Merrill Kitchen

Merrill E. Kitchen, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away on Tues., Oct. 6, 2010. He was born February 8, 1916 to Samuel W. and Edith Prestwich Kitchen in rural Utah County known as the “Provo Bench” (now Orem). Throughout his youth, Merrill attended the local schools.

On his 18th birthday he received a call from the LDS Church to serve a mission in the Southern States. After successfully completing his mission, Merrill returned to Orem, bought some land from his father and commenced his life-long work as a farmer. In 1938 Merrill married Dona Grace Nelson of Spanish Fork in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. The young couple made their home in Orem where they raised their family.

In spite of the fact that Merrill was a 28 year old father of two youngsters, he was drafted into the US Army during WWII and honorably served his country in Italy.

After returning home Merrill raised beautiful crops and was among the first in the area to string and pole his tomatoes. He sold his produce by peddling in the smaller cities in southern Utah and to wholesale markets in Salt Lake City.

Merrill loved the out of doors and enjoyed camping and hunting. The highlight of each fall was the annual deer hunt that included many members of the immediate and extended family. Merrill acted as the camp cook and never failed to produce mouth watering meals for those in camp.

After retirement, Merrill lived in Murray with his second wife Helen Fellows (deceased). But during the cold months, they lived in Arizona in his camper or later in a park-model trailer. He loved to dance and socialize during these times of rest and thoroughly enjoyed himself.

Merrill is survived by his wife Dona, and children: Joyce (Tom) Robins, Don (Jan) Kitchen, Elaine (Christopher) Johnson, and Reed (Jolene) Kitchen and 22 grandchildren. 62 great grandchildren, and 12 great great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Fern (Floyd) Black, Bernice Sheffield, and brothers Wesley (Fay) Kitchen and Lynn (Beth) Kitchen. He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Elva Newell, Ruth Sanders, June Maynes, Roselee Gledhill and brothers Ralph and Russell Kitchen.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, Oct. 16th at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 N. Main, Farmington, UT (across from Cherry Hill). Family and friends may call on Friday, Oct. 15th from 6-8 pm and from 9:30-10:15 am prior to services. Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery at 3:00 pm.