Bernell Loren Hutchings
1938 – 2023
Bernell Loren Hutchings died peacefully at home September 9, 2023, with family by his side.
The eldest son of Loren Heber and Velma Stewart Hutchings, Bernell was born in his parent’s home in Provo on the 23rd of July, 1938. His dad, who was working for Chase Ice Cream at the time, was out on delivery when the baby arrived. It’s said that as soon as he got home, Loren put a small amount of ice cream on his little finger for baby Bernell to lick off, thus initiating Bernell’s lifelong love affair with ice cream.
When Bernell was seven the family moved to Springville. His boyhood passed happily playing marbles, shooting BB guns, fishing Hobble Creek, and generally getting into a fair amount of trouble while attempting to skirt the consequences of good-natured, boyish rascalry.
Bernell graduated from Springville High School in 1956 where he lettered in baseball, football, track, wrestling, and was president of the acapella choir. His peers knew him to be particular about his appearance, to take responsibility well, and to be a friend to all. He attended Snow College, Utah Valley Community College and Brigham Young University.
One day a blond girl hanging out at SOS Drug Co. caught Bernell’s eye. Her name was Linda Alleman. They dated for five years before getting married on the 13th of April, 1961 in the Manti Temple. Together they built a home on inherited pioneer pastureland in the West fields of Springville. Linda drew the plans for the house and with the help of friends they built their home and cultivated the land, raising animals, vegetables, flowers, and five children.
An accomplished Millwright and foreman by trade, Bernell worked 23 years for Geneva Steel. Following Geneva Steel he worked as a superintendent for Wing Enterprises and Diversified Landscaping. He worked 12 years as a shop foreman for C & A Construction before retiring. After retirement C & A Construction persuaded him to come back as their safety officer for an additional five years.
Bernell was the kind of man who laid in bed at night thinking of what needed to be done the next day. He believed “the more you do, the more you feel like doing.” Bernell fostered and maintained lifelong friendships. He grew a large garden enjoyed by family and the neighborhood. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. An optimist, Bernell lived a life of positivity and gratitude.
He will be sorely missed.
Bernell is preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister Karen Hutchings Hurst. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Linda (Alleman) Hutchings; his children Todd Hutching (Christina), Lauralynn Hutchings Twitchell (David), Brian Hutchings (Marlo), Sarah Seestone (Darsi), Melissa Young, as well as 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake House, 996 W. Center Street Springville, Utah with a viewing prior to services from 9:30 to 10:30 am. A viewing will also be held Wednesday, September 13, 6:00-8:00 pm at Wheeler Mortuary 211 East 200 South Springville. Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.