Dean A. Wheadon

Richfield, Utah - Our loving husband, father and grandfather, Dean Asial Wheadon, age 74, of Richfield, passed away, September 25, 2007 in Salt Lake City, after a ten-year battle with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. He was valiant in the fight and remained positive and courageous in the battle to the end. He made us all proud. Dean was born in Salt Lake City on May 15, 1933, a son of Asial Winward and Verona Leone Rice Wheadon. He graduated from Jordan High School, Class of 1952. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, from 1952 to 1955. He was stationed in Ford Ord, CA and Aschaffenburg, Germany, where he developed his passion for skiing. He began his career at the Utah Department of Highways working as a draftsman. He later worked for Waterworks Equipment Company where he developed a great love and passion for helping communities plan, along with developing and maintaining efficient water and wastewater systems. He became the first Director of Water and Wastewater for Provo City Corporation in 1974 and, in 1976 he founded Community Consultants, Inc. a consulting firm that focused on helping water and wastewater utilities improve the efficiency of their operations. He co-authored several national publications on water metering and leak detection for public water systems. Dean married Sherrie Helen Fitzgerald on June 22, 1953 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. During their 43 years of marriage they had seven children: Rick, Keri, Mark, Kristie, Kate, Kimberly and Joseph. They were later divorced. Dean married Maureen Madsen Karst September 11, 2004 in the Manti LDS Temple and they lived in Richfield. She was his constant companion and lovingly cared for him until his death. Dean was also a ski instructor for 40 years, instructing at Timp Haven, Sundance, Snowbird, Park City and Deer Valley. He had a passion for teaching people to ski and inspiring them to love the sport and the beauty of the mountains. He also enjoyed many other outdoor activities such as boating at Lake Powell, fishing, hunting, horseback riding and touring the back country on his ATV. In his later years, he was active in the Sons of the Utah Pioneers where he enjoyed their treks. He also participated with the Old Time Fiddlers where he took part in weekly jam sessions and dances. Dean was a loving husband and father, who always enjoyed the family vacations and gatherings. His happiest and proudest moments were when he was with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dean was an active member of the LDS Church. He served in many leadership capacities including Bishop, Branch President, High Councilor and most recently as a missionary with his companion, Maureen, at the Richfield LDS Employment Office for 2.5 years. Helping people succeed was the greatest joy in his life. Dean is survived by his wife, Maureen of Richfield; his former spouse, Sherrie; children: Rick and Jana Wheadon of Alpine; Keri and David Frampton of Gilbert, AZ; Mark and Ann Wheadon of Park City; Kristie and Parrish Gordon of Highland; Kate Wheadon of Los Angeles, CA; Kimberly Wheadon of August, GA; Joe Wheadon of Santa Cruz, CA; step-daughter: Glenna and Gerry Mickelson of Salina; 15 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; brother and sisters: Robert and Yvonne Wheadon of Minnesota; June Olson of Salt Lake City; Jerry and Tom Patterson of Ephraim; Beth Winget of Pleasant Grove. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 29, 2007 at 1:00 P.M. in the Richfield 7th LDS Ward Chapel, 159 North 400 West in Richfield. Friends may call for viewing at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street in Orem, Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or at the ward chapel in Richfield, Saturday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial with military honors accorded by the VFW Sevier Post #5050 will be in the Monroe City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison, Utah.