Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Death of President Muren

Joseph Carl Muren

Joseph Carl Muren 1936 ~ 2009 Joseph Carl Muren, 73, passed away peacefully in his home in Layton, Utah on Monday, July 27, 2009. Joseph was born February 5, 1936 in Richmond, California. He earned his BA and MA in History from San Jose State College and his Ph.D in Education Administration from USC.

Joseph served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in Argentina from 1958-1960. In 1963, he married Gladys Smith in the Los Angeles Temple. Joseph was a gifted teacher. He taught LDS Institute at El Camino College, Long Beach State College, Stanford University and Weber State College.

Joseph was called as the President of the San Jose, Costa Rica Mission where he served with his family from 1977-1980. He worked as a Director of Temporal Affairs for the LDS church in Peru, Argentina, Australia, and England. Joseph served in the Second Quorum of the Seventies from 1991-1996. During this time, he was assigned to the Presidency of the Europe Mediterranean Area and as President of the Central American Area.

Before retirement, he worked in the Human Resource Department for the LDS church. His assignments and callings provided his family with a rich multicultural experience. Joseph was an avid stamp and antique book collector. He loved reading, bird watching, teaching and learning from the scriptures. Joseph was a member of the Italian-American Club of Utah and the American Philatelic Society.

He was a caring husband and wise father. He will be remembered for his enthusiasm for life and his witty sense of humor. Joseph is survived by his wonderful wife Gladys; his children: Cynthia, Michael (Marcy Smith), Michelle (Hyrum Rudolph), Tricia, Marshawn (Dan Merkley), and Natasha (Lynn Smith); nine grandchildren: Elise, Rachel, Megan, Kasey, Joshua, Jacob, Anika, Kaden, and Annecy; and his beloved sister, Janet Freer.

Joseph is preceded in death by his parents Joseph Stanley Muren and Alba Cairo Muren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the LDS Stake Center, 2680 East Cherry Lane, Layton, Utah. Friends and family may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Saturday from 9:30 to10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment: Lindquist's Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd., South Odgden. Condolence may be shared at: http://www.lindquistmortuary.com/