Valorie Topham Obituary (1948 - 2012)

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Valorie Miles Topham, returned home to her Heavenly Father on September 9, 2012 at the age of 64 due to an uncommon complication to a simple infection. Val was born on June 22, 1948 in Banida, Idaho to Cecil and Dorothy Miles. She was the fourth of five sisters whose bond, even in death, is inseparable. Val met her eternal companion Dewey in 1967 on a blind date in Logan Utah. They were later married in the Logan Temple on December 20, 1968 and would have celebrated their 44TH anniversary this year. They made their home in Parowan Utah where they raised their five children.Val graduated from high school in Preston Idaho and later received her associates degree from Ricks College in Rexburg. Following college, Val worked as the secretary for the special education department at Utah State University. When Dewey and Val moved to Parowan she worked for a short time at First Security Bank and then for the Utah Department of Fish and Game before making a career of working for Parowan City for the past 39 years where she was currently working as the city recorder. Val was very dedicated and enjoyed her job and all of the people she worked with throughout the state. As a past president of the Utah Municipal Clerks Association, Val served on many boards and committees throughout the state. She was also one of the few municipal clerks to earn the internationally recognized Master Municipal Clerks award.Val was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and enjoyed serving in many different callings throughout her life. Val loved working with the youth and spent much of her service in the primary and young womens organizations.Val was dedicated to her family and cherished her time with them. She never wanted anything for herself but always made sure everyone else was happy. She spent much of her extra time over the past few years taking special care of Dewey and their daughter Kym. She never missed a baby blessing or baptism. She enjoyed the many trips to Lake Powell every summer; frequent family reunions, and her special Sisters weekend trips. Val is survived by her loving husband, Dewey; her five children: Tammy (Bryan) Beck of Olathe Kansas, Kym Topham of Parowan, Travis (Rochell) Topham of Parowan, Deanna (Matt) Urie of Enoch; and Justin (Lisa) Topham of Parowan; 14 grandchildren; sisters Arlene (Ben) Tsujimoto, Lois (Mundi) Pedersen, and Lorraine (Lynn-deceased) Youngstrom; and many nieces and nephews.Val was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Dorothy Miles and her Sister Kay (Gary-Living) Bowen.A viewing will be held at the Parowan Stake Center Thursday September 13TH from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Friday, September 14TH from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Funeral services will be at 12:00 PM at the Parowan Stake Center with Interment in the Parowan Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary.