Lael Dutson Hepworth

Lael Dutson Hepworth

SOUTH WEBER-Lael Dutson Hepworth, born March 9, 1929, passed away Friday, August 26, 2011. He fell a sleep surrounded by loving family and awoke to a joyful reunion in heaven. Born on a farm in Grover, Wyoming to Rose Ellen Dutson and Clarence Joshua Hepworth, Lael was the youngest of ten children. He grew up in the company of loving nieces and nephews, whom he adored. Lael graduated from Star Valley High, then served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Hawaiian Islands. There he saw a photo of Marilyn Hoopes, the beautiful kid sister of another Star Valley missionary. After his mission, Lael was called to serve his country, assigned to an artillery battalion during the Korean War. He decided to write to Marilyn, who replied, with the encouragement of her mother. Two years later, Lael and Marilyn married in the Idaho Falls Temple. They enjoyed more than 56 happy years together. Lael worked as an auto mechanic, then was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for 33 years. He and Marilyn raised their family of seven children in the wonderful community of South Weber, Utah. In the South Weber 1st Ward, Lael served as bishop - a calling he greatly enjoyed. He also served as a Sunday School teacher, elders'' quorum president, on the high council, and in the Ogden Temple. Lael is survived by his devoted sweetheart, Marilyn, and by three daughters, Melanie (Roark Neville), Jeanni (Brian Gould), Sharon (Eric Halter), four sons, Shane (Rebecca), Curtis (Bev), Paul (Becky Jo) and Matthew (Jenni), and by those he fondly called "The Thundering Herd": twenty lively grandkids and eleven great-grandkids. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday August 30, at 11 a.m. at the South Weber Ward Chapel, 1401 East South Weber Drive.

Friends and family are invited to gather on Monday August 29, 2011 from 6 to 8 p.m at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and on Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Burial: Lindquist''s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch Park, 1718 Combe Rd., Uintah. Lael''s family is grateful to loving friends and neighbors in South Weber, the Country Meadows Branch, and the caring staff and administration of Mountain View Health Services.

Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com