Glen Lewis Merrill

Glen Lewis Merrill, 82, of Rigby, died Saturday, March 19, 2011, at his home. He was born June 18, 1928, in Annis, Idaho, to Eldon Elias Merrill and Nancy Ann Dinsdale Merrill. He attended Annis Elementary and Midway High School, graduating in 1946. On August 4, 1948, he married Donna Ranae Casper in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. He was employed for 37 years at INL laboratories as a reactor operator working shift work for all of those years at the various facilities there. Glen always loved horses, and always had a horse. He trained racing thoroughbreds and quarter horses and spent many of his weekends and vacations from his site job taking them to various race meets or cutter meets. He was a Charter Member of the National Chariot and Cutter Racing Association, and raced chariots with both the Madison and Jefferson county cutter associations. He loved and participated in sports. As a youth, he was too short to play basketball, but he was FAST. He excelled in track and baseball and later played fast pitch softball with the INL leagues. He was an avid fisherman and loved fishing with his friends, children and grandchildren. He was instrumental in stocking local streams to see that the children had places to fish. He was involved in scouting and served as a scoutmaster for many years. While he served as scoutmaster, the Annis, Idaho Scout Troop awarded its first two Eagle Scout awards. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a faithful home teacher, Sunday School President, and also served in Idaho Falls LDS Temple, volunteering in the cafeteria. He is survived by his wife, Ranae Merrill, of Rigby, daughters, Diane (Randy) Allen, of West Jordan, Utah, Marnae (Eric) Sundberg, of Rexburg, Janet (Larry) Stucki, of Ririe, Marilyn Bloxham, of Hyrum, Utah, sons, Dennis Wray (Rhonda) Merrill, of Grant, Idaho, Charles Marlan Merrill, of Selah, Washington, Roger Glen (Heidi) Merrill, of Annis, a sister, Beulah (Ivan) Ashment, of Idaho Falls, 28 grandchildren, and 40 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Louise Hutchison, Brinda Crystal, and brothers, Ray Merrill, Jack Merrill. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 24, 2011, at the Menan Stake Center, 698 N. 3600 E., Menan, with Bishop Gary Sears, conducting. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday evening at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 West Main Street, Rigby, and from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery, under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel.