Ethel Louise Wheeler Neff Cardon

Ethel Louise Cardon 89, of Farmington , went home to her Heavenly Father Monday morning, April 27, 2009 in her Daughter's home. She was born to Wilford and Ida Hunt Wheeler, in her grandmother, Elise Schmutz Hunt's home, in Waterflow, NM. Ethel's parents owned the Hogback Trading Post where she was raised. She enjoyed her family, riding her favorite pony to school in Kirtland and racing others home. She graduated from Kirtland High School. Ethel will be remembered for her beautiful voice. She sang at dances and weddings. She taught herself to play the piano and organ by ear. She would hear a song and practice until she could play it. She was also a wonderful cook and did a lot of canning. Ethel married Thomas Whitcomb Neff, March 31, 1940. They lived in Farmington , NM where their first daughter, Nedra Alice was born. They moved to Henderson , NV during World War II and had their second daughter, Ethel Nadine . They enjoyed dancing and making friends and would go out to dance once a month. They returned to Farmington and lived on the Neff Ranch on La Plata and had their third daughter, Patricia Ida . Tommy had a terrible tractor accident while working on a ditch bank and was killed. Ethel could not run the ranch alone, so she moved back to Farmington and lived with Tommy's parents, Alfred & Alice Neff. Ethel married Eugene Cardon in 1947 and they had one son together, Jerry Eugene. They also loved to dance and taught their children how. Ethel was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed teaching and helping the youth and singing. After the girls left home, Ethel attended college to become a teacher. She taught on the reservation. She loved the little Navajo children and lived right close to the school during the week and drove home for the weekends. She is survived by her daughters, Nedra (Jed) Shumway of Mesa, AZ, Nadine (Allen) Mead of LaPlata and Patsy (Glenn) Mead of Farmington. She has 13 grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren. Also surviving Ethel is her brother, Lloyd Wheeler of Hogback, sister Aletta (Clyde) Ashcroft, one sister-in-law, Anna Mae (Udell) Cardon of Albuquerque and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husbands; son, Jerry; sister, Rose; & in-laws, Ken Washburn and Mary Wheeler. Arrangements are entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. , Farmington (505) 325-8688.