"Meet you at the roller skating rink." Arland LeRoy and Ilean Hazel did just that. They met at the Roller Skating Rink at the Spanish Fork City Park.
Arland was born on January 8, 1926 in the family home in Salem, located on the corner of 100 East and Hazel Drive. His parents were William John and Minni Maude Smith Hazel. His father owned the property around Hazel Drive in Salem and that is who it is named after. There were 12 brothers and sisters in Arland's family and he was third to the youngest.
Ilean was born on October 23, 1929 in the family home in Leland. Her parents were Earl and Ella Wilkinson. There were five siblings in Ilean's family, three boys and two girls. She was second to the youngest.
They were married on August 4, 1947 and just celebrated their 68th anniversary. They lived in Leland when they were first married, then Salem, then Spanish Fork and in 1952 back to Salem; and to Nephi in 1963 and back to Salem in 1965, where they have been ever since.
They have five children: Arlean (Doug) Shephard, Spanish Fork; LeRoy (Janet) Hazel, Benjamin; June (Albert) Morgan, Provo; Kathy (Ron) Bishop, Fort Worth, Texas; and Blain (Jennifer) Hazel, Salem. They have 18 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.
During WWII, Arland served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946. He was based at Norfolk, Virginia and was thankful he never had to leave the states. After returning from the war and getting married, he worked at Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe, did construction work, worked for the farmers around Salem (Ken, Wally and Russell Christensen and Fred Hanks). He worked at the Spanish Fork Auction for 16 years and then went to Powder River.
Ilean said she was lucky and only had to work one summer at the Nephi Turkey Plant. Arland said, "No more work." So she was able to stay home and take care of the kids. She remembers helping do quilts for the Relief Society with Joyce Henderson and Linda Bird. She said growing up she helped with whatever needed to done on the farm: weeding and thinning sugar beets, bush beans, tromping hay, and peas.
Arland said he remembers thinning sugar beets. When you started on a row you did not stop until it was done. As he was the littlest one, it was almost dark before he finished. His dad farmed the dry lands above Salem. He said he hates snakes and when he would tromp hay the snakes would come crawling out. He likes to fish and has spent a lot of time at Strawberry and Schoield, but Otter Creek was his favorite. Ilean likes to quit, paint on dish towels and quilt blocks, and some simple crocheting. She has made several quilts for their grandchildren. They both like to garden, but haven't raised a garden the last few years.
Ilean doesn't care for shrimp or zucchini. She said she is a fussy eater. Arland said he likes everything.
Arland said Salem is the only place to live. Ilean said she loves Salem, and her nice neighbors. It has changed a lot since they have been here. They are thankful for good health and that they can both still get around, and for their family and life.
_________________________
Senior Spotlight, Salem City Newsletter, November 2015, page 3