Fred Phelps, the ex-leader of the despicable hate-mongering Westboro Baptist Church, is on the "edge of death".
His son, who left the group in 1980, posted the news on his Facebook page.
The Westboro Baptist Church gained world-wide notoriety for picketing the funerals of US servicemen killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Story continues after slideshow...
Westboro Baptist Church
(01 of12)
A protestor, left, challenges the sign a Westboro Baptist Church demonstrator is holding near Central High School in St. Joseph, Mo., Friday, Oct. 11, 2013. (credit:AP)
Houston Rockets v Oklahoma City Thunder - Game Five(02 of12)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 01: A member of the Westboro Baptist Church protests gay rights and the NBA as police officers look on before Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets outside of Chesapeake Energy Arena on May 1, 2013 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Supreme Court Hears Arguments On California's Prop 8 And Defense Of Marriage Act(03 of12)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: Two same sex couples kiss in front of Westboro Baptist Church protesters, at the U.S. Supreme Court, on March 27, 2013 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on whether Congress can withhold federal benefits from legally wed gay couples by defining marriage as only between a man and a woman. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Houston Rockets v Oklahoma City Thunder - Game Five(04 of12)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 01: Members of the Westboro Baptist Church protest outside of the Chesapeake Energy Arena before Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets on May 1, 2013 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Supreme Court Hears Arguments On California's Prop 8 And Defense Of Marriage Act(05 of12)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: Cd Kirven (R) of Dallas, Texas, uses a pride flag to block demonstrators from the Westboro Baptist Church during rally outside the Supreme Court during oral arguments in a case challenging the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) March 27, 2013 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the second case this week about same-sex marriage. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Supreme Court Hears Arguments On California's Prop 8 And Defense Of Marriage Act(06 of12)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: New York based drag performer Qween Amor dances during a rally while surrounded by protesters from the conservative Westboro Baptist Church in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on March 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court is hearing arguments March 26, in California's proposition 8, the controversial ballot initiative that defines marriage only between a man and a woman. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Supreme Court Hears Arguments On California's Prop 8 And Defense Of Marriage Act(07 of12)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: New York based drag performer Qween Amor dances during a rally while surrounded by protesters from the conservative Westboro Baptist Church in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on March 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court is hearing arguments March 26, in California's proposition 8, the controversial ballot initiative that defines marriage only between a man and a woman. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Supreme Court Hears Arguments On California's Prop 8 And Defense Of Marriage Act(08 of12)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: A same sex couple kisses in front of Westboro Baptist Church protesters, at the U.S. Supreme Court, on March 27, 2013 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on whether Congress can withhold federal benefits from legally wed gay couples by defining marriage as only between a man and a woman. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Supreme Court Hears Arguments On California's Prop 8 And Defense Of Marriage Act(09 of12)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: Married couple Nathan Lents (L) and Oscar Cifuentes kiss in front of Westboro Baptist Church protesters, in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, on March 27, 2013 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments on whether Congress can withhold federal benefits from legally wed gay couples by defining marriage as only between a man and a woman. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Supreme Court Hears Arguments On California's Prop 8 And Defense Of Marriage Act(10 of12)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: A protester from the conservative Westboro Baptist Church demonstrates in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on March 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court is hearing arguments March 26, in California's proposition 8, the controversial ballot initiative that defines marriage only between a man and a woman. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Barack Obama Sworn In As U.S. President For A Second Term(11 of12)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: Demonstrators from the Westboro Baptist Church hold up signs along the Inaugural Parade route as U.S. President Barack Obama's motorcade travels from the White House to the U.S. Captiol along Pennsylvania Avenue January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Obama and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will begin their second term in office by taking the Oath of Office later in the morning during a ceremony on the West Front of the U.S. Captiol. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Jamey Johnston(12 of12)
Jamey Johnston, of Chicago, who helped Joplin rebuild as part of Americorps, holds up a sign in protest of the Westboro Baptist Church protestors, background, Monday afternoon, May 21, 2012, at Missouri Southern State University. The Westboro group was protesting Joplin, President Barack Obama and homosexuality. (AP Photo/The Joplin Globe, T. Rob Brown) (credit:AP)
Their signs - typically saying something along the lines of 'God Hates Fags' - blamed society's acceptance of homosexuality for their deaths as well as natural disasters and other terrible events.
Documentary maker, Louis Theroux, followed the group in 2007 and documented their warped world view which they forced upon the children of member of the church.
Phelps, 84, was the patriarch of the organisation which he started in 1955, closely controlling members and ensuring his teachings were rigidly followed.