Deon P. Cropper Obituary (1931 - 2006)

Deon P. Cropper, 74, beloved mother, wife, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital. Deon was born on December 5, 1931 in Centerfield, Utah to Ross A. and Ethyl C. Peterson. Deon was one of nine children and lived most of her life in Salt Lake City. Deon graduated from Gunnison High School and moved to Salt Lake City to work and attend LDS Business School. She met her husband, Dr. Paul K. Cropper, in Salt Lake City after he returned from a mission. They were married in the Manti Temple on December 27, 1951, celebrating their 54th wedding anniversary together last December. Early in their marriage, Paul and Deon moved to Ft. Benning, Georgia for military service, then to St. Louis, Missouri where Paul attended Washington University Dental School. Deon had many talents. One of her greatest talents was her beautiful singing voice. When she was a high school sophomore she had the lead in the school play which was the beginning of many opportunities for her to share her singing talent. One of the great experiences in Deon’s life was her membership in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She sang with the choir singing in places such as Russia and Japan. She loved her service in the choir along with the many wonderful people she met and worked with during her years as a choir member. She often said that singing in the choir was the highlight of her life. Deon was a dedicated servant of her Father in Heaven. In addition to her membership in the choir, Deon served in many Stake and Ward callings including: Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary along with her position as President of the Ward Choir. Deon was an ordinance worker in both the Salt Lake and Jordan River Temples, with her husband Paul. She loved working in the Temple and developed strong relationships with many of her co-workers over the years as a tireless servant in the House of the Lord. Deon is survived by her three children, Michelle Dye (Marc), Nancee Madsen (Bill) and Douglas Cropper (Lynne); brother, Perry Peterson; sisters, Lucille Merrick, Arva Drown, Barbara Anderson, Frankie Christiansen, and Porcia Straw; as well as 10 grandchildren: Christopher, Michael, and Jonathan Dye; Jessica, Elise, Emilee, and Billy Madsen; Anne, Sam and Mary Cropper. Deon was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dr. Paul K. Cropper; brother, Max Peterson; sisters, Norma Peterson and Winona Taylor; and granddaughter, Jane Cropper. We as children wish to express our appreciation to the Huntsman Cancer Hospital physicians and employees for their dedicated compassion and caring during mother’s challenging last few months. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 12:00 noon at the Cottonwood 2nd Ward Chapel, 5165 So. Highland Dr. (2080 E). Viewings will be held Friday, June 23, 2006, from 6-8 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 So. State Street, and from 10:30-11:45 a.m. prior to services on Saturday at the church. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 Highland Dr.