Pearle Johnston Clinger Slaugh
(1902-2004)

PROVO, Utah - Pearle Johnston Clinger Slaugh, age 101, passed away quietly on Friday evening, April 30, 2004, in Provo, Utah, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Thelys and Burton Bushman, where she had resided since 1999.

She was born November 1, 1902, in Mahaffey, Pennsylvania, to Samuel M. and Eva Emigh Johnston. Her family moved to Heglar, Idaho, 1904, where her father was a lumberman. Later they moved to Aberdeen, Idaho, and homesteaded a farm. She graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1920, and after attending Albion State Normal School, she taught school in Sublette and in Aberdeen, Idaho.

She married Leland Clinger, a veteran of World War I, who died in 1930, leaving her a widow with five children. In 1935, she married Frank Slaugh, who had three children, and together they had five more children. Frank died in 1966.

Over a long and productive life she has seen many changes - from horse and buggy times to the computer age. Her faith, courage and sense of humor helped her through many difficult situations. She had countless friends, and she generously shared her many talents with them - gardening, tatting, oil painting, quilting, embroidery and miniatures. She was an excellent cook and seamstress. She enjoyed participating in Federated Women's Club and in Art Guild.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in the Sunday school and in the Relief Society for many years. She was still participating in the Relief Society at the time of her death, giving an inspirational thought each Sunday.

Pearle is survived by 10 children, 47 grandchildren, 147 great-grandchildren, and 45 great-great-grandchildren, who honor her memory. Survivors are LaVerne Pierce, Taylorsville, Utah, Eva (Myrl) [Stoker] Davidson, Aberdeen, Idaho, Leland (Ila) Clinger, American Falls, Idaho, Thelys (Burton) Bushman, Provo, Utah, Jackie (Don) Handy, Paul, Idaho, currently serving a mission in Singapore, Phil (Doreen) Slaugh, Moses Lake, Washington, Lynn (Joe) Moyle, Star, Idaho, Dan Slaugh, St. George, Utah, Laird (Nancy) Slaugh, Clearfield, Utah, and Nelda (Ronald) Strochein, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Preceding her in death were her parents, her two older brothers and her sister as well as her husband, Leland Clinger, and daughter, Marion, and her husband, Frank Slaugh, and daughter, Laurel Johnston, two step-children, Gene Evans and Orval Slaugh, and four grandchildren, Teresa Moyle, Jim Handy, Jason Clinger and Darron Slaugh.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 8, 2004, at the Aberdeen Third Ward Chapel, 149 West Central, Aberdeen, Idaho, with Bishop Lovell officiating. The family will greet friends from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. Fourth Ave., Pocatello.

[Dennis Yancey: Pearl Slaugh was one of Aberdeen's oldest residents - and for many years was probably the oldest living Aberdeen High Alumni - having graduated in 1920  - At age 101 she has now passed through the veil and continues her divine mission on the other side. She touched the lives of thousands ]