Johnel Orcutt
d. June 6, 2016
Johnel (Jeanne) Haverstock Orcutt
“Auntie” “Grandma Purple” “Life Saver Lady” “Tax Lady”
Our dear sweet mother passed away June 6, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah due to complications of diabetes. Johnel was born in Auburn Indiana on July 31 st on her mother’s 25 th birthday. She was adored by her parents John L Haverstock and Ethel Mae Freeburn. She was the third of seven children. She was the first child to survive infancy and so she became the sunshine in her parent’s lives. She was a loving older sister and cared greatly for her siblings. She had so many fond memories of her childhood in Indiana. She married Richard S Orcutt in 1961 (later divorced) and had 6 children whom she gave her whole life to.
In 1964, two Mormon missionaries knocked on her door and her life was forever changed. She and her family joined the LDS Church that year. She had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and she declared it to all she knew. She always made sure to have a current temple recommend and reminded all her family to do the same. In 1975 she and her family made the trek out west, spent a few years in Idaho and in 1979 they settled in the Salt Lake Valley where she has resided since. She prepared income taxes for over 50 years and many of her clients became her lifelong friends. Tax season was her favorite time of year. She was known for her wisdom and she could always find something to share to teach you about life.
She had a soft spot for the LDS Missionaries and the Boy Scouts and she would support them in any way she could. She was known for her thoughtfulness and generosity, especially with Life Saver candies. She would give a roll of Life Savers to anyone who helped her or just to brighten someone’s day. She, at times, literally gave the coat off her back for someone in need. Her example to her family will resound for generations to come. She was so influential in so many people’s lives. She was our amazing purple haired mother and she will be missed.
She is survived by her children, Robert (Debbie) Orcutt of Indianapolis IN, Reed (JoLynn) Orcutt of Stansbury Park, UT, Ryan (Heather) Orcutt of Lehi, UT, Richel (Torey) Olsen of Herriman, UT and Richan (Rhett) McCarthy of Riverton, UT, her 25 grandchildren and her 6 great grandchildren and her siblings, Bill (Megan) Haverstock of Fort Wayne IN, Pamela (John) Rosenthal of South Jordan UT, Jonquil (Sidney) Beattie of Idaho Falls, ID and Bob (Liliane) Haverstock of South Jordan, UT and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers John Robert and Jon L Haverstock and her beloved son Elder Rhett Stuart Orcutt.
Services will be held on June 11, 2016 at noon with a viewing held prior to the service from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the Cottonwood Heights Stake Center 6890 South 2225 East, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121.
Family would like to thank the Cottonwood Heights 2 nd Ward and all health care professionals that cared for our mother.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you please donate to the LDS Missionary fund, www.ldsphilanthropies.org/donations/lds-church/missionary-fund or the Boy Scouts, http://aplacetogive.scouting.org/ or do a random act of kindness for someone.