Dale Francis Bethers (83) passed away peacefully Saturday, June 12, 2021 at his home in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

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Dale was born Tuesday, December 28, 1937 at Aird Hospital in Provo, Utah. He was the youngest of three children born to Joseph Francis Bethers and Genevieve Leavitt Bethers, following his brother, Wesley and his sister, Arelda. He grew up in Provo and attended Franklin and Grandview Elementary Schools, Dixon Jr. High, and graduated as a Bulldog from Provo High School in 1956. While in high school he participated in FFA, wood working, and softball.

After graduation, Dale joined the Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot(MCRD) in California. While in the Marines, he received awards for marksmanship and was a radio telegraph operator.

Following his Marine service, he married Edith (Janey) Hartley in the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday, June 4, 1958. They eventually found their way to Pleasant Grove, where they raised their six children and have lived for the last 55 years.

Hard work was nothing new for Dale. He told many stories about his time hauling hay to earn money for a horse, and detailing cars to buy himself a '49 Packard convertible. After a few other brief jobs, including running the Whiting Brothers gas station and doing construction, Dale settled in at Geneva Steel and worked there until his retirement in 1985. After retirement, he attended Utah Valley Community College and received his degree in auto-mechanics, continuing his love of working on cars.

“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. John Wayne”

Dale was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He enjoyed serving in the Elder’s Quorum, Sunday School, and in the scouting program. He was a faithful home teacher for decades and truly loved his families, continuing to serve and visit them for years afterwards.

Dale loved working with his hands. He spent many hours in his garden, working on cars and small engines, and creating things out of wood. He would “tinker” with anything that was broken, and could fix almost everything. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and camping. He would often get a Pepsi and go on long drives to explore. He had a love for all things western, including music, art, movies, John Wayne, and books (especially by Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey).

For years, family dinners included home grown tomatoes and corn on the cob. He loved fresh trout, liver and onions, and oysters. For dessert, he preferred applesauce cookies, lemon pie, and homemade vanilla ice cream. Favorite snacks included jerky, Snickers, and black licorice. His “loves” could always count on getting crackers, cookies, and popsicles from Grandpa. To him, there was no such thing as good peas or pineapple, and the only good chocolate was a plain Hershey's bar.

He spent many hours reading and doing all kinds of puzzles. He taught all his kids the importance of spending time with family with activities such as weenie roasts, playing games, and watching and cheering for the Cougars (go BYU!). His favorite TV shows included MASH, Perry Mason, and “Rastling” (WWF).

Throughout his life, Dale fought and rose above many health challenges including effects from polio at the age of five. He had back problems, muscle deterioration, and also survived two heart attacks. His most recent years were spent in a wheelchair.

He is survived by his wife and six children: Linda, Dale J, Gary (Luciana), Jodi (Marlin) Raphael, Julie (Larry) Cruz, and Amy. He is grandpa to nine grandchildren: Jaely (Michael) Hawley, Joshua (Natisha) Bethers, Yael Bethers, Caleb and Cameron Raphael, Rio, Kayden, Zane and Aliya Cruz. He is great-grandpa to four great-grandchildren: Calvin, Katalina, and Kaiya Hawley with a brother on the way, and Enzo Bethers. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister, and infant son, Wayne.

Family and friends may call at a viewing at Olpin Family Mortuary 494 S 300 E Pleasant Grove, Utah on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A funeral service for family will be held Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Manila Stake Center 850 N 900 E American Fork, Utah with a brief family viewing beforehand.

In memory of Dale, spend time with those you love…….play a game, go fishing, work in your yard, put together a puzzle, watch a movie or cheer on your favorite team. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you do it together. Most importantly, don’t forget to tell them, “I love you.”