Merwyn grew up in Shelley with his five older brothers and older sister. His childhood was filled with family and friends and memories of fishing and camping trips with Uncle "Buzz", hoeing beets on the family farm, water skiing behind the car on the canal and much more neighborhood "fun". Active in school, he was student-body vice president along with class president his junior year and lettered in boxing four years earning a broken nose. He attended Shelley High School, then graduated from Utah State University in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Upon graduation he began service as an officer in the U S Air Force, ultimately based in Fairbanks, Alaska and being promoted to the rank of Captain. After military service he returned home to Shelley to farm with brothers, Earl, Wendell and Karl on the Hayes Project west of Shelley. He married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Brooks in Idaho Falls LDS Temple on November 30, 1950. They shared a love that radiated for 65 earthly years together. He was actively involved in civic affairs where he volunteered in the community and served on several farm organization boards. He was a member of the Shelley School Board for 12 years, being chairman for the last four. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Merwyn rendered Christ-like service to many. He held numerous callings and worked in every auxiliary ranging from home teacher to Elders Quorum President to serving on the high council. He was called as Bishop of the Woodville ward where he served for more than 8 years. He and mom enjoyed the blessings of missionary service where they served as missionaries in the Idaho Falls Temple Visitors Center along with being ordinance workers. His greatest love and priority, however, was his family and he enjoyed time spent with them. He was extremely generous and always caring for not only his family but anyone in need. Surviving posterity included: daughter Kris and husband Brent Saunders of Utah; son Marc of Shelley; and five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Also precedied by grandson Nikolas Saunders. Funeral services held Tuesday, May 10th at Woodville 1st Ward Chapel at 1555 N 700 East.