3 display strength as they say farewell

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.

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com