CEDAR HILLS — As three members of the Ceran family marked the passing of three of their loved ones, the survivors found the strength to stand in front of hundreds and reaffirm their faith in God.
In a small but steady voice, Caleb Ceran, 12, bore his testimony Saturday at the funeral for his mother, older brother and younger sister, who were killed in an automobile accident in the pre-dawn hours of Christmas Eve. Five other Ceran children had preceded them in death.
"I'm so grateful that I'll get to see my family again," he said at a packed stake center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "They are so happy now."
Cheryl Lynne Smith Ceran, 47; Ian James Ceran, 15, and Julianna Janae Ceran, 7, were killed when an alleged drunken driver of a pickup truck ran a red light and slammed into the Cerans' car. Carlos Rodolfo Prieto, 24, now faces multiple felony charges, including three counts of automobile homicide.
The Ceran family was headed home about 2:30 a.m. Dec. 24 after doing some late-night shopping and attending a cast party for the Hale Centre Theatre production of "A Christmas Carol."
The Charles Dickens classic is loved by President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the LDS Church's First Presidency, who spoke at the funeral. Borrowing from one of the story's characters, Tiny Tim, President Monson said, "May God bless us, every one."
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President Monson read a letter to Gary Ceran from the LDS First Presidency, reminding Ceran and his remaining two children that death is an essential step in the journey to exaltation. He also told everyone that the time for tears had passed and that Saturday was a day to smile and learn from the Cerans as they "look to God and live."
Gary Ceran's brother, Erol Ceran, read from each of the three Ceran obituaries, which were written by Gary.
Julianna was remembered as a source of strength, joy and comfort to her mother. Gary said later during the service that his youngest daughter had a sweet innocence and soft laughter and that her death will leave a "gaping" hole in the Ceran home.
Ian was known for his musical talents, creating songs others have called "heavenly" and "not of this world." The "boyish giant" was a leader in his church and, in his father's words, an extraordinary teen.
Cheryl Lynne's obituary described her as a selfless person who loved the things her husband loved. She was called the "sun" that brought light into her husband's life.
Daughter Clarissa, 19, who suffered injuries to her legs in the accident, limped to the podium to explain how she and her siblings make audio recordings of magazine articles so that blind people can hear them. She played a recording Ian had recently made, with his voice reading the words, "I know that families can be forever." It's a belief she said has helped her through this past week.
"I do know that families can be together forever," she said. "I'm so, so confident that they're happy."
After the Hale Centre Theatre choir sung "Together Forever," Gary Ceran spoke.
"It's truly humbling to see how loved my family is," he said to a crowd of about 500. Ceran talked at length about how to deal with loss, that in death love helps people cope with the grief. Ceran also let his own grief show, as his voice wavered at times when he mentioned his wife.
"I did not lose a partner," he said. "I lost half of me."
After the service, a burial ceremony took place at the Valley View Cemetery in West Valley City.
A fund for the Ceran family has been set up through Zions Bank. Donations can be made by calling 801-984-9000, online at www.ceranfamilyfund.com or by mailing a check, made out to the Gary Ceran Family Donation Account, to Zions Bank, Attn: Mary Whitaker, One South Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.
E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com