An LDS missionary from Pleasant Grove and his Romanian companion were killed Tuesday in an automobile accident in England.
According to information provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Mark Gleason and Elder Mihai Teodorescu, Ploiseti, Romania, were traveling on a three-lane road, with the center lane used as a passing lane. Their car collided with another vehicle moving in the opposite direction as both cars entered the passing lane.
Both missionaries, serving in the Bristol England Mission, were pronounced dead at the scene. The church had no information on the condition of the passengers in the other vehicle.
Elder Gleason is the son of Dennis and Connie Gleason of Pleasant Grove and has five siblings, including a brother who returned from a neighboring mission in England about six months ago, according to Duane Atkinson, the family's stake president. Elder Gleason's body is scheduled to arrive in Utah Friday, Atkinson said, with funeral services tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday.
The Gleason family moved to Pleasant Grove from California about three years ago, Atkinson said, after Elder Gleason had graduated from high school where he earned honors as the California state cross-country champion. "He had a scholarship waiting for him at one of the major universities in Utah when he returned. He was an outstanding elder and a great leader."
Elder Gleason had served for about 21 months and was scheduled to complete his mission Sept. 5. "His family had already purchased tickets to go pick him up." In fact, Dennis and Connie Gleason had an unusual last chance to see their son when they went to England to pick up his older brother a few months ago, Atkinson said.
"While they were there they had special permission to visit him in the Bristol Mission, and were able to share a few moments with him — moments they now are cherishing."
Atkinson said the Gleason family is "taking this tragedy with broken hearts but with unusual faith in what the next life has to offer those who love families."
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