Mardean F Whitney's Obituary
Mardean F. Whitney
Our beloved husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle and friend passed away peacefully in his sleep, September 9, 2017. Mardean was born November 3, 1935, in Kanab, Utah, to Frank and Vilate Meeks Whitney, and was raised in Springville, UT. On January 30, 1959, he married Lois Bell in Morgan, UT. They were sealed for time and eternity in the Jordan River Temple after they had been married for 50 years.
He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Colorado Springs. While in the Army his own father passed away and while on leave to attend his funeral his company was deployed, so he missed his chance to see the world.
He was employed by Hercules/ATK for 34 years, and enjoyed his association with his co-workers. He also volunteered his services with the Hercules Credit Union. He served in various positions and finally resigned at the end of 2016 because it was just getting too hard on his body. He thoroughly thrived on his associations within the credit union, and in his later years, it gave his life a purpose.
He took pleasure in giving service for others. He helped his mother, in-laws and numerous family and friends with yard work, cement work, and other handy-man projects. He even helped his granddaughter repair her kitchen drawer just last month. He was supportive of his daughter’s softball team and was the president of the Hunter Bonnet Ball League.
He was passionate about all kinds of fishing and even tied his own flies. He also loved camping and hunting and served as a Scout Leader and delighted in taking the boys on camping trips to the Uinta Mountains. He really must have delighted in this activity because he turned his wife and daughters into great camping and fishing buddies. He loved hunting trips with his family. He was an accomplished wood worker and made many cherished gifts for his loved ones. He enjoyed gardening and his children and grandchildren have all looked to him for advice in their own yards.
He was always up for a road trip, and was a joy to have in the car. He always had a fun story or interesting fact to share about every destination. His dream vacation was to take his trailer to Alaska. He and Lois were able to spend a couple of months on this journey. When he became physically unable to continue with these interests, he reignited his passion for oil painting, and created many beautiful paintings he’s shared with his family.
His family gave him great pleasure and he supported his grandchildren and great grandchildren in every activity they pursued. He is survived by his daughters Cory (Dan) Ervin, and Sheri (Mark) McFall; six grandchildren, Brandi (Cody) Frandsen, Loree (Cory) Fowlks, Matt (Susan) Ervin, Amanda McFall Huff, Preston (Amanda) McFall, and Whitney McFall; great grandchildren, Boston, Brityn, and Oaklie Frandsen, Kenley and Kimball Fowlks, Emma and Jaymasen Huff, and Brooklyn McFall. He is also survived by his sisters, Charlene (Tom) Cornell, and Leanne Whitney, and sisters-in-law Karen Whitney, Janet Bell, Pauline Groesbeck, Sharon (Leon) Cox, and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law Veldon and Margery Bell, brothers Garth Whitney and Ranell Whitney, and brothers-in-law Veldon Bell Jr. and Donald Bell.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 14, at 11 am, with visitation on Wednesday, September 13, from 6-8 pm and 9-10:30 am prior to the service. Both will be held at the LDS Oxford Ward: 3761 S. Oldham Street (4180 West), West Valley, UT. Interment will be at Valley View Memorial Park, 4391 W. 4100 S., West Valley City, UT.
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