TREMONTON – Beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend Merlin Louis Archibald, passed away at his home the morning of April 23, with his sweetheart in her hospital bed alongside his, with his two daughters attending him. Born May 12, 1932, in Plymouth, to John Franklin and Agnes Rudd Archibald. He was the tenth of twelve children.

He was educated in Plymouth and went to Bear River High School to the 10th grade and received his G.E.D in the Navy. He joined the Navy in 1950 and served in the Korean Conflict until 1954. He married Joan Whitworth in Malad, Idaho Aug. 1, 1952. Their marriage was solemnized in the Logan Temple in 1963. Together they raised five children. He worked at Freed's Chrysler in Salt Lake City and moved from Kearns to Tremonton to start at Thiokol where he worked as a machinist for 34 years. Merlin was a High Priest in the Tremonton 9th Ward. He and his wife served two missions, The England Birmingham Family History Mission and Chicago Temple Mission. He enjoyed sports, playing, umpiring, and watching Jazz and BYU. They served as Stake Sports Directors for many years. He was a gentle giant who never spoke ill of anyone.

Surviving are his wife Joan, three sons, Dwight (Cheryl), West Valley, Dale (Connie), Tremonton, John (Rachael), Logan, two daughters, Kathy (Willie) Heyder, Snowville, Sandra Keppler (Ted, deceased) ,Plymouth, 21 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Viola Fox, Grass Valley, Ca, and Mona Brown, Taylorsville, Utah.

Merlin is preceded in death by five brothers, four sisters, one great grandson, one great granddaughter, and one son-in-law. As a family we would like to thank PrimRose Hospice for their great care.

Funeral services were Monday, April 26, at the Tremonton South Stake. Family and friends may have called Sunday, April 25, at Rogers and Taylor Funeral Home, and Monday at the church. Interment in the Plymouth Cemetery with Military Honors.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.rogersandtaylor.com.