Bertha Criddle Halling

KAYSVILLE – Bertha Criddle Halling, age 98, died at her home in Kaysville, Utah on January 4, 2022. She was born August 2, 1923 in Syracuse, Utah to William Delbert and Hazel Armstrong Criddle.

Bertha was the youngest of six children (Effie, Wayne, Lynn, Golda, and Dean). She was the last of her family generation to return to our Father in Heaven. She was raised on the family farm in Syracuse and then they relocated to the farm in West Point, Utah. She attended school in Davis County and graduated from Davis High School. She attended Utah State University and then worked at Hill Air Force Base during World War II.

Bertha married Wilford Merrill Halling, Jr. from Mantua, Utah, on May 7, 1948 in the Salt Lake Temple. He had just returned from serving in the Merchant Marines in WWII. They built a home in Clearfield where they raised their six children across the street from her mother “Gramy” Hazel Criddle and her sister Golda (Monroe) Parrish and family. The wonderful neighbors on 100 North Street in Clearfield and the Clearfield Third Ward members played an important part in their lives.

Bertha painted china plates, crocheted blankets, and tatted baby booties and doilies. She was known for her excellent cooking, but her specialty was making, serving, and sharing amazing pies. She was a talented seamstress and sewed many things from doll clothes to beautiful wedding gowns. Merrill grew an amazing garden and Bertha preserved hundreds of bottles of fruit and vegetables each year. They planted, grew, and harvested apples from their 500 apple trees. She always kept her M&M machine full of candy to the delight of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She has blessed many lives with her positive attitude, wonderful example of selfless service, and great sense of humor.

Bertha and Merrill were always active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Primary and Relief Society. Throughout their lives, they always held a current Temple Recommend and served in the Ogden Temple for 12 years as Ordinance Workers.

After Merrill passed away in 2001, she had her new home built in Kaysville, Utah near two of her daughters. She spoke in Stake Conference at the age of 95 years old. She was an active member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

She is survived by her six children: Merilyn (Dale) Johnson, Kaysville; Colleen (Scott) Ostergaard, Kaysville: Marsha (John) Hall, Oregon; Delbert Merrill (Linda) Halling, Michigan; Dan Criddle (Allison) Halling, Michigan; and Marvin Wilford (Shelly) Halling, Hyde Park. She has 35 grandchildren; 69 great-grandchildren; and will soon have two great-great-grandchildren. She was called “Gramy” by her grandchildren and “Gramy-Great” by her great-grandchildren.

She has been blessed with many wonderful nieces and nephews and extended family members. She has also been blessed with many friends, Brookshire Hollow neighbors, and Kaysville 12th Ward members. The last few months, she has been lovingly assisted by Noa Saafi, her Caregiver and dear friend, as well as Hospice Care Providers. She has been blessed with ancestors that sacrificed so much for the Church and this great country of America. She will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Kaysville 12th Ward Chapel, 1039 East Crestwood Road, Kaysville, Utah. Friends may visit with family on Friday evening, January 7, 2022 at Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah from 6:00 to 8:00 PM or prior to the Funeral Services at the church on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 AM.

We have been encouraged to wear masks if you would like. If you are sick, we would encourage you to stay home and watch the service virtually. Thank you.

For those wishing to attend virtually, the service will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary and Crematory Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Russon-Mortuary-Crematory-105412734572327

Services will also be streamed under this obituary beginning at 11:00 AM on Saturday.