Earl S. Jarrett
1925-2012
One of the last true beloved agricultural pioneers of Nephi, Utah; Earl Stanley Jarrett passed away at the family home on Sunday, April 8, 2012. Earl lived all of his 86 years to the fullest; born December 27, 1925 on the family farm in Nephi to William Stanley and Delta Howell Jarrett. He married the love of his life a cute spunkey little gal, Beth Maurine Rosenlof, on March 24, 1944 and was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple.
Earl, with Beth and their 8 children by his side were able to build their own family farm on the land they loved in Nephi. Earl's accomplishments were many; but none more important than his love of family, farming, and being trusted for sealing a deal with his huge handed handshake. He hardly ever talked about it but he served our country in the 77th Infantry and was wounded in Okinawa. He has been in agriculture all of his life, where he has served on many boards and leadership positions; Nephi City Counsel, Nephi Irrigation Company, Juab County Farm Bureau President, was a life time member of the Nephi Nebo Posse, Soil Conservation District Board. He was a member of the LDS Church and served in many capacities. He had a great love of the land. He was sent out with a brother at the young age of 12 to Homestead one section of land on the west bench. Although he traveled the world, nothing gave him a greater joy than camping with his family and riding up in the saddles.
His great legacy will always be remembered by those he leaves behind: children, Rodger (Georgia) Jarrett of Salt Lake, Bonnie (Hap) White of Nephi, Paul Jarrett of Nephi, Don (Sherri) Jarrett of Boise, ID, Reid (Vicki) Jarrett of Nephi, Karen (Harlo) Newton of Mona, and Wayne (Connie) Jarrett of Nephi; and 5 brothers and sisters Donna Beard of Saint George, sister-in-law Elaine Jarrett of Logan, Emma Porter of Nephi, Clyde Jarrett of Brigham City, Arlene Jones of Lehi, Glen Jarrett of Salt Lake; 24 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by parents, wife Beth, one son Mark Edward Jarrett, one brother Von Jarrett, 1 sister Veda Ferl Jarrett, one daughter-in-law Teresa Jarrett, grandson Shane Oliver and one great-grandson Ethan Miller.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2012, in the Nephi Stake Center, 351 North 100 West. Family and friends may call at the church one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in Vine Bluff Cemetery, Nephi, Utah.
Leslie E. Merrill
1935-2012
Leslie (Les) Eugene Merrill, age 76, of Yorba Linda, California, passed away April 6, 2012 in Nephi, Utah, after a brief loss of independence due to dementia. We will dearly miss his contagious laugh, Merrill wit, brightly colored glasses, crazy tennis shoes and perfect jazz rhythms. The world is a little lonelier now with one less Merrill brother, father and friend.
Dad was born October 14, 1935 in Logan, Utah, to Beena D. Peterson and Wendell William Merrill. Always a Logan boy at heart, he graduated from Logan High School (1954), and Utah State University with a Bachelor's of Science (1962) and Master's of Music (1968). He served in the Army for two years.
Dad married, Lynne Elaine Hamilton (deceased), on a weekend whim, August 31, 1963 in Las Vegas, Nevada. After years with empty arms their family was complete with the birth of twin daughters in 1974.
Dad's life-long love of music, especially jazz percussion, led to successful careers in both teaching and performance. A public educator for 40 years teaching at Santiago High School, Santa Ana College, and Cypress College in Southern California. He taught thousands of students to love music. He found great delight later in his music career as a long-time adjudicator at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. He also enjoyed tennis, skiing, sightseeing, travel, and could almost always be found with a camera around his neck.
Survived by twin daughters: Robin (Grant) Kramer of Courtenay, BC, Canada, and Kelli (Jason) Stilson of Nephi, UT; brother, John (Beverly) Merrill of Bakersfield, CA; and grandchildren, Holly, Bailey, Madison, Alex, Dallyn, Zachary, and Mya; sisters-in-law, Ardella Merrill of Logan, UT, and Alice Merrill Simonsen of Salt Lake City, UT.
Proceeded in death by his sister Ollie Jean, brothers William, Peter, and Robert, his mother (2002) and father.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at 11 a.m. in the Nephi 1st Ward LDS Ward Chapel 222 S. 100 E., Nephi, UT. A viewing will be held one hour prior. Internment will follow at the Nephi City Cemetery 400 N. 400 E. Funeral arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home.
The family would like to thank the medical staff of Central Valley Medical Center and Heritage Hills Care Center, but especially Dr. Rasmussen and Central Valley Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.
