The Huntington community is mourning the loss of two longtime residents, Alton Noel Hassell and FloAnn Henningson Wilson, who passed away within days of each other in late June 2026. Both individuals left behind extensive legacies involving service to the Emery and San Juan school districts, emergency medical response, and deep roots in the local agricultural and religious communities.
Life of Alton Noel Hassell
Alton Noel Hassell passed away on Father's Day, Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the age of 93, according to an obituary published by Mitchell Funeral Home. Born on July 12, 1932, in Mesa, Arizona, to Edgar Noel and Mildred Loviente Cluff Hassell, Alton moved through a life defined by both military service and educational dedication.
Hassell's military and professional legacy
A veteran of the United States Navy, Hassell was widely recognized as a devoted educator who spent many years teaching within the Emery and San Juan School Districts. Beyond his professional life in the classroom, he was known for his talents as a detailed gardener and a woodworker specializing in home goods.
Family and funeral arrangements for Hassell
Hassell's personal life was marked by a long marriage to Cookie Rene Danley, whom he married in 1917. He is survived by his wife, six children, sixteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Arrangements for Hassell include a graveside service tentatively scheduled for Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Huntington City Cemetery. Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington is handling the arrangements.
Life of FloAnn Henningson Wilson
FloAnn Henningson Wilson passed away peacefully on June 22, 2026, surrounded by her family, according to an obituary published by Mitchell Funeral Home (Miller's Landing). Born March 19, 1939, in Emery, Utah, the daughter of LeGrande and Mary Alice Henningson, Wilson was the fifth of six children.
Wilson's skills and farm upbringing
Wilson's life was characterized by a strong work ethic learned on her family's farm. She was known for her expertise in gardening, canning, and bottling vegetables and fruit to help sustain her family, as well as her skill in baking homemade bread.
Wilson's marriage to Bevan Wilson lasted 69 years. The couple began dating at age 15 and married in Emery, Utah, after a three-year courtship that required navigating the distance between Huntington and Emery. Their life together took them across Utah and Arizona, including a period living on the Navajo reservation in Arizona where they raised four children using a diesel generator for electricity.
During their time in Flagstaff, Arizona, Wilson managed the household and children's education while her husband traveled frequently for business. The family later returned to Huntington for a year to experience farm life, during which time they operated BK's Stop and Shop and worked their farms.
A woman of profound faith, Wilson was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in roles such as the Relief Society presidency. She was noted for her strong will and her ability to memorize religious texts, including the full Family: A Proclamation to the World.
In addition to her domestic skills like quilting and crocheting, Wilson served the community as an EMT in Emery County for approximately 10 years. Her family noted that she embraced this role with both courage and compassion.
Wilson is survived by her husband, Bevan Wilson; four children, Kent (Julie), Janice (Craig), Martin (Marty), and Bruce (Corrine); and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by several siblings, as well as two grandsons and a great-granddaughter.
A funeral service for Wilson was scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Huntington First Ward Chapel, with interment to follow at the Huntington City Cemetery. The family expressed gratitude to San Rafael Nursing Home and Symbii for their care during her final days.
