Joseph Allen Levie

Allen Levie

Sevier, Utah

Joseph Allen Levie, 82, passed away at home in Sevier surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, on June 26, 2016, after a long and courageous battle against the effects of cancer.

Allen, as he was known, was born August 7, 1933 in Richfield, Utah, the son of Joseph Paul and Dora Viola Waters Levie. His rich heritage dates back to English converts and Nauvoo pioneers who valiantly crossed oceans and the plains to help settle our beautiful valley. That heritage would motivate his entire life of work, service and faith.

Allen attended elementary school in Joseph, junior high in Elsinore and South Sevier High in Monroe. He was senior class president at graduation in 1951. After high school he accepted a scholarship to the University of Utah, transferred to Brigham Young University and eventually graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Land Management. His interest in the land was manifested in his work experiences in California, New Mexico and Utah.

Allen married Iwalani Serrao, August 21, 1952 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Together, with their six month old daughter, they accepted a mission call to Hawaii in 1954. This experience began a life long journey of Church callings and service. He served as bishop, several times as a branch president, as stake president and in numerous priesthood assignments, never refusing a challenge to grow and to express his devotion to his Heavenly Father. Allen and Lani worked in Nicaragua and Mexico with service foundations to promote projects in health care, education and welfare. While in those countries he was able to encourage and train priesthood leaders as the Church began to grow in those areas. His life was devoted to his family, the Lord, the Church and his fellow man. The highlight of his life was serving as an ordinance worker in the Manti Temple.

Allen is survived by his wife of 63 years; children: Alana Keahi (Brian) Brodniak, Chattanooga, TN; Terry Allen (Becca) Levie, Sevier, UT; Rebecca Lei (Don) Zufelt, Joseph, UT; Cynthia Nalani (Patrick) Reynolds, Stockdale, TX; Vanda Aloha (Clabe) Jones, Joseph, UT; 21 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren; siblings: Paul D (Rae) Levie, Prescott, AZ; Dorothy (Eugene) England, Salt Lake City.

Preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Nisha Isabel Hood; great-grandsons: Skyler and Jaden Brodniak; sister, Geraldine (Norris) Goold; brother-in-law, Talmage Nielsen.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Joseph Ward in Elsinore. Friends may call Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the Magleby Mortuary in Richfield, and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the ward chapel in Elsinore, Burial will be in the Joseph Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.