Merrill C. Forsyth

Bicknell, Utah – Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, neighbor, and friend, Merrill C. Forsyth, age 95, passed away on February 18, 2024, in Cedar City.

Merrill was born in Salina on December 26, 1928, to LaVon and Martha Naomi Clark Forsyth, one of four children to this marriage. He also enjoyed a close relationship with his four step siblings and two half-brothers. He attended Wayne High School and graduated with the class of 1947. He was drafted to serve in the Korean War where he worked as a carpenter. He was married to Cuma Sorenson. To this marriage was born Marlin Forsyth. They later divorced. He married Melba Mae Ellett on October 1, 1955, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their marriage was solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple April 1, 1961. Together they had 4 children: Naomi, Mont, Randy, and LaVona.

Merrill was a man of many talents, skills, and interests. He enjoyed gardening and restoring vehicles. He was a capable carpenter, building the home he and Melba shared in Bicknell and roofing many homes. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, cutting firewood, and gathering pine nuts. He provided love and support to his wife, children, and grandchildren, spending time with them and supporting them in whatever their interests were. He was civic-minded and served on the Bicknell Town Council.

Merrill is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served as a home teacher, building fund committee member, and building security. He supported Melba in her many callings as well as his children in scouting. His service extended outside of the church. He truly followed the example of his Savior in giving Christlike service to many widows and neighbors in need.

Merrill is survived by his loving wife, Melba of Bicknell; children: Marlin (Mikell) Forsyth of Centerville; Naomi (Steven, deceased) Nixon of Cedar City; Mont (Kelley) Forsyth of Bicknell; Randy (Tori) Forsyth of Cedar City; LaVona (Danny) Adams of Cedar City; 32 grandchildren; 84 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren; siblings:, Ward R. (Judy) Forsyth of Aurora; Lowell Clark (deceased) and Karen Forsyth of Salt Lake City, Donald (Flovon) Forsyth of Bakerfield, California, step-sister: Myrna (Dick) Chappell of Springville.

He is preceded in death by his father, LaVon Forsyth; mother, Martha Naomi Clark; his step-mothers, Ruby Brinkerhoff Morrell Forsyth and Emma Baker Taylor Forsyth; his siblings: Clayson LaVon Forsyth, Lowell Clark Forsyth, Terry Neil Forsyth, Brent M. Morrell, Montez Chidester, Grace Blackburn, Fay Nydegger, Shirley Smith and Arden P. Taylor.

The family wishes to express a special thank you to Ethan Bunker of and all of the caring staff at Sun Tree Hospice, the medical staff at the Wayne County Medical Clinic, Dr. Randy Delcore; and the outstanding care given to Merrill by his grandchildren in his final days.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 23, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. in the Thurber LDS Ward Chapel, 190 North 200 East in Bicknell, where friends may call for viewing Friday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to services.

Livestreaming of the services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Merrill’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.

Burial with military honors accorded by the Harold Brown American Legion Post 392 and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Grover Cemetery under the care of Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah

FUNERAL SERVICES LIVESTREAM