Merrell_John Francis_1 Mar 1875

Prominent Business Man Dies At Ogden

Brigham City – John Francis Merrell, 62, prominent church worker, business man and civic worker of this city died at an Ogden hospital Monday, May 20, 1937 at 5:15 p.m. following a major operation.

Mr. Merrell, known in Utah and Idaho, had been president of the Box Elder chamber of commerce, two terms, of the Malad, Idaho chamber; of the state industrial school board, the Utah Lumber Dealer’s assoc., Malad Lumber and Hardware Co. the Merrell Farm and Livestock Co., president and manager of the Malad Lumber and hardware Co. and was in the Fifth LDS Ward Bishopric for a number of years.

He was born March 1, 2875, at Portage, a son of John Fenley and Mary Cole Merrell. He attended Utah State Agricultural College for two years. He performed missionary work for the LDS Church in Ireland from 1989 to 1901 and in the central states in 1925 and 1926. He married Jesse Muir of Ireland, August 7, 1901, who died July 7, 1902. He married Ida Hepworth of Bountiful, Sept. 7, 1904. She died April 11, 1913. He married Alice Yates of Harper, January 14, 1914.

He is survived by his widow and the following sons and daughters; Eliot and Maxine Merrell of Salt Lake City; Mrs. Eva M. Francis, Morgan; Thomas Y., Ida, John Y., Richard Y., and Donna Jane Merrell, all of Brigham City; also four grandchildren and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Lottie M. Simonsen, C.W. Merrell, A. Fenley Merrell, Mrs. Melissa M. Peterson, Clarence E. Merrell, Orville E. Merrell, all of Brigham City and Mrs. Ethel Stander of Salt Lake City.

Funeral services all be conducted on Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Fifth LDS Ward meeting house under the direction of Bishop Frances Christensen.