Gladys Noble Finchum passed away at the Logan Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Logan, Utah on Sunday, November 19, 2006. She had endured declining health in the last few years.

Gladys was born August 1, 1923, in Smithfield, Utah, to Ira Elias and Vera Jorgensen Noble. She grew up there with her 5 brothers and 3 sisters. She graduated from Seminary and North Cache High School in 1941.

She met Arnold Finchum, a US Navy sailor from Indianapolis, when he was sent to the USAC (now USU) to study Elementary Electricity and Radio in early 1942. After a U.S. Mail courtship of several months, she met him in San Francisco and they went to Reno, Nevada where they were married October 18, 1942.

The Navy sent Arnold to teach at the Bliss Electrical School in Tacoma Park, MD. Their first son, Kenneth Arnold Finchum, was born April 29, 1944, in Washington, D.C. Gladys followed him to Bath, Maine, when he was assigned to the USS Benner, a new ship where Arnold was an Electronic Technician. When the ship was deployed to the Pacific fleet to protect aircraft carriers the summer of 1945, Gladys returned to Smithfield for the duration of the conflict. After the war, Gladys and Arnold made their home in Smithfield while Arnold completed a B.S. in Radio at USU. A second son, Ted Gerald Finchum, joined the family September 9, 1947.

The family made several moves after Arnold’s graduation and he was employed as an engineer in Albuquerque, NM; Oxnard, CA; Canoga Park, CA; and Hurricane, UT. They returned to Logan and he completed a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at USU in 1959. Gladys and the boys followed her husband wherever he was employed: Professor of EE at USU from 1960—68; and various teaching and administrative positions at IUPUI; Indianapolis, IN: University of Pacific, Stockton, CA; Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN; Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, CA; where he retired in 1983. Gladys made many friends everywhere she went. She “mothered” many of Arnold’s students and graduate students. Her husband always says she was the “secret ingredient: to whatever success he achieved in his endeavors. Gladys always provided a lovely and loving home after each move.

Gladys and Arnold returned to Logan and he spent his “retirement” teaching EE students at USU. In 1988 Arnold was called to be Mission President for the Genealogy Library Missionaries in Salt Lake City and Gladys served as his Executive Assistant. Men and women from around the world served with them and Gladys was of great service to these “older missionaries” who helped thousands of people researching in the library.

Gladys was always an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and received a 25-year service pin for her devoted service in Primary, serving as president in two different wards. She was a Guide Patrol leader and a strong supporter of Scouting activities. She was Relief Society president in Stockton and Atascadero, CA; and a visiting teacher.

Gladys always made her family her top priority and was also very close to her parents, brothers and sisters. A favorite activity was going to Smithfield Canyon where her dad liked to fish and a picnic meal was enjoyed. She participated doing sports support for Ken and Ted’s Little League, and attended lots of their football, basketball, and baseball games. She was a fabulous cook and an expert at all kinds of needlework. She joined quilting groups and made beautiful cross stitch and other quilts for her sons and other family members. She knitted lovely intarsia Christmas stockings for all of her family. Her beautifully hand-stitched gifts are highly prized by all who received them.

Gladys made friends everywhere she went and she always remembered them with cards and phone calls. Due to increasing health concerns, Gladys and Arnold moved to Williamsburg. Friendly, outgoing Gladys quickly acquired another set of wonderful friends. She will be sorely missed by each member of her family and her thousands of friends across the Untied States.

She is survived by her husband and two sons: Kenneth (Linda); Ted (Kathy); six grandchildren: Melissa Olson (David); Carrie Quesnell (Mike); Wendi Gray (Ron); Kenneth Jim Finchum (Monica); Christopher (Emily); and Heidi Hall (DJ); and 19 ½ great-grandchildren. Three brothers preceded her in death: Myrvin (Iris); Gerald (Lavon); and Don J Noble. She is also survived by her siblings NaDene (Don) Mikesell; Wayne Noble (Blanche); Harl Noble (Kaye); Mavis (Donn) Goode; and Lois (Tanley) Pettingill.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 25, 2006 at the Bridgerland Park 1st Ward Chapel, 825 North 200 West, Logan. Friends and family may call Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 North, Logan and Saturday morning at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Smithfield City Cemetery. Condolences may be extended to the family online at Nelson Funeral Home.