Janet Isabella (Colton) Sunkees

Janet Isabella (Colton) Sunkees, age 80 of Vernal, passed away September 28, 2022 at her home with her family by her side. She was born on February 3, 1942 in Vernal, Utah. A daughter of Milas and Isabelle Colton. She has two older sisters; Mary Ellen and Murial, and one younger brother; Avon. Janet was raised on the family's mink farm on the Maeser highway in Vernal, where hard work and dedication were a must. She had lots of friends growing up. She was the Yearbook Princess during her Senior year in high school. She graduated from Uintah High School in 1961 and went on to cosmetology school at age 18 in Salt Lake City. It was there she met the love of her life, Jon Sunkees, a BYU football player from Santa Monica, California. They were married on June 15, 1963 at her parent's home in Vernal at the age of 21. Together they have 3 boys; Matthew, Nathan, and Andrew who gave them a run for their money. They worked hard and built Janet's Beauty Shop which she owned and operated for the last 50 years. She did almost everyone's hair in town. Her boys were raised in and out of the beauty shop. Because she didn't have a girl, she would catch each one of the boys and give them a permanent whenever she could. Her love for purple was something that everyone knew her by because her beauty shop's front purple doors. She even had a purple flocked Christmas tree that she would put up every year and hand out candy canes for all of the children. She even painted the walls in her house a different shade of purple. She taught 3 of her granddaughters to love doing hair also. They are all carrying on her legacy. Janet gave most of her 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren their 1st haircut and their first perm.

Janet was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed teaching her Sunbeam class in Primary. She was also in the young women and scouting programs. She loved looking at the moon, she always loved how beautiful it looked as it changed. She loved to go on an adventure, whether it was a ride on the mountain or just a ride around town to see what was new or if anyone could be caught at home for a visit.

Janet loved fishing, which was a must with fishermen like Jon and the boys. There were many camping trips to Brownie Lake as a family, they had to catch their limit before they could do anything else. After she retired, she and Jon took each family member with them to Alaska for a yearly fishing trip. While catching the biggest fish that they had ever imagined and always trying to get a bigger one than the other family member.

Janet "LOVED ELVIS!!!" You could catch her listening to Elvis blasting loud enough that all the neighbors could hear. She "LOVED ELVIS!!!" She always like to throw a BIG family get-together for the holidays each season. She could make potato salad and potatoes and gravy better than anyone. She loved her 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She went to many wrestling camps and matches, many softball games, tournaments, and dance programs. She loved Halloween and dressed up like a clown many times for the grandchildren's birthday parties. She enjoyed following all the grandchildren's activities. She and Jon owned and managed 2 sets of duplexes. She would put so much time and elbow grease into keeping them up. She was part of the BPW and attended meetings regularly. She loved her family dearly. She will be greatly missed by them all but especially her one and only true love Jon.

She is survived by her husband; Jon Sunkees, her three sons; Matthew (Denise), Nathan, Andrew (Jamie), all of Vernal. 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, she sisters; Mary Ellen, Murial and brother; Avon.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, Milas and Isabelle Colton.

Funeral services for Janet will be held Friday October 7, 2022 at 2:00pm, at the Vernal Stake Center (850 West 100 North). Visitation for family and friends will be Thursday from 6:00pm ~ 8:00pm at the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home, and Friday from 12:45pm ~ 1:45pm at the church. Interment in the Rockpoint Cemetery under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be shared at www.AshleyValleyFuneralHome.com.

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