the Campobello ward building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 15018 North 39th Avenue in Phoenix. There will be an opportunity to visit with the family an hour prior to the service beginning at 9:30 am. The Memorial Service will begin at 10:30 am.
Calvin worked hard all his life. As a young man he delivered papers for the Gridley Daily Globe. His father was a plasterer and he learned this skill plus other building skills from him. Due to his father’s bad heart, Calvin worked alongside his father as he worked. After graduating from Gridley High School, he worked at Camp Beale. He took a class in aircraft construction at the junior College in Marysville and then worked as a shipwright in Oakland.
Calvin was drafted into World War II on April 1, 1943. After completing basic training in the Army Air Corps, he was sent to an aircraft engine school in Los Angeles and overseas training in North Carolina. Just as he was about to go overseas, his father passed away. After a quick trip home, he traveled to England where he served at the Burtonwood Air Depot. He repaired airplane engines. After doing that for 7 months, he had the opportunity to serve as the orderly for General Berman. He was discharged from the army March 21, 1946.
After leaving the army, Calvin worked as a plasterer until he was called to serve in the Western Canadian Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in October of 1946. He served in the cities of Moose Jaw, St. Brieux, and North Battleford in Saskatchewan and at Peace River in Alberta. He had many opportunities to give service and planted the seeds of the love of Christ in many hearts. He was released on October 25th, 1948.
While serving his mission he started writing to Valeta McCaslin. Through their letters their love grew. After being released from his mission, Calvin decided to visit Valeta. They decided to get married. They found that if they got married before the end of the year, she could come into the United States as a war bride. She canceled her teaching contract at Christmas time and they were married on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1948, in her parents John and Lucile McCaslin’s home. Calvin and his mother drove to Canada from California through bad snow storms and blizzards for the wedding. Then the three of them (Calvin, Valeta, and his mother Mabel) returned to California afterwards again facing bad roads and snowy conditions. They stopped in Idaho Falls, Idaho where their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on December 29, 1948.
Calvin and Valeta lived in Gridley, California where he worked construction. Four of their children were born there. (Ruth, twins Richard and Roger, and Calvin) After a short move to Canada, the family moved to Arizona. Calvin worked on building houses with his brother. His second set of twins, daughters Marjorie and Beverly, were born while they lived in Tucson. Calvin started building swimming pools. He moved to Phoenix and started Patio Pools and Wall Company. It was in Phoenix, where his youngest son Jerry was born. Calvin applied for a job with the City of Phoenix, and became a building inspector. Later he became the Chief Building Inspector for the City of Phoenix. He was able to put a lot of knowledge to work for him. He worked there for 26 years before retiring.
Calvin was a friend to all, always helping and serving those around him. He loved sharing the gospel with others. He assisted many people in building projects. The leaders at church asked him to build a house for Ida Redbird on the reservation, which he did. He helped each of his sons with their houses. He built furniture and other things. After his retirement he made hundreds of toy cars and reindeer that he gave to friends and relatives.
Calvin was preceded in death by his father and mother, his sisters Gwendolyn Bushman and Mabel McDowell, and his brother Randolph Fife, his daughter Marjorie Horan, a grandson Richard Fife and a granddaughter Becky Fife. He is survived by his wife Valeta, his sisters Helen Josephine Stoddard and Florence Draper, his brother James Fife (Irene), his daughters Ruth Whitmer (Evan Whitmer) and Beverly Hellewell (Kevin Hellewell) and his sons Richard Fife (Lark), Roger Fife, Calvin Fife (Betty) and Jerry Fife and son-in-law Don Horan. He had 28 grandchildren and 64 great grandchildren.
Calvin was buried at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix on December 7, 2017 with military rites. Bishop Doug Galbraith conducted the service. The opening prayer was given by daughter Ruth Whitmer and thoughts about their dad were shared by sons Calvin M. Fife and Roger Fife. The dedicatory prayer was offered by his son Richard Fife. The pall bearers were Richard Fife (son), Calvin M. Fife (son), Jerry D. Fife (son), Evan Whitmer (son-in-law), and grandsons Scott Hellewell and Calvin T. Fife.
A memorial service for Calvin will be held on December 30, 2017 at the Campobello ward building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 15018 North 39th Avenue in Phoenix. There will be an opportunity to visit with the family an hour prior to the service beginning at 9:30 am. The Memorial Service will begin at 10:30 am.
Cemetery Details
National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
23029 N. Cave Creek Rd.
Phoenix, AZ,
Phoenix, AZ,
Previous Events
Memorial Service
DEC 30. 10:30 AM (MST)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Campobello Ward
15018 N. 39th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ
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