Individual Details

The Deseret News, Salt Lake City, Utah, Sunday, March 12, 2000: Helper---Lifetime resident of Helper, Utah, Oliver Wendell Phelps, M.D., passed away March 10, 2000. He was born September 2, 1921 to Alfred James and Elizabeth (Walker) Phelps in Spring Canyon, Utah. Member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church. He attended grade and high schools in Carbon County, worked in local coal mines and for the railroad as a young man. He began his college career at Carbon College which was interrupted by World War II. At that time he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served as a Pharmacy Mate in the South Pacific Theater for four and one-half years. Following the end of the war he returned to Carbon County and resumed his college plans at Carbon College. From there he was accepted into Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, and later into Creighton School of Medicine. While in Omaha he met and later married his wife, Terry. He graduated as a Medical Doctor in 1953. He completed his internship at Saint Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and University of Michigan in 1954. He then returned to Helper, Utah to begin his general family medical practice. He remained in practice there until March, 1997.

During his distinguished medical career, he gained his Fellowship in Family Practice from the University of Colorado. He was active in community activities during which time he served as Chief of Staff of Carbon Hospital; member of the Board of Trustees for Hospital Corporation of America; member of the Utah State Medical Examiners Board of Trustees (appointed by Governor Calvin L. Rampton); member of the College of Eastern Utah Institutional Council (appointed by Governor Scott M. Matheson); Utah State Delegate Democratic Committee; member of the Knights of Columbus; and was the first Grand Marshal of the Saint Patrick's Day Parade to be held in Carbon County. He was proud to be from Helper, Utah; Carbon County; and to be an Irish Catholic.

He is survived by his wife, Terry Halpine Phelps; a son, Walker (Cherron) Phelps; six daughters, T'Ann Phelps, Olivia Phelps, Mary Phelps, Pat (Leon) Erramouspe', Michaela Phelps, Hellen (Kieth) Fleming; grandchildren, Nickolas, Ann, and Leon (Ole') Erramouspe', Mary and Philip Sherman, Terry Ann Phelps, Hellen, Kathleen, and Patrick Fleming, and Cyrus Nassersaeid; brother, William "Bill" Phelps; and sisters, Dana Phelps, Barbara Jolley. Preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Clark Phelps, Beatrice Jensen, Lola (Dude) Robertson, Irene Wilstead, James Phelps, and Walker Phelps.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in celebration of the life of Doctor Phelps will be celebrated by the Reverend Erik J. Richsteig, Wednesday March 15th at 10 a.m., Saint Anthony's Catholic Church, Helper, Utah. Vigil service Tuesday evening March 14th, 7 p.m., Saint Anthony's Church. Family will be at the church Tuesday and Wednesday one hour prior to services. Committal services, Mountain View Cemetery, Helper, Utah. Directors, Mitchell Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Anthony's Catholic Church, Helper, Utah.

Birth	2 Sep 1921	Spring Canyon, Carbon Co., Utah
Death	10 Mar 2000	Carbon Co., Utah
Burial		Mountain View Cemetery, Helper, Carbon Co., Utah

Spouse

Terry Halpine ( - )

Father	Alfred James Phelps (1886 - 1966)
Mother	Elizabeth Jeanette Walker (1893 - 1964)
Sibling	William C. Phelps ( - 2006)
Sibling	Alfred "Clark" Phelps (1911 - 1998)
Sibling	James "Jimmy" Phelps ( - )
Sibling	Lola Phelps (1912 - 1983)
Sibling	Isabel Irene Phelps (1915 - 1991)
Sibling	Betrice Phelps (1918 - 1994)
Sibling	Barbara Mary Phelps (1928 - 2006)
Sibling	Dana Mae Phelps (1931 - 2003)
Sibling	Walker Duane Phelps (1938 - 1995)