Richard Pikula Mataele Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Richard Pikula Mataele, 68, passed away peacefully in his home with his daughter by his side on the 28th of February 2014. He was born on the 11th of June 1945 in Ha'akame, Tongatapu to Pauliasi Pikula Mataele and Mele Tu'unga'a Toala. He married Yvette Guttenbeil in Los Angeles, California and was later sealed at the Los Angeles California Temple and they had one daughter Salote Lolie Mataele. Richard was born and raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints he is the 5th child out of 13, Richard lost his mother while he was still a baby and his father later on in life while he was still a toddler, his father remarried Kaulamusu Taimani who raised him as her own together with 8 younger siblings. Richard grew up most of his life in his home village of Ha'akame, he graduated from Liahona High School where his father was a teacher there. His father desired of him to come to the United States to further his education in 1969. Richard being one of the first out of his siblings to migrate to America came with a desire to have a better life and to help his family back in the islands. Richard with the love for his siblings worked hard and help pay their way here to America because of his dream for a better life and a better future for them. Richard loved and lived life to the fullest, he always enjoyed the company of family and friends and just reminiscing about the good old days, he always loved visiting his eldest sister in the Bay Area for she was more like a mother to him always taking care of him and his needs, but more than life itself his heart and true love was his daughter, his only child, Salote Lolie, his shadow, his little mini him. He will be greatly missed for he was loved by all that knew him. Richard is survived by his daughter Salote Lolie, brothers Tevita, Taniela, Sione, Linsi, Taufa and sisters Sela Malekamu, Lose Finau, Ngalu Pikula, Lupe Kanuch and many nieces and nephews. Richard is preceded in death by his parents Pauliasi Pikula Mataele and Mele Tu'unga'a Toala, his two eldest sisters, Katinia Niualiku and Luisa Angilau and his older brother Kakau Pikula Mataele. Services will be held Friday evening March 7th, 2014 at the Hunter 37th Tongan Ward (4715 S 4300 West, Kearns, Utah from 6-10pm. Saturday morning from 8-10am at the same location. Family and friends are invited to the final funeral service from 11-12pm. Interment to follow at Valley View Memorial Park at 4335 W 4100 South West Valley City, Utah. Many thanks and gratitude for all the unconditional outpour of love that has been shown and given by many families and friends, and Thank you Serenity Funeral Home(SereniCare) for your professionalism of service and great care. The services will be under the direction of Peni Tonga Malohifo'ou.

Richard Pikula Mataele

June 11, 1945 - February 28, 2014