Mathias LÜTHI

                   Membership Records:  Freedom Ward, Star Valley Stake, Film #0034554
      Name:  John Luthi, Sen.
      Father's Name:  Mathison
      Mother's Name:  Annie Rindhisbacher
      Born:  14 June 1857
      Where:  Signan, Bern, Switzerland
      Baptism:  13 July 1883
      By Whom:  Rudolf Hockstraser
      Confirmation:  13 July 1883
      By Whom:  Rudolf Hockstraser
      Died:  Apr 19, 1939

      Freedom Ward Records, Star Valley Stake, Film #0034554
      Ordination - 6 Feb 1890, Fred Thurer, Elder, No. 181 - 349.
                   15 June 1924, Stephen L. Richards, High Priest, No. 339.

Obituary, Star Valley Independent:  Freedom Resident Answers Last Call - From the fast diminishing ranks of those who have endured the vicissitudes incident to piuoneer life has been removed the beloved and honored figure of John Luthi, who after a protracted illness succumbed Saturday, April 29, 1939 at the home of daughter mrs. Carl Robinson.
       John Luthi was born in Switzerland June 24, 1857, the son of Matthew and Johanna R. Luthi.  He married Rosina Swietzer in 1879 and with her and their family emmigrated to Utah in 1887, making their home in Providence, Utah until 1892 when they moved to Star Valley which has since been their home and where all his children respected and esteemed by their associates are living evidence of the integrity of their noble father.  For many years he has played the dual role of father and mother to his children since the death of the mother 28 years ago.
       He was a man in the highest sense of that word, honest and just in all his dealings.  Though of a retiring disposition in that he did not seek position in public life, yet his genial kindly sense of humor made him a most desirable companion, and no day was so dark but that the rays of his optimism would shine through to cheer those in sorrow or distress and so loved friend:
       "Green grow the turf above thee,
       Friend of my better days
       None knew thee but to love thee
       None named thee but to praise."
       Funeral services for John Luthi were held at Freedom Wednesday, May 3rd in the recently completed ward chapel, which only a scarce 8 months ago was the scene of a service which honored his son, John Luthi, Jr. and as then was filled to overflowing with relatives and friends come to honor one whom they loved and whose memory always would be cherished.  A profusion of floral tribute mutely testified to the esteem in which the family and the deceased are held.
       Processional music was played by Elmina Haderlie.
       Musical renditions were:  Mixed chorus, "Thou Dost Not Weep to Weep Alone" Lena Jenkins, Ressa Chadwick, Wilma Haderlie, Blanche Sibbetts, Earl Wixon and Charles Weber.  Trio "Goin' Home" Neva Humphreys, Hazel and Ruth Clark.  Duet, "O My Father" Alta Sanderson and Walter Brower.  Vocal Solo, "Across the Bridge of Years" by Ernest Turner.  Solo "Face to Face" by Ivan Gardner.
       Prayers were by President Clarence Gardner and Carl Erickson.
       Speakers were Jess Draney, Bp. D. J. Clark, J. W. Kirkbride, Charles Weber and A. F. Burton all of whom extolled the splendid characteristics that made him so desirable as a friend and associate.  The speakers referred to his faithfulness to temple work and that he has been instumental in having vicarious work done fo 2500 of his progenitors.  A beautiful tribute was paid to his honesty, his unfailing faith in the gospel for which he had renounced home and friends, to choose trial and sacrifice, but which had given him peace and comfort under its divine and inspirational standard.
       The speakers declared that his splendid family of sons and daughters all of whose lives are dominated by a spiritual philosophy, are fully worthy of the valiant man who was their father.
       Surviving him are the following sons and daughters:  Fred, Charles, and Bp. Henry Luthi, Mrs. Guy Robinson and Mrs. Reynold Robinson all of Freedom, Mrs. Franklin R. Gardner and Mrs. Carl Robinson of Afton, besides numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
       Interment was in the Freedom cemetery, where the prayer of dedication was offered by Wm. E. Jenkins.