Gayle Roper Nielson, age 87, passed away Thursday, January 16, 2014 in the Delta Hospital surrounded by his family. Gayle was born October 23, 1926 in Oak City, Utah to John Lewis Nielson and Ida Roper Nielson. He attended Oak City Elementary and Delta High School and graduated on May 22, 1946. He was a veteran of World War II. Gayle served 3 LDS missions in his life, all to Samoa. One as a young man and two with his spouse, Mavis Nielson

On July 29, 1955 Gayle married Mavis Spencer of Escalante, Utah in the Manti LDS Temple. They had four children: Spencer Gayle Nielson, Thomas S. Nielson, Jolene Nielson Inokuchi and Jay Lynn Nielson. He had 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

During his lifetime his employment included McIntyre Ranch, Union Pacific Railroad, Hercules Powder, Millard County School District. He ended his career working for the Millard Country Road Department. Gayle had a strong testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he served in various positions of the church and enjoyed all his service for the Lord. Gayle loved his family and his friends and had many close relationships he cherished his entire life.

Gayle was preceded in death by his parents, 4 half-sisters: Elma Anderson, Florence Lovell, Susan Shipley, Rachel Melville; and his son: Jay Lynn Nielson.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 20, 2014 at 11 am, the Oak City LDS Church. Viewings will be held Sunday evening, 6:30-8:00 at the Nickle Mortuary; and Monday at the church, 9:30-10:40 am. Burial will be in the Oak City Cemetery. Online condolences at www.nicklemortuary.com