Malad…Our beloved mother Merle Stuart Mills passed away on March 6, 2016 at Brookdale Emeritus Estates in Ogden, Utah. She was born on July 31, 1918 in Malad, Idaho. She is the daughter of William Evans Stuart and Mary Ann Thomas Stuart. She is the seventh child of ten children. Merle had five sisters and four brothers. She was reared and educated in Malad. Merle was an excellent student who skipped the seventh grade and graduated at age 16. She attended LDS Business College in Salt Lake City for one year. When she returned to Malad , she met and married Paul H. Mills. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on Sept. 29, 1936. They spent the first year of their marriage in Salt Lake where Paul attended LDS Business College. The next year they returned to Malad and Paul took over the family farm. Paul farmed and raised cattle while Merle worked beside him cooking for the farm workers, raising gardens, canning their fruit and vegetables and a million other chores. They had three children, Joyce, Brent and Boyd. At an early age Boyd was diagnosed with Muscular dystrophy and for 23 years, until he passed away, she cared for his every need. After Boyd passed away, Paul was president of Oneida Perlite Corporation and Merle went to work as his secretary. For the next eighteen years they worked together side by side in the business. Merle faithfully fulfilled many callings in the LDS Church. She served as a Sunday School teacher, Primary President, Relief Society President, and in the MIA. She served for 10 years on the Malad Stake Relief Society Board. Merle spent many years doing Genealogy and enjoyed attending the Logan Temple with Paul. Paul passed away in 1989 and in 1994 Merle moved to North Ogden, Utah so she could be near her daughter Joyce. She found a lovely home and enjoyed her new friends, neighbors and the North Ogden 17th. LDS Ward very much. Merle is a warm, loving person and has always given of herself to others. The last few years, as she has aged, she spent her time reading, on her knees praying for her family and friends, and still serving in her church by calling the visiting teachers each month. Merle is survived by her daughter Joyce (Bruce) Jones of Pleasant View, Utah, son Brent (Susan) Mills of Montello, Nevada and her sister Elsie Briggs of Pocatello, Idaho. She leaves behind seven grandsons, two granddaughters, ten great grandsons, ten great granddaughters, and two great great grandchildren. We all love her very much. She was preceded in death by her son Boyd Mills, husband Paul H. Mills, her parents, four brothers; Bill, Bartho, Grant and Max Stuart, and four sisters, Hannah Harris, Christie Smith, Jenny Cate and Anita Swanson. A memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Horsley Funeral Home 132 W 300 N in Malad, Idaho. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment will be in the Malad City Cemetery. On behalf of Merle’s family, we express our deep appreciation for the acts of love and kindness given to her by the North Ogden 17th. Ward. members. Thanks to the wonderful staff at Brookdale (Emeritus Estates), and those from Advocate Hospice and Inspiration Hospice who have so lovingly taken care of her. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 11 at 11:00 a.m. in the Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W. 300 N.in Malad. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home from 10:00-11:00 a.m. prior to the services. Burial will follow in the Malad City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.horsleyfuneralhome.com