Mount Pleasant Mayor Chesley Christensen dies

MOUNT PLEASANT, Sanpete County — Chesley Christensen, 79, a five-term mayor of Mount Pleasant who was a universally known figure in Sanpete County and a member of several state and national boards and committees, died Monday at 79.

Christensen served in the Utah National Guard for 43 years, including 34 years as a full-time noncommissioned officer. After he retired in 1989, he became active in veteran's organizations.

He helped direct Memorial Day flag-raising ceremonies at cemeteries in Mount Pleasant and other towns. He was found dead at home in a chair about 5 p.m. Monday — still wearing his uniform.

During his 19 years as mayor, Mount Pleasant restored its Main Street, built two power plants, developed an industrial park and improved its airport.

Recently, Christensen officiated at the groundbreaking for a 50,000-square-foot equestrian and special-events arena, part of a complex to be known as the Sanpitch Recreation and Heritage Center.

Christensen was a former chairman of the board of the Six County Association of Governments and a longtime member of the board of the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems. He also served on the Utah League of Cities and Towns policy committee.

He was on the board of the National Association of Development Organizations in Washington, D.C., an association that lobbies for community and economic-development funding.

"He was an incredible individual," Sanpete County Commission Chairwoman Claudia Jarrett said. "He will be greatly missed, not only by Mount Pleasant and the local community, but by people he has rubbed shoulders with on a national basis, as well."

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Mount Pleasant North Stake Center, 461 N. 300 West. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.