Merl Wilford Stokes Obituary (1922 - 2004)

MERL WILFORD STOKES WILLARD - Merl Wilford Stokes, 82, passed away, Friday, November 26, 2004 in Logan, Utah. He was born January 16, 1922 in Preston, Idaho son of Wilford and Ella Nora Wixom Stokes. Merl was a high priest in the LDS Willard 1st Ward. He held many church callings throughout his life. He served his country well in the 104th Timberwolf division during WWII, where he received several honors including two purple hearts. While in Germany he met and married Helga Lang. The marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple. They moved to Franklin, Idaho after his military service and operated the family farm. They later moved their family to Logan, while Merl was employed by Fife Rock Products in Brigham City. Following the death of his wife, Helga, of 35 years he married Marion Graser Holmes of Willard, Utah, where they lived and operated a farm and orchards. Merl is survived by his wife Marion Stokes, children, Elke Phillips, Sylvia (Ken) Harris, Robert (Sharlene) Stokes, Heidi (Rex) Colledge, step-children; Larry (Chris) Holmes, Virginia (Doug) Thompson, Kevin (Cindy) Holmes, Bruce (Jodi) Holmes, Colleen (Shawn) Gardner, sister-in-law, Velma Stokes, Murtaugh, ID; brother, Bill (Martha) Stokes, Idaho Falls, ID; sister, Phyllis (Henry) Clark, Sandy, UT; brother, Joseph (Carol) Stokes, Roy, UT, 32 Grandchildren and 7 Great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helga Stokes, son Mikel Merl Stokes, brothers, Lyman and Paul Stokes. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 2, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at the Willard 1st Ward Chapel, 80 North 100 West, Willard. Friends may call on Wednesday, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 205 S. 100 E., Brigham City, UT and from 9:30 to 10:40 a.m. at the Church. Interment will be in the Logan Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. with Military Honors accorded by the combined Veterans from Box Elder County. Special thanks to the staff at the McKay Dee Hospital, Logan Nursing and Rehab and the Logan Regional Hospital for their tender loving care. VisitationMyers Mortuary - Brigham City 205 South 100 East Brigham City, UT 84302 December 1, 2004 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM CemeteryLogan City Cemetery 12th East 9th North Logan, UT December 2, 2004 ServiceWillard 1st Ward Chapel 80 North 100 East Willard, UT 84302 December 2, 2004