Earl L. Lindley

Earl L. Lindley
(1933-2012)

Earl Leishman Lindley, 78, passed away on February 14, 2012 at his daughter’s home in Logan, Utah of pneumonia. Earl was born on March 13, 1933 in Wellsville, Utah to William and Myrtle Lindley. He attended elementary school and junior high in Wellsville, and graduated from South Cache High School in 1950. He participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track at South Cache, and earned 11 varsity letters. While at South Cache, he met the love of his life, Marilyn Jensen, and they were married on October 11, 1951 in the Logan LDS temple during Earl’s sophomore year at Utah State University. Earl played football and basketball at Utah State. He excelled at football, leading the nation in scoring in 1953. He graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in 1954 and a master’s degree in 1957. Earl played football with the Edmonton Eskimos for four years in Canada but his career was cut short by a shoulder injury.

He began his football coaching career at Idaho Falls High School, and also coached at BYU and Sky View High School. His playing and coaching successes were recognized by his inductions into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame, the Utah State University Hall of Fame, and the Sky View High School Hall of Fame. Earl was also a teacher and administrator at North Cache Middle School.

Earl was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as Bishop of the Smithfield First Ward, in addition to numerous other callings. He and Marilyn served a proselyting mission in the New York Rochester Mission. Earl also enjoyed farming. He knew the value of hard work and used the farm to teach his children that same virtue.

Earl is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marilyn of Smithfield, five of his children, Greg (Kaylene Lamb), Bountiful, Utah, Teresa (Scott) Theurer, Logan, Utah, Lance (Rebecca Dalling), Iona, Idaho, Corey (Janis Farnsworth), Orem, Utah, and Wade (Deanna Scott), Smithfield, Utah, 24 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren (with three more on the way), and one brother, Lynn (Marlene), Logan, Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Bill, Ray, and Cecil, sisters, Elva and Nelda, a son, Blake, 3 grandchildren, and a great grandson.

A funeral service will be at held at noon on Saturday, February 18, 2012 in the Smithfield South Stake Center at 451 South 250 East, Smithfield, Utah. A viewing will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 17, 2012 at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street, Logan, Utah. There will also be a viewing from 10:00-11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Stake Center before the service. Burial will be in the Hyrum City Cemetery. To honor Earl, donations can be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of the LDS Church in lieu of flowers. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net