Don William Merrill Obituary (1934 - 2018)

4/22/1934 – 8/30/2018 Don William Merrill, 84, faithful follower of Christ, husband, father and patriot, returned home to his Heavenly Father on August 30th. He departed peacefully in the company of loving family in Murray, Utah, as the result of an extended battle with Parkinson’s disease. Don was born in Murray, Utah and grew up in Bluffdale, Utah. Don served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in South Africa in the early 1950’s and served a second mission with his wife, Phyllis, from 2009 to 2011. He served as an officer in the Air Force for 4 years, stationed in Belleville, Il, and Spangdahlem AF Base, Germany. Don attended Jordan High School, University of Utah and BYU University. Don had a passion for cars, golf, skiing and travel. He was a leader in business and in his church. He was a good friend, advocate, and helper. He was a faithful friend keeping in contact with those who came into his life. In 1984 Don established a business which is still in operation. He retired in 2013, Don is survived by his spouse, Phyllis; sister, Vicky Butterfield (Dennis); brother, James Kendall (Cindy); children: Brad Merrill (Cyndee), Allison Graves (Gary), Clark Merrill, Keith Klingler, Andrea Gust, Vince Klingler (Jenelle), Wendy McCleery (Nathan); brother-in-law, Ron Thomas; 17 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Janet Thomas. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 5, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. at Three Fountains LDS Ward Chapel located at 755 East Three Fountains Circle, Murray, Utah. At the request of Don Merrill, his family invites you to his Celebration and Viewing, to be held at the church at 755 East Three Fountains Circle on Tuesday evening, September 4, 2018, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. On Wednesday, September 5th, there will be a viewing from 10:30–11:15 a.m. prior to the service. Interment: Bluffdale City Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com