COVE, Utah--Casper Whittle Merrill, 96, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 15, 1999 in Bountiful, Utah. He was active in daily temple attendance until just a few weeks before his death. Bone cancer was the cause of death.
He was born November 24, 1902 in Preston, Idaho. His parents were Olonzo David Merrill and Martha Louisine Whittle. He was a grandson of Marriner Wood Merrill and Cyrene Standley. Casper married Anna Crockett on November 21, 1928 in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. They presided over the West Central States Mission in Billings, Montana from 1957-60. Anna Crockett died December 4, 1979. Casper married Anna Lee Corbridge on November 12, 1982. During the 10 years of their marriage they served two missions in the Washington D.C. Temple 1984-1987 and one proselyting mission in the Fort Lauderdale Mission 1988-89. At that time Casper was the oldest proselyting missionary in the church.Casper served in Texas and Louisiana in the Central States Mission 1926-28. He has served as a Ward Superintendent of Sunday School, Stake Superintendent of MIA, Stake High Council and a Councilor in the Stake Presidency of the Benson Stake, a Councilor in the Stake Presidency and President of the Cache Stake, West Central States Mission President, Sealer in the Logan Temple, Patriarch in the Cache and Richmond Stakes.
Casper founded Casper's Ice Cream of Richmond, Utah in 1925 and left soon after for a 2 1/2 year mission. His brother, David, contributed much to get the newly formed business off to a good start while Casper was on his mission. Casper and Anna worked hard in the business and farmed at the same time. Casper sold the farm and moved the business to 580 North Main, Logan in 1946. In 1977 the business was moved back to Richmond, Utah. His sons, Richard, Derwin and George have all worked to increase the business until Casco and Fatboy ice cream sales have occurred on a national basis. This has fulfilled a life-long dream of Casper's. Some of Casper's grandsons are now operating the manufacturing and marketing program of the business. Casper received a Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science from Utah State Agricultural College in 1925. Besides dairy science his specialty, by practice, was mechanical engineering. He designed and built much of the equipment that has been used in the ice cream plant over the years. He also loved to operate tractors and bulldozers. He and Sanford Campbell worked their businesses by day and leveled the Cache Stake Welfare Farm by night - each taking a shift to keep the leveling equipment operating.
Casper loved to memorize scriptures and would often quiz family and friends as to the first word in a particular passage of scripture. This memorization proved to be a blessing when his eyesight declined to the point where he couldn't read. His mind was still keen so that he could quote scriptures to himself or to others every day. He lived a prudent life where he always spent less than he made and encouraged others to do the same. His love of church leadership, missionary work, temple work, the law of sacrifice, prudent living and hard work in all he did is a choice legacy he has left to his posterity.
He is survived by his three sons, Richard Casper (Jolene) of Cove, Derwin Crockett (Luana) of Smithfield and George Kenneth (Pat) of Bountiful; 20 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren; a brother, Sam and sisters Sarah, Harriet, Alice, Julia. He was preceded in death by his wife Anna Crockett, a son Ronald, two brothers David and Stan, four sisters Georgia, Olive, Linda, and Alice, one grandson and one great-grandson.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 20, in the Cove LDS Ward, 12832 N. 1200 E., in Cove, UT, with Bishop Monte Carlson conducting. Family and friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Cove Ward and from 9:30 a.m. until time of services Wednesday at the Cove Ward. Burial will be in the Richmond (Utah) Cemetery. Arrangements by Webb Funeral Home, Preston, Idaho.
The family suggests, instead of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the missionary fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through a Ward or Branch nearest your home.
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