G-ma Ila's Obituary

Ila Jean Reidhead (September 9, 1938 - October 4, 2009)
St. George, UT - Ila Jean Earl Reidhead, 72, passed away peacefully in the night, October 4, 2009. She was born July 9, 1938, in Cedar City, Utah to James Niles and Minerva Earl. She grew up in Virgin, Utah. She married Wesley Wayne Calico, December 22, 1956. They had two sons, Dennis Everett and Darrell Wayne. They were later divorced. She married Roy Richard Reidhead February 10, 1967. Ila became a mother to Roy’s children, Richard, Vanita and Marylynn. Her and Roy were sealed in the St. George temple February 14, 1970. In 1979, they were blessed with a son, Ryan Earl. Ila worked hard. In 1964 she went to work at Kellwood Company. For 21 years she worked sewing sleeping bags and tents. In 1985 she began working for the school lunch program and worked for 20 years retiring in 2005. She was a member of the LDS church and worked in the library for many years. She loved singing in the ward choir. She was a devoted visiting teacher. She was a temple worker and faithfully attended the temple weekly as long as she was able. Ila is survived by her husband, Roy; children: Richard (Terri) Reidhead, Vanita (Ernie) Pack, Marylynn (Dennis) Thompson, Darrell Calico, Ryan (Nicki) Reidhead, daughter-in-law Julie Calico (Blair) Hiatt; sisters: Velva Rice, Pauline (Boyd) Glover, Buelah Semmens; brother, June (Norma) Earl; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Neldon Earl; sisters, Delmina Chenovic and Anita Corry; son, Dennis Calico; and grandson, Trent Calico. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 9, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Washington Main Street Chapel, 82 N. Main St., Washington, Utah. Visitation will be held Friday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the chapel, prior to services. Interment will be in the Washington City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221.

Grandma Ila

Grandma Ila, Alanson, Porter & Aunt Ada 2007

We found out first thing this morning that Todd's Grandma Ila passed away early in the morning hours in her sleep. I've known her for longer than most people know their husbands grandmas. Who knew I'd end up marrying her grandson years later. She was in my home ward growing up and I was quickly called to repentance of my opinion of her when I started dating Todd. She was always in the ward choir and although she didn't have the greatest of voices, she at least tried!

In our early married years she was always giving us loaves of bread, bread sticks, chicken noodle soup....you know, things grandma's bake and like to give away. She was always giving and thinking of others when she really didn't have anything to give or should have given anything. I can't count the number of times she gave our kids (and Todd and I) money in birthday or Christmas cards when she could have used the money more for herself--and should have used it on her self for things she really needed.

She will be missed but I'm glad my children got to know her before she passed away. One cute thing Porter said today I need to write down because I liked it. Lately, well since the rodeo, Porter's been telling me about a rodeo in Heaven that has cowboys riding horses and there is water spraying while they ride. He calls it a water rodeo in heaven. Well, when I told him this morning that Grandma Ila had died and was in heaven now he said, "Is she riding in the water rodeo?" I had to smile and tell him it was possible. I just didn't know, but I do know she's with loved ones that have passed before her, one being Todd's dad Dennis and little brother Trent. What a great reunion it must have been.