Viewing
Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, UTTuesday Sep 30, 2025: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Funeral
Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, UTTuesday Sep 30, 2025: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1933 ~ 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Virla Jane (Janie) Payne Merrill, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend joined her beloved eternal companion Jay in the spirit world on September 22, 2025.
Jane was born 14 November 1933 in Virden, New Mexico. She was the ninth child born to Junius Edward Payne and Sarah Jones Payne. Jane was very involved in volleyball and tennis in High School, lettering in both sports and was also yearbook editor. She was the Valedictorian of her class. While attending BYU, Jane met Jay W. Merrill. They were married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple 25 November 1952. Jay and Jane lived in Idaho for 41 years where they raised their six children and owned and operated several businesses. In 1993, Jay and Jane moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. Jane moved to Ogden, Utah in 2021.
Jane was a wonderful wife, mother, homemaker, businesswoman and best-selling author. She was an amazing seamstress, making most of her children’s clothes in the early years, and teaching sewing classes at night for the community education program. Jane taught her daughters and other girls as a 4-H leader. She was famous for her delicious homemade whole wheat bread which she shared freely with friends and neighbors. Jane taught baking classes at their Magic Mill Center in Burley, Idaho. Jane co-authored 3 cookbooks with her daughter Karen. Jane was involved in the community as president of Soroptimists, a service organization for professional women. Jane and Jay taught classes at BYU Education week for many years.
Jane was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in many callings including Primary President, Relief Society President and counselor, YW Counselor, YW Sports director, Relief Society Teacher, Food Storage and Preparedness specialist, and dedicated ministering sister.
Together, Jay and Jane served two missions for the Church: Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission, and as Directors of the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in Sharon, Vermont. They served as ordinance workers in the Mesa, Arizona, and Salt Lake Temples for twenty years.
Jane is survived by three daughters: Karen (Merrill) Sunderland, North Ogden, Utah; Debra Parks, Loveland, CO; Julie (Rick) Dooley, Sandy, Utah; three sons: Alan (Debbie) Merrill, Mesa, Arizona; Dale (Debbie) Merrill, Alpine, Utah; Junius (Julie) Merrill, Las Vegas, Nevada; 28 grandchildren, 69 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandson. She was preceded in death by her husband Jay, parents, two sisters, Florence Johnson, Edna Christensen, and 6 brothers: Lothair, Elvin, Albert, Edward, Art and Bill Payne.
Jane has left a legacy of love, faith. and family. As Jane often said, “Family is what this life AND the next is all about.”
The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Auberge Senior Living in Ogden, Utah for their kind, and loving service to our mother.
Funeral services will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, Utah, at 11 am on September 30, 2025. A viewing will be held at the mortuary prior to the funeral service from 9:30am to 10:30am.
Due to cemetery construction, there will be no graveside service.
To view a recording of the services, please click on the "Watch Services" link above.
We are so sorry about the passing of your Mother. I loved visiting your Mom with my Dad…the last two of the wonderful Junis and Sara Payne kids. Your mother lived a good life and now is with your Dad!
Love, Ed & Karen Payne
My aunt Jane was one of my favorite aunts had so many talents. It was so fun to see all the things she could do. She lived just out of Paul and we got to see them quite often her and her kids she’ll be missed and loved Kay Merrill Chidester.
Jane and Jay were dear friends. Jane you will be missed by your family and friends but you have joined your beloved Jay again. You really missed him.
Love Judy and Richard
Karen,
I am so sorry for you loss. Your mother was amazing! I still have and use your cookbooks that you created, and I love them. I remember as a young woman with our ward staying at your parents and having such a. Great experience there. She was so passionate about helping others. Truly inspiring.
I hope you can feel comfortable and peace during this difficult time. I love you!💜
We are truly going to miss Jane. She was like a second mother to Susan. She was my 4-H leader and helped me learn how to sew and cook. She taught me how to make whole wheat bread and how to cook and eat healthier. Jane was such a spiritual giant and whenever we went to visit her we never left her home until she had shared her testimony and taught us spiritual truths. Our prayers are with her family at this time.
What a "classey" lady! So sorry for your loss. We feel the loss, too because she was an awesome friend and so special to our family. Looking forward to the grand reunion in heaven when we all meet again.!
Reading of the passing of your mother brings sweet memories of the years we spent living in Paul, of the wonderful Paul ward, the Minidoka stake and the Minico seminary. My life is better because of the influence and example of your family.
May God bless you always,
David Mills
Jane is my cousin just three months older than my twin brother Terry and me. We had many fun experiences with Jane and her cousin Carol. We lived in the little town of Virden and would ride our bicycles up the valley to her home and go on hikes up Riley Wash. We took a canvas water bag with the understanding that I would carry it up and Terry would carry it back. On this occasion we saw honey hanging from a cliff wall and thought it would be smart to throw rocks at it and see if we could get some of the honey to fall. In the process the bees came after us and stung Terry in his left eye.
The girls used the water to treat Terry's eye. Guess who carried the water bag back.
We will miss Jane and the many fond memories of being with her as we all grew up in Virden.
We are happy for her knowing that she has now retuned to the arms of her husband.
Jane was a dear friend. We were blessed to have the Merrill family here with us in Paul for so many years.
When I think about Jay and Jane Merrill, I have very fond memories of two people who were committed to principles of the gospel. Uncle Jay often would answer questions about gospel topics that I had as a teenager in ways that made the gospel clear and simple. Aunt Jane was the ideal homemaker who knew how to cook, manage her home and between them they were like the north star because you always knew that they had a far-away goal that they were pointed toward for not only themselves but their family as well.
Aunt Jane invited Marian and I to come spend a weekend at their home in Paul after we were engaged. It was a quiet example for us to see first hand a home where the gospel prevailed - something that now that President Nelson has passed on, who taught "Let God Prevail" was clearly a focus in the Merrill home.
I am sure that the Payne family now is complete on the other side of the veil where all nine children have returned through the sealing powers of the priesthood. Isn't it wonderful how Grandpa and Grandma Payne lived the gospel in such a way that we all knew that they would end up this way. We have to be thankful to be part of such a wonderful legacy which was totally centered in the gospel.
May the peace which was taught by Him when he said "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 May that peace be felt during this time by the Merrill Family.
I had the privilege of getting to know your mother at the Auberge as her Relief Society President. I grew to love her from the first moment I met het her. She was so proud of her family and loved to share her pictures and her memories. She had a great love of the gospel and shared her sweet testimony. I miss her beautiful smile and her love of the gospel of Jesus Christ. May God be with you during this time of loss. I know she is happy today being in the presence of our Father in Heaven.
We were fortunate to have the Merrill family as neighbors and part of our ward family in Paul, Idaho. When I had surgery many years ago, Jane came and stayed a day with me and our little ones, cooking a delicious meal and baking some of her amazing bread. We have never forgotten that kindness. She is truly an Elect Lady and we were blessed to have had the privilege of knowing her. Our very best wishes to all of her family.