Lifelong resident of Carbon County, Robert Henry Etzel, age 91, passed away November 7, 2021 in Price.
He was born January 31, 1930 in Helper, Utah to Henry and Catherine Ariotti Etzel.
Robert married Grace Lupo on January 21, 1951 at Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church in Price; she preceded him in death on May 17, 1974. On February 26, 1977, he married Cherie Nyman Beacco in Price, Utah; Cherie passed away on February 27, 2020.
Robert was a proud graduate of Carbon High School Class of 1948. He also attended Carbon College after serving in the U.S. Army. After returning from the service, he continued working alongside his family at Etzel Concrete Products. In 1962, he joined Fausett Mortuary, eventually opening Fausett-Etzel Mortuary in Price in April of 1963. After the completion of the new facility in Price, Robert enrolled in mortuary school in San Francisco. In June of 1965, Robert graduated from San Francisco College of Mortuary Science where he was honored with the Dr. L. W. Hosford Leadership Award. In 1967, he began working at Mitchell Funeral Home where he was the owner and operator for the past 54 years. Robert made many lasting friendships during those years. He was a member of the Utah Funeral Director’s Association and the National Funeral Director’s Association where he was the oldest active funeral director in the state of Utah. Robert was proud to be self-employed and he valued his work ethic and instilled it in his children and grandchildren. He lived by one motto – “The right way, the wrong way, and the Robert Etzel way.” He had many other business endeavors in Carbon County and was constantly looking for new ideas and inventions for his businesses.
He was a life member of the Price Elks Lodge #1550 and a proud member of the Stella D’America Italian Lodge #77. He loved supporting charities and children’s athletics, where he was the longest standing sponsor of local Little League Baseball and the Mitchell Mummies softball and bowling teams. Robert enjoyed fishing, hunting with his family, and work. He dedicated his life to serving others and never missed a day of work and was very proud of this.
Survived by his children, Henry (Susan) Etzel, Wellington, Frankie (Vic) Sacco, Bobby (Annette) Etzel, Kim Beacco Miller, all of Price, Fritz (Connie) Beacco, Taylorsville; 10 grandchildren, Nicole (Travis) Cottam, Rachele (Travis) Donathan, Michael Etzel, Robbi (Jessica Allred) Etzel, Kirsten Etzel, Nicole Nelson (Derick Stevenson), Michael John (Samantha) Nelson, Kylie (Cody) Lockling, Heston (Sarah Johnson) Beacco, Dalton (Mallory Mitamura) Harrison; seven great-grandchildren, Kaden, Braxton, Madisen, Abbie, Jocelyn, Colin, Jayden; sisters-in-law, Delores Etzel, Phyllis Baker and Delina Philips; also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and the staff at Mitchell Funeral Home.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Grace Lupo Etzel and Cherie Beacco Etzel; brothers, Remo (Shirlee), Al (Jessie), Ernie; and baby sister, Elvira; and many loving in-laws, family members and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff at Pinnacle Nursing for their wonderful care this past year and to our angel Frankie for everything you did for Dad.
Funeral service, Thursday, November 11, 2021, 11:00 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home where the family will receive friends beginning at 9:30 a.m. Committal service, Mt. View Cemetery, Helper. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home where friends are welcome daily and may share memories of Robert online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.