Vaud Melvin Hanks, age 93 passed away June 13, 2023. He was born in Salem, Utah on February 4, 1930, to Melvin Reynolds Hanks and Nelda Hill.

He attended school up to the 9 ^th grade in Salem. There were 14 girls and 7 boys his age. He always said he had to keep a stick in his pocket to keep the girls away. He then went to Spanish Fork High School where he met a black-haired beauty named Donna Chapple and that was the beginning of their 65 year marriage. They were married July 27, 1947 in Manti, Utah.

He attended BYU for 1 semester and then his dad told him he would need him to quit school and help him with the family business. He was the butcher at Mel Hanks and Sons where he learned to make his famous sausage. In 1976 he opened his own furniture store, Vaud Hanks and Son in Springville where he worked until the age of 92.

Vaud was an avid gardener, oil painter, loved showing horses with Donna in the Wahoo Riding Club, and was one of the hardest workers. Vaud enjoyed serving the community. He joined the Fire Department when it was organized and served as the Mayor of Salem from 1974-1980. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held various callings over the years including serving as a Bishop in the Salem 1 ^st ward from 2000-2005. Over Vaud’s 93 years he never left Salem, making him the oldest resident of Salem who was born there.

Vaud is survived by his children, Brent (Patty) Hanks of Salem, Utah, Jolene (Blair) Andreason of Payson, Utah, Leann (Larry) Hales of Spanish Fork, Utah, Susan (Scott) Olsen of Spanish Fork, Utah, Lesa (David) Swenson of Salem, Utah, Laurie Hanks of Salem, Utah, sister, Geneal (Richard) Nuttall of West Valley, Utah, sister-in-law Nedra Hanks of Salem, Utah, brother-in-law, Paul Chapple of Spanish Fork, Utah, 24 grandchildren, 69 great grandchildren, and 10 great great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his sweetheart, Donna Chapple Hanks, Parents,  Melvin R and Nelda Hanks, Roach and Elvern Chapple, Shirl D. Hanks, and Peggy Lou Jones, Keith (Myrna) Chapple, Marilyn Chapple, and Beckett Roy Andreason.

We want to thank Chad Parrish PA at Hillside Medical for taking such great care of our dad for 11 years. We appreciate the loving care and good times that Bonnie Ballard Valdez and the team from I Care Home Heath and Hospice gave our dad. He loved the visits and sharing stories. We also want to thank our dear sister Laurie for her kind service, time, and dedication in taking care of our sweet parents throughout their last years.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the church humanitarian fund or do something kind for someone.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 19, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. located at the Salem downtown church building, 60 South Main S treet, Salem, Utah. Family and friends may attend a visitation Sunday, June 18, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. located at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah and again from 9:00-10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church.

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