Merz Whiting Hugentobler D.D.S. 10/15/1932 ~ 1/9/2007 "He Made Us Laugh" Dr. Merz Whiting Hugentobler, surrounded by his wife and children, passed peacefully away on January 9, 2007 in Moab , Utah. Merz was born October 15, 1932, in Salina, Utah to proud parents Leland Adolph and Mary Elizabeth Whiting Hugentobler. He married his high school sweetheart, Hannah Merilyn Bell on September 7, 1955 in the Manti Temple. Merz graduated from North Sevier High School. He attended the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Utah State University. He earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1965. He practiced dentistry in St. Joseph, MO; Monticello, Moab, Green River, Escalante, and Monument Valley, Utah for over 32 years. He interacted with hundreds of patients, many of whom became his friends. He never met a stranger. He was a member of the American Dental Association, the Utah Dental Association, and the Academy of LDS Dentists. He served on the State Board of Health for 10 years. He was also a member of the Temple Riders Association. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Merz served in numerous positions throughout his lifetime. He was serving as an ordinance worker at the Monticello Utah Temple at the time of his death. He had an unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ as his Savior and was true to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was honest in every way, he loved his family dearly, and he loved the Lord. It was not in a list of his accomplishments that Merz's character shined; it was in his everyday life, his quick wit, his humorous stories, his love for his family and friends, and as said by those who knew him, "He made us laugh". He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Merilyn; and six children: Marilee (Richard M.) Bailey of Monticello; Mel (Jodie) of Eagle, Idaho; Mark (Angie) of Manti; Mike (Noi) of Kuwait City, Kuwait; Merrill (Linda) of Moab; McKay (Cori) of Hot Springs, Arkansas; 28 grandchildren and two great-grand-children. A viewing is scheduled for Thursday, January 11th at the Moab LDS 4th North Chapel from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A viewing will be held on Friday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. with funeral services starting at noon. These services will be held at the Monticello LDS North Chapel. Interment will be at the Salina Eastside Cemetery, January 13, 2007 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund or the Academy of LDS Dentists.
MGA