Merlyn George Ashcroft 80, of Hyde Park, Utah, passed away on Friday, December 10, 2004 at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Merlyn was born June 19, 1924 in Hyde Park, Utah, the son of George Franklin Ashcroft Jr. and Phebe Thurston. He married Eleanor Luthy, March 24, 1953 in the Logan LDS Temple.

He was a life-long resident of Hyde Park. He attended school in Hyde Park and graduated from North Cache High School. Merlyn was a building contractor and was noted for his finish work. He built many homes in and out of Cache Valley. He also worked for Anderson Lumber, Progressive Homes, and later for the Cache County School District.

After his retirement, he enjoyed building furniture in his shop, gardening and being with his family. He loved visiting with people and had a keen memory and sense of humor.

Merlyn loved The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings. He especially enjoyed serving in church athletics, a bishopric, as a Stake Missionary and most recently as a temple worker.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor, two sons, Kyle (Susan) Ashcroft, Mark (Celia) Ashcroft, and one daughter, Becky (Brian) Potts, all of Hyde Park, Utah; 12 grandchildren; one brother, Wendell (Mary) Ashcroft, Hyde Park, Utah; one sister Mildred Smith, Huntington, Utah.

His parents, sister, Vella Harris, and two brothers-in-law, LeMoille Harris and Verne Smith, preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 at the Hyde Park Stake Center, 535 East 200 South, Hyde Park, with Bishop Roger Welsh conducting. Family and friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Allen-Cranney Mortuary, 420 East 1800 North, Logan, and from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Hyde Park Stake Center prior to services.

Interment will be in the Hyde Park City Cemetery. A special thanks to Dr. Jeffery S. Strong, the staff of Logan' Regional Hospital Emergency Department, Life Flight Crew, and the staff of the ICU Trauma Center at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.