Jean LaVon Poyer (age 84), a loving and faithful daughter of our Heavenly Father returned home to Him on December 31, 2015. Born in Guttenberg, Iowa in 1931 she would eventually live in 29 states. Her father was a dam builder and an aircraft machinist during World War II. Her love of music started when she was just seven years old in Mineral Wells, Texas. When she was thirteen her family settled in Grand Island, Nebraska and at age fifteen she entered Nebraska Wesleyan University as a pre-med student; however, graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Her love of music developed into a love of opera. She became the youngest member of Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians (famous singing group during the Big Band era). She continued her education and earned a degree in secondary education and child psychology from the University of California at Berkley. After this she went on to teach school and eventually gained three more degrees in psychology. In 1976 Jean and her daughter Teri moved to Tooele. In total, she taught primary and secondary grades and college courses for fifty years, teaching sixth grade at Sterling Harris Elementary school in Tooele for the last 23 years of her career. She also taught private vocal lessons for 30 years. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints she taught young adults, seminary, sunday school and for many years was a chorister. At one time she was a member of the Tooele Utah Stake Relief Society Presidency. Her strong faith of the gospel enabled her to accept and overcome the many trials in her lifetime. Her Heavenly Father always came first as she knew that her mortality was just a temporary state and that eventually she would return home to Him. She loved her daughter unconditionally and was a strong example of what Heavenly Father expected from her. The rest of her family consisted of four legged bundles of love (dogs, cats, horses). Jean grew up with horses and was a strong equestrian. She was Daddy's little girl, loved him dearly and was the only child. She was deeply loved and will be deeply missed. On Wednesday, January 6th, a viewing will be held at the Little Mountain Ward, 777 East Skyline Drive, Tooele, from 10:30 - 11:30 am followed by the funeral at noon. Interment will be at the Tooele City Cemetery following the services. Services entrusted with Didericksen Memorial, 435-277-0050.
