1912 ~ 2003
St. George, UT<! >
- Donald passed away September 19, 2003 in St. George, Utah after a short illness. He would have been 91 on September 20, 2003.
He was born September 20, 1912 in Groveland, Idaho, son of Joseph Harris Merrill and Grace Emma Hale Merrill. He was the 9th of 10 children and was preceded in death by his parents, and all his brothers and sisters: Leland, Leonard, Melvin, Ernest, Alma, DeMar, Kenneth, Katie and Vonda.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Pearl Elizabeth Stocking Merrill, four daughters, Ann (Heber) Jones, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Vonda (Howard) Tagg, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; Lois (Brian) Upton-Rowley, Redmond, Washington; Deon (Don) Lewis, Cypress, CA; 20 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.
Born in Groveland, Idaho, he was raised in Thomas, Idaho until his father retired from farming and moved to Logan, Utah. There he attended Logan High School and the Agricultural College (now Utah State University) receiving a bachelor's degree in chemistry. While working in Rupert, Idaho he met his wife, Pearl Elizabeth Stocking, and they were married in the Logan Temple February 3, 1939. He became a cereal chemist for Globe Mills, which later became Pillsbury Mills in Ogden, Utah. During World War II he served three years, mostly in Italy, before returning home to continue working for Pillsbury in Ogden. In 1956 he was transferred to Astoria, Oregon and again transferred to Los Angeles in 1961 where they lived in Whittier, California. After retiring, he and Pearl moved to St. George, Utah where he lived at the time of his passing.
His life has been one of service to his family, church, and friends. He has served as District President while in Oregon and as an ordinance worker in the Los Angeles and St. George temples.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 20, 2003, 3 p.m., St. George, Utah 7th Ward Chapel, 449 S. 300 E. Viewing will be held Saturday, 1:30-2:45 p.m. prior to the services at the chapel. Funeral services will also be held in the Thomas LDS Chapel, 1059 W. 100 S. on Tuesday, September 23, 2003, 11 a.m. with visitation from10-10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will follow in the Thomas Riverside Cemetery under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary (435) 673-4221. Condolences may be sent through our website at www.metcalfmortuary.com.