Erma Jean Bates Maxfield

Erma Jean Bates Maxfield, age 86, passed away on November 23, 2025 in Provo, Utah. She was born on June 29, 1939 in Tooele, Utah; the second of the 6 children born to Elmer and Mary Jane Garrard Bates. She grew up in Erda, Utah; until, as a teenager, her family moved to Gandy, Utah in the Utah West Desert. She graduated from Tooele High School; and eventually met the love of her life, Thayne Covert Maxfield. They were married on June 18, 1962 in Ely, Nevada. The marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on October 6, 1966.

Erma and Thayne made their first home together on the Granite Ranch in West Juab County. They would later move their family to Erda and then to Delta, Utah in 1971. During these years, while Thayne worked on the road as a truck driver, Erma took care of raising the six beloved children they had together. To help out, she also worked at Louder’s Café, Hart’s Gas, Dove’s Grocery Store, The Pizza House, and facilities maintenance at IPP. She deeply enjoyed her interactions with her many friends in the community. She was a wonderful mother and devoted herself in every way to her kids. She cheered them on in all their many activities. She enjoyed sewing the clothes for their dolls and her daughter’s dresses and dance outfits. Her enjoyment of her kids was only outmatched by her enjoyment of her grandchildren. She also had a passion for family history and filled her house with books and books of her research. No one can ever forget the care and attention Erma provided to those she loved. She is and will be deeply missed.

Erma is survived by her children: Shawn (Shaunna) Maxfield, Delta; Tracy (John) Benson, Hinckley; Kean Maxfield, Delta; Jolene (Dave) Fritzges, Hinckley; 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; sisters: Carloyn, Marlene, and Jane; brother: Sonny. She is preceded in death by her husband: Thayne; daughters: Angie McElroy and Tonya Maxfield; grandson: Brandon McElroy; and brother: Joe Bates.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 29, 11:00 AM, at the Delta 3rd LDS Ward Chapel, 197 South 300 West, Delta. Viewings will be held Friday evening, 6:00-8:00 PM, at the Nickle Mortuary; and Saturday, 9:30-10:40 AM, prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Delta City Cemetery.