SALT LAKE CITY -- LDS church apostle Joseph B. Wirthlin was remembered at funeral services Friday as a kind man of deep faith, who never sought the limelight and strived to serve others.

"His humility stands out. Dad just never saw himself as anyone special," Wirthlin's son, Joseph B. Wirthlin Jr., said in a short eulogy. "He thought so little of himself because he thought so much of others and their needs and, when you were in his presence, you felt important."

Wirthlin, a member Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at home Monday of causes related to his age. At 91, Wirthlin was the oldest-serving church apostle. The Quorum of the Twelve is the church's second-highest governing body, charged with oversight of church operations.

Wirthlin was ordained as an apostle in October 1985, about a decade after being called to full-time church service. His death leaves a vacancy in the Quorum. Members serve for life and are in line for succession to the church presidency. The decision on who will fill this opening is left to the church's top governing body, the First Presidency. It was unclear Friday when that appointment would be made.

Wirthlin was well-known to faithful Latter-day Saints for his soft-spoken and unassuming manner. His funeral was open to the public. More than 5,000 mourners came to Temple Square for the services, packing the faith's 141-year-old Tabernacle, which was draped in pine boughs and white lights for the Christmas holidays.

Prior to being called as an apostle, Wirthlin held a variety of church administrative posts, including serving as a counselor to the Sunday School president, director of the church military relations committee, director of the church curriculum department and as an editor of church magazines. He also led church operations in continental Europe, Britain, Ireland and Africa.

An emotional church president Thomas S. Monson told stories from Wirthlin's life and church service, saying there was never a more "loyal, trusting and dedicated friend than Joseph B. Wirthlin. He always went the second mile."

"I shall miss him," Monson said.

A native of Salt Lake City, Wirthlin played football for the University of Utah in the 1930s. Wirthlin's jersey, bearing the number 4, long hung framed in his church office, Monson said.

Wirthlin graduated from the university with a degree in business administration. In 2001, he was received an honorary doctorate from church-owned Brigham Young University.

In his secular life, Wirthlin was president of a family run wholesale meat distribution business. He was also president of a business and trade association in Utah.

Wirthlin married Elisa Young Rogers Wirthlin on May 26, 1941, in the Salt Lake Temple. She died in 2006. The couple had eight children.

The family planned a private burial at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.