Shirl Merrell passed away peacefully on December 29, 2023, at the age of 93. Shirl was born in Salt Lake City on March 26, 1930. He spent the first 18 years of his life working with his father on the family farm in Portage, Utah. He graduated from Bear River High School in 1948. Following the death of his father in 1949 Shirl, along with his mother and younger sister, moved to Salt Lake to live with family.
In Salt Lake, Shirl worked as a delivery driver for the Frank Edwards Company and then in the parts department of the Browning Buick dealership. Shirl enlisted in the Air Force in 1950 and served as an aircraft maintenance mechanic at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. He graduated first in his class in the Air Force electronics school and became an instructor there until his discharge in 1953.
Upon returning to Utah in 1953, he met Elaine Ferguson, and they were married on November 15, 1954. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on November 15, 1960. Shirl studied electronics with assistance from the GI Bill and was employed by Sperry Corporation in 1958, where he worked until his retirement in 1992. Shirl and Elaine had three children: Gary, Nancy, and Roger. Together, Shirl and Elaine served two missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first in Salt Lake City’s Park Stake and later in the Russia Moscow South Mission, from August 2000 until February 2002. Shirl served in many church callings, most frequently as membership clerk, beginning in the 1960s.
Shirl is preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Elaine, and his younger sister Darlene Draney. He is survived by three married children, Gary (Lorrie) Merrell, Nancy (Paul) Glad, and Roger (Tammy) Merrell, twelve grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held in Salt Lake City at 11 am Friday January 12, 2024 at the Yalecrest Ward building, 1035 South 1800 East. A visitation will be held Thursday January 11 from 6-8 pm at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, from 6-8 pm, and again one hour prior to the funeral at the ward. Interment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Funeral services will be streamed for those wishing to attend virtually. To watch the previously held funeral servcies, please click the “Watch Services” link above.
We had the privilege of being friends with Shirl and Elaine for many years, and came to the conclusion that these two were what my wife called practicing Christians. Shirl was very devoted to his family and community, serving in many capacities to the best of his ability, never seeking fame or favor. He simply did his best at whatever task was laid before him. I remember his mechanical skills which were so helpful to us in keeping our old automobile functioning. He was one of those rare individuals who, along with Elaine was a good friend to so many in our community. God bless his memory!